NoahAg said:

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HollywoodBQ said:

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Ate at La Kiva last December and it was great. But, it looks like it closed back in July 2024.
https://lakiva.com/

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That sucks. I was there in February.

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Agreed.

I was really looking forward to going back this December even though I brained myself on the door exiting the restaurant.

I'm 6'3", my brother is 6'0" and our height difference was just enough that I got clocked in the head when I followed my brother out of that mineshaft style entrance.

It was closed when we were out there in 2022. I have also heard to make sure to eat there when it's open.

sklipes said:

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Lost Mines as an early morning or late afternoon hike for sunrise/sunset. A lot easier for early morning as parking fills up fast the later you go right at the trailhead.

I believe Chisos Basin vistor center is closed for renovations but that lot fills up fast in peak times like now. Show up early and plan to spend your whole morning there. Hike, break for food, hike again, break for food/rest, hike one more trail. Suggestions there are Window Trail (easy), Emory Peak (intermediate), South Rim (easy but long hike and can be linked from Emory if you want an extra long hike).

You will invest a few hours to get to Santa Elena or Boquillos trailheads if you go from one to the other so plan ahead on more hikes around to maximize time. Santa Elena means Mule Ears or Chimney; Boquillos means Hot Springs or Marufa Vega (super long and difficult) or Pine Springs.

State Park is a cool "rest day" but Slot Canyon and HooDoos are super cool chill walks and less crowded.

Bring lots of spare water as it will more than likely be warm during the day still. Finding gas and food are never an issue as long as you are consistent with filling up when at half a tank, and plenty of restaurants outside of the park or stores inside park for emergencies.

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Chisos Basin rennovations don't begin until May

AT&T service works in the Basin fairly well

Keep in mind that the park is really big....the distance from Santa Elena to Boquillas is probably an hour and a half drive.

The water is less muddy in Boquillas but the canyon is prettier in Santa Elena.

There is gas at the Panther Basin visitor center but ko the other visitor centers.

Lost Mine is great - great bang for your buck - but there are only maybe 20 roadside parking spaces at the trail head and another 7 or 8 along the road above and below it, so plan on getting their really early or it can be hit or miss getting one.

South Rim or Emory Peak are fantastic - but definitely more strenuous and time consuming.

The Window is a nice trail - remember you are going down hill so you're hiking uphill on the way back. I agree with the comment above - if you have some extra juice, take the trail split to Oak Spring....just go to the start of the switchbacks down and then turn around - you've seen the best views by that point.

I love Pine Canyon, but it is several miles out on a washboard rutted out dirt road.

Mule Ears is a nice moderate desert hike.

Balanced Rock is an easy one - also down a dirt road but much better than the one getting out to Pine Canyon.

Take plenty of water, electrolytes, and snacks - even this time of year.

Have fun, it's one of my favorite places on earth.

AgRyan04 said:

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Keep in mind that the park is really big....the distance from Santa Elena to Boquillas is probably an hour and a half drive.

<snip>

Balanced Rock is an easy one - also down a dirt road but much better than the one getting out to Pine Canyon.

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We drove off road from Boquillas to Santa Elena last Christmas Break. It was about 45 miles and took us about 6-7 hours. Not because it was difficult but because we were in a group who wanted to stop and take pictures, un-synchronized bathroom stops, etc. Got some great pictures, plenty of pinstriping from mesquite thorns.

At Balanced Rock, the parking got full quick but you could drive down the road a little bit and hike back.

I'm looking forward to going back again this year.

cell reception (AT&T): You'll get great reception in the basin. You'll even have service off and on up in the high chisos now. There's a tower there now. Panther Junction will have reception. You'll start picking it up at about mile marker 7 or so driving toward PJ in from the north. Reception on the west side is very spotty, but you'll find some places you can pick up service. As soon as you get close to the west entrance, you'll start picking up cell service from Terlingua/Study Butte. East side of the park basically has no service (but you can get wifi at the store). Coming down from Marathon, you'll lose signal about the time you hit the border patrol checkpoint.

If you are traveling in a truck/suv that can handle a little bit of off-roading, you should definitely check out Ernst Tinaja. Really cool little canyon on the way to Boquillas. It is a rocky, unpaved road to get there but nothing extreme at all.

Like other National Parks, just make sure you download a Google Map and/or AllTrails hikes beforehand.

Big Bend is fantastic.

Emory Peak 10.5 miles 5-7 hour strenuous hike. Started at about 9:30 and finished at around 3:00. AMAZING!!
Boquillas Hot Springs to enjoy the water and swam over to Mexico great!
Sotol Vista Overlook
Santa Elena Canyon
Went to dinner at Long Draw Pizza GREAT FOOD!

How long did Pinnacles take?