With a week or more to spend in Big Bend, endless possibilities are open to you. You’ll have plenty of time to explore the roads mentioned in the previous sections (one day, three days), and will also have time to hike or to drive some of the “unimproved” dirt roads. For these, you’ll need a high clearance or four-wheel drive vehicle; don’t forget to check at the visitor centers for current road conditions. The River Road, Glenn Springs Road, Old Ore Road, and Old Maverick Road are some of the more popular backcountry routes. A visit to the pool of water at Ernst Tinaja near the south end of the Old Ore Road is a Big Bend highlight.
If you don’t have high clearance or four-wheel drive, improved dirt roads such as Dagger Flat and Grapevine Hills will get you “off the beaten path.” Hike the Chimneys Trail, Mule Ears Trail, or Grapevine Hills Trail for a closer look at the desert environment.
If you’d like to explore the Chisos Mountains, trails to Boot Canyon, Emory Peak and the South Rim offer good views of the park and take you into another world which seems far removed from the desert. There are plenty of opportunities for overnight backpacking along these trails. A backcountry use permit is required to backpack. See more information on Big Bend's rugged backcountry.
Trip Idea
A Week in Big Bend National Park
| Duration | Multiple Days |
| Topic(s) | Canyons and Canyonlands, Foothills, Plains and Valleys, Plateaus and Mesas, Forests and Woodlands, Geology, Mountains, Natural Sounds, Night Sky, Scenic Views, Trails, Wilderness, Animals, Birds, Archeology, Photography, Fossils and Paleontology, Latino American Heritage, River and Riparian, Rock Landscapes and Features, Water Trails, Wetlands, Freshwater Springs, Hispanic American Heritage, Mining, Roads, Routes and Highways, Climate Change, Explorers and Expeditions, Ancient Seas, Fish, Ruins, Hot Springs, Native American Heritage, Homesteading, Astronomy more » |
| Activities | Backcountry Camping, Bookstore and Park Store, Junior Ranger Program, Biking, Birdwatching, Astronomy, Scenic Driving, Paddling, Hiking, Guided Tours more » |
| Type | Kid Friendly, Active, Relaxed, Solitary/Remote, Educational, Inspirational, Outdoors, Road Trip more » |
| Parks | Big Bend National Park, Rio Grande Wild & Scenic River |
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Big Bend National Park
Backpacking Big Bend
- Activity Fee: Yes
- Reservations: Yes
- Activity: Backcountry Camping
- Pets: No
- Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
Big Bend National Park is a backpacker's paradise. For those who come prepared, there are hundreds of miles of trails, and vast expanses to explore.
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Multiple Parks
Become a Big Bend Expert
- Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
- Reservations: No
- Activity: Bookstore and Park Store
- Pets: No
- Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
- Time of Day: Day
The bookstore carries a large variety of educational books, videos, park information, and high quality souvenirs to help you learn more about the park and its resources or just help you remember your trip to Big Bend.
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Multiple Parks
Big Bend Junior Rangers
- Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
- Reservations: No
- Activity: Junior Ranger Program
- Pets: Yes
- Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
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Big Bend National Park
Bike Big Bend
- Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
- Reservations: No
- Activity: Biking
- Pets: Yes with Restrictions
- Season: Winter, Spring, Fall
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Big Bend National Park
Birdwatch at Cottonwood Campground
- Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
- Reservations: No
- Activity: Birdwatching
- Pets: Yes
- Location: Cottonwood Campground
- Duration: 15–60 Minutes
- Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
- Time of Day: Day, Dawn, Dusk
Situated near the Rio Grande, under the shade of numerous large cottonwood trees, Cottonwood Campground is a great place to look for birds and other wildlife.
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Big Bend National Park
Birdwatch at Rio Grande Village Nature Trail
- Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
- Reservations: No
- Activity: Birdwatching
- Pets: No
- Location: Rio Grande Village Nature Trail
- Duration: 15–45 Minutes
- Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
- Time of Day: Day, Dawn, Dusk
Rio Grande Village is consistently one of the best places to find a large number of birds in Big Bend National Park. The principal area to search is the Nature Trail, located in the southeastern corner of the campground.
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Multiple Parks
Enjoy Sunset at Rio Grande Village
- Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
- Reservations: No
- Activity: Astronomy
- Pets: No
- Location: Rio Grand Village Nature Trail
- Time of Day: Dusk
Photography can be a rewarding experience for visitors. One of the best places is the Nature Trail at Rio Grande Village
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Big Bend National Park
Explore Backcountry Roads
- Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
- Reservations: No
- Activity: Scenic Driving
- Pets: Yes
- Season: Winter, Spring, Fall
- Time of Day: Day
If you have a high-clearance, four wheel drive vehicle, Big Bend's primitive dirt roads provide many opportunities to get off the beaten path and explore the remote corners of this park.
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Multiple Parks
Find The Perfect Sunrise & Sunset
- Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
- Reservations: No
- Activity: Astronomy
- Pets: Yes with Restrictions
- Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
- Time of Day: Dawn, Dusk
Where is the best place to see the sunrise or sunset? Truly, the answer is anywhere in the park! With huge horizons and dramatic scenery, it is spectacular wherever you are.
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Multiple Parks
Float the Rio Grande
- Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
- Reservations: No
- Activity: Paddling
- Pets: No
Take a Big Bend float trip on the Rio Grande. Experience the beauty of one of Big Bend's spectacular limestone canyons.
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Big Bend National Park
Hike Into Santa Elena Canyon
- Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
- Reservations: No
- Activity: Hiking
- Pets: No
- Location: Hiking Into Santa Elena Trail
- Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
- Time of Day: Day, Dawn, Dusk
The trail begins at the end of the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive to Santa Elena Canyon, and is one of the prettiest short trails in the park. The trail crosses Terlingua Creek, takes you to the river’s edge inside the canyon and continues farther winding among large boulders until it ends abruptly where the canyon wall meets the river.
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Big Bend National Park
Hike the Lost Mine Trail
- Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
- Reservations: No
- Activity: Hiking
- Pets: No
- Location: Lost Mine Trail
- Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
- Time of Day: Day
The Lost Mine Trail climbs to the side of Lost Mine Peak, offering spectacular views of Juniper Canyon and the Northeast Rim of the Chisos.
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Multiple Parks
Join A Ranger
- Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
- Reservations: No
- Activity: Guided Tours
- Pets: No
- Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
- Time of Day: Day
Join a Park ranger for a guided hike, talk, or evening program. Discover the amazing stories behind the scenery of Big Bend.
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Big Bend National Park
Primitive Roadside Campsites
- Activity Fee: Yes
- Reservations: Yes
- Activity: Backcountry Camping
- Pets: Yes
- Season: Winter, Spring, Fall
Off the Beaten Path! If you have a rugged vehicle, and wish to get away from it all...Big Bend offers a number of primitive campsites located along rough, remote, backcountry roads.
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Multiple Parks
See the Rio Grande
- Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
- Reservations: No
- Activity: Hiking
- Pets: No
- Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
The Rio Grande is accessible from a number of places in Big Bend National Park, and a variety of hiking trails provide even further opportunities to get up close and personal with our watery border with Mexico.
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Multiple Parks
View the Night Sky
- Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
- Reservations: No
- Activity: Astronomy
- Pets: Yes
- Location: Big Bend National Park
- Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
- Time of Day: Night, Dusk
Far away from most city lights, Big Bend National Park preserves pristine darkness. Take this chance to stargaze, and experience the half of the park that many of us miss - nighttime.
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Last updated: March 12, 2021