Big Bend National Park is an absolute JEWEL of a National Park. Camping and hiking Big Bend is a once-in-a-lifetime experience! One that will let you experience the best view at Big Bend National Park.
Big Bend has incredible panoramic views, stunning cliff-side walks, unique window overlooks, relaxing hot springs, and the most beautiful starry night sky on earth. All that, and the cherry on top is the best camping experience of any National Park in the country.
In this blog we will discuss how to get to Big Bend and where to see the best views in Big Bend National Park. There’s no doubt the best hikes have some of the best views, including the Window trail in Big Bend, South Rim Trail, Lost Mine Trail and Emory Peak!
Lastly we’ll discuss how to find the all natural and FREE hot spring in Big Bend and why you should camp in the National Park during your trip! `All these experiences will guide you to the best view at Big Bend National Park!
How To Get To Big Bend
Before we get started, let’s state something obvious: Big Bend is not easy to get to.
Unless you live somewhat close to Big Bend, you’ll need to plan for a flight to one of the closest airports and a rental car to get you the rest of the way there.
El Paso, Texas is the biggest nearby city and, therefore, the closest big airport. After you fly in, you’ll need a car to complete the remaining 5 hour journey. The next closest airport would be San Antonio, Texas. From there it’s a 6.5 hour drive to Big Bend.
There is a small airport called Midland Odessa International Air and Space Port that will get you a bit closer. However, it will probably be much more expensive and require a connection to get there. Still worth checking out if you’re planning a trip to Big Bend. Midland Odessa is 3 hours and 45 minutes from Big Bend.
Having said that, Big Bend is SO MUCH MORE THAN worth the trip.
Now, since Big Bend is a drive to get to, you will want to maximize your time here. If you can spend more than a week, do it! We think a week is the minimum to account for travel and adequate exploration of the park.
Without further ado, let us be your guide. All of the reasons why Big Bend is the most underrated park in the United States, and why you NEED to put camping and hiking Big Bend on your bucket list! Let’s explore the best views in Big Bend National Park.
Best Views in Big Bend
Lost Mine Trail
When you enter Big Bend, your first stop should likely be Panther Junction, the national park’s Visitor Center. This is where you can fill up on water, get information & permits for camping, buy a souvenir, etc.
Coming from Panther Junction, your first drive should be up to the Chisos Basin, a visually INCREDIBLE 9 mile jaunt from Panther Junction. On this route, the first major hike you will pass is Lost Mine Trail.
Lost Mine Trail is almost 5 miles round-trip, with an elevation gain of just over 1000 feet. That makes it a relatively moderate hike, one that most anyone should be able to make.
However, a reminder that with ALL of these hikes you are in South Texas. What else is in South Texas? The sun… In a BIG way. It can get HOT in the middle of the day. Make sure to check the forecast, plan ahead, and PLEASE bring enough water!
Once you trek up the 2-plus miles to the top, you are greeted with a STUPENDOUS view of the Chisos Mountain Range at the center of Big Bend. It’s definitely the best view at Big Bend National Park!
In our opinion, what stood out at Big Bend was the 360-degree views on every single trail. No matter where you look, you are treated to a view that will bring a tear to your eye.
Since Lost Mine Trail in Big Bend is a relatively moderate hike, it is a great one to kick off your Big Bend experience. You’ll get to stretch your legs, break the rust off, and get an excellent example of what hiking in the Chisos Mountains is like.
Hike Stats:
- Distance: 4.8 miles (RT)
- Elevation Gain: 1,120 ft.
- Difficulty: moderate
The Window Trail
The Window in Big Bend is our best bet for your second hike in Big Bend.
The number 1 reason that this should be hike number 2: the trail-head is located right in the heart of Chisos Basin. That means it is basically right on-the-way after Lost Mine Trail, so geographically it makes the most sense.
The Window is a little over 5 miles round-trip, but it is a hike DOWN into a canyon (a bit less than 1000 feet elevation drop). What does that mean? Yep, on your hike out, you will have to hike UP. This is the only main trail in Big Bend that is a hike down.
The Window trail is unique in more than a few ways, but one thing we found striking was that you can almost see The Window from the trail-head.
However, this ‘Window’ you see at the top is not THE Window. The ‘Window’ at the top is a GORGEOUS view of the valley framed between 2 mountains, forming a huge ‘V’ in which the land spreads out for miles and miles.
The TRUE Window does not make itself visible until the bottom of the trail. You’ll go from hiking a typical mountain trail, to hiking through a canyon as a stream passes down the canyon’s center.
Once you reach the canyon, it isn’t far until you reach The Window, where the aforementioned stream flows over a cliff. At this point, the canyon is only 10 feet apart, and acts as a true window, framing a picturesque paradise of desert and mountains spread beneath you.
The Window is the most unique and best view at Big Bend National Park. You simply MUST give it a try.
Hike Stats:
- Distance: 5.5 miles (RT)
- Elevation Gain: -960 ft.
- Difficulty: easy-moderate
Emory Peak
Have you ever been on top of the world? Not like after you hit a home-run in your work softball league, like LEGITIMATELY on top of the world. That is what it feels like atop Emory Peak, the tallest peak in Big Bend.
At 7,825 feet in elevation, Emory Peak is not a mammoth mountain worldwide, however it is HUGE compared to the surrounding desert. The hike itself is ten and a half miles round-trip, with an elevation gain of 2,400 feet.
You are truly the highest human being within your eyesight, which is hundreds of miles around, 360 degrees. What is even cooler? More than half of your view is not even the good ol’ United States of America!
Since Big Bend is named for a bend in the Rio Grande river, and the Rio Grande divides the USA and Mexico, the river actually wraps around the Texas land. Therefore, if you think of your view as an 8-slice pizza, about 3 slices of your view atop Emory peak are the USA, and 5 slices are Mexico.
Emory Peak, as the tallest peak in Big Bend, is also in our opinion the most challenging hike. It isn’t ridiculously hard, however it is no joke. Make sure to be adequately prepare for a full day hike up and down.
This jewel of Big Bend is more than worth the trip. Pro tip: pack a few clementines to enjoy at the top. They will be the best clementines you’ve had in your life, guaranteed. There’s no doubt Emory Peak is one of the best views in Big Bend National Park.
Hike Stats:
- Distance: 10.4 miles (RT)
- Elevation Gain: 2440 feet.
- Difficulty: Strenuous.
- Length of Time: 5 to 7 hours.
The highest peak in Big Bend National Park – Emory Peak
South Rim Trail
South Rim Trail is the most famous trail in Big Bend. Many, if not most, of the overlooks you’ll see in pictures online are from South Rim and it definitely offers the best view at Big Bend National Park.
This trail is also unique from the other trails in Big Bend in that it is a loop! Our favorite kind of trail. You will never see the same thing twice!
This fact is especially impressive considering South Rim Trail is 11 miles round-trip, with an elevation gain of over 2,000 feet. 11 entire miles and you will not come across the same stunning view twice.
Every step will be a new experience. Every blink of an eye a new sight to behold.
We’ve talked enough about water, so just bring enough. Especially on this monster of a hike that will take the better part of a day. Our advice? Pack a lunch!
For our money, there is not much better than a mountainside picnic with an incredible view. You will have the challenging part of the hike out of your way, enjoying a sandwich, granola bar, and fruit as your eyes soak up the mountain masterpiece.
Whether you tackle these two hikes in one day or two, you will have an incredible experience with amazing views. One that you will not soon forget, that is for sure.
Hike Stats:
- Distance: 12.4 miles (RT)
- Elevation Gain: 2,030 ft.
- Difficulty: strenuous.
Big Bend Hot Springs
The number 1 Big Bend destination outside of the Chisos Mountains is the Hot Springs. Located on the Rio Grande on the Southeast corner of the park, the Hot Springs are the best way to relax after a few days of hiking Big Bend National Park. And of course the views from the Hot Springs are incredible!
The drive to the Hot Springs trail-head from Panther Junction is about 20 miles, the last mile of which is a dirt road. From there, the hike itself is really nothing, about a mile or so round-trip, all flat along the riverside.
Big Bend’s Hot Springs were very amazing to us, because they were located right on the Rio Grande river, which runs cold. This was surprising, since the river runs along the southern border of the USA, a place known for heat, but it was a bit chilly.
The Hot Springs are a wonderful compliment to the chilly river waters. We loved hopping into the river, swimming for a few minutes, then climbing back into the Hot Springs for a soak. It was the most refreshing and relaxing day of our stay in Big Bend!
Pine Canyon Trail
Pine Canyon Trail is a much less-well-known trail in Big Bend, and one that we only took because it was convenient. We were primitive camping in Pine Canyon (more on primitive camping in a minute…) so the trail-head was right by our campsite!
Pine Canyon offered a moderate 4 mile hike round-trip, one that was mostly through Texas countryside and mountain forests. We hiked this at sunset, a time that we HIGHLY recommend if you find yourself in the Pine Canyon area. The sun sets right over the surrounding mountain and unveils a beautifully colored evening sky.
We really think this easy trail leads you to one of the best views at Big Bend National Park.
Big Bend at Night
We sort of buried the lead here… Big Bend at night is an EXPERIENCE all its own. Nowhere else on earth have we seen a night sky like we saw at Big Bend. The very best view at Big Bend National Park might simply be Big Bend at night!
Big Bend is hundreds of miles from a sizable city, and as such there is absolutely ZERO light pollution. The stars shine in all there brilliance in the South Texas night sky.
In addition, there are rarely, if ever, clouds in the sky. The starry night is completely unblocked. If you ever wanted to catch a glimpse of the Milky Way painted across the night sky, Big Bend is your chance.
Camping in Big Bend National Park
We have visited National Parks across the entire United States, and are visiting more every day. Big Bend has the best camping situation of any of them, and it is not particularly close.
Quick Note: We almost never stay in private campsites. We are ALL about saving money, and always find free camping whenever we can.
The first reason that primitive camping in Big Bend rocks: it is basically free. Depending on how long you go, it can be less than $1 per day. Would you rather have a gumball or a night camping in Big Bend? Easy choice…
The camping permits are $12 each, for a stay up to 14 nights. You can use all 14 nights, or if you’re only staying 7 nights, that’s fine too. $12 is ridiculously cheap.
The second reason that primitive camping in Big Bend rocks: the sites themselves. The sites are scattered all over the park, each one with an incredible and unique view of the park and the surrounding countryside.
To get a spot, you will have to stop at Panther Junction Visitor Center. A ranger will set you up with a spot, provided there are some available. To make sure you get a spot, the earlier you go to Panther Junction the better.
We were absolutely blown away by the campsites, and you will be too. SO beautiful. FYI, there are no electric and water hookups, best to know that going in. If you need water and electric, there are developed camping options as well.
You can NOT go to Big Bend and not experience the starry skies. We will not let you. We will come drag you out of bed and plant your butt cheeks on a chair and point your eyes sky-ward.
Camping & Hiking Big Bend Map
For reference, here is a map of Big Bend National Park, straight from the National Park Service website. The park itself is HUGE, so you’ll need the map as reference for your trip!
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