Big Bend in Oct

I haven't found any good hikes in the state park but maybe someone else has. Closed Canyon is worth a stop but it's only about 15 to 20 minutes each way until you get to where the trail peters out. The drive down river road from terlingua to Presidio is spectacular though and worth doing. Eat lunch at Oasis in Presidio which is a dumpy looking hole in the wall but is some of the best enchikadas I've ever had. Chinati Hot Springs is really nice too but I would spend the night there. One of my favorite easy hikes is at the Chihuahuan Desert Research Center in Ft Davis. You can spend 3 or 4 hours exploring a little narrow canyon trail and then a trail up to the top a mountain which is easy grades. There are nice views of the entire region up there. They also have a native plant growing operation with a bunch of native cacti which is cool to check out. Honestly, the last 2 or 3 times we've. Been down there we haven't even gone to the National Park since there is so much else to check out

The Windows trail is accessed from the basin. Nice hike about 5 miles in length. Boquillas Canyon Trail is short. The South Rim is about 12 miles (15 if you hike Emory peak). I would try to do that trail again, since access will not be allowed fro two years during construction. Hike up the Laguna Meadows and camp overnight. Hike down the Pinnnacles. The views are spectacular and worth the hike.

dang. its getting a massive upgrade

quote:

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Thanks to funding from the Great American Outdoors Act, work on two large construction projects in the Chisos Basin is scheduled to begin May 1, 2026 and continue for approximately two years. As work begins, the Chisos Basin area will be closed to visitor entry. This includes the Basin Road, lodging units, Basin Campground, restaurant, NPS visitor center, camper store, and surrounding trail access. This work will ONLY affect the Chisos Basin area of Big Bend National Park. As major components are completed, park managers will assess which areas can be safely reopened to regular public access. Stay tuned as construction contracts are finalized and work timelines are set.

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should be nice
and honestly those trails and campsites could probably use the break. visitation skyrocketed during COVID and there was a large fire after that. after two years it may green up a little

If I can convince my wife to sleep in a tent