10 Best Sights in Big Bend National Park, Texas

Give yourself seven to eight hours to complete this rugged 10½-mile round-trip alpine trek to the park's highest peak, at 7,832 feet. The initial 3½-mile stretch follows the Pinnacles Trail, which eventually leads to the South Rim—a rewarding 12- to 14½-mile round-trip adventure that can be done in a very long full day but is more easily managed with a night of camping. For Emory Peak, you pick up a 1-mile spur that affords some dazzling vistas as it zigzags up to the summit. Note there's a bit of scrambling over rocks the final 25 feet, but the panoramic views are worth the effort. Difficult, 2,470-foot elevation gain.

There is currently no access from Chisos Basin through 2027; you should be able to access Emery Peak via trails outside the basin, such as Juniper Canyon and Blue Creek, but confirm with park rangers before setting out.

This memorable ramble to one of the park's most distinctive rock formations begins with a 6½-mile drive along a maintained but slightly rough dirt road across a yucca and sagebrush desert north of Chisos Mountains Basin Junction. From the parking area, a relatively flat and easy 2.2-mile round-trip trail leads to a wonderland of igneous laccolith rock spires and boulders. Near the end of the trail, you'll scramble a bit up a rocky slope to balanced rock, a giant stone wedged rather improbably across vertical rock piles, creating a "window" through which you can see across the park's southeastern reaches. Although the drive can be managed in a standard car, it's easier with a high-clearance vehicle, especially during wet conditions. Easy–Moderate.

Set aside about three hours to explore the nature of the Chisos Mountains along this 4.8-mile round-trip trail. It starts at 5,700 feet and climbs 1,100 feet to an even loftier vantage point that takes in spectacular, soaring peaks and colorful rock formations. There's a breathtaking view at marker 10, about a mile up—a nice photo op if you haven't time for the full hike. Try to get here early, as the parking lot is small and often fills up quickly. The trail is closed due to construction until mid-2027. Moderate–Difficult.

A 1.6-mile round-trip crosses marshy Terlingua Creek, scales a rocky staircase, and deposits you on the banks of the Rio Grande for a cathedral-like view of stunning 1,500-foot cliff walls boxing in the river. Try to visit near sunset, when the sun stains the cliffs a rich red-brown chestnut. In clear weather, an overlook on the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive affords a panoramic view into the canyon. Summer can feel like a sauna, but you might have this secluded place to yourself, and the trail sometimes closes due to mud and flooding following heavy rains. Easy–Moderate.

The finale of a short but vigorous hike (1.6 miles round-trip) over a steep slope is a spectacular view of the Rio Grande and sheer limestone cliffs that rise 1,500 feet to create a narrow, natural box with the U.S. on one side, and Mexico on the other. Summer can feel like a sauna, but you might have this secluded place to yourself.

A windmill and spring form a desert oasis, a refreshing backdrop to a ½-mile round-trip, hot and flat nature trail; wild doves are abundant, the hike is pleasant, and kids will do just fine. Keep an eye out for the elf owl, one of the sought-after birds in the park. Easy.

This forested 1.9-mile round-trip romp that begins at 5,400-foot elevation affords sweeping views of the lower desert and distant volcanic mountains. The loop intersects with a few longer trails but offers a good sense of the basin if you have only an hour or so. The trail is closed due to construction until mid-2027. Easy–moderate, elevation gain 300 feet.

Down by the Rio Grande, this short, ¾-mile loop trail packs a powerful wildlife punch. The village is one of the best spots in the park to see rare birds, and other wildlife isn't in short supply either. Keep a lookout for coyotes, javelinas (they look like wild pigs), and other mammals. This is a good trail for kids, so expect higher traffic. Restrooms are nearby, and the trail can be done in less than an hour. The first ¼ mile is wheelchair accessible. Easy.

This 0.3-mile round-trip paved nature trail is wheelchair-accessible and also great for little ones. Take in the beautiful, craggy-sided Chisos and look through the V-shape rock-sided "Window" framing the desert below (you can hike to this very point via the quite rewarding, moderately difficult 5.6-mile round-trip Window Trail, which is accessed from the same trailhead). This self-guided trail, which is especially captivating at sunset, is easily accomplished in 20 minutes. Be on the lookout for wild javelina, which occasionally root through here. They're not normally aggressive, but give them a respectful distance. The trail is closed due to construction until mid-2027. Easy.