Things to do in Big Bend National Park
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Big Bend Ranch State Park
Big Bend Ranch State Park is much less explored than its big brother, but the easily accessed turnouts for hiking or picnicking along the river road shouldn't be ignored. Make the easy 0.7-mile trek into narrow Closed Canyon, where the cliffs rise above you, blocking out the sun. Camping is off Casa Piedra Rd, but you have to register at the Fort Leaton State Historic Site, which is past the park.
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Santa Elena Canyon Trail
Down in the desert, the 1.5-mile Santa Elena Canyon Trail, 40 miles southwest of Panther Junction, is one of the most popular treks in Big Bend because of the stunning rock and river views. It's rated easy, but you have to wade through a stream and climb stairs in the canyon wall. The adventurous (and ecoconscious) might seek out the trail that's left off maps. Hint: there are falls and lots of vegetation for the desert.
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Big Bend National Park
This national park is almost as big as Rhode Island. When you’re traversing Big Bend’s 1252 sq miles, you come to appreciate what ‘big’ really means. It’s a land of incredible diversity, vast enough to allow a lifetime of discovery, yet laced with enough well-placed roads and trails to permit short-term visitors to see a lot in two to three days.
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Terlingua Ghost Town
In the Terlingua Ghost Town, hippies and hard-core desert dwellers have turned the clay brick-built former mining shanties into minihomes. most residents don't have electricity or running water. Buy a beer inside the store and hang out on the porch with locals at sunset; it's the thing to do.
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Big Bend River Tours
The guides at Big Bend River Tours have floated the river more than a time or two themselves. For a short trip, choose Santa Elena Canyon (half-day). If you have four days, take the remote, 33-mile Bouquillas Canyon trip - no other people, just great rock formations and hiking.
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Desert Sports
Active, do-it-yourself types should check out Desert Sports , 5 miles west of Hwy 118; it rents canoes, bikes and tents. Staff will also shuttle you in your car or theirs to river-launch and pick-up points. Hike and bike tours are available.
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Kathy's Kosmic Kowgirl Kafe
Part food stand, part roadside attraction, Kathy's Kosmic Kowgirl Kafe is a hot-pink trailer about a mile west of Hwy 118. It sometimes shows movies and has campfires at night.
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Rim Trail
Most of the 150-plus miles of hiking trails are in the Chisos Mountains, where the 14-mile Rim Trail has some challenging ascents, rewarded by mountain panoramas.
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