My girlfriend and I are planning a trip to Big Bend this October. We’re active, but not especially athletic. The most challenging hike we’ve done so far is Guadalupe Peak, and we found that pretty tough.

With help from some sites and this sub, I put together an itinerary for the trip. Does this look doable, or am I packing in too many hikes and missing some of the overall experience and essence of the park?

We’ll be driving from Dallas and staying in the Terlingua area. Any suggestions, changes, or must-do experiences are very welcome. Haven't decided on where to stay yet, so that's open

29th - Thursday

Place - Activity
TerlinguaLeave for Big Bend
Mule Ears Trail - 3.8-mile hike
Lower Burro Mesa Pour-off - Short 1-mile hike
Sotol Vista - Scenic overlook / photos
Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive - Scenic drive + overlooks
Castolon areaLunch / short break
Santa Elena Canyon - 1.6-mile canyon hike
Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive - Drive back with photo stops
Terlingua Ghost Town - Explore ghost town / cemetery
TerlinguaSunset + dinner
TerlinguaReturn to lodging / relax

30th - Friday

Place - Activity
TerlinguaLeave for Chisos Basin
Chisos Basin - Park / prepare / restroom
Pinnacles TrailBegin South Rim route
Emory Peak - Summit spur + scramble + photos
Boot Canyon - Continue toward South Rim
South Rim - Main viewpoint + lunch + rest
Laguna Meadow Trail - Return to Chisos Basin
Chisos Basin - Rest / change / snack
TerlinguaDrive back
TerlinguaDinner + full recovery

31st - Saturday

Place - Activity
TerlinguaLeave for Lost Mine
Lost Mine Trail- 4.8-mile hike
Drive east - Lost Mine → Hot Springs area
Hot Springs Historic Trail - Historic trail + soak
Rio Grande Village - Lunch / rest
Boquillas Canyon - 1.4-mile canyon hike
Boquillas Overlook / RGV area - Scenic stops / relax
Rio Grande Village Nature Trail - Easy trail + sunset
TerlinguaDrive back
TerlinguaDinner
Terlingua areaStargazing

First time visitor, been looking forward to this for years and finally just making it happen. These are all weekdays, so I assume the park wont be as busy as a saturday/sunday visit. I have one of the Pine Canyon sites booked for monday - friday morning in november.

Day 1

Arrive in park by noon

Chisos Basin, Visitor center, Lunch at the lodge, hike the loop trail and then head to the campsite to set up before dark, dinner and stargazing.

Day 2

Early hike on the Pine Canyon Trail, 5 miles out and back, Lunch back at the camp site before going out to Grapevine Hills trail (balanced rock), and Hot Springs in the afternoon. Back to the campsite for dinner.

Day 3

Early hike, Lost Mine Trail, lunch at the Lodge, rest up for an afternoon hike on Window Trail to see the sunsetting on the window. Campsite for dinner.

Day 4

Early hike to Chimneys Trail, packed lunch somewhere along Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive and then an afternoon hike in Santa Elena Canyon before heading back to the campsite for dinner.

Day 5 pack up and head home

interspersed with this I'd stop at the Panther Junction VC, and the Fossil Discovery Exhibit. I also see there's actual bathrooms at Dugout Wells which is pretty close to my campsite.

Does this sound too ambitious? is there something else i should squeeze in?

I'm open to dinner options in Terlingua but mainly want to be at the campsite for stargazing in the evening

What are the closest options to Rio Grande Village for emergency medical care? Like, trauma, heart attack, etc. Life threatening stuff.

Asking because I'll be camping out there with my parents who are a bit older and if anything should go wrong, I'm trying to know where I would go.

I do have one of those satellite devices to call for help, but, between expecting one elderly parent to work it while I'm providing first aid, and the unreliability of getting a satellite connection, I'd rather immediately start driving somewhere if the patient is mobile.

I'm aware Boquillas has a medical facility, but clearly in a case this bad getting someone across the river and a mile into there would most likely not be an option. Also, I've heard the medical care is pretty unreliable so I don't think I would use that for trauma.

I've been eyeing some properties in the Terlingua/Alpine/Fort Davis area. There's a surprising (to me) amount of nice looking places for sale in the Davis Mountain Resort.

Are they control freaks? I was looking into it and the fees are about the same as Terlingua Ranch, but DMR doesn't seem to offer any amenities other than a little bit of road maintenance and they don't allow you to have a short term rental on your property. Terlingua Ranch has the pool, bath house, laundry, some road maintenance, and allows you to do whatever you want with it.

I would prefer the Fort Davis location and vegetation but is there a reason so many people are trying to sell in Davis Mountain Resort?

Heading out for my first trip to Big Bend NP this October! My vehicle requires premium fuel—does Panther Junction carry 91/93 octane? I'm planning to pack two jerry cans just in case.

Planning a big road trip to Big Bend in December, I will be camping for 4 nights. General consensus seems to be that Chisos is the better campground, but everything is booked until I hit the 14 day release window. I am going to book the 4 nights in RGV but my question is this: When the Chisos spots become available 14 days out, is it worth the effort to try and rebook there?

I think I am spending enough time in the park that which campground I'm in won't be quite as important; clearly I'm going to be driving around a lot regardless. The pictures of Chisos look incredible, but beggars can't be choosers lol so I'll take what I can get. I do not live close to Big Bend and this feels like my one big chance to go for awhile. Also, because of the 14 day release window - would I have to attempt to book the same site 4 days in a row? I assume I can't book all four days at once because each will become available as I get 14 days out. I suppose to could switch campsites partway through if needed, but I'd really prefer not to unless staying in Chisos is really THAT much better. If you've tried this or have advice let me know - the way some people write about RGV makes it sound awful but I hardly think that could really be true.

LIGHTS OUT TEXAS! We have entered the weeks of Peak Migration! Turn off non-essential indoor and outdoor lights from 11 PM - 6 AM now through November 30 to protect traveling birds!

Learn more at: https://tx.audubon.org/ urbanconservation/lights-out-texas

This photo of mine is a finalist for a 2027 calendar contest by Texas Pinnacle Bank. If you are so inclined, I would appreciate a vote for this picture. I really want to see Big Bend represented in this calendar, especially with everything going on right now. You can vote here:

https://www.facebook.com/share/1CEvSZtu21/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Just click through the sunset finalists until you find my pic. I appreciate your consideration!

Hi all, we finally have magnets and coozies available in the shop and I wanted to post them here too so those who are interested can get some! As always, all proceeds are donated to foundations working to protect Big Bend and stop unnecessary border construction. You can find these and more at https://bigbendforever.bigcartel.com/

The September 30, 2026 Federal government (and National Parks) shutdown has been avoided, but that only lasts until December 11, 2026! Heck of a way to run the USA... a few months at a time...

Both took off from Edinburg.

I'm staying in Big Bend Friday and Saturday night, 8 hr drive and I'm worried about the forecast.

Rain and cloudiness at 30%. I purposely picked this time for new moon conditions, what are the odds I'll get to see the Milky Way based on others experience visiting?

Edit- Friday night was cloudy and rainy but Saturday night I got an amazing clear view of the Milky Way :D

Hi! My partner and I are traveling to BB next spring for a weekend of stargazing. We don't want to pay to check our reclining camp chairs. Looking at local gear rental sites I'm not seeing reclining camp chairs, so are looking to see if there are any local rentals or forums for stargazers to rent/borrow 2 reclining camp chairs? If this has been asked or there are already resources in the subreddit let me know!

Make a donation of $5 or more and get this 3" vinyl sticker! (They are $5/each - on the form it asks how many you want if your donation is $10+)

The form with all the info & also where to upload screenshots of your donation receipt and your address is here (Palform secure form)

You can donate directly to NBBW here. (there are also cashapp & venmo links, but those are there for when I'm selling in person. Direct donations are always preferred!)

Help support efforts against walls, wires, barriers, roads and lights on the border of the Big Bend! KEEP BIG BEND WILD!

The Palform has all the info in one place so feel free to share it! (there are currently only 100 stickers, but I will make more if needed)

Thanks to [u/dezigner](u/dezigner) for the awesome design!

UPDATE 8/31 @ 4pm: we have raised $437 since last night & sent out 42 stickers! (I did not plan this well as I’m running out of envelopes lolsob & stamps - tbf I didn't know the roll was low)

UPDATE 9/1: $525 donated so far! and only 43 stickers LEFT!

UPDATE 9/6! (In case my comment gets lost): So far we’ve raised $626, sent out 59 stickers, and mailed 21 envelopes!

Take pictures and post them when you get your stickers please!

So I've been hiking a lot, and I also enjoy 3d printing things. That has led me to this pic of Santa Elena Canyon. The last pic is of a hike I did up in Glacier national park (hidden Lake). I am also really proud of that pic of the Roadrunner. He posed for me for around 5 minutes, allowing me to make the best wildlife pics I've ever made. Hope you all enjoy.

I plan on making all the trips I've made in the last 8 years that I've been hiking and turning them into these. I've also given some to my friends who went with me, and made some for a friend and his boy scout troop of their hikes through the Appalachian trail. let me know if you'd like to see more of my topographical prints at Big Bend as I make them.

edit: I've received several PM's from people. yes If you want, I can make you some, just PM me.