Hi

We are heading to Big Bend NP next weekend for three nights, staying in the park at Chisos Mountains Lodge. We are driving there from Las Cruces and are not really familiar with all that the park has to offer. We just planned this trip a week ago on the spur of the moment and are not sure what to expect.

We like to hike, both short and long hikes, and like wildflowers, scenic vistas etc. Any recommendations for good hikes? We are thinking of perhaps doing the hike to the south rim on one day - going out on one trail and back on the other. Has anyone done this hike? Suggestions for other hikes?

Should we drive down to Rio Grand Village ? In general, what are the highlights of the park ?

Your comments, thoughts, and/or suggestions would be greatly appreciated

Thanks

Pamela

Definitely the hike to the Windows. A highlight! (Don't let any little ones get too far ahead!)
We enjoyed hiking into Santa Elena Canyon, too.
Going out to the Hot Springs is good, too.

Plenty of choices; you could just decide when you get there and get a list of trails from the visitor center,see weather and crowds, and get your own feel for the place. The terrain is rather unforgiving; do listen to all the cautions (and again i don't know who "we" are so not sure if you have kids to consider.) We took ours children 2/3 times when they were teenagers and they enjoyed it all mightily.

TAKE LOTS OF WATER. And it's a HUGE place so driving place to place is time consuming. It's one of my DH's favorite places (he's been 3 times) but it's so big and stark it rather unsettles me! If the flowers there are anything like they are this spring in south Texas, you will have a real show on your hands.

If there's any possibility of extending your stay, consider Fort Davis/Davis Mountains and/or Guadalupe Mountains National Park.

I LOVE Big Bend NP. It's a great place to hike and drive. For a first visit, I'd recommend the windows hike and Santa Elena Canyon. You might not get to hike the canyon though. We were there in October and the Rio Grande was too wide to cross. I've been to the park several times, and my favorite hike is the Lost Mine Trail. Fantastic views on a clear day.
If you want some fine dining, drive to Marathon and eat at the Gage Hotel or try the Reata in Alpine. Have fun! By the way, we ate lunch at the lodge and it's much improved from past visits. I think they're trying harder or under new management or something.

Hi

First, a point of clarification - "we" refers to DH and myself - sorry about that!

Thanks for the suggestions. Seems like the Windows hike and Santa Elena are unanimous choices.

We have passed through Guadalupe Mountains NP on our way to Carlsbad and it is on our list of places to visit, however not being campers lodging becomes an issue. Fort Davis/Davis Mountains also sounds interesting.

We are east coast natives who moved to Las Cruces 3 years ago and are slowly exploring the region - but there are so many places to see. SE Arizona is wonderful, the Grand Canyon is within a days drive and Texas has many attractions as does New Mexico and then there is southern Colorado - Durango, Mesa Verde ... and the list goes on. So it's always good to hear about other sites that we should visit - eventually we will get there.

Thanks

Pamela

If not this trip, do plan to visit Fort Davis. The town is small and historic. There's a restored fort that the National Park Service runs. Davis Mountains State Park is great--the Indian Lodge is wonderful. McDonald Observatory is very near.

We stayed outside Carlsbad Caverns and then drove the 2 hour-ish drive to Guadalupe, hiked all morning, and then drove to Davis Mountains State Park. LONG day--but the Carlsbad area is one idea for being near-in-Texas-terms to Guadalupe.

I have some photos of Big Bend N P on my blog. Feel free to check them out. It is a beautiful place. http://rvingdog.blogspot.com/2010/01...rving-dog.html