Located along the southern border with Mexico Big Bend National Park has been on our list for years.  Its about 100 miles from the nearest east-west highway US 90.  Further from Interstate 10.  It’s a place of very little development.  A place of dark nights, can be cold in the winter and very hot in the summer.  It’s a park featuring the Rio Grand River, the Chihauhuan desert and the Chisos Mountains.  And its a huge park, bigger than Rhode Island.  It is beautiful.

The day we arrived was cold.  At Boquillas overlook we saw crafts from Mexican vendors who we were told have an agreement with US Customs to sell in the park and cross the river to collect dollars from tourists.  Their crafts are simple and unique and sell well.  That first day we visited the hot springs but it was far too cold for us to get in.

Mexican crafts for sale

Langford Hot Springs

We hiked the Santa Elena Canyon trail, the Window trail and the Chihuahuan Desert Nature trail and the Rio Grande Village Nature trail.  The only RV park with hookups is in Rio Grande Village and it’s small and mostly booked.  We stayed 2 nights before moving to the NPS campground.  Unfortunately we had a flat tire on the motorhome.  Our campground hosts, Ray and Mary Ann were fantastic in helping us resolve that situation. The park service is so lucky to have volunteers like these folks.

The Rio Grande at Santa Elena Canyon

Santa Elena Canyon

The Window Trail

Window Trail

Window Trail

The Window

The Chisos Mountains

Adjacent to the national park is Big Bend Ranch State Park.  We had a nice tour and picnic the day we visited.

Big Bend Ranch State Park

Tepee picnic area

We had a great visit to Big Bend.  The Bluebonnets were in “super bloom”.  The weather was variable yet moderate.  There is so much more to see and do in the park we know we’ll be back.

The Mule Ears

Big Bend Bluebonnets

or Texas Bluebonnets

Roadrunners kill rattlesnakes

Sierra del Carmen at sunset