Fun Things To Do Around Big Bend National Park

An Overview of Big Bend, Texas

Found in the vast lands around the Rio Grande in the Chisos Mountains, Big Bend is a massive park space home to daunting canyons, old ruins, wide desert expanses, forested mountain slops and profound wildlife. Big Bend is notorious as an outdoor recreation area, offering archeological visits, hiking trails, climbing paths, river explorations and unique geology. Thanks to it’s unique landscape and beautiful scenery, there are many fun things to do around Big Bend National Park.

Fun Things To Do Around Big Bend National Park

Lajitas

Perched on the banks of the Rio Grande, Lajitas (meaning “small, flat rocks”) is a Texas resort near Big Bend. The small town is known for its quiet solitude, rugged natural beauty and Old West preserved histroy. There are several nearby hiking trails as well as a golf course which covers much of the surrounding land.

Terlingua

Terlingua once served as a deep-desert mining town known for mercury mining, an enterprise that gradually diminished after the 1930s. The town received a slight boost in fame as a chili-cook off festival site, but most of the town was largely abandoned. The ruins of the old communities have become popular tourist attractions, with a robust art-and-tourism market moving into the area. Terlingua is now home to unique artworks, desert activities, ATV and kayaking rentals as well as numerous hotels and overnight desert camping sites. Visiting the ghost town and nearby attractions is one of the fun things to do around Big Bend National Park.

Santa Elena Canyon

Santa Elena Canyon is an enormously popular and easy hiking route, following the base of a massive series of cliff-canyons through desert brush and the flood-fields around the Rio Grande. The imposing cliff views and well-defined route makes this area popular for hikers and joggers.

Dorgan-Sublett Trail

This is a mile-long sandy walking loop which travels across the Big Bend floodplain. Back in the 1900, this area was used by several families for farming. Their residential ruins can still be seen dotting the trail’s route.

Tuff Canyon

Tuff Canyon is a long canyon made of welded volcanic ash. Views of the canyon are especially striking during the rain season, when various shallow pools fill with water. There are several short hiking trails available for viewing the canyon, as well as an impressive overlook space.

Luna’s Jacal

This small landmark, known as a jacal (a low, dugout dwelling) once belonged to Mexican pioneer Gilberto Luna who lived by goat-herding and farming on the banks of the Alamo Creek. Luna was a semi-famous local resident in the area, known during his dealings with local mining communities. His home can be found along Old Maverick Road, which travels down a portion of the Javelina Wash Ravine.

Mule Ears Viewpoint

Used as a popular starting point for the Mule Ear’s Spring Trail, this viewpoint overlooks desert landscapes, including unique “mule ear” rock formations. The trails itself is 3.8 miles long, looping over rock-and-dirt terrain to visit a historic rock corral and a desert spring.

Mariscal Mine

Also known as the Lindsey Mine and the Ellis Mine, this old mining structure was a source of cinnabar ore, which was eventually refined into mercury. The mining site is astonishingly well preserved, with old, sturdy walls jutting up from a dramatic ridge in the desert landscape.

Hot Springs Historic Trail

This is an easy, mile-long hiking route following the Rio Grande and a series of attractive limestone cliffs. The trail leads to the ruins of a thermal bathhouse semi-embedded in the river. The natural hot springs of the bathhouse still flow from the same point, so visitors can be seated in them.

Boquillas del Carmen

Often simply called Boquillas, this is a small, popular Mexican town located on the Mexican side of the border. Visitors can ferry across the river on a small rowboat for a modest fee, eventually reaching the town. The village includes mule routes, a series of small eateries and guided tours. Boquillas del Carmen is the primary gateway to the Maderas del Carmen Natural Protected Area in Mexico. To get to the town from the US border, passports are needed.

Blue Creek Canyon Trail

This is a rigerous 5.5 mile, one-way trail beginning at the Homer Wilson Ranch, gradually climbing into the Chisos Mountains.  This trail is great for camping and hiking with numerous unique rock formations, views of desert wildlife and low grasslands near creek beds. The trail isn’t frequently traveled, with other hikers only being seen occasionally.

Emory Peak

 Emory Peak is the highest peak in the Chisos Mountains. The hike to the top involves a steep climb over 2,500 feet of dust, rock and dirt paths. The out-and-back hike can take between 3 and 6 hours to complete.

The Window

The Window Hiking Trail is one of the most popular hiking routes within the national park. Beginning at the Chisos Mountain Lodge, the trail goes downwards towards a narrow opening in a rock wall which grants stunning views of the Chisos Basin. The entire route takes roughly 2 to 3 hours to complete, with the upward return hike being more strenuous.

Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive

Likely the most famous and visually compelling drive in Big Bend, this thirty-mile driving route stretches between the Castolon Historic District and Santa Elena Canyon. The route has numerous historic and geologic landmarks, along with views of the western slopes of the Chisos Mountains. Points of interest along this route include Sam Nail Ranch, the Upper Burro Mesa Pour-Off Trailhead, Ward Spring Trail, Homer Wilson Ranch, the Sotol Vista Overlook, Chimneys Trailhead, Goat Mountain Observation Point, the Tuff Canyon Overlook, the Coyote Cemetery and the Santa Elena Canyon Overlook.

Balanced Rock

Balanced Rock is one of the most unique rock formations in all of Texas. The main sight includes a large boulder “balanced” precariously between two natural rock pillars. The site can be found at the end of the Balanced Rock Hike which is part of the moderately-challenging uphill Grapevine Hills Trailhead.

Fossil Discovery Exhibit

A strange, open-walled building in Big Bend contains an impressive fossil record exhibit along with vivid murals depicting Big Bend’s ancient history. The Fossil Discovery Exhibit has dinosaur skeletons and a short hiking trail leading to panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. There are also informational plaques noting different sediments which protects Big Bend’s fossil records.

Homer Wilson Ranch

Otherwise known as the Blue Creek Ranch, this was one of the largest ranches in the early 20th century. Much of the land which the Homer Wilson Ranch used for livestock would eventually be converted into the protected areas of Big Bend National Park. The ranch stands largely intact as an important historical structure.

Boquillas Canyon Trail

This is a moderately challenging, 1.4 mile trail winding up a rocky ridge to overlook the banks of the Rio Grand. The route is a popular under-an-hour hiking route.

Big Bend Ranch State Park

Not to be confused with the National Park area, Big Bend Ranch State Park is a smaller, less developed outdoor protected space. The smaller state park is home to only one paved road and generally sees far fewer crowds. It’s a popular site for primitive camping. There are numerous trailheads, hiking routes, primitive campsites and unique features. Some of the State Park’s highlights include the Hoodoos and Balanced Rocks Trail, the Fandango Dom Rock and the border-town of Redford.

Read more about fun things to do around Big Bend National Park and seeing the world by visiting Leftfade Trails Blog.

Affiliate Disclosure: Leftfade Trails contains affiliate links, so using services or products through these links supports the website, at no extra cost to the user. All links are to tested services and products designed to aid travelers on their journeys. Some links specifically connect to Amazon. As an Amazon Associate this website earns from qualifying purchases.