Located near the Chisos Basin Visitor Center, the Lost Mine Trail is a perfect opportunity to escape the heat and ascend into the higher elevations. The trail ends on the crest of an exposed ridge, offering incredible 360-degree views. Lost Mine Peak can be seen to the northwest and towers above 7,400 feet. Legend has it that early explorers discovered an ore body atop the peak while searching for silver and gold.

This loop through Big Bend National Park is one of the more epic ways to experience the region's beauty. Affectionately referred to as the "Outer Mountain Loop," the 35-mile route takes hikers through remote, rugged terrain, summiting Emory peak on the way.

A remote destination in the southwest of Texas along the Mexican border, Big Bend National Park is a great spot to seek solitude and relaxation. The park itself is larger than the state of Rhode Island, and features 150 miles of hiking trails, unparalleled dark night skies perfect for stargazing, a stretch of the Rio Grande, paved driving trails, and more. When planning your trip to Big Bend, make sure to set aside time to get to and from this expansive park!

Tucked along Texas’ southern border is the diverse Big Bend National Park. Here your family will find everything from sea fossils and dinosaur bones to volcanic dikes as you journey through the park’s mountain, river, and desert areas. On the 1.7-mile Santa Elena Canyon Trail you’ll travel into the mouth of the striking Santa Elena Canyon, or cross into Mexico on a rowboat at the Boquillas Crossing—just don’t forget your passport.

Big Bend National Park has the darkest night skies of any other national park unit in the lower 48 states, designating this park as an outstanding location for stargazing. The staff and volunteers at Big Bend offer several night sky interpretive programs for visitors, such as star parties and moonlight walks. Camping is also a popular attraction at Big Bend, so be sure to check the park’s website for reservations.

Celebrating the National Park Service is easy in Texas, which has 14 NPS-managed areas, including two national parks: Guadalupe Mountains and Big Bend. Experience the Rio Grande's glassy waters and towering canyon walls on a boating, biking or hiking adventure for all ages in Big Bend—a West Texas escape with views you won't forget. Or, witness spectacularly colored fall foliage and prairie wildlife at Guadalupe Mountains National Park, with public campsites perfect for both tents and RVs.

A remote destination in the southwest of Texas along the Mexican border, Big Bend National Park is a great spot to seek solitude and relaxation. The park itself is larger than the state of Rhode Island, and features 150 miles of hiking trails, unparalleled dark night skies perfect for stargazing, a stretch of the Rio Grande, paved driving trails, and more. When planning your trip to Big Bend, make sure to set aside time to get to and from this expansive park!