Taking our first trip to Big Bend and staying in Lajitas for three nights. Luckily we have two great weather days to explore. 38-73. Wanting to do the best hikes and considering an afternoon canoe trip.
What would be the OB picks for hiking trails and the best float if you just had 2 1/2 days to do it?

Cant answer your question, but be sure to bring and wear your mask at all times while in the park. Gotta comply with those mandates and all...

The best hikes are those in the Basin. If you're up for a full day trek the South Rim trail can't be beat. Many much shorter hikes from the lodge at the top of the Basin road. The Window is an easy 2-2.5 hour hike and can be stretched longer if you take your time. I'm not a float trip expert but I do love Boquillas Canyon. Not sure of the float trips available through a portion of it or not. Most day trips put in up river from Lajitas. I would also consider joy driving River Road from Lajitas to Presidio. It is one of the most beautiful drives in the country in my opinion. The last 20 or so miles to Presidio is ugly as hell but the mountain drive is unreal.

country said:

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The best hikes are those in the Basin. If you're up for a full day trek the South Rim trail can't be beat. Many much shorter hikes from the lodge at the top of the Basin road. The Window is an easy 2-2.5 hour hike and can be stretched longer if you take your time. I'm not a float trip expert but I do love Boquillas Canyon. Not sure of the float trips available through a portion of it or not. Most day trips put in up river from Lajitas. I would also consider joy driving River Road from Lajitas to Presidio. It is one of the most beautiful drives in the country in my opinion. The last 20 or so miles to Presidio is ugly as hell but the mountain drive is unreal.

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South rim is the best, but it is all day. Start at daybreak, get back at dusk. Lost Mine is good, also. It has been closed at times the last couple of years because of bears. Drive the Ross Maxwell Loop and pull into the Sotol Vista Overlook. If you have time, check out the dinosaur display near Panther Junction.

Mas89 said:

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Taking our first trip to Big Bend and staying in Lajitas for three nights. Luckily we have two great weather days to explore. 38-73. Wanting to do the best hikes and considering an afternoon canoe trip.
What would be the OB picks for hiking trails and the best float if you just had 2 1/2 days to do it?

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What vehicle are you driving? River Road is a lot of fun, but you need a truck or SUV. They recommend 4 wheel drive, but I never had to.

Stop at one of the visitors centers for an off road guide.

ETA: I am referring to the River Road in the national park not the one from Lajitas to Presidio.

I'll be at Lajitas for 4 days in early May. Might be too hot then for me to do much heavy hiking. Anybody done the zip lines/horseback or Jeep rentals?

It won't be too hot in the Basin in May. Basin is typically 15-20 degrees cooler than desert floor. But yes the zip lines are fun in Lajitas. Horseback riding is typical trail horses but the scenery is cool and it's cheaper than trailering your own horses out there. BTW any of you that enjoy golf are fools if you don't play a round or two at Lajitas. Even if you're not golfers it's worth your time to go to the pro shop and bribe a person for access to a cart to catch a sunrise or sunset at hole 8 or hole 13

Know that you are going to be doing a fair amount of driving just to get from Lajitas to the center of the park (the Chisos Basin) and back. So head out early and don't be surprised to be back to your place after dark (that means pack a reliable flashlight, etc., in case of car trouble. cell service will be spotty to non-existent.)

As mentioned, the South Rim trail is the primo hike in the basin, IMO. The best part of it, I think, is sundown. Absolutely the most serene setting for sundown that I have ever experienced. So I personally would not want to do the full South Rim trail without being set up to camp in one of the remote sites so I could watch sundown and then slink quietly back to my tent, get up the next morning and hike out. But you could get a good day hike in on the part of that loop that leads to Emery Peak, the highest point in the park, complete with a little hand-over-hand scrambling at the end.

The Window and Lost Mine are both nice hikes in the basin. And Sotol Vista, mentioned above, is also a great place to watch sundown, with the benefit being then you just hope back in your vehicle and drive back to Lajitas.

I've not done any desert hikes to speak of, just vehicle trips on some of the unimproved desert roads. Interesting stuff out there.

Also, anyone not familiar with that area should go to the Starlight Ballroom in Terlingua for dinner. We stay at Lajitas a lot, but the on-site restaurant is nothing compared to the Starlight in Terlingua. That said, the Thirsty Goat at Lajitas is fun as hell when they have musical entertainment. Also, the restaurant at the Gage Hotel in Marathon is legit 5 star restaurant. Mileage is obviously a factor, but wanted to throw the suggestions out there for anyone going to the area. If you need more just let me know. I have a lot of miles In Big Bend and surrounding areas.

Don't know about best float but Santa Elena Canyon is either a great hike or a great float, it's just a must-do when you go to Big Bend. Lost mine is a really good hike in the basin, South Rim is an ass-kicking all day hike but if you finish that day with a trip to the hot springs under the stars that's a hell of a day.

2.5 days in the NP is gonna be tight, especially with a 30-45 min drive into the park each day.
The road into the basin is under construction and parking for Lost Mine is at a premium. It's a good trail, but there are others.
LM/Window are neat, but busy.
Starting in the basin, we prefer South Rim and Emory Peak. They're the two highlights of the park, and some of my all time favorite views. It's about 18mi to do it all in one day. Not bad if you're in shape, but bring water.
If you're more apt to travel on four wheels, the Maxwell Senic Drive is definitely worth the time; take it out to Santa Elena Canyon. Explore the stops along it. Beautiful views. Hike the canyon. Cool your feet in the river after.

Hot springs and boquillas are closed. Sad day.

Dinner at the starlight. Or the Reata.

I've spend several months there over the past years, but Yellowpot97 knows more. Hopefully he chimes in.

barnyard1996 said:

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Mas89 said:

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Taking our first trip to Big Bend and staying in Lajitas for three nights. Luckily we have two great weather days to explore. 38-73. Wanting to do the best hikes and considering an afternoon canoe trip.
What would be the OB picks for hiking trails and the best float if you just had 2 1/2 days to do it?

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What vehicle are you driving? River Road is a lot of fun, but you need a truck or SUV. They recommend 4 wheel drive, but I never had to.

Stop at one of the visitors centers for an off road guide.

ETA: I am referring to the River Road in the national park not the one from Lajitas to Presidio.

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River road has "4x4 required" signs to keep out people who have never been offroad/are in rental cars.

I've been on it several times in 2wd and been fine.
I've been on it after a rain and 4wd + experience kept me out of trouble.

It's not always a rough road, but help is hours away. It's always worth being "over prepared" out there

Were going to Big Bend in March. Looking forward to seeing the Gage Hotels newest additions. They've recently started their own brewery and craft BBQ joint. Texas Monthly did some supplemental to their Top 50 BBQ joints and had their new BBQ joint on it. Looks legit

Brick Vault BBQ in Marathon is legit. Definitely stop by there for food and drink.

edit: wrong post icon

Nothing beats the sunrise from the south rim. It's damn nice.

Views from a small last scramble after a nice hike to the top of Emory Peak are well worth it.

Not sure status of the different areas but wife and I aren't age or stamina to do some of these hikes, ie S. Rim but still enjoyed very much being there We hope to go back this fall now that we have an RV. As far as river trip, a number of folks use Far Flung Outdoors. They have nice lodging as well if it's available. Balanced rock is good and not terribly time consuming. Agree on the Ross Maxwell Scenic drive.

We did a lot of asking on FB prior to our trip as we were only there an allotted amount of time. We were able to do everything we set out to do and now have a more detailed idea of what to further explore next time.

You will enjoy being there.

Sotol Vista Overlook sunset



On the road from Terlingua

South Rim sunset, December 2014

Thanks to everyone for the replies. We are staying in Marathon the first night and going to Marfa for a couple hours on the way to Lajitas. Will take the recommended road from Presidio to Lajitas. Growing up my Dad and Grandpa hunted South of Marfa and in Western Val Verde County but we never went to the national park. Haven't been west of the hill country in 35 years so I'm really looking forward to the trip taking my family out there.
Looking at the weather forecast we picked the perfect time to be there.

milner79 said:

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South Rim sunset, December 2014

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I bet that is spectacular in person. Your photo is excellent.

Been to Big Bend twice, South Rim is a must.

There's a pullout to an overlook east of the road between Santa Elena canyon trailhead and the cottonwood campground near a little rise. Up the trail to the overlook is a great place to watch the sunrise hit "the wall" of Santa Elena and turn it pink and orange in hue. The go on to explore the canyon.

The south rim is worth it. Start before sunrise and you'll easily make the loop up one way, along the rim, and back down the other way in one long day.

Count the dead deer on I10. Went w kids few years ago- late December. From Hou to BB, we stopped counting at 50

AggieStan said:

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Count the dead deer on I10. Went w kids few years ago- late December. From Hou to BB, we stopped counting at 50

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Don't take 10 going, 90 is good.
Use 10 to get home quicker when you're tired after a trip.

Pack lots of food and drinks for the daytime excursions.

The bluebonnets are starting to show up this year. Hopefully they'll be as good as they were in 2019.

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Cant answer your question, but be sure to bring and wear your mask at all times while in the park. Gotta comply with those mandates and all...

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You're a better poster when you stick to complaining about rainfall totals.

Man I am jealous! One of my favorite places on earth. Enjoy the trip!

We were there in December, and the Chisos Basin parking was next to impossible. Santa Elena Canyon is a must visit. We also did Mule Ears and Boquillas Canyon. As previously posted, don't underestimate the amount of driving. We drove between 150 and 200 miles per day while there. The only road we were on that needed 4WD was Terlingua Ranch Road, but it isn't anywhere near where you'll be.

Best places to stay if you're not roughing it?

Look up Casa de Cresote on Airbnb. We stayed there and really liked it.

Go to Closed Canyon in BB Ranch State Park. Just 20ish min from Lajitas. Beautiful easy hike. You won't regret it.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://tpwd.texas.gov/publications/pwdpubs/media/pwd_br_p4501_0152z.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwiR1qqe0dPuAhUZHc0KHZRkAZ8QFjANegQIBhAF&usg=AOvVaw38RzIZ-I0zo1YZyJtaU5Xl

We love staying at La Posada Milagro in Terlingua. A little expensive but just steps from the starlight theatre and right near the western entrance to the park.

BlackLab said:

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Best places to stay if you're not roughing it?

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Far Flung in my post above has some very nice Casitas if they have an opening.

they are getting close to wrapping up construction on the basin road, but if it is still going on, you will need to check the schedule to be able to access. Get in before 8a with no wait. after that, you could be stuck for a long time trying to get in.

We were just there. I was staying in the basin, so i actually found the road closure to be a benefit. It kept people out of the basin. Parking was easily available, even up at Lost Mine.

As mentioned above, the park is big, and driving in from Lajitas is an hour+ easy depending on where you are going in the park.

cahoots said:

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Go to Closed Canyon in BB Ranch State Park. Just 20ish min from Lajitas. Beautiful easy hike. You won't regret it.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://tpwd.texas.gov/publications/pwdpubs/media/pwd_br_p4501_0152z.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwiR1qqe0dPuAhUZHc0KHZRkAZ8QFjANegQIBhAF&usg=AOvVaw38RzIZ-I0zo1YZyJtaU5Xl

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Definitely a cool spot!