Our 9 Favorite Hikes in Big Bend National Park

Spanning over 800,000 acres, Big Bend is a hiker’s paradise filled with rugged mountains, deep canyons, and expansive desert. The park has over 200 miles of hiking trails, but with so many trails to choose from, deciding where to start can be tricky. To make planning your trip easier, we’ve rounded up our 9 favorite hikes in Big Bend, complete with trail length, difficulty, highlights, and more!

🥾 Our Favorite Hikes in Big Bend at a Glance

🌄 Best Sunrise Views: Santa Elena Canyon off of Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive

⛰️ Highest Altitude: Emory Peak Trail from Chisos Basin

⭐ Most Popular: Lost Mine Trail from Chisos Basin Road

🍬 Short and Sweet: Hot Springs Trail near Rio Grande Village

💚 Our Overall Favorite: South Rim Trail from Chisos Basin

1. Lost Mine Trail

Lost Mine Trail is one of the most popular hikes in Big Bend National Park, and for good reason—it offers breathtaking views of the Chisos Mountains from start to finish. The 4.8-mile round-trip hike is rated moderate, with a steady uphill climb leading to a stunning overlook. Because of its popularity, parking at the trailhead often fills up early, especially during peak seasons like spring break.

We attempted this hike in March 2025 and arrived at 7:20 a.m., about 40 minutes before sunrise, only to find the parking lot already full! The main lot has just 24 spaces, with a few extra spots further down the mountain for compact cars. To avoid missing out, consider pairing this hike with others in the Chisos Basin, allowing flexibility to return later if needed, like we did.

The first half of the trail is a steady incline with plenty of scenic rest spots, while the return trip is all downhill. The last stretch crosses an exposed rock section with steep drop-offs, but if heights aren’t your thing, you can easily enjoy the stunning views from the top without going the last little bit.

Since much of the trail is exposed to the sun, bringing enough water is essential. While some opt to hike in the dark before sunrise, we think this one is best enjoyed in daylight to fully take in its beauty.

Distance: 4.78 mi (7.7 km)
Difficulty: Moderate
Estimated Time: 2.5 hours
Type: Out and back

2. The Window Trail

The Window Trail is one of the top must-do hikes in Big Bend, leading to a breathtaking natural rock “window” that perfectly frames the desert landscape beyond. This moderate hike takes about 2.5 hours round trip and begins at the Chisos Basin Campground, though you can also start from the amphitheater parking lot via a short connecting trail. The route is mostly downhill on the way in and uphill on the return, making the journey back a bit more challenging.

We hiked this trail at sunrise and highly recommend it—the early morning light casts a beautiful glow over the canyon walls, and the cooler temperatures make the climb back more manageable. The final viewpoint offers an incredible overlook of the western side of the park, and the smooth rock at the edge is a testament to how many hands have touched it over the years.

There are bathrooms at the trailhead, and parking is available near the Chisos Basin Campground. Just keep in mind that the way back is entirely uphill, so pace yourself and bring plenty of water. If you’re looking for a scenic, rewarding hike with a stunning photo op at the end, this one is a winner!

Distance: 5.53 mi from parking lot or 4.4 mi from campground (8.9 km)
Difficulty: Moderate
Estimated Time: 2.5 hours
Type: Out and back

3. Santa Elena Canyon Trail

Santa Elena Canyon Trail is one of Big Bend’s most breathtaking and accessible hikes, offering a short but stunning journey into the towering canyon walls carved by the Rio Grande. This easy, 40-minute trail starts from the parking lot and leads to the riverbank, where you cross Terlingua Creek (which may be dry, depending on water levels). From there, the trail climbs gently up a few switchbacks before descending into the heart of the canyon, where the walls soar dramatically on either side.

We hiked this trail at sunrise and had the canyon almost to ourselves, making for a peaceful and unforgettable experience. The early morning light illuminates the canyon walls, enhancing their golden hues and creating a beautiful contrast against the deep blue sky. Santa Elena Canyon runs 20 miles (32 km) on the west side of the park. Since water levels fluctuate, the exact length of the trail depends on how far you can walk along the Rio Grande’s edge, but no matter the conditions, the views are spectacular.

Parking is limited, with about 20 spots, and an NPS staff member was assisting with parking for smaller RVs (under 25 feet) when we visited. There are also bathrooms and trash receptacles at the trailhead. Overall, this is an easy, rewarding hike with some of the best views in Big Bend!

Distance: 1.62 mi (2.6 km)
Difficulty: Easy
Estimated Time: 40 minutes
Type: Out and back

4. Emory Peak Trail

If you’re up for the challenge, Emory Peak Trail takes you to the highest point in Big Bend National Park at 7,825 feet, offering panoramic views of the Chisos Mountains and beyond. This strenuous hike is around 10 miles round-trip, with a steep final ascent that requires some rock scrambling.

The trail begins at the Chisos Basin Trailhead, following the Pinnacles Trail before branching off toward the peak. The first few miles involve a steady incline through scenic mountain terrain, but the final quarter-mile climb is the most challenging, requiring hands-and-feet scrambling up sheer rock. At the top, you’re rewarded with 360-degree views of the vast desert and rugged mountains.

Distance: 9.82 mi (15.8 km)
Difficulty: Hard
Estimated Time: 4-5 hours
Type: Out and back

5. Balanced Rock Trail

The Balanced Rock Trail is a fun, short hike that leads to one of Big Bend’s most unique rock formations—a massive boulder precariously balanced between two rock walls. This 2-mile round-trip trail is mostly easy but includes a short rock scramble at the end. The best time to hike is early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the harsh midday sun, as much of the trail is exposed. This trail is located in the desert, so being prepared with ample water is critical.

To reach the trailhead, you’ll need to drive down Grapevine Hills Road, a rough gravel road that can be challenging for low-clearance vehicles. The first part of the hike is a flat, sandy wash, surrounded by towering boulders and desert vegetation. The final stretch requires a short but steep rock scramble, leading to the Balanced Rock formation with panoramic views of the surrounding desert.

Distance: 1.93 mi (3.1 km)
Difficulty: Moderate
Estimated Time: 1 hour
Type: Out and back

6. South Rim Trail

Of all the hikes in Big Bend, the South Rim Trail was hands-down our favorite. We hadn’t planned on hiking this trail, but after chatting with park rangers, they explained to us that the breathtaking views from the South Rim were a huge reason why Big Bend was designated a national park. This challenging route takes you through diverse terrain, from steep switchbacks in the Chisos Basin to open grasslands, shaded springs, and finally, the dramatic cliffside views overlooking the vast desert below. It’s incredible!

The trail can be accessed via the Laguna Meadow Trail or Pinnacles Trail—we started with Pinnacles and ended with Laguna Meadows, which we’d highly recommend since Pinnacles is steeper. While the hike is long, the incredible scenery and lack of heavy crowds made it well worth the effort. Along the way, we saw backpacking groups setting up for overnight trips, and if we return, we’d consider staying overnight to catch a sunrise from the rim.

If you’re up for a full-day trek with some of the best views in Big Bend, the South Rim Trail is a must. Bring plenty of water, start early to beat the heat, and be prepared for changing weather as you climb higher into the mountains. The effort is intense, but the unforgettable panoramas make it one of the most rewarding hikes in Big Bend!

Distance: 12.2 miles (19.6 km), although we recorded 14.4 miles
Difficulty: Hard
Estimated Time: 6-6.5 hours
Type: Loop

7. Boquillas Canyon Trail

The Boquillas Canyon Trail is a short but scenic hike that takes you along the Rio Grande and into one of Big Bend’s most stunning canyons. Boquillas Canyon runs 33 miles (53 km) on the east side of the park. The trail begins with a brief uphill climb before quickly descending toward the river, where you’ll walk alongside towering canyon walls. We hiked this trail just before sunset and loved watching the golden light play across the rock formations.

The steep canyon walls create a feeling of total immersion, and the sound of the Rio Grande flowing makes the hike even more peaceful. Though it’s only about 42 minutes round-trip, the beauty packed into this short hike makes it well worth the stop.

Parking is limited, especially for larger vehicles, so plan accordingly. We were able to park our 23′ long van, but it would have been challenging if there were more cars in the parking lot. There are also bathrooms and trash receptacles at the trailhead. If you’re looking for a quicker, less strenuous hike with incredible scenery, Boquillas Canyon is a perfect choice—especially at sunset!

Distance: 1.43 mi (2.3 km)
Difficulty: Moderate
Estimated Time: 45 minutes
Type: Out and back

8. Hot Springs Trail

The Hot Springs Trail is a short, scenic hike leading to a natural hot spring along the Rio Grande. We visited the Hot Springs before sunrise and then joined a ranger-led tour for the hike and learned that this area was once used as a health resort by a man named J.O. Langford. The remains of the bathhouse, post office, and motel still stand today!

Getting there requires driving a narrow, winding dirt road with a steep drop-off—this was a bit nerve-wracking in the dark! There’s parking for larger vehicles halfway down, but we drove the full route – not something I would necessarily recommend for larger vehicles like ours. Once at the springs, we soaked in the warm water, surrounded by stunning river views. It was one of our favorite memories of Big Bend National Park.

If you plan to take a dip, bring a bathing suit, towel, and water shoes. Bathrooms and trash bins are available if you need to change at the trailhead. The Park Ranger told us this fossilized water source won’t last forever, so experience it while you can!

Distance: 1.18 mi (1.9 km)
Difficulty: Easy
Estimated Time: 45 minutes
Type: Loop

9. Tuff Canyon Trail

The Tuff Canyon Trail is an easy hike that takes you down into a lesser-known canyon nestled below Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive. Though unassuming from the road, the trail offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and canyon walls. We found it to be a relaxing, scenic stop while exploring the west side of the park.

A short walk from the parking area leads to an overlook platform, perfect for those who want to take in the views without hiking. For those venturing in, the trail descends into the canyon, where you can explore the unique rock formations up close.

With its short distance and minimal elevation change once you make the initial descent into the canyon, this hike is great for all levels. It’s an easy way to experience Big Bend’s diverse landscapes without a major time commitment.

Distance: 1 mi (1.6 km)
Difficulty: Easy
Estimated Time: 25 minutes
Type: Out and back

We love using AllTrails to download maps offline so we can always stay on the trail. Sign up for AllTrails+ so you too can download maps offline before your hike!

🗺️ Map of Our 9 Favorite Hikes in Big Bend

Here we’ve pinned our top 9 hikes in Big Bend. We were able to mark the trailheads for some of them, but we always recommend using AllTrails to navigate the trails themselves. This map is designed to give you a sense of the areas each trail covers within the park.

How to use this map: We have saved the locations from this guide on this map. You can save this map to your Google Maps by pressing the star icon. In your Google Maps, click the menu icon and then Saved Maps, where this map will appear.

📅 Best Time of Year to Hike in Big Bend

The best time to hike in Big Bend is from November to April, when the weather is mild and perfect for outdoor activities. We visited in mid-March, and while we encountered some crowds and parking challenges at popular trailheads, the pleasant temperatures made up for it.

Summer in the park brings extreme heat, with temperatures often exceeding 100°F, and many campgrounds and visitor centers close from May 1 – October 31. For the most comfortable hiking experience, aim for the cooler months to avoid the sweltering summer conditions.

🎒 Big Bend Packing Essentials

From sun protection to comfortable hiking shoes, here’s a quick list of our top hiking essentials for Big Bend National Park:

Sun Protection

• Sunscreen – No matter the time of year you visit, sunscreen is essential in Big Bend to protect your skin from the Texan sun.
• Wide-brimmed hat – As part of sun safety, we love pairing sunscreen with wide-brimmed hats.
• Sun Shirts – Light, sunshirts are great for protecting against bugs and the sun! Here is Elliot’s favorite long-sleeve sun shirt and Jen’s favorite long-sleeve sun shirt.
• Refillable Water Bottle – Staying hydrated is a key part of sun safety. We love this water bottle featuring all of the US National Parks with stickers to check off your visits. There are fill-up stations at most Visitor Centers and campgrounds. Rangers recommend a gallon of water a day per person. On our longest hike, the South Rim Trail, we brought 3 litres of water and still ran out in the last hour of hiking!

Hiking Essentials

• Hiking shorts or pants – We recommend hiking pants to protect against the sun as well. Elliot’s favorite hiking pants and Jen’s favorite hiking pants.
• Rainjacket – Although it’s primarily a desert environment, you never know what weather awaits you. If you’re looking for a new rain jacket fit for hiking, this is Elliot’s favorite rain jacket and Jen’s favorite rain jacket.
• Hiking Boots – Solid footwear is a must in any national park, here are Elliot’s favorite trail runners and Jen’s favorite hiking boots.
• Lightweight backpack – Elliot carries this backpack with the included rain cover, while Jen carries this backpack.
• Snacks – We always make sure to pack protein-rich, lightweight snacks with us while hiking.

Safety Essentials

• Trail Maps – We love using AllTrails+ to download maps ahead of time.
• GPS – We carry the Garmin InReach Mini 2 with us on all trails for safety.
• First Aid Kit – This first aid kit is one of those items we hope to never have to use but always carry, just in case.
• Headlamp – A headlamp is especially useful when going on sunrise, sunset, or night hikes!

Read Next:

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Pin this guide with the best hikes in Big Bend National Park to help plan your trip!