things to do in big bend national park
Big Bend National Park, located in southwest Texas, offers a wide range of activities and stunning natural beauty. Here are some things to do in Big Bend National Park:
- Hiking: Big Bend has over 150 miles of trails, ranging from easy day hikes to more challenging multi-day backpacking trips. Some popular trails include:
- Chisos Basin Loop: A 1.8-mile loop around the Chisos Basin, with scenic views of the surrounding mountains.
- South Rim Trail: A 6.5-mile trail that takes you along the south rim of the Chisos Mountains, with spectacular views of the Rio Grande River.
- Outer Mountain Loop: A 32-mile loop that takes you through the Chisos Mountains and offers stunning views of the park’s unique geology.
- Scenic Drives: Big Bend has several scenic drives that offer stunning views of the park’s natural beauty.
- Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive: A 30-mile drive that takes you through the Chisos Mountains and offers spectacular views of the Rio Grande River.
- Chisos Basin Road: A 6-mile drive that takes you from the park’s entrance to the Chisos Basin, with scenic views of the surrounding mountains.
- Wildlife Viewing: Big Bend is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including deer, javelinas, and over 400 species of birds.
- Chisos Basin: A great place to spot wildlife, including deer and javelinas.
- Rio Grande River: A great place to spot birds, including hawks and eagles.
- River Activities: The Rio Grande River forms the southern boundary of the park and offers a variety of activities.
- Rafting: Take a guided rafting trip down the Rio Grande River, which offers stunning views of the park’s unique geology.
- Kayaking: Rent a kayak and paddle down the Rio Grande River, which offers a unique perspective on the park’s natural beauty.
- Fishing: The Rio Grande River is home to a variety of fish species, including catfish and bass.
- Stargazing: Big Bend has some of the darkest skies in the country, making it an ideal destination for stargazing.
- Chisos Basin: A great place to stargaze, with minimal light pollution and clear skies.
- Ranger-led star parties: Join a ranger-led star party to learn more about the night sky and see celestial objects through telescopes.
- Visit historic sites: Big Bend has a rich cultural history, with evidence of human presence dating back over 1,000 years.
- Hot Springs: A historic site that features a natural hot spring and remains of an old bathhouse.
- Old Ore Road: A historic road that takes you through the Chisos Mountains and offers scenic views of the park’s unique geology.
- Attend a ranger-led program: Big Bend offers a variety of ranger-led programs, including nature walks, bird walks, and star parties.
- Explore the park’s unique geology: Big Bend is home to a wide variety of unique geologic formations, including the Chisos Mountains and the Rio Grande River.
- Photography: Big Bend is a photographer’s paradise, with stunning natural beauty and unique geologic formations.
- Backpacking and camping: Big Bend has several backcountry campsites and offers a variety of camping options, including developed campsites and primitive backcountry sites.
Remember to always follow park rules and regulations, and to practice safe hiking and camping practices.
