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When our family trekked through Yosemite, it was hard not to feel rushed. We went during the summer while the boys were out of school. Unfortunately, many others had the same idea. That’s the complete opposite of the Big Bend experience.
Big Bend is the 15th largest national park but one of the least-visited outside of Alaska. Only half a million people visited its 800,000+ acres in 2023. By comparison, Yosemite is a little smaller than Big Bend at just under 750,000 acres – but there were 3.9 million visitors!
In Big Bend National Park, families are surrounded by the pine-speckled Chisos Mountain range and the surprisingly colorful Chihuahuan Desert, filled with cacti, desert flowers, birds, and wildlife.
Kayak down the Rio Grande River or hike to natural hot springs by day and be dazzled by the twinkling Milky Way at night. Unimaginable beauty and adventure await visitors – here are some of our favorite things to do in Big Bend National Park.
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Stargazing
Big Bend National Park is home to the International Dark Sky Reserve. It’s the biggest Dark-Sky Certified observatory in the entire world!
What does “Dark Sky Certified” mean? The land and night sky in these areas are protected from light pollution. This means views of the Milky Way are unlike anything families have experienced – even without a telescope!
Lay out under a bedazzled Texas sky.
Photo by Sam Goodgame on Unsplash
Soaking in the Hot Springs
Boquillas Hot Springs is easily accessible, great news if your muscles are sore like mine were after 2 days of exploring. The 105-degree hot spring is nestled alongside the Rio Grande, surrounded by the stone ruins of a resort that operated there in the 1900s.
These unique hot springs are surrounded by stone ruins.
By National Park Service Digital Image Archives
Getting To The Hot Springs
Visitors can find these natural hot springs by heading 28 miles east from the Chisos Basin Visitor Center, then driving two miles down Hot Springs Road – prepare for those last 2 miles to be bumpy! After finding the parking lot, it’s about a ½-mile hike to the springs.
Off-Roading Experiences
Big Bend National Park is also full of off-roading experiences for those who seek them. Adventurous families can rent a Jeep and explore designated areas – some even have boulders to drive over!
Offroading in Big Bend offers an incredible adventure!
Photo by Kenny Eliason on Unsplash
River Road traverses the southern portion of the park and connects Rio Grande and Castolon. It is 51 miles long and in rough condition, so vehicles without 4-wheel drive should avoid the area.
Not feeling so adventurous? Consider a Jeep tour for a hands-free experience, perfect for truly appreciating the views and snapping pictures!
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Scenic Drives
There are many paved, drivable roads through Big Bend, even for less adventurous drivers:
- Maverick Entrance Station to Panther Junction – This drive has desert scenery and mountain views, with junction access to Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive and Chisos Basin Road.
- Persimmon Gap to Panther Junction – Mountains line either side of this drive along paved and dirt roads, with access to hiking trail, including Devil’s Den, Dog Canyon, the Tornillo Creek hoodoos, and the Fossil Bone Exhibit. Try to spot Emory Mountain, the highest peak in the range!
- Panther Junction to Rio Grande Village – This road descends 2,000 feet alongside historic limestone with many trails and the hot springs along the way.
- Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive – There are many overlooks and scenic areas to stop at along this trail. It leads to Santa Elena Canyon.
- Chisos Basin Road – This offers views of towering mountain peaks and the naturally eroded Chisos Basin. It does have steep grades and sharp curves, so RVs longer than 24 feet should avoid this one.
Enjoy views like these from conveniently accessed roads.
Photo by Charles Fair on Unsplash
Hiking the Canyons
Every canyon across the national parks is unique. With our boys in tow, we decided to hike two shorter trails – the Boquillas Canyon Trail and the Santa Elena Canyon Trail. These are the best hikes for families with small children.
Texas is so far from a barren landscape.
Photo by Katie Polansky on Unsplash
On one of the hotter days during our trip, we hiked the Boquillas Canyon Trail on the eastern in the morning. The lighting made the limestone walls a gorgeous color that reminded me of my Grandma’s Christmas caramels. It’s a 1.3-mile loop that travels alongside the Boquillas Del Carmen border into Mexico on the eastern side of the park.
The Santa Elena Canyon Trail is 1.4 miles long. Take in the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive on the way to the canyon, which is on the west side of the park. My kids had fun trying to spot birds and their nests in the 1,500-foot-tall canyon walls that line the Rio Grande River on the trail that winds along the base of the walls.
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Enjoying the Local Plants and Wildlife
Most people associate “Texas” with dry heat, beiges and browns, and a barren desert. Big Bend National Park is the opposite. Sure there’s dry heat, but it is also colorful and full of wildlife.
Spring bluebonnets are a testament to the vivid colors found on Texas’ desert landscape.
Photo by Heather Mount on Unsplash
Big Bend is along a significant migration route, so more than 450 bird species fly through the park. The best time to visit to see migratory birds is from late February to early May.
It is also home to 50+ species of reptiles and many mammals, including bats, gophers, whitetail deer, mule deer, elk, beavers, and havalina. Keep your eye out for bobcats, black bears, and mountain lions, too! Wildlife is most active at dusk and dawn when temps are cooler.
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Rafting, Kayaking, and Canoeing
Water sports are some of the best things to do in the park, including whitewater rafting, kayaking, and canoeing with unique views of the canyons on either side. Boquillas Canyon, Hot Springs & San Vincente Canyon, and Santa Elena Canyon offer some of the shorter rides best for riders of all skill levels. Mariscal Canyon is only 10 miles long but offers an exciting ride, while the Lower Canyon can take 10 years to travel!
Use a local company to guide your family float on kayaks, canoes, or rafts, and learn about the history of the area as well.
Get in the water for a different perspective of the beautiful canyons.
Photo by Mick Haupt on Unsplash
Visit the Barton Warnock Visitor Center
Barton Warnock Visitor Center is located at the front of Big Bend Ranch State Park – not the national park – but it is still in the gateway town of Terlingua. Learn about the history of the area before walking through the 2-acre garden filled with desert flowers and other local plants.
The 2-acre garden is filled with beautiful cacti and desert flowers.
Photo by Katie Polansky on Unsplash
Guests can also stop by for backcountry camping permits or river use permits for the state park. However, it’s worth noting that these sites are very primitive, as the area is less developed than Big Bend National Park.
Camping
Some families prefer glamping but for those that don’t, Big Bend National Park is a treasure trove for that rugged experience. Pitch a tent in one of the designated camping areas all around the park – some can only be accessed via canoeing down the Rio Grande or hopping on an ATV. Visitors will need a permit to camp in these areas – but it’s only $10 per night!
Waking up to views like these is one of the best parts of camping in Blue Bend.
Photo by Sara Cottle on Unsplash
Horseback Riding Tours
Big Bend & Lajitas Stables offers horseriding tours perfect for beginners – including kids ages 6 and older. Whether families want to take a guided tour of the Lost Mine Trail or enjoy a 2-hour ride at sunset, there’s a package for that!
Climb on horseback to experience views like these!
Photo by Mick Haupt on Unsplash
Explore Nearby Terlingua
Terlingua is Big Bend’s gateway town – essentially, the “front door” to the park. These small towns aren’t always as fun to explore as the nearby park, but Terlingua is cool enough to be a destination itself.
Terlingua could be its own destination.
Photo by Brittani Burns on Unsplash
Terlingua is a ghost town that boomed following the discovery of quicksilver. What was once filled with miners rapidly decayed following the Great Depression, with residents leaving behind crumbling remnants of their lives, including a church, cemetery, homes, and antique cars.
Terlingua is also one of the best places for its booming nightlife, with three venues offering live music. Stop by if you get a chance to break away from stargazing!
When You Go
Where to Eat in Big Bend National Park
Inside the park, the only full-service restaurant is Mountain View Restaurant, located inside the Chisos Mountains Lodge. However, there are plenty of places to buy hiker-friendly foods like drinks, sandwiches, and other prepackaged, “picnic-style” meals, including Panther Junction, Rio Grande Village, Chisos Basin, and Castalon.
Nearby Terlingua also has tons of dining options. Enjoy authentic Texas barbecue, including brisket, pork, turkey, sausage, and ribs at DB’s Rustic Iron BBQ, chicken-fried antelope at Starlight Theater, or Mexican at El Gordo’s Grille. Then, stop by Milky Way Treats ice cream shop for dessert!
Where to Stay in Big Bend National Park
For families of up to four people, the bubble-shaped glamping experience by Basecamp Terlingua offers panoramic views of the landscape with luxurious amenities like wi-fi, indoor plumbing, and hot tubs. Book ahead – there are only ten bubbles that fill up months in advance!
At Terlingua Ranch Lodge, guests stay in cabin-style lodgings or the onsite RV park and campsites. Enjoy live music, stargazing, swimming, hiking, and birdwatching nearby.
Lajitas Golf Resort is a great choice for adventurous families who might enjoy horseback trail rides, mountain biking, and shooting activities. There are also plenty of onsite restaurants, a movie theater, and a pool, plus a spa for mom and a golf course for dad!
Traveling to Big Bend National Park from Los Angeles
Texas has tons of airports that Los Angeles families can fly into. Expect to rent a car – the closest airport (Midland International Air & Space Port) is 3.5 hours from Terlingua.
Other nearby airports include El Paso International Airport at 4.5 hours away, San Antonio International Airport at 7 hours away, and Austin-Bergstrom International Airport at 7 hours away. Nonstop flights take about 3-4 hours.
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