Big Bend National Park is incredible!
I will say, I don’t think I have ever been anywhere so isolated. Big Bend is MASSIVE and so far removed from everything, which I must admit, might be part of it’s charm.
We pulled into Big Bend in the late afternoon after driving over from San Antonio and making a stop at Amistad. The park is seriously ENORMOUS! We began by making the trek into the Chisos Mountains part of the park and checked into the Chisos Mountains Lodge {which is the only lodging available in the park}. FYI – This place WILL be full when you are there. Definitely make reservations ahead of time!
WINDOW VIEW TRAIL
We went on a little hike on the Window View Trail. It was stunning looking at the mountains surrounding us and the “window” was beautiful. We hit it at the perfect time.
Next, we got some dinner at the Mountain View Restaurant {which is located at the lodge and the only dining option within the park} and settled in for the night. But not before going outside and seeing the beauty of the night sky. It was unbelievable how dark it was and how many stars you could see – the beauty of isolation!
We started our full day at Big Bend by heading down to the Rio Grande part of the park. Have I mentioned that the park is HUGE? It is. So definitely plan in driving time when deciding where you want to go in the park.
HOT SPRINGS HISTORIC TRAIL
We hiked the Hot Springs Historic Trail which was an old resort and homestead and also had pictographs. The old resort was built back in 1906 and I can’t believe how remote it must have been back then – because it sure is remote now! The hot springs felt awesome – a hot 105 degrees! There were quite a few people soaking in it but we just dipped our hands in. This was also our first time seeing the Rio Grande and seeing Mexico!
On our way back we also saw these trinkets on the side of the trail. I don’t know how we missed them on the hike in (or maybe there were put out in between) but they were from Mexico. They all had little price tags on them and then I looked across the river and someone was over there watching. It was bizarre! I still don’t really understand how it all works (or is legal) but it was a little crazy!
ERNST TINAJA TRAIL
Next, we definitely headed off the beaten path up into the desert above the Rio Grande and did the Ernst Tinaja Trail. This was a really cool trail. It went through a canyon and then into a naturally-carved rock pool. There were two smaller pools and then one BIG one that was thirteen feet across, also known as a kettle. The rock around the pool is really slick and you can see claw marks from animals that fall into it and are unable to climb out!
I was completely obsessed with the color of the rocks and it was pretty fun to find oyster fossils in the rock as well.
Grapevine Hills Trail
We hit the road again and ate our lunch while we trekked north of the Chisos Mountains back into the desert to the Grapevine Hills Trail. The last quarter mile of the trail was crawling over steep boulders to the top (that was fun with Benjamin on my back – AHH!). But it was definitely worth the climb. It was pretty neat to see the balanced rock.
PLUS, it made it all worth it because a couple actually asked to take our picture because they were so “inspired” be us. And I’ll just be honest, it felt pretty good to hear that! I LOVE these trips but sometimes it is hard juggling traveling with three little munchkins and we get lots of looks and comments so it was nice to get a little validation for what we are trying to do.
SANTA ELENA CANYON TRAIL
The day was getting late but we KNEW we had to do one last hike! So we headed down to the Castolon area and did the Santa Elena Canyon Trail. This took us once again down to the Rio Grande River (but the opposite end of the park) and up the Santa Elena Canyon.
This trail definitely did a number on my heights anxiety. You hike up some steep switchbacks right next to the river and then go back down into the canyon. I stress way too much about this kind of thing, and hate it, but I can’t seem to help it either. The river and canyon were beautiful though…when I wasn’t freaking out.
We packed in A TON in one day but it was all worth it. The kiddos were absolute champs! We then headed out of the park and up to Alpine where were staying for the night at a small cabin on a ranch. Dreamy.
