Big Bend National Park | Zimmerman Travel Guide
While we were already off the beaten path in Marfa, TX, we figured it was the perfect time to head to the border and check out Big Bend National Park!
Big Bend is also one of those National Parks you really have to want to see because it is so far south, it shares a border with Mexico. But we were already just 90 miles away in Marfa! If you’re already driving three hours away from the closest big city or airport, why not just go for it and check out Big Bend?
Big Bend has been called “Texas’ Gift to the Nation,” and I can’t disagree.
The park is as dimensional and ranging as Marfa was flat. Rivers have carved canyons in the landscape, and it feels like there’s something new to discover around every corner and outcropping.
Even in winter, the place was alive with plants and animals, and it was so exciting to explore. You can watch our travel video in Big Bend here.
The Park
Size: 801,163-acres
Location: Southwest Texas
Established: 1944
Best For: Hiking, biking, paddling, overlanding
What To Do:
Prepare
The park shares a border with Mexico for 118 miles, so make sure you bring your passport! The hiking here is incredible and varied, so dress for mountains, rivers and desert. Layer up and wear good shoes!
Stargazing
Plan for starry nights. The park service says that Big Bend has the least light pollution of any national park in the contingent United States. They even have light shields for the lights that are there to prevent light from spreading into the night sky. It’s worth staying around to catch a peek of the stars!
Biking
There are 160 miles of unpaved backcountry roads in addition to paved roads that are low traffic. We did not bike extensively through canyons and rivers with three young kids, but I’ve heard it’s great if that’s your thing!
Paddling
Hiking through the river-carved landscape was incredible, and I can’t imagine how cool it must be to paddle though the rivers themselves. Rio Grande, Santa Elena Canyon is the most popular paddle trip in the park.
Overlanding
If you’re ready to get some dirt on your tires (still can’t believe I own a diesel truck,) the most popular overlanding route is a 116-mile loop that takes you through the majority of the park by combining Old Maverick Road, River Road, and Glenn Springs Road.
What We Did:
I know it sounds weird that we’d purposely seek out a specific drive when, in reality, we’re full-time drivers right now, but we did! We drove the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive. It was so beautiful. Definitely worth it!
Then we hiked to Santa Elena Canyon. It’s right along the Rio Grande River, so the kids were able to skip or throw rocks into the river. How many kids can say they skipped rocks on the Rio Grande!? This hike is conveniently located at the very end of the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive, so it worked out great for us! We got to stretch our legs after our drive.
Before we left the park, we checked out the Fossil Discovery Exhibit. My kids loved seeing the dinosaurs and playing on the playground right outside. Although really, the entire park is a giant playground.
Santa Elena Canyon Trail Hike
This isn’t a loop hike, but an out and back trail that’s 1.5 miles long. Perfect family-friendly hike. There’s an area of steep climbing, but then pretty easy walking the rest of the way. Read more here!
If you want more ideas of what to do when in Big Bend, here are some common favorites!
Where to Stay:
The park offers two vehicle campgrounds, Dog Canyon to the north and Pine Springs to the south. There are also ten backcountry campgrounds spread throughout the park for solitude-seeking hikers.
Since we just popped into town for the day, we stayed just 90 miles away in Marfa, Texas, a town I can’t recommend more. You can see more about our time in Marfa here.
Where to eat:
For these one-day stops, we pack a great lunch and plenty of snacks. The kids carry their own food and water in their backpacks.
Here’s what we use on every hike.
Fun Fact:
Bring your passport and you can visit Mexico at this park!
Annual Park Pass:
If you plan on traveling to two national parks in one year, it is worth it to purchase the Annual Pass. We purchased ours in our home state at the Hot Springs National Park , but you can buy them at any National Park.
Is this a fun park for kids?
There are so many benefits to hiking with kids. It’s a great opportunity to teach real life lessons about risk and safety. It also allows them to be in nature, be creative, and to create their own adventure.
There are so many great things to stop and explore, so the kids get to be in charge of what they want to explore. A hike is kind of a kid’s curiosity playground. They get to jump on rocks, play in a puddle, ask tons of questions, etc.
Jr. Ranger Program
My kids loved the Jr. Ranger Program:
We always do the Jr. Ranger Program. This is such a great way to get the kids involved and really get excited about the park. You can go on the park website and download all the information and resources and print it beforehand so you can learn about it with your kids before you go. Then you’d turn your booklet into a ranger at the visitors center and receive your Jr. Ranger pins, or you can wait until you get to the National Park (that’s what we do), and receive a beautifully colorful workbook, do the activities while at the National Park, then head back to the visitors center (before they close) and receive the pins.
Either is great! We love the workbook the parks provide, and it means we don’t have to figure out where to get the content printed.
Here’s what I bought to make this even more fun for the kids:
Big Bend National Park Passport Stamp Locations:
Ok - here’s the truth. I’m kind of a nerd about this. I think it dates back to when I was twenty-five and had never been anywhere, and I flew to Europe and received my first passport stamp.
To this day, that old passport is one of my most treasured possessions. Each stamp burns a memory and I love to think back on the time away whenever I see those stamps.
So naturally, I’m all about the fact that you can get a passport stamp at each and every National Park. Just walk into the visitors center; there is usually the stamp and ink sitting out for self-use. I have passports for each member of the family.
Purchase yours here.
Where you can get your stamps:
600, Ross Maxwell Scenic Dr, Big Bend National Park, TX 79834
142 Chisos Basin Rd, Big Bend National Park, TX 79834
Panther Junction Visitor Center
310, Alsate Dr, Big Bend National Park, TX 79834
Main Park Rd, Alpine, TX 79830
Rio Grande Village Visitor Center
National Park, 450 Rio Grande Road, Big Bend National Park, TX 79834
Big Bend was worth the trip!
Big Bend National Park Zimmerman Quick Stats
Size: 801,163-acres
Location: Southwest Texas
Established: 1944
Best For: Hiking, biking, paddling, overlanding
What We Did: We drove the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive. It was so beautiful. Definitely worth it! Then we hiked to Santa Elena Canyon.