The Big Bend of Texas holds a special place in our hearts. Ty first took me on a trip down here on his GSA Motorcycle in 2017 and we have been back every year around the same time in March for my birthday.
Big Bend feels like a whole other world. It feels like one of the last remaining frontiers: wild, uninhabitable, remote, vast, beautiful. Here is a travel guide of what we enjoy.
Hike in Big Bend National Park
Lost Mine Trail: We loved this hike. Best views in Big Bend. It’s a 4.2 mile out and back trail. The trail climbs steeply in and out of juniper, oak, and pine forest. The trail abruptly levels out at the ridge with superb views of Pine Canyon and the Sierra del Carmen in Mexico.
Santa Elena Canyon Trail is a 1.5 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail in the park that runs along the Rio Grande and is good for all skill levels. It’s a beautiful hike and the canyon looks so incredible once you hike into it!
Hot Springs Trail: You can read about the history of the Hot Springs here. Fascinating. From the trailhead, the hot spring is a 0.5 mile round trip. A one-mile loop trail continues from the hot spring around on the bluff above the Rio Grande, returning to the trailhead area. Take a swim suit to really enjoy it and make sure the river isn’t flooded.
The Window Trail: This is a great trail to access from the Chisos Mountain Lodge. It’s 5.6 miles out and back. The hike down is all downhill so it’s more strenuous walking back up to the trailhead. There is no shade so it’s best for a cool, cloudy day. The window is an awesome payoff!
Ride donkeys into Boquillas, Mexico & Eat!
Take your passport. One of our favorite parts of the trip is spending an afternoon in Boquillas, Mexico. It’s like you stepped back into time to dirt streets. It feels super safe! Pay 5$ to row across the Rio Grande and pay 5$ to rent a donkey & ride .75 miles into town. Once in town eat at Jose Falcon’s Restaurant and Bar. Tell Lilia we sent you! She is so sweet.
Big Bend Ranch State Park
We love to stay in Lajitas and drive into the park for the day. There are some hikes in the state park and Ty said the dirt bike riding is great here. We love to just drive the river road through the park. It’s beautiful! There are some primitive campground spots here along the Rio Grande we enjoy. It’s much less populated than the National Park.
Where to Go & Stay
We’ve never stayed in Big Bend National Park but there is the Chisos Mountain Lodge and camping. Reservations fill up quickly so it definitely needs to be planned months or a year in advance. We really enjoying staying and exploring all the towns close by and then heading into the park during the day.
Terlingua, TX: We love this town! It is a must see ghost town. Stay in one of the incredibly unique properties in Basecamp Terlingua. Eat at the Starlight Theater and enjoy breakfast at Espresso y Poco Mas.
Lajitas, TX: Stay at the Lajitas Golf Resort & Spa. I can’t believe this 4 star hotel is in such a remote place. It’s so much fun! The restaurant & bar are so great. You can stay in the main lodge, in the courtyard, or many of their other properties including the RV Park. This town is on the border and close to Big Bend State Park.
Marathon, TX : Not much is here except for the luxurious Gage Hotel! It’s my favorite hotel ever. We stop here on our way to the park. The 12 Gauge Restaurant is to die for and the V6 Coffee Bar serves and incredible breakfast. It’s 82 miles to the National Park.
Chinati Hot Springs: Located in Ruidosa, TX, 2.5 hours from Big Bend State Park. You drive to Presidio, TX then take a dead end paved road 37 miles up FM 170. You then take a gravel road 7 miles through the desert and arrive at Chinati Hot Springs when you see the Cottonwood trees. It’s an incredible oasis in the desert. Soak in the hot spring, swim in the pool, cook in the community kitchen, stay in a casita or camp!
Marfa, TX: An artsy town 1.5 hours from Big Bend. We stay at the Presidio hotel but there are many cool options. We haven’t been to see the Marfa lights but it’s on our bucket list.
When to Visit?
Spring: The weather is perfect with cool nights and warmer days. The giant Big Bend Bluebonnets are blooming in March. It can start to get hotter in April. This is a perfect time for hiking.
Summer: If you want to enjoy the river then the hot summer months are the time to go but it gets very hot here.
Fall: Also a nice time to visit but it can be rainy.
Winter: The nights can get close to freezing but the days are usually in the 50’s or 60’s.
Holidays are a super busy time.
The weather around Big Bend area can vary greatly from being in a town like Terlingua to driving up into the mountains in the National Park. Be sure to check both forecast!
