This is the top 10 things you must do while visiting Big Bend Texas.
#10. Backcountry Camping-Big Bend National Park offers backcountry camping opportunities for those seeking solitude and adventure. Permits are required for overnight camping and can be obtained in person at visitor centers or online. These permits cost $10 per permit and must be obtained up to 24 hours in advance of your trip.
#9. Ernst Tinaja Trail-a short, easy hike located in Big Bend National Park, Texas. The trail is known for its colorful limestone rock formations and a deep natural water pool, known as a tinaja, which holds water year-round. The trail is 1.6 miles round trip. To reach the trailhead, you must drive 5 miles down Old Ore Road, a primitive dirt road that requires a high-clearance, four-wheel-drive vehicle. The road can be rocky and challenging, and it is recommended to check if the road has been graded recently before attempting the drive.
#8. Mountain Bike-Big Bend Ranch State Park and Lajitas Resort. Big Bend Ranch State Park offers over 100 miles of designated single-track mountain bike trails, while Lajitas Resort also provides extensive trails for biking enthusiasts. Additionally, Terlingua itself has a variety of trails, ranging from double-track roads to single-track trails. Some notable trails include the Rincon and Dome Loops, which are among the longest and most challenging in the area. For guided tours and rentals, Desert Sports in Terlingua offers guided mountain bike trips, bike rentals, repair services, and a variety of accessories. https://www.desertsportstx.com/
#7. Have dinner at Starlight Theatre-The finest dining establishment in the entire Terlingua Ghost Town, offering a fine selection of gourmet dishes and drinks, plus the best in live entertainment.
#6. Santa Elena Canyon Trail-The trail begins at the end of the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive at a paved parking area and is approximately 1.6 miles round trip. Although it is a short trail, it offers stunning views of the 1,500-foot towering vertical cliffs of solid limestone.
#5. Boquillas Canyon Trail-A short and relatively easy hike. The trail is 1.4 miles round trip and leads to a viewpoint overlooking the Rio Grande, offering great views of Boquillas Canyon.
#4. Espresso Y Poco Mas-An American cafe located in the heart of Terlingua Ghost Town. This cafe serves a variety of breakfast and lunch options, including fresh breakfast burritos, tacos, and fajitas, along with a wide selection of coffee drinks. It is known for its quick service, reasonable prices, and a lovely outdoor dining area with views of the ghost town.
#3. Lost Mine Trail-With scenic views of the Chisos Mountains and the Chihuahuan Desert. The trail is 4.8 miles round-trip with an elevation gain of 1,100 feet, making it a moderate hike that usually takes about three hours to complete.
#2. Emory Peak Trail-A challenging hike. The trail starts at the Chisos Basin Trailhead and follows the Pinnacles Trail for about 3.8 miles before reaching the Emory Peak trail junction. From there, continue on the 1.4-mile Emory Peak trail to the peak. The total roundtrip distance is 10.5 miles with an elevation gain of 2,500 feet. It typically takes 6 to 8 hours to complete the hike.
#1. Visiting Boquillas del Carmen, Mexico-Park at the Boquillas Crossing parking lot near Boquillas Canyon. After passing through the port of entry visitors are ferried across the Rio Grande on a small rowboat for a modest fee ($5 round-trip). Walking across the river is permitted only at the Boquillas Crossing, but is not recommended if the river level is high. Once across the river visitors have the option of walking to the village (1/2 mile) or paying an additional fee to ride on a burro, horse, or in a vehicle. Local authorized guides (wearing official ID credentials) are available to assist you. Visitors are required to check in with Mexican immigration officials upon arrival in Boquillas, and pay a small entrance fee ($7) to the Maderas del Carmen Protected Area that Boquillas is situated in. A small wrist bracelet is your receipt for the entrance fee. Most visitors spend just a couple of hours in Boquillas. Visitors planning to stay overnight in Mexico will need to apply for a temporary visa. Secure overnight parking at the Boquillas Crossing Port of Entry may be available.
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Welcome to Big Bend, Texas, one of the most breathtaking and underrated adventure destinations
in the U.S.
With dramatic canyons, desert hikes, and the trilingual ghost town, this remote gem has
it all.
In this video, we're counting down the top 10 things you must do.
So grab your gear pack, your sense of adventure, and let's dive into it.
We made it!
This is kind of cool.
We passed K-Bar 1, and this is K-Bar 2.
It's at the very end of this road.
Wow!
This is neat!
Look at this!
Look at that view!
Look at this!
That's the big mountain.
So we were on the west side of that earlier, now we're on the east side.
And that over there, that big, beautiful outcrop of rock, that's Mexico.
Mexico.
hole in the ground.
Yeah, it's kind of weird.
It is, isn't it?
Interesting.
I think this is the end of the road.
Oh no, we can keep going.
Where?
I don't know, it's all pretty dangerous.
I mean, it's all very, very black rock.
I am going to try to push, it's not the end, but I want to try to push onward.
So, this is the end.
I'm not going to force Kelly to go any further because she's not breaking the law.
You said you couldn't even do it!
Kelly's not feeling it.
It's all my fault.
Anyways, this place is gorgeous, it's well worth the hike.
At least a short hike is well worth the drive.
Because what I came to see was what you saw at the beginning, the red, wavy rock, that's
what I came to see, so I thought that was pretty cool.
And I didn't know what I was coming to see, I was just along for the ride.
One of the coolest experiences I've ever had here is I came out at night, walked to go
to the truck, and I could see the Milky Way.
That's how dark sky this place is.
Hey brother, how have you been?
Good, how are you doing?
Good, good.
Good to see you.
That is good.
Bourbon pecan pie with ice cream.
Now this area can be very, very dangerous when it is hot outside.
It is probably the warmest area that we've been in today, but we have been here when
it was super hot, and I almost couldn't even think straight.
So you have to be careful in this area.
These are tortilla warmers.
Hey girls, wanna buy a souvenir?
Um, not today.
A bunch of tamales?
Oh no, thank you.
Empanadas?
Sounds good, but...
And then you can come right up to the river.
Kelly just spotted some cattle.
Probably owned by residents of Mexico.
Just to let y'all know, this is Mexico right across right there.
That's how close we are.
Oh, they're so cute.
Everything is so cute to you.
Okay, they are pretty cute though.
They got a nice place to live.
Yeah.
I personally enjoy this canyon more than the Santa Elena Canyon.
Yeah, I was just thinking of it.
I like it more because it's more tropical feeling.
There's a large rock beach that's sandy.
For over there, it would be amazing to go kayak camping through the canyon.
But just at the mouth of the canyon, it's kind of limited what you get to experience.
I'm gonna miss this place.
Cody, see what he wants.
Yeah, he needs some.
And I got you a straw.
This old vehicle over here is really neat.
When you're driving around Terlingua, the ghost town, you see a lot of abandoned vehicles that are just rusting.
Kelly, your order is ready, Kelly.
Man, that is beautiful.
Ooh, that looks good.
Here's the tamales. I'm gonna go get yours. I just called your name.
I never know what to expect. Ooh.
Look at that.
Yum.
Ooh, I'm ready to dig in, y'all.
I have to say, that was one of the best eggs benedict I have ever had.
Yeah, this place was so good, and the patio is beautiful.
So, it's espresso huapoco mof.
Delicioso.
We thought originally this trail was 9 miles.
It's a little bit longer. It's 9.8 miles.
That's out and back.
You're also going to be gaining 2,427 feet of elevation in this hike,
with your ending elevation at 7,745 feet above sea level.
This is the highest peak in this region.
This is how close he is to us right now. Look at this.
Is that a six point?
Six, maybe.
Six point?
Only a mile and a half to Emery Peak.
But look at that view.
This is the last stretch of the hike, or the last leg of the hike.
I'm sure what happens once you get that is brought here.
I think we're supposed to go that way.
Up?
I've gone around kind of up in there, but you don't get to the top of anything.
It's just more rock scramble.
I think we've got this.
Okay.
It's a lot easier than it looks from down there.
We can just keep going up that way.
I think.
That's where we parked way down there.
Okay.
We're officially at the third tallest peak in Texas.
Grab your passports. We're going to Mexico.
Well, that was easier than I expected.
So we are now taking the walk path down to the river.
And then from there, we're going to get on a boat and cross over into Mexico.
Now, this small community, they depend solely on tourism.
And it's also four and a half hours from Boquillas all the way to another Mexico City.
Hola.
You really could just walk across.
Yeah, you really could.
Thank you.
Hola.
Man, it's been a long time since I've ridden anything.
Maybe since I was like eight.
And were you riding a donkey or a horse?
I was riding a horse.
Guess we need to get over here to the right.
Officially, we are in Mexico.
I haven't seen my friend anywhere yet.
In our specials today, we had three different plates.
It's cabrito tacos.
Cabrito is goat.
It's a baby goat on barbecue.
That's delicious, those tacos.
I've always got to try the strangest things possible.
I've got to try a goat taco.
I've never had a goat taco.
Oh, thank you, sir.
Thank you.
She's working on your tacos.
They'll be ready in a minute.
Okay, no worries.
Okay, let me know if you need something else.
Thank you, sir.
I'm so used to saying thank you.
I need to say gracias.
At least you can roll your tongue.
I can't roll my tongue.
Cheers.
I brought you an extra little plate.
Oh, thank you.
And a jalapeno right here.
Oh, thank you.
That's a really different flavor.
I can successfully say both restaurants here are delicious.
I recommend you try both.
I'm going to do this one.
Gracias.
Thank you so much.
You're welcome.
Don't forget your business.
Yeah, I've been talking about a bracelet.
How's it going?
You have to put both of them through there.
Okay, both of them through there.
Oh, okay.
He's got you.
Gracias.
Thank you.
That's a good one.
I love the colors.
There you have it.
Ten unforgettable adventures in Big Bend, Texas.
Whether you're here for the epic hikes, the peaceful solitude, or the jaw-dropping scenery,
this place is truly one of a kind.
Drop your favorite Big Bend experiences in the comments below and let us know if we missed anything.
Don't forget to like and subscribe to see more adventures.
