Reviews of Big Bend National Park (Park)

Amanda Block

The stars at night are big and bright!

David H. Nguyen

Recently, my wife and I had planned to go to Albuquerque for their balloon festival for our anniversary. We were contemplating driving or flying. We opted for driving so that we could explore West Texas along with a few other spots in New Mexico. From Houston it took us 1 day to arrive in Alpine and stayed at the Hampton Inn (good nearby city). From there it was a little over an hour to the north entrance of the park. Once inside I highly recommend visiting the Chisos Basin. This is by far the best views in the park. There are a lot of trail options but if you are short on time, I'd say try the The Window trail. In addition the views at Santa Elana Canyon overlook are worth a stop also. Finally, if you have an SUV or truck with 4x4, you should take the Old Maverick Road, it's rocky but fun and allows you to see some areas you wouldn't normally get to see. I was shocked that Texas actually has some mountains, but I after visiting a few other national parks, I must say this one is just not as spectacular as some of the others I've seen.

Angel Leutz

I loved it. It was everything I expected and more. I didnt want to leave.

Amanda Bush

We love staying at Big Bend! We especially enjoy attending the ranger guided walks and camping at the back country sites. The sunrises and stargazing are unbeatable.

Amanda Bush

We love staying at Big Bend! We especially enjoy attending the ranger guided walks and camping at the back country sites. The sunrises and stargazing are unbeatable.

Bobbi Robbins

This Park is amazing in the spring. So many Vista's and stunning sights to see. Loved the blue bonnets and brilliant red ocatillas. We climbed the lost mine trail up into the clouds... breath taking experience. Loved the hot springs and cooling off in the Rio Grand. Don't miss Santa Elena pass...everyone should see it.

dave chudnov

Big Bend NP is one if my favorite places to spend time. Amazing geological diversity, super fun ghost town, great music, and world class dark skies. It's tough to get here, but very much with the extra effort.

Deborah Lbsraoui

In my opinion this is the most beautiful State Park in Texas! We only got to spend one day there but there was so much to see and so many beautiful sights that we will definitely be going back. It's quite a drive to get there but very well worth it. Recommend getting rooms months ahead of time as it books up quickly.

Charlotte Bailey

It is a magnificent site to behold! Everyone should visit in their lifetime!

JD Williams

Totally love this place! Spent two days here and didn't even make a dent. Great Jeep trails! Will definitely be back.

Adam Smith

It is the most beautiful, peaceful, spiritual place on earth. I've been coming here since 1978, and will continue coming back till the day I die...

Moving on with Old Man River Old man river

Big Bend National Park should be on every travelers bucket list. I gos from the desert to the mountains. We camped on the 4th of July weekend and there were still plenty of tent spots. The only way to really camp. Even in the dead of summer be ready for rain and winds The rock formations are equal to any where else.

Lee Swindler

An oasis of spectacular beauty in otherwise bleak west Texas. Best in April when wildflowers are in bloom. Visit Chisos Basin and hike the Window trail and the 12.5 mile loop trail to the South Rim.

Abhimanyu

The only park in texas worth making long distance travel for. Worth every penny and second of it.

Iliana Hunt

I love this park. It’s great for a weekend getaway, however, you need AT LEAST a week to explore this beautiful park fully. It has a lot of beauty and history to offer.

Iftekar Ahmed

Been there several times and want to go again. The rustic and rugged park has something in it that forces me to come back again and again. The bluebonnets season was spectacular.

Bruce Provencher

Great national park for hiking. We took our own vehicle on an off road experience and thoroughly enjoyed it. Great area to experience the night sky also. No light pollution, just horizon to horizon stars. We'll worth going out of your way to get here.

Christi Hill

Loved it. Huge! If staying outside the park, try to get lodging in Tetlingua. Recommend riding Hwy 170 also.

Kasia Cross

Beautiful park with friendly rangers and staff. Well maintained facilities with park gas station and convenience store. Hikes range from just over a mile on flat terrain to well over 15 miles on mountain inclines. Park restaurant and balcony with nearby lodge offer the comforts of home with breathtaking scenery while campgrounds provide a more immersive park experience. There is something for everyone here. Overall, an incredibly humbling and centering experience to witness wilderness in its unfettered glory.

Veru Maldonado

One of the most diverse deaerts. The locals are a breed of there own. If you found this review insightful, please feel free to click the 'like' button. Majestic vistas, massive mountains, enormous elevation changes, rock formations, desert wildlife, etc. Big Bend has it all! There are trails from short and simple to quite long and strenuous and even at this time of year very doable, especially in the Chisos Basin. The people of Boquillas are warm and welcoming and very much appreciate us visiting their humble town.

James Benton

Big Bend is my happy place. I have been 26 times and I still have lots to see.

ang leal

I love this national park! Texas is so BIG and every part of Texas is different and this really shows its natural beauty

david Alcorn

A must see!! Scenery is exquisite. Camping sites are marvelous. Come spend at least 3 days. Soooo much to explore. Short or ling hikes take your pick! A fabulous hot springs. City ruins. Desert. Mountains. The Rio Grande. They have it all!!

Venkata B

Great place for hiking and camping. Chisos basin campground has better views but few camp sites. Rio grande village campground has more campsites and showers and laundry at the camp store. Big bend has various trails with different kind of difficulty levels and many off road roads.

Taylor Zamora

I love this park. It’s great for a weekend getaway, however, you need AT LEAST a week to explore this beautiful park fully. It has a lot of beauty and history to offer.

Joel Gunn

First trip. Very cool. Dinosaur fossil exhibit. Dormant volcano. Sotol Outlook. Santa Elena Canyon!

Ell Martini

At all times, in all weathers, always wonderful and surprising. We never tire of the colors and textures, from lower to upper elevations.

Chelsea Morgan

Amazing place to visit. Incredibly beautiful!

Larry Daugherty

Outstanding place to visit especially in spring, fall and winter! Love it and planning another trip next year late winter or early spring.

Chris Yandle

This place is my personal heaven! If you get the chance to, hike Lost Mine Trail and swim at Santa Elena. If not, the views from anywhere in the park are breathtaking!!

Gary Childers

The park is huge. We stopped at the visitor center at Panther Junction. Great info and exhibits. Then on to Chisos Basin up in the mountains. The visitor center there was closed, but the restaurant was good. Checking out points both east and west of Panther Junction took us all day.

Mark Ledebuhr

Worth the considerable effort to get there. Santa Elena Canyon trip is a must-do! If you are an able canoer or kayaker, the guide services will rent you your own and you can save significant $$ over joining on of the (usually booked out) tours. It's a big place, plan for things t ok take longer than you thought!

Samuel Petzold

Park Rangers took care of a random guy (potential serial killer) who was back country camping with no permit. Rangers were extremely helpful and friendly. I've never felt safer in any other park.

Chantell Provenzano

The vastness of this park must be seen to believe. There are both paved and unpaved roads, depending on your preference for adventure. High clearance vehicles are needed for dirt roads and for the paved roads when high water collects. I was able to drive for hours in my small car with no issues. There are bathroom facilities spread throughout and camping is available. Make sure to bring plenty of water with you, even if you are just driving through and not hiking. We sometimes went an hour without seeing another car so if anything unexpected were to happen, you may have to wait in your car for help and that gets hot.

Kristofer Bennick

This park is incredibly nice! This is the ideal place if you want to take the family, or you can go together with your friends. I usually simply take a small trip by myself here alone. The surroundings and the landscape is wonderful to be around, and also it allows me to cleanse my head.

Cheryl Jurk

Ok if u like cactus and rocks.

Dan S

Beautiful park that might very well be one of the best in the nation. Amazing. One note: they are stingy with camping permits despite the vastness and remoteness of this place, so have backup plans, as it's a long way to go to maybe have a place to stay.

Nick Saban

I absolutely love this place. Even with the crowds of Spring Break, it's still amazing. I've been there at least 6 times and I always want to go back. Be prepared if you go. The park is a long way from anywhere, so bring plenty of supplies.

Grace Dewald

This park is absolutely spectacular. Make sure you give yourself enough time to see each part of the park. They are all unique. I suggest at least 3. Enjoy hiking, swimming, and a quick trip to mexico.

Wilson Guevara

Best place ever!! Second time here and still amazing. 7 miles the first time 16 miles the second time... The views are the best!!

otto long

Big Bend National Park, is a great place to visit! It is out of the way and you will have to be willing to travel a few hours out of your way to get there, but it is well worth it! Scenery you like nowhere else and many activities including hiking, swimming, horseback riding and many more!

Brian Clifton

The views are amazing, the wildlife is abundant, and tha bar at the basin is a warm welcome. Ask for Noel or Zoe and they will take excellent care of you!

Kristina Derosier

Always something new to see. The magnitude of the park and all it has to offer is incredible.

dominique

You don't even realize you're in Texas. Beautiful, big sky country. The stars at night are truly big and bright deep in the heart of Texas. This place is magical and you can easily stay here for a week and still not explore the whole park. Wake up early to catch the sunrise and go to the Window to see the sunset. Stay up late to gaze at the stars. With zero light pollution you can see the colorful gases in the milky way. This place is Breathtaking!

Iliana Hunt

I love this park. It’s great for a weekend getaway, however, you need AT LEAST a week to explore this beautiful park fully. It has a lot of beauty and history to offer.

JD Williams

Totally love this place! Spent two days here and didn't even make a dent. Great Jeep trails! Will definitely be back.

Melissa Brown Rowell

Some easy hikes. We saw the milky way and took pics. Also got lucky and saw bears 3 times when we were there last. We love staying at the Chisos Mountain Lodge. The food at the restaurant there is great.

David H. Nguyen

Recently, my wife and I had planned to go to Albuquerque for their balloon festival for our anniversary. We were contemplating driving or flying. We opted for driving so that we could explore West Texas along with a few other spots in New Mexico. From Houston it took us 1 day to arrive in Alpine and stayed at the Hampton Inn (good nearby city). From there it was a little over an hour to the north entrance of the park. Once inside I highly recommend visiting the Chisos Basin. This is by far the best views in the park. There are a lot of trail options but if you are short on time, I'd say try the The Window trail. In addition the views at Santa Elana Canyon overlook are worth a stop also. Finally, if you have an SUV or truck with 4x4, you should take the Old Maverick Road, it's rocky but fun and allows you to see some areas you wouldn't normally get to see. I was shocked that Texas actually has some mountains, but I after visiting a few other national parks, I must say this one is just not as spectacular as some of the others I've seen.

Chris Terry

Fantastic area! Stunning vistas! Absolutely huge! A long way from everything but worth the trip!

Jason Madden

Awesome park. Must see and worth every second your spend here. Sadly plan ahead if you plan on camping inside the park because it was at capacity the weekend I was here.

Kevin Janowiecki

Well worth the drive to get out here. We came as a group of 6 and did a lot of trails, including the South Rim trail. If you come in the saddle or summer months, make sure to bring plenty of water and sunscreen as the weather is no joke. If you can manage, try to stay in chisos basin as it has a majority of the trails and also cooler weather. The lodge books up months in advance but keep calling every few days if they don't have your dates. We got lucky as several rooms opened up over the few weeks of calling that I did.

Meredith Farmer

Was in this park over the Christmas Holiday (aka the 2018 government shutdown). Store employees and unpaid workers kept the facilities running, for which I was so grateful - this park is a gem. Check out the dark sky ranger program if you have a chance - they're great!

Greg Forsthoefel

Beautiful and rugged, this place is a must-see!

Jorge Trillo

I love it. It's a good way to disconnect and see the natural side of Texas.

Gabriella Vasquez

This place is beautiful and so much fun. I loved hiking here and was never once bored. Driving to different locations at the park was a little bit of drive but so worth it. Be safe out there :)

Josh Howard

A place full of breathtaking beauty and a world all it's own. Somewhere you can come back again and again and still see something different.

Douglas Groves

Awesome park! I wish I could have spent more time there but I will definitely be back! Be aware though, the drive in to a campsite can take well over an hour and when you leave if you leave out the west exit make sure you have a full tank of gas. I went 150 miles before finding a gas station.

David Gonzalez-Lebron

It is extremely clean and well maintained. The park rangers are enthusiastic about guiding and sharing info about the area. Adventures are vast and varied. A 3-5 day stay is ideal to experience it all.

Joseph Tennant

Absolutely beautiful place but really hot

Adam Jon Gillard

Great park! Love the desert climate very different then where im from but just as beautiful in its own way. Have been visiting it for years now, always a good time and great views.

Nanette Holmes

One of the most amazing National Parks. A must see for everyone's bucket list.

Djjj S

Was awesome! So deep south that you have to go through a border patrol station when coming out. Drive with caution at night as animals rule down here! No water gas or food for 150ish miles so get it before making the journey!

Stephanie Howser

Very peaceful. No wifi. Bring your own. No tv.

Charles Samuel

One of Texas's best kept secrets! There are hardly enough words to begin to describe how amazing this place is. A masterpiece that was millions of years in the making. Don't forget a camera your gonna want pictures of this place.

James George

We Love this park need a couple of years to see and cycle most of the sights

B Martinez

Love it. Go in the Spring and see all the cactus blooming.

Aurora Robeson

We loved the dinosaur exhibit, the Chisos Basin, and Mine Trail. But prefer the Big Bend State Park as there is more access to hiking trails. Big Bend National Park has its own beauty, worth a trip. Hope to see a bear next time!

Benjamin Lewis

Heaven on Earth. My family and I just finished our second trip to this extraordinary place, and it just keeps getting better. The rangers are friendly, the park is clean, and the views are spectacular. Stay up and watch the stars in the Chisos mountain Basin. AMAZING display. I recommend the Window and the Lost Mine trails. Both have jaw dropping views. We will DEFINITELY return!

Mike Jones

There simply aren't adequate words to describe this vast and miraculous wilderness. Plan on spending at least a week here to begin to see what this enormous natural park has to offer. We were awestruck!

NC Craven

Wonderfully one of the greatest places to visit. Hiking is great

Claudia Kolbeck

Great wide and fantastic scenery. Mountain Lodge good place to stay. Some highlights cannot be reached by normal car. Had to surrender after 4 of 6 mi. To many stones, dumps and gravel on unpaved road.

Kathi Fletcher

Amazing. Let's keep this fabulous park maintained for future generations.

Mombassa Ridge

Quite simply, the most spectacular ecosystem in Texas. I have been visiting the park and surrounding areas since the 70s and I'm never disappointed. I do avoid going in spring because the crowds are ridiculous and you cannot truly experience the silence, wide open vistas and nature in a crowd. The dinosaur exhibit on the Persimmon Gap road is terrific.

Shawn LePorte

HUGE. Some of the best hiking trails ans scenery in the United States. Felt emply on a rather busy spring break.

Emily Rodriguez

I never knew the views in TX were this spectacular! The lodge we stayed at was clean and located by many different trail heads, and the food at the lodge was on point!

Rebecca Sharp

Absolutely incredible. The trails off scenic Maxwell drive are pretty beginner friendly

Stephen Zahradnik

One of the best western national parks. A natural hot spring. Trails galore. Look out for tarantulas on the road during the winter/spring. Take the trail into the San Elena Canyon!

Kyle McFarlane

Great place to view Gods creation

Reed Leverton

Stunning scenery... wish we would have had more time to explore. Watch the movie at the main office about 25 Mike's from the Terlingua side entrance. Short film packed with information.

Terri Ervin

A most awesome experience. Beautiful vistas and views! Some easy and some challenging trails! Love this place!

Marty Abut

Took the Old Ore Road from North to south..26.6 miles of rugged terrain, rock and dirt road. Scenic sites were unbelievable. Worth the all day trip but you need a heavy duty raised vehicle to clear some areas.

Danny Arbel

Great motorcycle ride today, both on and off road.

Francis XIV

Big Bend national park was a really fun experience. I had a particularly great time hiking swimming and chilling. We hiked the old lost mine trail, swam in the Rio grande, and chilled in the hot spring. It was just a phenomenal experience.

Rob Dunbar

Get away from it all and hike! Massive area, breath taking views, spiritual! A must for any outdoor enthusiast.

Mike Moser

Solitude, remoteness, rugged beauty. Border crossing at Boquillas was a great experience. Highly recommend riding the mule through town and taking the local "guide" to show you around. The mules are 5 bucks per person and in the heat its the way to go. The people of Boquillas are warm and welcoming and very much appreciate us visiting their humble town. We will Definitely come back in the winter as the heat was deadly the 4 days we were there. 115° sizzling

Regena Collier

Fabulous weather. The wild and scenic Rio Grande river is running high and fast. Plants life and butterflies abound.

Christie A Cope

Wow, a bit too hot for comfort at 104 degrees. Wonderful drives!

Pat Herring

A national park in Texas? Yup. And you'll be very pleasantly surprised if you visit it. One of the best things I've found to do in this huge state. Great hikes, incredible thunderstorms, local flavors, and sunrises and sets that'll sooth your city working soul.

Jesse

This place never disappoints. Always something new to see. The magnitude of the park and all it has to offer is incredible.

Ford McElroy

Beautiful and remote desert. You’ll often feel like you have the park to yourself.

Nidal Jabri

This is such a wonderful place. It's mystic and charming. Tons of hiking trails. The brightest night sky. More stars than you'll ever see. It's dangerous and remote. If you want to get away this is your place. You might find a piece ground that no one has ever stepped foot on. One of the most diverse deaerts. The locals are a breed of there own. The geology is spectacular. If you go make sure to visit Boquillas across the border. It's safe and you'll be transported 100 years in the past.

Jeffrey Meek

One of the best places I have ever visited

Maggie Sanchez

Went here for a school trip. Didn't see much but what I did saw I liked. Just looked beautiful! I will be going back soon and explore more!!

glenna dowd

Desert flowers are in bloom. Endless vistas. Beauty everywhere. Cons: parking at visitor centers is tight. Limited off road trail access for disabled. All staff are very helpful. Limited cell service.

Ruwan Darshana Dombepola

This is such an awesome place to visit. Looks like it is still not much popular like other national parks. But visit this and you will be amazed. Park is huge. And you will see different geographical features in different areas of the park. I saw lot of wild life in the park, including a bear, chayote, skunk, lots of rabbits, mountain goats, road runners and lot more birds. Park has lot of hiking trails. Each one has it's own beauty. And be aware that some roads are rough without tar or concrete where you have to drive to the starting point of hiking trail. Always follow the notices in the park. If you camp, always lock your food inside bear bins. They are attracted to smelly things anytime in the day. I saw the bear at noon. You can have a nice meal at Chisos Mountain lodge restaurant. And if you camp, always fix your tents properly. It's pretty windy out there and rainy in the summer. I didn't fix my tent properly and got everything inside wet. Still it was a fun experience. Park is so huge and we couldn't cover all the main attractions. I'll definitely return to this awesome national park to see the places I couldn't visit this time.

Paul Boyle

Much better here in the winter. Interesting Park with nice hikes and good birds. The Campground was nice

M R Noneya

Beautiful unique scenery, well worth the trip. In late May, all the cactus are in full bloom. Near zero light pollution, so star gazing is just amazing.

Sara Chapman

Big bend is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen! I highly recommend seeing this incredible park!

Stefan Waldvogel

One of my favorite National Parks. Very big and only a hand full people. It is possible to visit Mexico (legally and uncomplicated) and come back.

Kendall Holdeman

We had a great time here. Santa Elena canyon is beautiful beyond words. February and March are great times to come here.

Catherine Coyne

Great big Park where you can drive for a day to see all the highlights. Not recommended to visit the hot springs as the road is too narrow and dangerous. Dirt road.

Big Bend Boating & Hiking Company Erin

Floating the Canyons of the Rio Grande through Big Bend National Park is my favorite thing to do here in far West Texas. I recommend calling Big Bend Boating and Hiking Company to schedule a float trip.

Denise Baumert

Lots of nice scenery. Not itching to go back, in all honesty.

John North

Fabulous park, river, mountains, desert... remote and quiet, even in the center. Not to be missed, need several days to see the minimum

Robert Moore

We visited in early April 2019 and enjoyed the blooming cacti and other flowers. The River Road and Glenn Canyon Road took us into some remote areas. The contrast between the desert at river elevation and the forest at Chisos Basin elevation was impressive.

Janell Evans

Great for all. Needs more time than the day and half I allowed. The Headquarters has a good movie introducing the park to the visitors.

William Difruscio

One of the coolest places ive been in a long while

Mechelle Marler

Chisos Basin is a great place to getaway. We backpacked and camped, didn't see one bear( although others did) Did experience issues with breathing and the altitude, but I have asthma, so probably related to that.

Cindy Blue

One of our favorite places in not only Texas, but the United States. This desert area has a natural beauty unlike other places in the state or USA. We RV though it has amenities for every desire. Being able to go to Boquillas is an interesting and fun adventure each time. There are trails from short and simple to quite long and strenuous and even at this time of year very doable, especially in the Chisos Basin. There are paved roads and dirt/gravel. To see the most it's best to have a high clearance 4 wheel drive vehicle. Overall, it's worth a spot on your bucket list!

SteveSmith

Well worth the drive. Skip summer, though. They actually close many of the visitor center in the summer months. Too hot. We went in early May and temps got into the 90s.

Kevin Mathis

Fabulous views, wonderful desert landscape and mountains in TEXAS!

Andy Mac

We love it and can't wait to go back. No problem hiking in the heat with basic preparation

Robert Rogan

The best place on Earth. I love the park the lodge and trails. An annual pilgrimage every year with friends.

Cindy Beard

We only had time to travel the Maxwell scenic drive but the scenery was so beautiful!

Jason Music

Hands down one of the most beautiful places I've been to.

Joshua Olson

I enjoyed various parts of this park in the spring time. It is quite expansive and has a good variety of scenery. I highly recommend the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive, the Lost Mine Trail, and venturing all the way over to Boquillas Canyon Overlook/Trail. The Rim trail is great if you have the time and physical stamina.

Mommy With Four

So wirth the drive. Check out the hot spring. Best part and easy short hike with little kids.

Nora Harker

Life-changing. March is an incredible time to go; the climate is mild and the Chisos Bluebonnets are in bloom. There were spring breakers there but even when the park staff said it was "crowded" it was totally manageable.

Lovie Walker

Beautiful National Park and great place to stay neat Little rooms clean and fun. Go visit!!!

Lee Smoll

Great place to see God's creation.

Tammie Campbell

Beautiful sceneries. The mountains are huge. We did a jeep tour with hike and Jeff was outstanding. His knowledge of the land and plants were on point. Loved it. Everyone needs to come see the views at least once in your life.

Tammie Campbell

Beautiful sceneries. The mountains are huge. We did a jeep tour with hike and Jeff was outstanding. His knowledge of the land and plants were on point. Loved it. Everyone needs to come see the views at least once in your life.

Deena Price

The park is absolutely beautiful and the park volunteers were very friendly and informative. The campsites are descent; however, noisy due to a lot of vehicle door opening and closing, and the people next to us had a generator running after dark in a generator-free zone (which he claimed to be his sink water), as they were in a small trailer and not a tent, that we finally had to tell them to SHUT IT OFF! So loud campsites even after dark.

Stephen Davis

Huge. Expansive. Ginormous. Breathtaking. All of these describe, in a small way, how magnificent Big Bend National Park is. Many roads (paved and primitive - only for high clearance 4wheel drive vehicles) surround the park... there is something for everyone. Majestic vistas, massive mountains, enormous elevation changes, rock formations, desert wildlife, etc. Big Bend has it all! The park is well patrolled and is very safe to tour around (walking or driving). Just be sure to bring plenty of water! There are little stores in the park as well as a gas station. Camping requires reservations and during the high season it's recommended to do early as they tend to fill up. Such a HUGE place - too much to describe. Going back for sure!!

Sparrow Passero

Absolutely beautiful park! Hikes for all capabilities. Campgrounds were decent. Staff was all very friendly. Trails were well marked and clear. I can't wait to go back with a fwd! Too many incredible pictures, to even really begin, on here.... Just be ready to drive. It's a HUGE park!

Brian Fletcher

My family had a great time, hit in the summer but no crowds we had most of the park to ourselfs. Will go back in the fall but everyone had a great time and so much to see.

Rosendo Gonzalez

This was an excellent trip very go o.j d experience, the people at the hotel did everything on their power to assist us. The town was out of power and they were trying to help out with everything. Great place

Chris Terry

Fantastic area! Stunning vistas! Absolutely huge! A long way from everything but worth the trip!

Melissa Brown Rowell

Some easy hikes. We saw the milky way and took pics. Also got lucky and saw bears 3 times when we were there last. We love staying at the Chisos Mountain Lodge. The food at the restaurant there is great.

jose ramirez

Great place to go hiking especially if you like the outdoors

James Wheeler

A lovely place to visit even in the heat of summer. Can't wait to return during a cooler time when we can have more time for exploring.

Randolph Stranz

Definitely a place to see before you die. The park is huge and remote. It takes about an hour to travel from the nearest town (Marathon) just to get to the entrance and another hour before you start to see benefits of your travel. If you found this review insightful, please feel free to click the 'like' button. If you enjoyed a photo, please 'like' that as well.

Jasmine Collins

Beautiful place! Best place to see the stars at night! I work here also.

Kevin Brown

Great place beautiful views

Becauseyoudeserveit Karma

An amazing national park full of wildlife and beauty. We camped at the rio grande campsite but looking back I wish I would’ve camped at the Basin campgrounds due to the extreme heat in the lower elevations. Make sure to get your reservations ahead of time. Emery’s peak was the best hike in the area too. Enjoy!

Benjamin Phillips

It's an amazing park! It is huge, 800,00 acres huge. You need around a week just to see everything. It is definitely worth the $30 admittance fee

Pam Morgan

Millipedes and trantulas crossing the road before it gets hot! Beautiful scenery! I could have spent several days here. I hear the night sky is pretty awesome too!

Pam Morgan

Millipedes and trantulas crossing the road before it gets hot! Beautiful scenery! I could have spent several days here. I hear the night sky is pretty awesome too!

Robert Reed

Great backpacking and birdwatching.

Melissa charles

Beautiful mountains and hills. Hikers paradise. So relaxing

Jimmy M

Great park. I did not get to spend as much time there as I would have liked, but will plan accordingly for my next visit.

Freddie Main III

Great spot to get away and see the night sky. Had a blast exploring the back country, already planning a trip to go back out there.

Greg Sweatt

Love this park and all there is to do. We stayed in Chisos Basin and loved it. Huge park and way more to do than there is time...oh the sky is outstanding at night.

Mahendra Mallya

Two words - "Night Sky!" If not for anything else, this place is worth visiting simply for the night sky. If you're looking for hiking trails, parks with somewhat accessible / developed surroundings, this is probably not the best option, as the surrounding is literally a desert with not many good stay / eat options etc. Also the trails were not as good as some other parks we have been to like Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Zion, Yellowstone etc. But the sheer magnificence of the night sky made all the difference, and was well worth the long drive to get there!

Ellery Fisher

Thank God this place is far from everywhere or it would be mobbed. In summer you do need t start before the sun or you'll bake. Afternoon breeze is like standing in front of a hairdryer. Also speed limits are real.

Scot Bradon

Stunning environment camping outdoors was a awesome experiences.

Daniel Brown

This place is a jewel. Great park and lots of space to roam alone.

Clayton Berger

If you haven't been, do yourself a favor and get going. Spectacular views of land and stars! South rim is just breath taking!

Alex Clinkscales

My partner and I come here routinely. Simply taking a walk is truly one of my ultimate things to do through the region. Oftentimes it will be packed, so I suggest to visit during the not so popular occasions during the workweek. The best thing to carry out here is simply just get a SLR and take photographs.

Melissa Martin

Amazing place to spend the night in nature. Whether you want to tent, RV, or cabin it. There is something for everyone. Plenty of hiking fishing. Or just sightseeing

Carmen Gonzalez

I absolutely loved my experience at Big Bend. Cant wait to go back!!!

Julie Hrovat

Great place to visit! Breathtaking views and trails!

Marcy Orr

My mom and I went years ago and loved it...both seniors so no hiking.

yllib taog

Desert paradise. Make sure you bring food and water and fill your tank at every chance. Wake up at sunrise so you have activity time before the heat. The nearby town of Terlingua is also a cool visit. If you're not into desert beauty and cant handle a hot day, Montana is 2000 miles north.

jodi burdette

Just breath taking! I cant describe in words. You just need to get out there and go see for your self! A few things to know for campers. The National camp ground is no water/or electric hook ups. That's great for some but if your a glamper like me. Then inside the National Park for a very small amount more you can get full hook ups w even septic. We loved it! I dont recommend flip flops and if you really want to see the full starry sky then go at new moon time.

Lindsy Coon

I've been to 30+ national parks and this is now one of my favorites. So much to do and really exceeded my expectations. Rugged and beautiful.

Doug Redman

Always a treasure. I do not prefer to go at spring break because the park is pretty well infested with tourists...many of whom have no manners or trail etiquette. But, it was still a fine visit. Cold nights and sunny days make this time of year great to visit.

Lisha Hidalgo

Amazing and beautiful park. The audio tour is excellent and so informative with geographic and historical lessons along the way. We took the time to go to balanced rock which is worth the detour. All in all great national park a true gem in Southwest Texas!

joseph hogan

Big Bend is a snapshot in time of what the west was like for the first settlers. Because it is a national park very little has changed, in fact I talked to folks who had been coming to the park for 20+ years and that was one of the unique draws. It has everything you imagine a desert would have. Mountains, canyons, basins, Alpine valleys, and of course the star of the show the might Rio Grande river. Definitely worth the visit.

Mary Bone

We have visited many of the National Parks and Big Bend did not disappoint. Friends see our pics and ask if they were actually taken in Texas. We were lucky to visit during the explosion of blue bonnets this year so it was exceptionally breath taking. Lots if hiking options so any age can enjoy the beauty!

William Duren

Beautiful, secluded and something different. We came here as a group of five in late March, 2017. We drove in from Kansas and it was a long drive but well worth it. I have spent a lot of time in Colorado, the Alps and the Carpathian Mountains and Big Bend National Park offered something different from what I am used to. Coming in late March was perfect, it was warm but not too hot. Definitely do not forget to bring lots of water! We had a large cooler that we refilled with water every morning at the visitor center. You can also buy food at the visitor center if needed. We were there for a long weekend and upon arrival we headed over to get our camping permit. We specifically asked for a secluded campsite and we were rewarded. It took us about 20 minutes to drive to our campsite and without our high clearance vehicle we probably would not have made it. The location was about a half mile north of the Balanced rock. We were the only people camping in the area. Over the weekend we hiked the Window View Trail, Lost Mine Trail, Santa Elena Canyon Trail and the Emory Peak Trail. The trails were of varying difficulty but all were very enjoyable. The hardest trail of the trip was definitely the Emory Peak Trail. Our group varied in levels of fitness but we all made it!

Rich Maida

Best views I've ever seen! Great amenities in the park.

Tracy Smith

What an AMAZING National Park. It's beauty defies words. We spent 4 days hiking and driving around the park. It was tiring but it was wonderful. If you go though, you must obey the safety precautions. Don't wear open-toed shoes. Take plenty of water and stay hydrated. Take along tissue for those little nature emergencies and also a plastic bag to carry it out. The ranger stations are great and they have regular toilets. There are some waterless toilets in some places around the park. This is definitely a place to spend some quality time!

Margart Meisel

I actually come here often. Merely taking a stroll is among one of the best things to do within the vicinity. Oftentimes it will be packed, therefore I recommend to visit during the less popular occasions within the workweek. The best thing to do here is just simply bring a canon and take pictures.

Jack.Coleman

Amazing place. Overwhelmingly isolated and beautiful. Caring staff. Great geology.

John Rummel

I visited Big Bend National Park in May of 2018 almost exclusively to document its legendary dark skies. Big Bend sits in one of the remotest corners of the US, in some of the darkest skies you'll see. I've spent years visiting national and state parks, forests, recreation areas and other protected wilderness sites. Among some of the radical dark skies I've seen, Big Bend sits near the top of the list. I got to spend only two nights there (and both were wondrously clear and moonless) and I can't wait to get back.