Big Bend National Park
National park · Brewster County ·
Vast desert wilderness, mountain hikes, river canyons, dark skies
Vast desert wilderness, mountain hikes, river canyons, dark skies
"A natural wonder—especially in the mostly flat Lone Star State—this far-flung preserve is named for a massive bend in the churning Rio Grande that separates West Texas from Mexico, and it packs enough scenic diversity for a week-long journey. Base at the in-park Chisos Mountains Lodge to marvel at high-elevation vistas of the craggy Window Formation while hiking through madrone trees and fragrant junipers, then soak your tired bones in the historic hot springs as sunset turns Santa Elena Canyon into a hundred shades of amber." - Emily Pennington
"Remote and massive, this southwestern Texas park is larger than Rhode Island and uniquely contains the entire Chisos Mountains. I come for dark skies, long scenic drives like Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive with volcanic views and interpretive signs, passport-in-hand crossings of the Rio Grande by tiny boat for a quick bite in Mexico, soaks in the historic hot springs, and leisurely floats through three 1,500-foot limestone canyons. Visits are best November through April; holidays are busy, winter storms can close roads, and summer heat can soar to 115°F. Plan carefully: cell service and Wi‑Fi are limited, amenities are few, gas can be pricey or run out in and near the park (I fill up in Alpine or Marathon), and lodging and campsites book up fast; I give myself at least two days, ideally three to four, often adding time in the adjacent state park. Wildlife rewards patient eyes—bobcats, gray foxes, mule deer, coyotes, and collared peccaries, plus more than 450 bird species including the Colima warbler; about 40 black bears have returned, and mountain lions remain elusive. Hiking spans three distinct environments: desert routes like Lower Burro Mesa Pour‑off and Chimneys, Chisos classics like the must‑do Window Trail and the more primitive Lost Mine, and river‑canyon favorites like Hot Springs, Boquillas, and the iconic Santa Elena Canyon." - Carrie Dennis Carrie Dennis Carrie Dennis is a New York City-based writer and editor with more than a decade of content strategy experience. Her work has appeared in Travel + Leisure, Gothamist, Time magazine, Men’s Journal, Redbook, and Thrillist. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"I savor Big Bend as an International Dark Sky Park—staying late for pristine stargazing that can reveal planets, shooting stars, and the Milky Way on a clear, moonless night." - Jessica Chapel
"A vast, remote expanse along the Rio Grande that encompasses the Chihuahuan Desert, the Chisos Mountains, and spectacular river canyons; hikes into places like Santa Elena Canyon reveal sheer walls that rise so close one can almost touch Mexico." - Jane Siegel
"A vast, remote national park offering dramatic desert landscapes, river canyons, and extensive hiking opportunities; it’s reachable from nearby small towns and frequently used as a base for exploring West Texas wilderness." - Caroline Eubanks Caroline Eubanks Caroline Eubanks is a Lowell Thomas Award-winning travel writer and the author of “This Is My South: The Essential Travel Guide to the Southern States.” Her work has been published by Condé Nast Traveler, Garden & Gun, Architectural Digest, and more. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines