Window Trail in Big Bend
Big Bend National Park, Texas
Details
Distance
4.21 miles
Elevation Gain
617 ft
Route Type
Out-and-Back
Description
Added by Chris Mongeau
This hike offers beautiful views into Mexico from Big Bend National Park as well as of the mountains surrounding the Chisos Basin.
The Window Trail is one of the most popular hikes in Big Bend National Park. Whether you're visiting for a day or camping at one of the sites in the park, the Window Trail is a hike worth doing, and can be done in just a couple of hours at a leisurely pace. The Window itself is a V-shaped canyon that overlooks the desert into Mexico and offers stunning panoramic views, especially at sunset.
To begin the hike, you can either start at the Basin Trailhead (roundtrip 5.6 miles) or at the Chisos Basin Campground (roundtrip 4.4 miles). If you don't feel like hiking the first mile from the Basin Trailhead, you won't be missing much in terms of the hike's views and experience.
The hike begins in Chisos Basin and descends to Oak Creek Canyon, which, depending on the season and amount of rainfall, may have a stream running through. During our hike in August, there was a small stream, but nothing more than about an inch of water at any point. The total descent from the Chisos Basin Campground is about 500 feet over 2.2 miles (the way back is all uphill). The last .5 miles of the trail travels over a rocky canyon area that can be pretty slick to climb, so you'll definitely want decent hiking shoes with good grip.
Once you're at the Window, the view opens up to the desert plain below. There are no rails/ropes at the end of the Window—it's just a straight 220 foot drop from the edge, so be careful and don't get too close, the rocks can be deceivingly slick. Enjoy the uninhibited view and wait for the sun to set if you can.
Hiking back, the views are equally beautiful and look out at Casa Grande and Emory Peak. While we were on the trail, we spotted a black bear, two different groups of deer, and javelinas. Wildlife is abundant throughout the basin area, and Big Bend is also home to the mountain lion, so it's best to do this hike with at least another person and to follow safety information in the event of an encounter.
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Window Trail in Big Bend Reviews
This hike is realtively easy except for the first mile or so being a bit steep downhill. Which means it is steep on the return trip coming uphill! It is recomended to go for rhe sunrise, but we loved it when we went mid-day. There is shade on some sections. The Window is the seasonal waterfall, or pour off, which is bone dry most of the year. There are long range views over the desert and to Terlingua and Study Butte. Park of the hike is in the canyon. The views are excellent the whole time. If you park in the campground instead of at the Chisos Basin lodge area, you can shave off about a mile of the hike and a big chunk of rhe steeper section. Look for male tarantulas in the fall and early winter and do not harm them or stress them out - they are totally harmless and are looking to mate for the first and only time befoe they die. They’ve been waiting 7-10 years for this moment - watch them and then leave them.
5.0
It was a pretty easy out and back trail. Very busy at the end and it can be rocky on that last half mile.
5.0
My buddy and I did this trail in roughly an hour and 45 minutes while taking photos at the Window for 25 minutes. We did this on a Sunday evening and we met only one couple at the Window. After a few minutes, we had the entire sight to ourselves. If you go to Big Bend, don't skip this trail. I heard sunset is popular and an amazing view.
5.0
There are two Window trails. The short one which I recommend to watch the sunset and the longer one which takes you to the actual window. Both are great and beautiful.
5.0
This was the very first hike I did at Big Bend when I was 14. I wish you would have added a pic of the actual window. As stated there are no ropes or anything so just be careful when you get down there. Looking over the edge is thrilling but don't get too close.
4.0
This hike is perfect for the family or day hiker passing through Big Bend! If you are looking for a little exercise after hours in the car, this is the perfect trail run with a rewarding view, The way back is slightly uphill the entire way, so save some energy for the way back!
4.0
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Nearby
Chisos Mountains Loop
Emory Peak via Pinnacles Trail
Backpack to the Southeast Rim of the Chisos
Window View Trail
Hike South Rim Trail Boot Springs Trail
Hike the Outer Mountain Loop
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