Big Bend National Park is Texas at its wildest, with desert drives, rugged mountains, and the Rio Grande carving deep canyons. Catch epic sunsets, quiet trails, and some of the darkest night skies in the country.

Big Bend National Park Sign — your classic “we made it” photo stop, with the Chisos Mountains often peeking out behind it. A quick pull-off, a quick pic, and you’re officially in Texas’s wildest corner.

Devil’s Den Hike — a fun, rugged trail that winds through desert terrain and narrow rock corridors before popping out into a dramatic “den” of boulders. Short and adventurous, but watch your footing and bring water, it gets hot fast.

Santiago Draw — a rugged desert wash near Persimmon Gap, where dry gullies spill off the Santiago Mountains into Big Bend’s wide-open north end. It’s a subtle but classic Chihuahuan Desert scene, creosote, hardpan, and big-sky views.

Chihuahuan Desert — North America’s largest desert, stretching across West Texas and northern Mexico. In Big Bend, it’s a land of creosote flats, towering cacti, and surprisingly rich wildlife thriving in the heat.

Sierra del Carmen — a dramatic limestone mountain range rising across the Rio Grande in Mexico, forming a rugged backdrop to Big Bend. Its cliffs and canyons create one of the park’s most striking cross-border views.

Chisos Mountains — the heart of Big Bend, rising like a green island from the desert floor. Cooler temperatures, forested trails, and sweeping views make this the park’s most scenic and diverse landscape.

An open-air stop highlighting the ancient creatures that once roamed this region, from giant reptiles to early mammals. A quick and fascinating glimpse into Big Bend’s prehistoric past.

A quiet desert canyon carved by seasonal water flow, with layered rock walls and classic Big Bend solitude. It’s a lesser-known spot where the landscape feels raw, remote, and beautifully untouched.

A stunning 30-mile route winding through colorful desert, volcanic formations, and sweeping mountain views. It’s the ultimate Big Bend drive, leading all the way to the edge of the Rio Grande at Santa Elena Canyon.

Mysterious glowing orbs that appear on the desert horizon east of Marfa. Some say headlights, others say something stranger. The magic is in the waiting, scanning the dark sky for flickers that dance and disappear.

A quiet desert homestead tucked among cottonwood trees and an old windmill. The remaining adobe walls and orchard traces offer a peaceful glimpse into early ranch life in the Chisos foothills.

A small stone tablet marks the site’s early 1900s bathhouse era, when travelers soaked in the 105°F mineral waters along the Rio Grande. Today, the ruins and warm spring blend history with a relaxing desert dip.

A broad, flat-topped mesa rising from the desert, known for its colorful volcanic cliffs. A short hike leads to the Burro Mesa Pouroff, where sheer canyon walls create a dramatic natural amphitheater.

The weathered remains of one of Big Bend’s most successful early ranches, set against the dramatic backdrop of Blue Creek Canyon. A short walk reveals adobe ruins and sweeping desert views that feel timeless and remote.

One of the park’s best sunset spots, with sweeping views over the Chihuahuan Desert and the winding Rio Grande. As the light fades, the desert layers glow in shades of gold and crimson.

A striking roadside stop showcasing the twin volcanic peaks that resemble mule ears. It’s one of the most iconic silhouettes along Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive, especially dramatic at sunrise or sunset.

A quirky desert ghost town just outside Big Bend, known for its old mining ruins, colorful characters, and famous chili cook-offs. Rustic, artsy, and full of West Texas personality.

A dramatic roadside stop where pale volcanic tuff cliffs drop into a narrow canyon below. A short walk leads to the rim, with striking desert views and layered rock formations carved by time.

A towering volcanic peak rising sharply above the desert near Castolon. Its dramatic silhouette dominates the western skyline and glows beautifully in the late afternoon light.

A small riverside settlement that once served as a trading post and cavalry outpost along the Rio Grande. Restored adobe buildings and La Harmonia Store offer a glimpse into Big Bend’s borderland history.

The gateway to Big Bend’s most iconic canyon, where the Rio Grande slices between 1,500-foot limestone cliffs. A short walk brings you right to the river’s edge and unforgettable canyon views.

A panoramic viewpoint offering sweeping views of the canyon’s massive limestone walls before you descend to the river. One of the most dramatic vistas along Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive.

A short but unforgettable hike that climbs above the Rio Grande before winding into the heart of the canyon. Towering limestone walls rise on both sides, making it one of Big Bend’s most iconic walks.

Guadalupe Mountains National Park — home to the highest peak in Texas and some of the most dramatic desert-mountain scenery in the state. Rugged trails, fossilized reefs, and striking views make this park a true West Texas adventure.

Part of the vast Chihuahuan Desert, Guadalupe Mountains National Park protects one of the highest and most rugged sections of this desert ecosystem. Here, desert flats rise dramatically into limestone peaks, creating a rare blend of cactus-dotted lowlands and forested mountain slopes.

A scenic desert oasis trail known for its striking fall colors and shaded canyon walls. The nearby visitor center offers park info before you set out on this peaceful hike through one of Texas’s most beautiful canyons.

A striking limestone formation that rises from the desert floor like a stone vessel frozen in time. It’s part of the ancient Permian reef that once lay beneath a prehistoric sea, now towering above West Texas.

A restored 19th-century ranch house that tells the story of early settlers in the desert. Surrounded by orchards and a reliable spring, it offers a glimpse into how families once carved out a life in this rugged landscape.

A small desert oasis fed by a natural spring, creating a quiet pond beneath cottonwood trees. It’s one of the few reliable water sources in the park and a peaceful stop with scenic mountain views.

The stone remains of an 1850s stagecoach stop along the Butterfield Overland Mail route. These rugged ruins mark one of the few surviving stations from this early cross-country mail system.

The main gateway to the park’s most popular hikes, including Guadalupe Peak and Devil’s Hall. Set at the base of towering limestone cliffs, it’s where many big mountain adventures begin.

The challenging hike to the highest point in Texas at 8,751 feet. Steep switchbacks lead to sweeping views across West Texas and into New Mexico, with a summit marker waiting at the top.

A rugged canyon hike that leads to a dramatic natural rock staircase and narrow limestone corridor. It’s a fun, slightly adventurous trek through one of the park’s most unique formations.

A scenic roadside viewpoint offering a clear look at the highest point in Texas. From here, the peak rises sharply above the desert floor, showcasing the dramatic scale of the Guadalupe Mountains.

A dramatic limestone wall that rises nearly 1,000 feet above the desert floor. This iconic landmark once guided travelers across West Texas and remains one of the most striking silhouettes in the park.

Brilliant white gypsum dunes rising unexpectedly from the desert floor. Remote and surreal, this short hike leads into rolling waves of sand framed by the towering Guadalupe Mountains.

A rugged mountain range stretching across West Texas, rising sharply from the desert floor. Remote and dramatic, it forms part of the vast landscape surrounding the Guadalupe Mountains.