Category: | National Park |
Address: | Big Bend National Park, TX |
Phone: | +1 432-477-2251 |
Site: | nps.gov |
Rating: | 4.6 |
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Sandeep Prakash
I had an amazing experience traveling to Big Bend National Park. The best thing about the park is it untouched wilderness minimal human habitation around the park. It lived up to the expectation of being one of the darkest places on earth for viewing the sky. The sights of Milky Way were amazing. People, travel to this place loose some sleep and take a look at the night sky. It is totally worth it! The Lost Mine Trail was a Easy-Moderate hike. I suggest doing the hike early in the morning to get fantastic vistas of mountains painted in golden color by the rising sun. The drive to Rio Grande village is fantastic which takes you very very close to the Mexican border. The Rio Grande river itself acts as the border and it is totally unprotected. Make sure where you are with a map in hand so as not cross the border even unintentionally. **If you are a foreign traveller, make sure you carry your Passport Visa and related paperwork as there is a border checkpoint outside of the park** Rafting/Kayaking/Canoeing is highly recommended along the Santa Elena Canyon which is carved by the Rio Grande river. If you choose not to, there is a 1.5 mile hike along the canyon walls which give great views of the canyon. There are lots of other trails which I missed and most notably the Window trail and the Emory peak trail which is motivating me to take another shot at visiting the national park. Wildlife sightings: Scorpion, Tarantulas, Roadrunner, Jackrabbits, Peregrine Falcons, Deers, Snake Headed Lizard. Weather: I visited the place in Summer. Though it was hot, we had planned most of the activities early in the morning or for late evenings which were comparatively cooler. All in all itwas an amazing experience!
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my name is maxcapax
... When there is the ever on Texas trip Was I. The NP was not originally planned. But I had moved out some time and wanted me enjoy this highlight. Directions from last motel an hour. Much landscape. And a Roadrunner I saw. He was so fast that I could not catch him with the camera. But vultures. The time has then but not enough, to depart all routes. Until Santa Elena Gap I am gekom ment. Rio Bravo. If I Great Bend should be compared with the great NPs in AZ, UT, CO, this would not be my first choice. But precisely because of the difference is the NP interesting. Wild West at its best. Very remote. Ensure full tank! THANK YOU.
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John Peters
This is an absolute gem of a national park. It is quite big (bigger than Yosemite), yet you do not have to fight any crowds. It has three very unique ecosystems: mountain, desert, and river. When you enter the Chisos Basin, you have a hard time believing that you are in Texas. Its jagged peaks shoot up like Wagnerian gods. The Lost Mine, Window, and Emory Peak trails are to be recommended. Their levels of difficulty are respectively easy, medium, and hard. The last part of the Emory Peak trail should not be attempted by those who suffer from vertigo. The Santa Elena Canyon trail offers a spectacular hike through a river canyon (easy to medium difficulty). The Boquillas Canyon trail offers a good view of a river canyon on the east side of the Park. Back country can be explored on a 30 mile dirt road along the river (recommended only for 4 wheel drive). This is a desert paradise that should not be missed by anybody.
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Pillas François
For all those and all those who love the wilderness and the great virgin and desert areas, we have to explore this huge park and very dry which is bordered to the south by the Rio Grande and its impressive deep valley with steep cliffs over 450 m and above all ... do not miss the stay (reserve early ...) to Ghisos mountain lodges and must visit the Santa Elena Canyon (hour trail)! Famous Park Texas desert!
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Waqar Nadeem
Big Bend National Park is a very unique place to go for nature loving people. Its huge and have lot of attractions especially hiking and camping. It may not be a place for kids as they may find it boring, I was surprised to see people visiting the park with kids - in my opinion its way to risky to go on trails with small kids since there are no medical and emergency services and limited or no cell phone coverage for 911 calls in case of an emergency. The best time to visit will be in late or early winter or in the spring I assume this place will be very hot in summer. I am not sure if I will go there again but I liked the wilderness and the vastness of this place, and going on the top of a mountain with over two hour trail was real fun.
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Ricky De Leon
I love this park! The the lost mine trail is awesome as well as the south rim. Rio grande village trail is great for sunrises and sunsets. The mountains are surprisingly green in the summer months and heavily vegetated in the higher altitudes. I love how you can see clear into Mexico. When the sun sets the mountains take on a vibrant pink and orange and looking at the millions of stars at night is a humbling experience. I usually start my trip in big bend then head to the davis mountains which are also very beautiful for a day of recoup before heading home.
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Cindy Cavagnaro
We went to Big Bend Camping in 1987, my son was 6 and daughter 3. It was one of the most memorable trip I ever took. Love this park. We went to all the campsites there, saw mule deer, havalina, scorpions, and the beautiful birds. The rangers were helpful and the price was right. I loved all the view. Mule ears, Bouqilas Canyon, the little Mexican Village across the river, (we took our kids and they rode the little donkeys). I hope to go back someday, but it will never be the same as the first time.
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Toby Baker
Big Bend is so Big! Lots of hiking trails that we could see. Recommend going to Chisos Basin. Seems to be in the heart of the park where there is lodging, a visitor center with supplies and several starting points for hiking trails. Window trail provides a beautiful lookout into the mountains and is easily accessible. My wife and I were wanting to just drive through, and this point in the park was perfect for driving around just a couple of hours.
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Luciano Gutierrez
Majestic and grand! As a native Texan it took me 46 years to finally see this. Breathtaking and mystical is pretty much the effect it had on me the first time I laid eyes on it. Strayed off the beaten path and came upon a wonderful campground called Stillwells where we stayed each time. This unique and glorious park provided me with the inspiration to not only study native cacti and succulents but to grow them as well. A must see for all Texans.
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Vivien E
Truly wonderful place, beautiful. For 25 dollars though, I expect the amenities and staff to be at least well-managed. It is not the case, the bathrooms were terrible, so were many of the roads. The staff really did not care much in answering some of my questions either. If you compare this park to other "25 dollars" parks where the management is MUCH BETTER (Grand Canyon, Yellowstone), you will be disappointed. This park should not charge 25.
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Yeti Hairyman
Astonishing, pleasantly surprised to explore this entire area especially up at the basin and yes there r quite a few hikes to enjoy. My favorite hike was the South Rim Trail longer but with some incredible views: lost mine trail is an easy four point eight mile hike and if you are going here when it is warm to take plenty of water: if you do the full loop for the South Rim and North East Rim Trail it will take you a good 6 to 7 hours
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Pam V
The best high and low country/desert experience available in one (huge) place. The basin hikes are a must. Lost Mine Trail, The Window are essentials. Emory Peak and South Rim Trail are for those better prepared (physically and provisionally). On the floor Mule Ears, Grapevine Hills, the Dinosaur and Fossil exhibit is impressive, and more. The Rio Grande and Hot Springs are a whole different dimension of the park. Sooo much more!
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Andrew Rast
Probably one of my favorite national parks i have been to so far. So much to do. So much wildlife is present and the views are phenomenal (watch out for snakes and enjoy watching them from a distance). You can somewhat compare this to Pinnacles NP, except much bigger. Go see the Boquillas and Santa Elena Canyons. I can also vouch for Grape Vine Hills Trail. Excellent views and first time I was able to see the Rio Grande.
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Richard Taylor
It so quiet. The sceanery is unbelivible. Star gazing is great its so dark at night. There is so much area to explore you can not see all of it in one trip. The park is enormous. Santa Ellena canyon is stunning, but watch out for the plant with red fur. That is a cactus with tiny spines like fiberglass. You will itch for days. Take the offroad paths if you are equipped. There is nothing to compare it to.
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Charles Loving
One of the greatest wonders of the United States with a rich history of all kinds. One of the birth places of Army Aviation prior to WWI. An area where mercury was mined and cattle raised. The Apaches fought for it. Mexican bandits roamed it.The cavalry from Marfa partoled it. Vistas beyond imagination. Hot dry and cold and wet at times. A great place to visit along with the Texas State Park along the Rio Bravo.
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Jeremy Stone
Big Bend is beautiful. Come see it before they build the big-stupid-border-wall through the middle of it. Absolutely breathtaking vistas and hiking trails. Gorgeous wildflowers and interesting critters. Get the kids into the car and come see one of the best places in Texas. Bring your passport and take a canoe ferry across the river and support a neat little border town full of friendly people.
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JESUS BAEZ FLORES
WILD WONDERFUL PLACE WITH HIS BIG GUNS AND NOZZLES SANTA ELENA. DESERT SERENITY HAS NO COMPARISON GORGEOUS OPEN BORDER HAS Boquillas del Carmen MUST VISIT
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James Moore
Gorgeous and diverse landscape that makes you forget what you left behind and realize just how big and vast Texas really is! From the desert floor to the Chisos Mountain tops, temperatures can vary over 15-20 degrees depending on altitude. I went in the Summer of 2007 and the temperature was around 110*F in the desert and a mild 82*F at the Chisos Mountains Lodge. BE SURE TO BRING WATER!!
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A Private User
Beautiful, I visited it 10 years ago but I was amazed at the strength of the wild nature. If you have the opportunity to visit it, do not hesitate and visit it. regards
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DANIEL TIMS
Coolest park ever. Was going to go here originally come to BBNP to overland but got here two days early. There is a lot of fun hikes to do. The lodges are kind of old but thats cool too. They was built by the CCC. We eventually offroaded too. Old Ore road is crazy but fun. It gets nice and cool at night. Learned a lot about the desert. You should definitely find time to go.
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Patrick Denker
The three "frontcountry" campgrounds are OK but densely populated by RVs. For a more secluded alternative, try one of the many "backcountry roadside camping" spots; see park website or ask at Ranger Station. And yes: for astronomy and astrophotography, the dark skies are superb, but again, you might need to get away from the campgrounds, which tend to have trees and RVs.
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Taylor Mackay
Expansive park with lots to see. Make sure to leave yourself multiple days to do some of the longer hikes and take advantage of some of the hidden gems (hot springs). Truly a beautiful place...mountains seem very out of place for Texas but are a welcomed sight to the explorer. Hot during the day, cold at night. Make sure to bring plenty of water and salty snacks.
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Cats Fresh
Insanely beautiful park! We traveled all the points and we really liked the park. There are many hiking trails, they can meet bears !!! Always we hope to return!
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Oscar N Barbara Zamudio
We loved the park! We stayed here two weeks in a motor home in November 2015. Beautiful hiking, and check out the options for river trips! Everyone we encountered in the park was very helpful. If you are staying in an RV, the Rio Grande "trailer village" is a disappointment - just a crowded parking lot. But the rest of the experience makes it worth it!
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A Private User
a clearer Park, cozy lodge, the green water flowing through the Park Rio Grande, nice staff in the restaurant and at the front desk of the Lodge
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Kate Pollard
One of my favorite national parks. So many excellent trails and environments/eco-systems. The stars at night are mind-blowingly bright at night considering this is one of the lowest light pollution areas in the US. I highly recommend visiting between end of February and April, you might be able to catch the wild flower blooming season.
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Callen Hearne
Probably the number one site in the US, that is bordering mexico, a national park, with trails, roads, and signage, hot tub, artifacts, geologically interesting regions, threat of harm via animal and human alike, maybe you could see a dog. Also prestige in nature. Ok. Wowe. A+