Big Bend may well be the most anonymous of the national parks in the Lower 48. If it's solitude you seek, you'll find it here. Besides serving up quiet in big, Texas-size portions, Big Bend boasts geologic wonders, unique wildlife, and plenty of room for hikers and campers to spread out.
Varied topography, numerous springs and seeps, interesting canyons, and endless sky make the trail along Smoky Creek a popular route for more experienced hikers. As long as you avoid spring break time, the trail offers plenty of solitude for much of the year.
Some of the Lone Star State's most scenic drives traverse the Big Bend National Park, offering views of west Texas' wide, sweeping vistas and its dramatic and rugged terrain. Although many of these roads (including the ones described below) are paved, others are more primitive, and some of these are suitable only for 4-wheel drive vehicles.
Established in 1944 to preserve 12,000 square miles of the Chihuahuan Desert, Big Bend is home to more than 450 kinds of birds. Big Bend is best known for the birds in the Chisos Mountains.
The extreme temperatures and geographic isolation of the park have given rise to animals specifically adapted to the area's many environmental niches. The Colima warbler, the greater long-nosed bat, and the Sierra del Carmen Mountains white-tailed deer are found nowhere else north of Mexico. The endangered Big Bend mosquito fish lives only here. And although this isn't the only place in the world to spot mountain lions or black bear, sightings of these gorgeous creatures are always a delight for park visitors.
By Travel Expert:
Laurie Roddy
At 7,825 feet, Emory Peak is the highest point in the Chisos Mountains. It offers a 360-degree view of the entire park and far beyond into Texas and Mexico. A 2,500-foot climb makes this trail strenuous at times, and it requires some rock scrambling at the end to reach the top. Allow for at least six hours for the 8.5-mile hike.
Raft Santa Elena Canyon along the Rio Grande on a two-day trip. While the first day is more leisurely with slow floats and photo opportunities, the second day is full of adrenaline rushes as you go through Rock Slide, the first rapid of the river.
Considered the classic hike of Texas, the South Rim Trail begins in the Chisos Basin and ends high above on a large escarpment that overlooks Texas and Mexico. To completely enjoy the trip allow for two or three days on the 12.6-mile well-marked trek.
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