Big Bend National Park, Texas

Looking for the best hiking in Big Bend National Park? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Big Bend National Park. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Hiking Spots in and near Big Bend National Park

  • Alpine, Texas

    Hike Ore Terminal Trail

    8.8 mi / 1188 ft gain
    Before I describe this trail, what season are you hiking? If summer, stop reading now and find another hike. Not summer? Okay, great, let's get started. Do not take inexperienced hikers on this trail, particularly in hotter weather. While it's only 8 miles total (4 out, 4 back), it's constantly ...
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  • Big Bend National Park, Texas

    Balance Rock

    4.3
    2 mi / 230 ft gain
    A simple, quiet drive down a dirt road (Grapevine Spring) leads you through desolate landscape until a parking lot sprouts up to your right.  From here you can see that a stretch of land sandwiched in a little valley where the trail heads directly east.  The trail is easy to follow, just keep yo...
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  • Alpine, Texas

    Hike Boquillas Canyon in Big Bend

    3.5
    1.2 mi / 229 ft gain
    Boquillas Canyon is one of the longest and most beautiful canyons Big Bend has to offer. To get here you will head towards Rio Grande Village from the park's headquarters at Panther Junction. If desired, you can stop at the store in Rio Grande Village to pick up some snacks and beverages before y...
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  • Terlingua, Texas

    Santa Elena Canyon

    4.5
    1.66 mi / 837 ft gain
    Santa Elena Canyon is one of the crown jewels of Big Bend National Park, and something you surely don't want to miss if you pay the park a visit. To get here you will take the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive from Panther Junction, the park's headquarters. This drive has many pull-offs to take advantage...
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  • Terlingua, Texas

    Hike The River Road: Lajitas To Presidio

    5.0
    66.4 mi / 3 ft gain
    The River Road: Lajitas to Presidio is a 66.4 mile point-to-point hike that takes you by a river located near Terlingua, TX.
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  • Terlingua, Texas

    Raft through Santa Elena Canyon in Big Bend

    21 mi
    Five days prior to Labor Day weekend of 2017 we were the crazy ones who decided to raft on the Rio Grande when we heard it jumped up to a flow of 10,000 cubic feet per second. This was one of the first times in 10 years that the water had ever been this high.  The 3 of us had canoed this stretch ...
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  • Redford, Texas

    Closed Canyon Trail in Big Bend Ranch SP

    5.0
    1.36 mi / 240 ft gain
    There is plenty of parking at the trailhead and a covered picnic table. The hike is mostly flat, but some big rock negotiation is necessary. If there has been rain, you may need to negotiate some standing water. We were lucky to have dry conditions and did not need to maneuver around any water. D...
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