Welcome to Large Bend Nationwide Park. An explosion of shade on the Rio Grande in the midst of nowhere West Texas.
When you didn’t assume Texas had sweeping mountains, dramatic peaks, and countless mountain views, put together to be wowed. That is easy methods to greatest spend 48 hours in Large Bend Nationwide Park, Texas.
Dom Rock
In a park as giant as Large Bend, protecting over 150 miles, if you happen to’ve solely acquired a few days, you’re going to need to make some robust decisions. I truly started within the Large Bend State Park, which is correct subsequent door, with among the best Rio Grande river views yow will discover for the sundown.
This space is called large hill, or if you happen to examine on Google Maps, it’s referred to as Dom Rock, named after a bottle of hidden Dom Perignon from the film Fandango.
Make sure you get there round 45 minutes earlier than the solar truly units, as a result of it goes down these canyon partitions rapidly. From right here you’ll be looking on the view straddling Texas and Mexico, partitioned by the meandering river. Entry this one about 12 miles down scenic freeway 170 previous the city of Lajitas.
Misplaced Mine Path
The following morning for dawn, if you happen to’re up for an early get up, which I extremely advocate, the Misplaced Mine path gives beautiful views. You solely have to hike in a few mile in on the path to look at because the rising solar paints the rocks crimson after which gold, sweeping out to the valley within the distance.
It is a pretty simple hike, and it’s greatest to get there early, because the small car parking zone fills up rapidly.
Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive
The Ross Maxwell Scenic drive would require turning again in direction of the park entrance (however not too far) for among the best drives in the entire park. Plus, it ends at one of many park’s most well-known options – the Santa Elena Canyon.
There are many stops all alongside the way in which with aspect hikes and overlooks, just like the Sotol Vista pictured above, so give your self loads of time for this one. Non-obligatory aspect hikes embrace:
- Decrease Burro Mesa Path – A simple, 30 minute hike with beautiful canyon views and probabilities to see spring wildflowers.
- Chimneys Path – One other brief and flat hike, although if deciding between Decrease Burro and this one, choose the Decrease Burro.
- Mule Ears Springs Path – Beautiful views of some distinctive rock formations and an amazing spot for evening pictures.
- Tuff Canyon Overlook – This fast roadside cease appears down right into a white canyon. It’s one other fast, simple hike into the canyon if you happen to’re eager.
- Dorgan Home Path – Try some previous buildings and ruins on this roadside pulloff.
- Santa Elena Canyon Overlook – A fast cease in your method right down to hike or kayak the Canyon.
Santa Elena Canyon
In all probability probably the most photographed and well-known function of Large Bend, the Santa Elena Canyon gives an opportunity to play in, kayak on, hike by, or hike beside the Rio Grande. Benefit from the coolness of the canyon whereas being in two locations directly – break up between Texas and Mexico.
Relying on how excessive the water is, you’ll have to get your toes moist to cross the Rio Grande so as to entry the path. For that reason, I’d advocate sneakers that do effectively in water. I additionally seen individuals who introduced kayaks to kayak down the river and need to admit I used to be jealous.
Nonetheless, the view from alongside the path is gorgeous, and if you happen to make it there for dawn, you’ll be able to catch an ideal glimpse of the rising solar over the river from a pair switchbacks up initially of the path, simply after crossing the river. It’s a brief, simple path with a little bit of elevation loss and acquire that finishes at a pleasant view wanting additional into the canyon.
Sundown on the Home windows
The opposite hottest factor to do within the park is catching sundown on the Home windows. It is a customer favourite because of the straightforward accessibility and the spectacular solar setting proper between this distinctive rock formation. For some additional train, hike a 5 mile path to get nearer to the home windows, or you’ll be able to have a look at them from the paved, simple loop accessible from the Chisos Basin Customer Heart parking space.
That stated, what you see pictured above is a special view. I knew that the nearly-full moon could be rising on the opposite aspect of the home windows, so I selected to look at the sundown/moonrise from the west round mile marker 2 on the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive. This specific photograph was taken down a mud highway nearer to mile 3, offering extra of a aspect profile of 1 aspect of the Home windows.
Though I critically thought-about watching the sundown by the Home windows, I additionally needed to see what it might be like watching the solar paint the mountains crimson with that well-timed moon rise. It meant barely much less driving after having fun with the Santa Elena Canyon as effectively!
That is additionally an possibility if you wish to watch the dawn by the Home windows.
Grapevine Hills and Balanced Rock
For my second dawn, I made my method out to the Grapevine Hills and Balanced Rock Path. That is one other simple, comparatively flat path with superb views on the finish, significantly for the dawn. Although most individuals come right here to see the balanced rock, I used to be extra a fan of the Grapevine Hills view on the high of the path.
so as to entry this space, you’ll want to show down a mud highway virtually adjoining to basin junction. If it has just lately rained I might think about this highway being impassible. Even with dry circumstances, the start of the highway was no downside, however then it began to get slightly bit washboardy and for my rental car, a bit too dangerous for the final half mile. Fortunately there was a pleasant little spot I might simply pull off and park, making it a straightforward hike in. It added a little bit of time to my hike, however the stroll out on the highway again to the automobile was good as effectively!
You’ve acquired about an hour earlier than the dawn will illuminate the rock formations on this canyon, so that you catch a number of additional Zs than you might if mountaineering the Misplaced Mine path for dawn, by comparability.
South Rim and Emory Peak
By far the longest and most difficult suggestion on this record, the south rim hike gives the most important reward when it comes to beautiful views. This hike is about 12 miles round-trip, and also you’ll have the choice so as to add on Emory Peak as effectively. When you select to do that as a day hike, take note this isn’t applicable for {the summertime}, and also you’ll need to depart proper at dawn so as to have the ability to full the entire thing, so that you may need to select this one as a substitute of the Balanced Rock Path if you happen to solely have 48 hours.
I used to be dying to do that hike, and below regular circumstances would have, however I had a protracted drive forward of me and simply barely didn’t have sufficient time to do it justice. That stated, if I have been to return, I’d obtain a backcountry permit and switch this into an in a single day hike, as there are a number of established backcountry campsites alongside the rim. The most effective case state of affairs for me could be the chance to look at the sundown, stargaze, and catch the dawn this unimaginable view.
Stargazing Recommendations
Among the finest issues about being in such a distant location is the chance to see the evening sky in her full glory. The most effective time to see the well-known Milky Approach core is from mid-March till mid-October, however anytime all year long is an excellent time to have a look at the evening sky.
Though I used to be there throughout a full moon, which presents its personal distinctive pictures alternatives, moonlight will critically inhibit your potential to see the celebs, so just be sure you go throughout a brand new moon if you’re going particularly to stargaze. I discover Moon Giant to be very useful for planning functions. Additional factors if you happen to go to throughout a brand new moon and a meteor bathe!
Close by – Eat and Lay Your Head
A part of the enjoyable visiting Large Bend Nationwide Park is hanging out within the cities close by as effectively. They’ve a lot character and persona!
Terlingua is the closest city to the park and your greatest wager for scrumptious eats. The preferred native spot for dinner is the Starlight Theater within the Terlingua ghost city. Folks have a tendency to hang around for an hour or so earlier than it opens, ingesting beers from the close by reward store and enjoying music on the picket deck. Put together to attend a bit so as to have the ability to eat right here because it’s standard, however from what I hear it’s price it!
There’s an previous cemetery close by additionally price testing for a peek into the city mining historical past.
For breakfast, take a look at La Posada Milagro close by for espresso and breakfast burritos.
Keep
When you’re planning on spending nearly all of your time in large Bend nationwide Park itself, probably the most handy possibility are campground reservations within the park, though they have an inclination to guide out fairly far upfront through the cooler months. There are additionally some choices in Terlingua.
I personally stayed on the Lajitas Golf Resort in Lajitas, which is conveniently positioned proper subsequent to Large Bend State Park. They’ve a number of eating places on web site, together with a golf course, zip lining, and different actions. It is a nice household selection and an possibility for many who need extra selection than simply hikes within the park.
When you’ve got extra time, the perfect case state of affairs could be to remain throughout the park to discover the nationwide park, and on the Latijas Golf Resort to discover the state park.
On Your Approach
Since Large Bend Nationwide Park is in the midst of nowhere, you’ll have a protracted drive no matter the place you’re coming from. Most individuals fly into El Paso. On the way in which, I extremely advocate stopping in Fort Davis to interrupt up the 5-hour drive.
The Davis Mountains State Park gives beautiful views of the encompassing space and is a superb place to catch the sundown. Drive to the top of the Skyline Drive for the perfect views.
Afterwards, I extremely advocate going to the McDonald Observatory for one in every of their star events (calendar here). This offers you a chance to look by their telescopes at stars and constellations. That is one other time when it might be prudent to take the moon phases into consideration, as darkish skies make for a a lot better stargazing.
Whereas in Fort Davis, I stayed on the Stone Village Tourist camp and ate breakfast on the Stone Village Market and cherished the pleasant environment. When you’re a espresso lover, they promote scrumptious native, free commerce, natural espresso within the store!
Seasonal Concerns
Large Bend can get sizzling in the summertime, with temperatures frequently topping 90°F. Summer season can also be the monsoon season, when flash flooding and rain are extra frequent. Within the winter, put together for near freezing temperatures, particularly in a single day.
Round March, you might get fortunate sufficient to see some wildflowers within the park, together with cactus flowers! That stated, take into account that that is round spring break, which might be one of the crucial standard instances to go to. I went in early February and was delighted by how uncrowded it was!
No matter if you go, Large Bend presents a novel alternative for darkish skies, beautiful hikes, and delightful solitude.
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*This publish was dropped at you in collaboration with Travel Texas. All ideas on the fantastic thing about Large Bend are my very own.
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