Challenging
Trails
Trails in Big Bend National Park
Compare distance, typical time, difficulty, and trail details.
Easy
Santa Elena Canyon Trail
Short walk into a jaw-dropping border canyon on the Rio Grande
Moderate
Lost Mine Trail
Big Bend’s go-to ridge for huge Chisos and desert views
Challenging
East Rim Trail
Quiet rim, bold desert panorama—worth the long climb.
Challenging
Outer Mountain Loop
Big Bend’s burly loop: deserts, high forests, and South Rim views
Moderate
Window Trail
Canyon walk to a slickrock pour-off framing the desert below
Challenging
Emory Peak Trail
Big Bend’s highest summit with a short, spicy scramble and huge views
Easy
Hot Springs Historic Trail
Short loop to riverside ruins and a 105°F Rio Grande soak
Moderate
Balanced Rock Trail
Short desert stroll to Big Bend’s iconic boulder arch
Challenging
Mariscal Canyon Rim Trail
Remote, hard desert climb to a jaw-dropping Rio Grande canyon rim.
Challenging
Mesa de Anguila Trail
Remote mesa trek to Santa Elena Canyon rim vistas
Easy
Rio Grande Village Nature Trail
Sunset-perfect loop from wetlands boardwalk to Rio Grande overlook
Moderate
Boquillas Canyon Trail
Canyon drama and Rio Grande access with minimal effort
Moderate
Grapevine Hills Trail
Short desert walk to iconic Balanced Rock with a fun scramble
Moderate
Pine Canyon Trail
Remote desert-to-forest climb to a dramatic, sometimes-flowing pouroff
Moderate
Laguna Meadows Trail
Gentler climb into the Chisos with meadows, views, and South Rim access
Easy
Ernst Tinaja Trail
Short slot canyon to surreal tinajas and fossil-studded limestone
Challenging
Marufo Vega Trail
Remote, brutal desert loop with big Rio Grande canyon views
Easy
Lower Burro Mesa Pouroff Trail
Short, shady canyon stroll to a dramatic 100-foot dry waterfallModerate
Oak Spring Trail
Solitude-packed climb to big Window views from the desert side
Easy
Window View Trail
Paved, sunset-friendly loop to the iconic Chisos Window view
Moderate
Upper Burro Mesa Pouroff Trail
Scenic wash to canyon scramble to the rim of a dramatic pouroff.
Moderate
Chimneys Trail
Desert walk to volcanic spires and ancient Native rock art
Moderate
Cattail Falls Trail
A hush-hush desert walk to Big Bend’s hidden oasis waterfall.
Moderate
Hot Springs Canyon Trail
River-canyon rim walk to hot springs and historic ruins
Challenging
Blue Creek Trail
Desert-to-mountains hike with red hoodoos and a historic ranch
Challenging
Dodson Trail
Remote, waterless desert traverse between the Chisos foothills.
Challenging
Elephant Tusk Trail
Remote, rugged desert trek to Big Bend’s tusk-shaped landmark
Easy
Mule Ears Spring Trail
Desert stroll to a shady spring beneath the Mule Ears peaks
Moderate
Boot Canyon Trail
Shaded high-country connector with lush canyon and rare birds
Moderate
Chisos Basin Loop Trail
Short, quiet loop with big Chisos views and sneaky good birdingModerate
Devil's Den Trail
Secluded desert trek to a dramatic slot canyon with big views
Challenging
Juniper Canyon Trail
Steep, remote drop from Chisos high country into desert solitude.
Moderate
Smoky Creek Trail
Remote Chihuahuan desert ramble from Mule Ears to deep solitude
Easy
Boquillas Canyon Overlook Trail
Panoramic Rio Grande views with an easy bluff-to-river stroll
Easy
Tuff Canyon Trail
Short, easy dive into a pale volcanic canyon off a scenic drive
Easy
Mariscal Mine Trail
Remote mercury mine ruins with big views for a short effort
Easy
Dorgan-Sublett Trail
Short, easy walk to historic ruins with big Rio Grande views
Easy
Dog Canyon Trail
Easy desert walk to a dramatic limestone canyon and solitude
Easy
Sam Nail Ranch Trail
Short desert loop to a shady oasis with history and birds
Easy
Burro Spring Trail
Quiet desert walk to a lush spring overlook on Burro Mesa
Challenging
Pinnacles Trail
Steep, switchback climb to the Emory Peak saddle with big views.
Easy
Ward Spring Trail
Short desert walk to a shady spring and volcanic dike.
Challenging
Strawhouse Trail
Remote, rugged desert route linking Marufo Vega and Telephone Canyon
Easy
Chihuahuan Desert Nature Trail
Easy 0.5-mile loop through desert flora at a shady oasis.
Easy
Dugout Wells Nature Trail
Easy desert loop to a rare shady oasis and prime birdwatching.
Easy
