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9 Best Hikes in Big Bend National Park
Updated: Sep 30
When you think of Texas, you might think of cow pastures, windmills, miles of flat land, and small town after small town. But did you know one of the most underrated US national parks is located in West Texas?
Big Bend National Park is an incredible natural wonder waiting to be explored. If you’re looking for a place to camp, hike, stargaze, and admire wildlife, then Big Bend National Park is the perfect place for you.
Are you ready to experience this gorgeous national park? Below I cover how to get to the park, the best time to visit, the best hikes in Big Bend National Park, the weather, and more. Keep reading to find out how to plan an epic adventure to Big Bend.
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Big Bend National Park Overview
To help you plan the best trip possible to Big Bend National Park, here are helpful tips. Learn when the best time to visit is, how to get here, where to stay, and more.
Entrance Fee: Big Bend National Park charges a $30 entrance fee per car; this is valid for 7 days. You can also use your America the Beautiful Pass here, the US national park annual pass.
Open: Year-round; visitor centers operate during normal business hours.
Size: 801,163 acres, more than 150 miles of hiking trails
Wildlife: Black bears, coyotes, tarantulas, snakes, deer, bobcat, mountain lion, javelina, and more
Dog-Friendly: The campsites and paved roads are, but no hiking trails are dog-friendly in Big Bend.
Park Established: June 12, 1944
TIP: If you plan on visiting other national parks like Grand Teton or Shenandoah, then the America the Beautiful annual park pass is worth buying!
Big Bend National Park Location
So where is Big Bend National Park? This US national park is located in far west Texas, right above the Texas-Mexico border. This area of the US comprises deserts, mountains, and river canyons.
Learn how to get to Big Bend National Park and where to stay. The camping here is incredible!
Weather Big Bend National Park
Big Bend National Park is in a dry, desert area. In short, summer in Big Bend is very hot, and not that suitable for hiking. Fall and spring are the best times to visit. It gets warm during the day but cools down nicely at night for the perfect hiking and camping weather.
Big Bend in winter is very cold, as it gets quite windy here. If you bring the proper attire; however, you can comfortably hike and spend time outside during the day in winter.
Summer Weather: June through August
Average High: 87°F
Average Low: 65°F
Fall Weather: September through November
It sometimes rains in Big Bend National Park in the fall, so bring a rain jacket as well. It is usually no more than a drizzle and doesn't last too long.
Average High: 79°F
Average Low: 46°F
Winter Weather: December through February
If you’re tent camping, you will want a cold-weather sleeping bag. We recommend bringing extra blankets as well.
Average High: 64°F
Average Low: 39°F
Spring Weather: March through May
Bring a rain jacket as well if you visit Big Bend in the spring. It may rain some, but it is generally more of a sprinkle and doesn't last that long.
Average High: 83°F
Average Low: 48°F