Liz Claflin
This is not a hike! Its a scenic drive (out and back) through the most breathtaking desert scenery. Arguably the most scenic drive in Texas! There are many hikes (long and short) along the road. There are also numerous pullouts with informational signs and vistas. At about 2/3 of the way through, you’ll come to a visito center woth bathrooms, a gift shop with snacks, and historic displays. There are also bathrooms at various vistas and hiking parking lots. The road ends at Santa Elena Canyon, which offers a gorgeous, short hike into the impressive canyon. Give yourself at least half a day to do this drive. Lots of opportunities for wildlife sightings.
5.0
One of my favorite day hikes in the entire country! This is the only truly crowded place in all of Big Bend, especially on weekends or holidays. The hike itself wont feel crowded, it’s hust that the parking lot is very small. Many people fo for sunrise, so one trick is to show up about 1.5 hours after sunrise to snag a spot from a leaving hiker. You can also park in Chisos Basin and walk up, which adds maybe 1/2 - 1 mile. Do not park alongside the road anywhere - they absolutely ticket. The hike is moderately steep the entire way up. Not overly challening but can be very hot. The views begin aboit .75 miles in and just get better and better. The views at top with blow your mind! I travel the country in my RV and hike everywhre we go. This is a doozy and a favorite.
5.0
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
This hike is pretty flat, but there is defintiely some scrambling once you get into the wash. Half the hike is in the wash. Tou can almat always find an easy route through ans amongst the boulders, but this wash area is what makes the hike a littlw more adventurous and tough. IMPORTANT: even when its bone dry, there are many rocks that are slippery! Even rocks that don’t look like they are slick might be. Be very careful with your footing, even in hiking boots. There are two parking lots: an upper and a lower owerflow lot. If you park at the lower lot, the hike will be almost a mile longer in total. Good bathrooms at the upper lot and at the visitor center.
5.0
This hike is oretty easy as long as you are ok with the length. The parking lot is big wit barhrooms and a visitor center with info about the canyon. The hike goes along the bottom of rhe canyon and wash, where you will most likely see at least some water year-round. The old house is well maintained and although it was locked up, i could peer through the windows. There was also a lovely porch with chairs you can ait on to admire the epic views. The whole hike was beautiful!
5.0
Bathrooms and plenty of parking at the trailhead. Look for trail markers so as to not get lost!
5.0
Excellent hike! The terrain is magical. The hike is totally flat until you get to the last 1/4 mile+. That last stretch is stwwp and rocky, with loose rocks and a very small amount of scambling. Kids can do this trail without any issues. Just be sure to look for the trail markers pointing out the way because it is very easy to get off trail (ask me how i know!). Once you get to the top of the little saddle, you’ll look for metal trail markers. The first one is off to the right at the too of the saddle. At each one, stop and locate the next one before continuing. This hike has NO shade. Be sure to bring plenty of water. On hot days, consider coming early before it gets too hot. The drive in is 6.5 miles on a gravel road. No need for 4WD or high clearance. Parking can be toigh on busy days or in the busy season. Come early or late. You can also park on a turnout on the main park road and bike in (bike needs suspension for comfort). Electric bikes are allowed on the gravel road, but not the trail.
5.0
The McDonald Observatory is famous, for good reason! Visiting any time is fun and educational, but sign up for one of their weekly Star Parties for a special treat. The facility houses a very well done and interactive museum, bathrooms, a nice gift shop, and beverages for sale. There is a small theater where they commonly show a mind-blowing video to help put the size of outerspace into perspective. The Star Parties start with an outdoor talk about the current night sky and visible constellations, as well as an overview of what will be shown via their telescopes. Dress warmly if visiting in the fall or winter! It can be COLD and you’ll be sitting for a bit. After the initial discussion and overview, you’ll walk short distances between a few telescopes and wait for your turn to view whatever is being shown. On our visit, we saw saturn with its ring, a distant galaxy, a double cluster, and a dying star shaped like a dumbell. The whole experience is eerily beautiful because they use only red lighting to preserve your night vision. The sky is SO dark that you can capture the milky way even with just a cell phone camera! This is a “must do” in the Fort Davis area. And while it is a great experience for kids, it did appear as though some of them were bored or antsy during the presentation portion.
5.0
This is not a hike, its a scenic drive! You would not want to backpack this. This drive runs along the Rio Grande River through Big Bend Ranch State Park. Its a gorgeous drive that would take about 1.5 hours if you never stopped, which would be a travesty! Make sure to obtain a visitor pass before doing this drive. You can get it online or at one of the visitor centers at either end of the drive. There are a few pullouts offering scenic views. But you’ll also be bombarded with scenic views the entire drive, even without stopping! I give this drive five stars, but I considered giving it four simply because the section of the drive between the Hoodoos and Presidio is far less scenic than the rest of the drive. But ultimately, its a spectacular drive! Notable stops along the way (from east to west): Warnock Visitor Center; Contrabando Movie Set Site; East Contrabando Scenic Overlook (1/4 mile hike); Closed Canyon Trail (1.3 mile hike); Hoodoos Trail (about 1 mile); Fort Leaton. Keep an eye out for animals along the way! We saw a fox, javelinas, horses, and a deer. There are bathrooms at mant parking areas and also a few places for a picnic.
5.0
This short hike is on FM170, also known as River Road - a very scenic drive through Big Bend Ranch State Park. You must have a visitor pass in order to do anything in this park! You can get it online, in one of the vistor centers, or at most trailheads, including this one. Alternatively, pick up an annual state park pass. Parking is generally easy, but if the lot is full, simply park along rhe road as there are quite a few spaces there as well. There is a bathroom. This is a short, flat, family-friendly hike into an impressive canyon. But there are a couple places where you will probably have to sit down on a smooth rock and alide a short distance. Or you might need to use hands and feet to get back up these little rocky sections on the way back out. But nothing to worry about and you can always stop and turn around at any point. The hike ends at a “trail closed” chain across the canyon. This is because, after that chain, the canyon drops down extrmeley steeply to the Rio Grande and would be impossible to traverse. This hike offers shade in the canyon as long as the sun isn’t directly above.
5.0
When the water is flowing in the spring, Little Yosemite is a site to behold! Even when the water level is low, it’s find to explore the boulders of the creek bed. This park feels more remote than some of the others in the East Bay. In the spring, the green hills are so beautiful. Flowers blooming everywhere. The smell of blooming buckeyes in the air. There has been ongoing construction on a nearby dam, which can be seen a bit during the hike. A bit of an eye sore, but still a hike worth hiking. There are multiple trails you can take to modify the hike and make it harder/longer. A good hike for some kids.
5.0
You can make this an even four miles if you park in the Black Diamond Mines dirt lot just before the turn into Contra Loma. Once you’ve parked, just turn left once you go walk through the gate. Follow that straight through the next trail junction. Loops back around to that same trail junction.
5.0
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