Museum of the Big Bend is a must-see if you are new to the region.

Getting to Big Bend National Park

Did I mention that this park is remote? The closest major airport to Big Bend is the Midland/Odessa airport, which is about three hours away. Many visitors also fly to El Paso and then make the six-hour journey. (FYI: Big Bend is about an eight-hour drive from Dallas, and a little longer from Houston.)

Some travelers choose to break up the road trip by stopping in the Texas towns of Alpine, Marathon, and Marfa, which is what my family did. These small communities are fun to visit and help you prepare for Big Bend, both by filling up on water and supplies and by learning about the unique desert terrain. We really enjoyed the Museum of the Big Bend in Alpine, which taught us a lot about what to expect. (It was recently voted the best small-town museum in America by USA Today.)

The vehicle entrance fee into Big Bend National Park is $30 and is good for one week. If you have a fourth grader in the family, you can get in for free through a federal program. Also, there are several days throughout the year where admission is waived. Find out more here.

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Bring swimsuits so you can soak in the mineral-rich hot springs. 

Things to Do in Big Bend National Park

One look at the Big Bend National Park map and it becomes clear that there's just not enough time to see it all. It takes more than an hour in the car to drive from one end of the park to the other, often resulting in antsy kids. That said, here are a few of the most family-friendly hikes and activities.

Hot Springs Historic District & Trail

Hands down, this was our favorite spot at Big Bend. The one-mile loop begins with the remains of an early 1900s-era resort, with cool old buildings that once served as a store, a post office, and an overnight lodging center.

Walk another quarter mile along the trail to see the actual hot spring, located right on the Rio Grande in the ruins of the resort's bath house. Bring swimsuits so you can soak your bones in the mineral-rich water! The temperature is a constant 105 degrees year-round, and while that may sound a bit warm for little ones, we saw preschool-aged kids happily wading in. On your way back to the parking lot, look out for ancient Native American pictographs on the rock walls surrounding the hot spring.

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The Boquillas Canyon trail climbs from the parking to the top of a cliff overlooking the Rio Grande.

Boquillas Canyon Trail & Boquillas, Mexico

The scenic, 1.4-mile Boquillas Canyon Trail is another favorite with kids because it takes about an hour to complete and follows the Rio Grande as it flows into a canyon. The walls provide much-needed shade along the way. We saw free-roaming horses drinking from the river on our hike! Don't be surprised if you are approached by merchants selling food and crafts while on this trail. The park considers these transactions illegal and may seize any purchased items.

Some American visitors like to bring their passports to Big Bend and travel to the rural town of Boquillas del Carmen, Mexico. To do this, you'll have to pass through the Boquillas Port of Entry and take a small rowboat across the Rio Grande for a small fee. The Mexican village is safe and has a few restaurants that accept US currency.

Window View Trail

This easy quarter-mile trail is one of the few places in Big Bend that is paved (note to parents with wheelchairs or strollers). It's also an excellent place to take photos because it provides views of the mountain peaks surrounding the Chisos Basin, appearing like you are looking through a window. Benches along the way offer a place to rest.

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The Chisos Basin Visitor Center has a great mountain lion exhibit and neat information about bears.

If you desire a more rigorous hike, the Chisos Basin is the starting point for a few other trails, and is home to one of the park's five visitor centers. These are great resources for mapping out your day, asking questions of the park rangers, seeing wildlife displays, and hitting the restroom. Many visitors begin their trip at the Panther Junction Visitor Center in the middle of Big Bend. It serves as the park's headquarters.

Special note: A major renovation project is planned for the Chisos Basin in summer 2025. The project is expected to continue for two years, and will mean closure of the area in the meantime.

Santa Elena Canyon Trail

Another favorite with families, this moderate 1.6-mile trail begins by crossing the bed of Terlingua Creek (so wear shoes you don't mind getting wet). It then enters a canyon mouth that twists and turns before ending where the walls meet the Rio Grande. These giant rocks provide a lot of shade, and it's not uncommon to see wildlife like javelinas and road runners along the trail.

FYI: Conditions change constantly at this location. Depending on recent rains, Terlingua Creek may be dry sand, thick mud, or flowing water. Be sure to check in with park staff before hitting the trail.

Fossil Discovery Exhibit

This indoor/outdoor exhibit eight miles north of Panther Junction focuses on Big Bend's animal history, with colorful displays and information on the remarkable fossils found within the park. We loved learning about the mosasaurs (prehistoric marine lizards) that lived there when Big Bend was covered by a shallow sea, and the giant pterosaurs that once soared through its skies. There are also displays on ancient mammals like the megacerops, a creature similar to today's rhinoceros.

The Fossil Discovery Exhibit is one of the newest areas inside Big Bend. It's accessible for wheelchairs and strollers and has a shaded picnic area nearby.

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The Sam Nail Ranch hike is rich with plants, animals, and stories of human history.

Sam Nail Ranch

My kids really liked this easy hike, located just off of the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive. The half-mile trail takes you through the 1916 homestead of a man named Sam Nail. The remains of his ranch, including a chicken coop, windmill, and adobe house, can still be seen. A small placard on the walk features photos of Nail's family at the site. This sparked conversation with my daughters over how much things have changed since that time period. The rocky path is well-maintained, and the trail takes about 30 minutes to complete.

Big Bend River Trips

Explore the park via the Rio Grande! Several local companies offer guided river tours on kayaks, canoes, and rafts. Big Bend Boating & Hiking Company offers both half-day and full-day trips (as well as multi-day excursions), as does Big Bend River Tours. Far Flung Outdoor Center features Rio Grande boat trips and Jeep and ATV tours. Call to find out about age and/or weight requirements.

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Take in the gorgeous artwork while grabbing a bite at Venga.

Where to Eat While Visiting Big Bend National Park

Right now, the only restaurant inside the park is at Chisos Basin, but it will be closed during the renovation project. The shops at the five Big Bend visitor centers sell snacks and a few packaged foods, but our family relied on bringing lunch in with us and having dinner in the nearby town of Terlingua (about 15 minutes from the Maverick Junction entrance station). Here are a few of our local favorites:

Venga

Venga is a cool, artsy cafe with killer coffee and breakfast for those heading into Big Bend. It also sells lunch items like burgers and fajitas, as well as a great kid's grilled cheese.

Longdraw Pizza Company 

This place was a godsend after a long day of hiking! We shredded a thin-crust cheese pizza and garden salads (Longdraw also offers cauliflower crust). The restaurant is always busy; I recommend calling in your order far ahead of time.

Cottonwood General Store

This store is well-stocked with fruits, veggies, meats, cereal, and other groceries. We picked up items here for our picnic lunch in the park.

Starlight Theatre

This is somewhat of a legendary spot for grabbing a meal and taking in some live music. It was once an abandoned theater that hosted performers like Willie Nelson under the stars. Starlight offers a kids menu with chicken strips, corn dog nuggets, and (only in Texas!) Frito pie.

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Relax around a fire at The Summit at Big Bend.

Big Bend National Park Lodging

Currently, the only place to stay within Big Bend National Park is at the Chisos Mountain Lodge, but this will soon be torn down as part of the greater renovation project. A new, more modern building is planned for the site. That said, there are several unique lodging options located just outside the park in Terlingua, especially for those into "glamping" (aka glamorous camping).

The Summit at Big Bend

We loved our stay inside a spherical dome at The Summit that looked like it could be an encampment on Mars. (The company also offers overnight cave dwellings.) Communal amenities like grills, dining tables, and bathrooms are kept very clean.  We especially appreciated the high-end shower and toiletries after a long day hiking. Our beds inside the dome were comfy too.

Ocotillos Village

Spend the night inside one of these cute, wooden A-frame houses that have skylights and come equipped with coffee makers, fire pits, heating and air conditioning. Ocotillos Village also offers sites for tent campers.

Basecamp Terlingua

Guests at Basecamp Terlingua can stay in a tipi, a bubble, a 16-foot "lotus tent," or a more standard campsite. The degree of luxury is up to you, with the casitas being the most lavish. Some even have their own private pools and can accommodate up to ten people.

Wherever you choose to stay, I insist (insist!) that you check out the night sky. This part of Texas is known for having the least amount of light pollution in the United States (at least in the lower 48). We saw shooting stars, planets, constellations, you name it. It was similar to being in a planetarium, but even better, and my kids can't stop talking about how magical the experience was. Big Bend National Park sometimes offers free events celebrating the cosmos, like star parties and moonlit walks. Check out the park calendar for more information.

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Stargazing in Big Bend is top notch!

Know Before You Go to Big Bend National Park

Best Time to Visit Big Bend

Big Bend National Park is located in the heart of the Chihuahuan Desert, which means the weather there is warm and sunny for most of the year, with scorching summers. The best time to visit is in the early spring (March and April) and early fall (September and October). Some trails and visitor centers will even close during periods of extreme heat, though the park entrances remain open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. I know you already know this, but water and sunscreen are very important.

Wi-Fi and Cell Phone Service

Cell phone service and Wi-Fi are very spotty at Big Bend. Consider downloading the Big Bend National Park map ahead of time for offline use.

Other Amenities

Need to fill up the tank? Gas stations are located at Rio Grande Village and Panther Junction. Want to send a postcard? A full service post office is located at Panther Junction too.

Junior Ranger Program

When visiting a national park, my daughters always enjoy taking part in the Junior Ranger program. Kids are given a workbook to fill out with educational and age-appropriate material (think coloring pages for the little ones and more writing and games for older kids). After completing the book, participants are "sworn in" as junior rangers and given a one-of-a-kind badge pin. It's a great way to bring home a free souvenir from an unforgettable trip.

Photos by the author