Big Bend National Park
Self Guided Hiking Trails
All of the following trails and walks have self-guiding booklets available to provide additional insight into the natural and cultural features you may encounter.
The trail guide booklets are available at trailheads and the Panther Junction Visitor Center.
Window View Trail
This trail begins at the Chisos Basin trailhead and circles the low hill to the west. An excellent location to view sunset through The Window. Handicapped accessible. This guide booklet can also be obtained at the Chisos Basin visitor center.
Trail guide cost—25¢
Window Trail
One of the most popular hikes in the park, the Window trail decends from the Bain developed area to the base of The Window. Guide provides information on the plants, animals, and geology encountered along this trail, as well as important safety information.
Trail guide cost—$1.00
Lost Mine Trail
Possibly the premier dayhike in the Chisos Mountains, this trail serves as an excellent introduction to the plants and animals of the High Chisos. A 4.8 mile round-trip, the trail begins at 5,600' elevation and leads upward to a ridge separating Pine and Juniper canyons.
Trail guide cost—$1.00
Panther Path
This short trail winds through a desert garden in front of the Panther Junction visitor center. Fifteen minutes spent on the path will provide an excellent orientation to many of the cacti and other common plants that inhabit the Chihuahuan Desert.
Trail guide cost—$1.00
Dagger Flat Auto Trail
Take this self-guided auto trail, for seven miles, to a fl at desert area where a unique forest of Giant Dagger Yuccas is located. As you drive, you will discover how many of Big Bend's common native plants have specially adapted to the Chihuahuan desert ecosystem. You will be rewarded by learning to recognize these plants and their fascinating characteristics.
Trail guide cost—$1.00
Hot Springs Historic District
Located at the end of a two-mile dirt road (not accessible to RVs or wide-body vehicles), this walk explores the remains of an early resort built around the healing waters of the hot spring here.
Trail guide cost—$1.00
Rio Grande Village Natural Trail
This trail begins near campsite 18 in the Rio Grande Village campground and provides access to the Rio Grande and views of the river valley. The nature trail crosses a beaver pond, and provides excellent wildlife viewing opportunities.
Trail guide cost—$1.00
Castolon Historic District
A short, self-guided walk highlighting the unique history of this border community. Guide booklet also includes a driving tour and is also available at the Castolon store and visitor center.
Trail guide cost—$1.00
Big Bend In Depth
News from the Parks
Anglers Wary of North Cascades Plan to Limit Fishing
August 21, 2008 - 10:51am
Not much comes easy in the precipitous ice-and-rock geography of North Cascades National Park -- not the hiking, not the high-lakes fishing, and across the park's 40 years of existence, not even fish management. This is what I'm thinking during the sweaty hike out of the stunning cirque that embraces Monogram Lake, where I've spent a couple hours catching and releasing dozens of pretty cutthroat trout with two mountain anglers who fear that soon there will be no fish in the park's high lakes. Whether trout should be in these lakes at all has been an issue since the park was created in 1968, and it is coming to a head with the release in July of the park's voluminous "Mountain Lakes Fishery Management Plan."
August 21, 2008 - 10:51am
Not much comes easy in the precipitous ice-and-rock geography of North Cascades National Park -- not the hiking, not the high-lakes fishing, and across the park's 40 years of existence, not even fish management. This is what I'm thinking during the sweaty hike out of the stunning cirque that embraces Monogram Lake, where I've spent a couple hours catching and releasing dozens of pretty cutthroat trout with two mountain anglers who fear that soon there will be no fish in the park's high lakes. Whether trout should be in these lakes at all has been an issue since the park was created in 1968, and it is coming to a head with the release in July of the park's voluminous "Mountain Lakes Fishery Management Plan."
Bison Advocates Go for Space
August 21, 2008 - 10:48am
As rancher Rick Knobe slowly guides his pickup around the iconic American bison on the prairie here, he reflects on a time when they roamed freely. "I figure the buffalo were there first, the elk were there first, the wolves were there first," he says, looking over his herd of 28 American bison, on his Lazy RRse Buffalo Ranch. "I figure these animals should be given more the right of way to roam."
August 21, 2008 - 10:48am
As rancher Rick Knobe slowly guides his pickup around the iconic American bison on the prairie here, he reflects on a time when they roamed freely. "I figure the buffalo were there first, the elk were there first, the wolves were there first," he says, looking over his herd of 28 American bison, on his Lazy RRse Buffalo Ranch. "I figure these animals should be given more the right of way to roam."
Rapid Climate Change Threatens to Thaw Icy Wonderland of Alaska
August 21, 2008 - 10:43am
I was in Alaska for 10 days in August, on a fellowship with Michigan State University's Knight Center for Environmental Journalism and the Union of Concerned Scientists, to see firsthand the effects of global warming. I didn't have to look far. I watched massive chunks of glacial ice breaking off into the sea.
August 21, 2008 - 10:43am
I was in Alaska for 10 days in August, on a fellowship with Michigan State University's Knight Center for Environmental Journalism and the Union of Concerned Scientists, to see firsthand the effects of global warming. I didn't have to look far. I watched massive chunks of glacial ice breaking off into the sea.
Park Seeks Construction Comment
August 21, 2008 - 10:38am
The National Park Service proposes to construct new housing, operations and recreation facilities in Big Bend National Park. The public, organizations and other agencies may review and comment upon a draft environmental assessment (EA) describing the proposal. The new construction would occur at Panther Junction, Rio Grande Village and Castolon. The proposal is to construct 27 structures, of which 15 would serve new purposes and 12 would replace temporary or inadequate facilities.
August 21, 2008 - 10:38am
The National Park Service proposes to construct new housing, operations and recreation facilities in Big Bend National Park. The public, organizations and other agencies may review and comment upon a draft environmental assessment (EA) describing the proposal. The new construction would occur at Panther Junction, Rio Grande Village and Castolon. The proposal is to construct 27 structures, of which 15 would serve new purposes and 12 would replace temporary or inadequate facilities.
Looking for Labor Day Park Lodging? It's Not Too Late
August 21, 2008 - 10:11am
With Labor Day a week away, you may think you have a better chance of making a hole in one blindfolded than getting space at a campground or a park lodge for the holiday. But it's not quite that grim.
August 21, 2008 - 10:11am
With Labor Day a week away, you may think you have a better chance of making a hole in one blindfolded than getting space at a campground or a park lodge for the holiday. But it's not quite that grim.
