Lost Mine Trail

Big Bend National Park, Texas

4.4/5
based on 5 reviews

Details

Distance

4.41 miles

Elevation Gain

991 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Sarah Levant

Lost Mine Trail is a moderate day hike with spectacular views of the Chisos Basin in Big Bend National Park. 

If you are looking for expansive views of the Chisos Basin in Big Bend NP, the Lost Mine and South Rim Trails are MUST do's!  The South Rim Trail is a much longer 12+ mile hike (best views in park) which some will overnight or experience in a full day trek.  If you do not have time for the South Rim Trail, you have to hike the Lost Mine Trail! There is a small parking area off of Basin Junction Road which will fill up quickly after the am hours.  No restrooms or water at the trailhead so make sure to plan accordingly. The entire trail is pretty exposed offering views that keep getting better and better as you ascend. The trail is very well maintained and can get busy but the views are 100% worth it. 

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Features

Photography
Fitness
Hiking
Forest
Scenic

Lost Mine Trail Reviews

Hiked 1/16 on a chilly morning but the sun and steady uphill warmed us up pretty quick. The views begin when you reach the initial saddle (under a mile in) and are pretty consistent throughout the hike. The hike offers some nice vantage points in multiple directions, basically improving on all the views you first experience driving into Chisos Basin.

As a children's book author of national parks, I cover the only two national parks in Texas in the third book in the series and I always visit the parks before I write about them. Well, of course! I organized an almost ideal trip for my younger son and me to fly into El Paso and have six days to explore Big Bend, Guadalupe Mountains and Carlsbad Caverns. This is one of the hikes we chose to do in Big Bend and I would recommend this hike 100%. I only give it a four because I could have enjoyed the scenery all day! I highly, highly recommend Big Bend NP and this hike, too!

I asked every ranger I met in the park what their favorite hike was. Thy all answered Lost Mine. The parking lot fills quickly, but there is a shuttle that runs between the Amphitheater overflow parking and the trailhead. Shuttle schedule is posted across the street from the overflow lot. We did this hike with 7 kids, the youngest being 5, 7, and 8. Challenging, but do-able. And well-worth the views!

Nice hike with great views from the top. Saw a rattlesnake on the trail, so be careful!

This day hike is amazing. It's a tough one. You have quite a bit of climbing to do, but the trails are pretty easy. You don't have to climb over boulders or anything. The views are breathtaking.

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Window View Trail

Backpack to the Southeast Rim of the Chisos

Hike South Rim Trail Boot Springs Trail

Emory Peak via Pinnacles Trail

Chisos Mountains Loop

Hike the Outer Mountain Loop