Big Bend feels like another planet where golden sunsets turn the mountains golden, stars cover the sky, and silence stretches for miles. It’s a wild park with tall, rugged mountains, the arid dessert, and dinosaur fossils 🦖. There’s so many enchanting areas to explore in a Big Bend itinerary.
I’ve been to 56 national parks and Big Bend is still one of my all time favorites. We spent a long weekend in this gorgeous park, exploring all the best areas. It was a stunning area and I want to go back as soon as possible!
Planning a trip into Big Bend can feel really overwhelming. 😫 The park is so vast, that it seems like there are so many things to see. But, I’ve got you covered with this 3-day Big Bend National Park itinerary, which covers all the park’s best hikes, scenic drives, and hidden gems. It’s perfect for a long weekend adventure.
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Planning Your Big Bend Trip
As soon as you decide to plan a trip to Big Bend, you may get overwhelmed. Figuring out how to get there, where to stay, and what to do can be a major headache. So, I’ve given you all the details to make your life a little easier.
How to Get to Big Bend
Due to Big Bend’s remote location in West Texas it takes a bit of effort to get to. That being said, it makes for a great road trip or longer weekend destination.
Midland/Odessa Airport (4.5 hours Northeast) and El Paso International Airport (4 hours west) are the closest airports to the park. That being said, they’re a still a fairly long drive away. So, you’re going to need to plan for a long travel day depending on where you’re coming from.
If you are already in Texas, you can make it a part of a longer trip. Big Bend is about 7 hours from both Austin and San Antonio or 9 hour drive from Dallas. My husband and I visited Big Bend when we were staying in Austin for a month and it was a great addition to our trip!
Getting Around Big Bend National Park
Big Bend is bigger than the state of Rhode Island, so it’s incredibly large! Driving times within the park can be over an hour and there are no public shuttles. So the best way to get around the park is to have a car.
If you’re flying in, then you will need to rent a car. I like to use Discover Cars to find rental cars, because they compare prices with different retailers! 🚗
Things to Know Before You Go
💵 Big Bend costs $30 for a private vehicle that covers 7 day. You can also use any of the annual passes like the America the Beautiful Pass to get in.
🚗 Driving times are incredibly long, so plan for extra time to get between places within the park and outside of it.
☀️ Weather changes quickly up at higher elevations especially during the summer months when monsoons are frequent. Try to stay away from the higher peaks if there are storms in the forecast.
🐷 Big Bend has a lot of nocturnal animals like the javelinas. If you are driving during dark, then you should have your brights on and be on the lookout for animals along the road!
🦮 Pets are allowed in the park, but they are not permitted on any of the hiking trails or in the backcountry. They must be on a leash at all times.
⚠️ Some trails and visitor centers are closed in summer, but you can stay up to date by checking the NPS website.
🍃 Remember to follow the Leave No Trace Principles. As always, you want to leave nature looking better than you found it.
Best Time to Visit Big Bend
Big Bend is located in the desert in the Southern part of the country, which means it gets hot! So, the best time to visit this stunning park is when temperatures are mild and the sun is shining in the Fall and Spring.
During these months, you’ll have wonderful weather and be able to explore throughout the entire park.
Summer is known for being uncomfortably hot with temperatures soaring up into the 100s! 🥵 Then, large thunderstorms often come through in the afternoons, so the weather can be very extreme!
While in the winter, the weather can be mild, but they do see occasional snow. We visited in January and we actually did have to contend with some snowfall. But, it wasn’t too bad and we were able to explore most of the park without a problem!
Where to Stay Near Big Bend
Like I’ve said before things in Big Bend are fairly far apart, so the best place to stay on your visit is to snag a campground at one of the sites within the park or the Chisos Mountain Lodge. There are four campgrounds in the park:
- Chisos Basin Campground
- Rio Grand Village Campground
- Cottonwood Campground
- Rio Grande Village RV Park
These tend to book up in more popular months, so you will want to snag a reservation in advance.
If you want to stay inside the park but don’t want to camp, check out the Chisos Mountain Lodge, it’s the only hotel within park boundaries. People love staying here and recommend it for their home base!
However, if you aren’t into camping, then you can stay in the small towns outside of the park. There are a few options to stay. Marathon (45 minutes from Big Bend entrance) and Terlingua (just outside the West Entrance) are towns that are outside the park with plenty of hotels and VRBOs.
We stayed in a super fun VRBO that was the perfect home base for our Big Bend trip. But, because it was outside the park, we did have to do a lot of driving back and forth!
Big Bend National Park Itinerary
Now, that you’re all set on the logistics, let’s dive into the perfect Big Bend itinerary. Big Bend is divided into three main areas: Chisos Basin (mountains), Rio Grande Village (river), and Santa Elena Canyon (desert and canyons). This itinerary hits all three.
This itinerary is for three days, however, you can easily cut it down to be two. In order to do that, I would simply do Chisos Basin and Santa Elena Canyon in one day and skip out on Terlingua Ghost Town. Alright, now let’s get started on the fun stuff!
Chisos Basin Day One
Once you’ve settled into the park, it’s time to stretch your legs and start exploring the heart of Big Bend, the Chisos Basin.
The Chisos Basin is the area of the park that’s nestled under the Majestic Chisos Mountains. These rugged peaks are a wonderful area full of great hikes and stunning views over the area. So, spend the day among the mountains.
Go to the Visitor Center
I never visit a National Park without stopping at the visitor center! It’s a great way to get yourself situated within the park, ask the park rangers for any tips or closures, and get a fun souvenir for yourself as well!
There’s a visitor center conveniently located in Chisos Basin, so it’s a wonderful place to stop before you start your excursions in the park.
Take a Hike or Two!
Chisos Mountain area is known for having a bunch of wonderful paths and trails. So, set off on an excursion up into the mountains to get even better views and perspectives of the area.
Lost Mine
This trail climbs through the mountains and offers stunning views over the basin below. Plus, along the way you’ll get amazing views over the Basin area.
It’s definitely one of the most popular hikes in the park for good reason! It’s a moderate day hike, so you will want to pack water and snacks before taking this one on.
Distance: 4.8 miles
Elevation: 1100 Feet of Elevation Gain
Type: Out and Back
Length: 2.5-3 hours total
Difficulty: Moderate
Emory Peak
For visitors who are ready to take on a challenge, you can do this trail to the tallest point in the park. Emory Peak sits at 7800 feet above sea level.
You’ll need to climb up 2500 feet, over exposed rock faces at point, but once you get to the 360 degree view at the end, it will all be worth it! This trail is definitely on my list for my next visit into the park.
Distance: 9.3 miles
Elevation: 2500 Feet of Elevation Gain
Type: Out and Back
Length: 4-6.5 hours total
Difficulty: Hard
South Rim Trail
Another incredibly popular but long trail, is the South Rim Hike. This challenging trek takes you up, up, up to spectacular views of the rugged mountains and the desert landscape.
So, if you’re ready for a full day of hiking, then this trail may be the one you want to tackle!
Distance: 12.2 miles
Elevation: 2400 Feet of Elevation Gain
Type: Out and Back
Length: 6.5-8 hours total
Difficulty: Hard
Window Trail
The Window Trail is a fantastic hike to add onto your itinerary. Eventually, you’ll get to a gorgeous spot on the cliffs with a view out over the Chisos Basin. You can complete the full 5.6 mile trail or walk to the overlook near the start of the trail.
This is also a very popular spot to watch the sunset, so you can end your day doing a hike here, watching the colors change and light up the sky.
Distance: 5.4 miles
Elevation: 961 Feet of Elevation Gain
Type: Out and Back
Length: 2-3 hours total
Difficulty: Moderate
Boquillas Day Two
On your second day in the park, you’ll get to explore one of the coolest areas of the park. The Boquillas area along the stunning Rio Grande River. Get ready for a full day of adventure and don’t forget to pack your passport!
Sunrise at Boquillas Canyon
Start your morning early, because you’ve got an exciting day ahead of you! You’ll want to get up and drive all the way to Boquillas Canyon for the sunrise. 🌅
From there, you’ll do a short 1.5 mile hike down into the canyon and back up. Although this hike is short, there is a little bit of an elevation gain, so I do recommend wearing good shoes and bringing some water.
In the canyon, you’ll see colors reflecting off the walls and it’s spectacular. Once you’re satisfied you can continue on your adventure!
Boquillas, Mexico
One of the most unique parts of visiting Big Bend, is that you can cross into Mexico through the National Park!
Many visitors spend a day or half a day exploring the small town of Boquillas, Mexico, which is just across the Rio Grande River. In order to visit this town, you’ll need your passport!
Sadly for us, border crossings were also closed when we visited. But luckily for you, I’ve done all the research so I know exactly what you need to know and what to expect.
Tip: Get to the US Customs office before 4 pm when it closes! If you miss it, you’ll have to spend the night in Boquillas.
Getting to Boquillas
📍Navigate to the Boquillas Crossing Port of Entry, located on Boquillas Crossing Road, just off Boquillas Canyon Road inside Big Bend National Park.
🛶 From there, you’ll check out with your passport at US Customs and Border Protection. Then, you’ll walk to the Rio Grand, where you’ll take the $5 Boquillas Ferry across the river.
🚶♀️You’ll get off the ferry at the Bienvenidos Boquillas del Carmen sign. Then, you can take a donkey, hire a truck, or walk three quarters of a mile down the one road to Boquillas
🪧 Once you arrive, you should check in at the Mexican Customs Office, where you’ll show your passport and pay $7 fee to enter. They will then give you a wristband to show you’ve paid and you are ready to explore!
What to Do in Boquillas Mexico
Now that you’re there, you can explore the small town! Most people spend around 2-4 hours in Boquillas.
I recommend getting some delicious Mexican food 🌮 at a local restaurant, shopping in town and buying souvenirs from the locals, or taking a tour along the river/in town. Once you’re done, you can check back in with US customs and get back into Big Bend National Park!
Boquillas Hot Springs
If you’ve still got energy after a long day of exploring, there’s one more thing to do- relax in the Boquillas hot springs otherwise known as the Hot Springs Historic Area.
Sadly, when we visited in 2020 the hot springs were closed because of the pandemic, so we will have to return to them.
But, luckily for you, they’re open again and they are a wonderful place to relax and soak. The Hot Springs are about a 20 minute drive from the Boquillas border crossing. In order to get there, you’ll drive down a 2 mile gravel road before setting off on the half mile trail to the springs.
Finally, you’ve made it to the springs! You can get into the warm baths and take in your surroundings as you luxuriate. ☺️ It’s an amazing way to end the day!
Terlingua Day Three
For your final day, head west to explore Big Bend’s most dramatic landscapes and wrap up with a visit to one of Texas’s most unique ghost towns.
Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive
Start at the Chisos Mountain Area and turn left to take the beautiful drive through the stunning landscapes. This drive is 30ish miles long and takes about an hour to complete. If you’re coming from the Chisos Basin area, you’ll need to do it to get to Santa Elena Canyon.
Along the way, you’ll see many areas where you want to stop and take in the views. Finally, you’ll end up at the gorgeous Santa Elena Canyon and don’t forget to stop at the overlook.
Santa Elena Canyon
Head into one of the prettiest parts fo the park, in my opinion. While this trail is really short, it’s very memorable. We chose to do the 1.5 mile hike for the sunrise and we were not disappointed, but you can do this hike a little later in the morning and it will still be stunning!
You’ll climb uphill for a short while before you make your way back down to get into the canyon. The sun reflects off the canyon walls and provides a gorgeous glow.
Plus, if you have time, you can rent a kayak or canoe to paddle into the canyon, it’s one of the most memorable experiences in the park.
Terlingua Ghost Town
Now, this part is technically, not in Big Bend, but it’s just outside of the West Entrance. Let’s end your trip on a spoookyy note in the ghost town of Terlingua. 👻
Here you’ll find the remnants of the mining town that used to exist. Walk through the old relics and try to see if you spot any ghosts. It’s always eerie to explore ghost towns, but I personally think they’re incredibly unique and fun to explore!
Plus, they do have some delicious coffee shops and restaurants in the town to stop at as well.
Final Tips for Visiting Big Bend National Park
Big Bend is vast, wild, and unforgettable, but with this itinerary, you’ll hit its best hikes, scenic drives, and river views without feeling rushed. Trust me, you’ll leave already planning your next trip back!
Before you go, just make sure to prepare for long drives, stock up on gas and snacks ahead of time, and know what you want to do. You will seriously be blown away by the magnificent landscapes there!
Let me know in the comments if you enjoyed this itinerary or have any questions!
👇 Explore more of my posts on West Texas here:
- The Ultimate Big Bend Travel Guide
- The BEST West Texas Road Trip to Big Bend & Marfa
- An Amazing Weekend in Austin, Texas
📍 Pin The Perfect Big Bend National Park Itinerary to Pinterest
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