National Park Recap: Big Bend NP, TX

I’m going to steal Liz’s Instagram posts for this one.

We stayed the first night just outside the park at Stillwell’s RV park. We drove in to the park to get info on a possible backcountry camping permit (spoiler alert, this is spring break and there were none for the next 3 days). We did get awesome advice on how to snag a first come first serve camping spot in one of the developed campgrounds.
On our drive into the park, we stopped at this fossil exhibit. The kids loved it! There were great exhibits on the different dinosaurs that used to roam this area (apparently there was a giant crocodile dinosaur that could kill a t-rex!), as well as a little dino themed playground area where the kids had fun climbing on everything. The kids’ excitement about dinosaurs charmed all the other park guests there as well. Definitely a good stop to make along the long road into Panther Junction visitor center from the Persimmon Gap entrance.

After Panther Junction and getting all the info on camping for the next day, we decided to drive to Chisos Basin to watch the sunset through “the window.” The guide said only .25 miles. What could go wrong? Well what went wrong was we accidentally started down the “Window Trail” that was 5 miles round trip which was right next to the “Window View Trail” that was only .25 miles round trip. We went about 3/4 of a mile before deciding we were not at all prepared for this long of a hike and turned around. Once at the top we realized our mistake and took the window view trail. Lovely sunset.
Chisos basin has the only motel style lodging in the park. It’s up in the mountains in the middle of the park with amazing views all around of the different rock faces. There are several long hikes in this area but none very small child friendly other than the window view trail. Still worth the visit though.

On Day #2 (Boquillas Canyon) we hightailed it super early out of Stillwell’s to drive 1.5 hours into the park to the Rio Grand Village campground to snag a first come first serve spot, and it worked! We got a very nice spot in the campground. Once we got camp settled, we made some lunches and went to Boquillas Canyon trail. The hike was short (1.5 miles round trip) but had some steep uphill areas and some rocky areas as well. The kiddos were troopers though.
We waved at Mexico (and Jesus the singing Mexican) across the tiny river. Borders feel so arbitrary in a place like this. Both countries need each other here and yet they’re separated by this tiny river you could walk across. There’s an official border crossing just up river from this trail but it’s only open Wed-Sun. It doesn’t seem to stop anyone from just rowing across in their canoes. We saw several little souvenir setups that some local Mexicans put up to raise some money. Apparently buying anything from these are illegal and if caught with them, the items will be seized.
The canyon and trail were worth the walk with awesome tall cliffs on either side of the river. We ate lunch on the bank of the river watching a little turtle sunbathing before heading back to the car.

Big Bend recap #4 (Hot Springs): After hiking Boquillas Canyon we drove the 4×4 road to the Hot Springs. From there it is only .25 miles to the hot springs. Along the way you learn about an old post office, motel, and store that used to be there. There used to be a private spa there as well where people could come soak in the hot springs and stay overnight.
We didn’t bring our bathing suits so we just soaked our feet for a bit. The water was nice and warm (90ish degrees) and felt really nice. Many others were soaking their whole bodies in the hot springs. It was 84 degrees outside by that point so soaking my entire body in the spring didn’t seem like a fun idea. Feet only was good enough for me. When we got back to the car a little roadrunner was begging for handouts. These little guys are all over the park zooming around. Of all birds I think roadrunners might be my favorite. Here they’re almost a nuisance bird, especially in the campground. I don’t mind.