Hot Springs Historic Trail

Nice views into Mexico along the upper loop section.

NPS/CA Hoyt

Quick Facts

Location:

2 miles down Hot Springs dirt road

Designation:

Historic District

Amenities

8 listed

Beach/Water Access, Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Parking - Auto, Picnic Table, Restroom - Accessible, Scenic View/Photo Spot, Toilet - Vault/Composting, Trailhead

Trail Information

Roundtrip distance: 1 mile loop (1.6 km)
Elevation change: 200 feet
Average hiking time: 30 minutes

Dogs and other pets are not allowed on any trails in the park.

The Hot Springs historic trail offers an opportunity to step back in time and experience Big Bend before it became a national park. A short distance from the trailhead are the historic remains of J.O. Langford's Hot Springs resort which include a picturesque building that was the store and post office, as well as a motor court that accommodated overnight guests. A quarter mile further down the trail is the actual hot spring, contained within the stone walls of what was Langford’s bath house. Between the motor court and the spring, one can view ancient pictographs that were drawn by people who lived here thousands of years ago.

At this point you can either retrace your steps to the parking lot, or complete the loop by following the trail for another 0.25 mile to a marked junction. Turn left and climb the rise of the hill for a great view before dropping back down to the parking lot.

Accessibility

This trail is sand and rock from the trailhead to the hot spring. The section that climbs the hill and loops back to the parking lot has steps of rock or wood that assist in the elevation gain.
 
A dirt parking lot at the trailhead provides parking for vehicles with high clearance. Vehicles with low clearance, vehicles pulling trailers, and RVs will need to park further up the road at a dirt parking area. This adds an additional walk of about 1 mile roundtrip to access the trailhead.

Hike Smart
Bring plenty of water!
Carry 1 liter of water per person per hour that you plan to hike. The importance of carrying enough water in this hot, dry climate cannot be overstated!

Eat
Your body needs food for energy and salts and electrolytes to replace what it's losing from perspiration. The dry climate at Big Bend means that sweat often evaporates almost instantly; your body is likely losing lots of moisture and salts without you even realizing it. Eat plenty of salty snacks to keep your body's salt-to-water ratio in balance.

Sun protection
Carry sunscreen and use it liberally. Hats are also strongly recommended. It may seem strange to wear long-sleeved shirts and pants in hot weather, but many hikers choose lightweight, breathable clothing which covers their arms and legs to protect themselves from the sun. 

Don't leave people behind
If you're hiking in a group, make sure the person in the back always has someone to help.

Be aware of wildlife
Keep an eye out for snakes, and remember to maintain a safe distance between yourself and all wildlife. Animals in the park are wild and should never be approached, harassed, or fed.

Don't stack rocks
Cairns are stacks of rocks which are sometimes used to mark trails in areas where they are hard to follow. Randomly stacked rocks can lure hikers off the correct trail.