An unexpected mountain-meets-desert park in southwestern Texas, Big Bend National Park is simply spectacular. This expansive park has vistas for days with Rio Grande River views and desert meets mountains views. With scenic drives, easy-to-challenging hikes and river excursions, plan to spend a few days capturing the alluring scenery of this amazing park.
Key Takeaways:
- Big Bend National Park is a spectacular park in western Texas
- Plan to spend several days to explore the park on scenic drives and hikes
- Terlingua is a quirky desert town, a short drive to Big Bend
- Big Bend River State Park is another scenic destination
- Paisano Village RV Park is a nice RV stay close to area attractions
Campground Review:
Paisano Village RV Park is a small, friendly stay in Terlingua, a short drive to local attractions. With full hook-ups and spectacular sunsets, this RV park is a great base camp for excursions to Big Bend National Park. No green space here, just lots of desert space to walk the dogs.
What to do:
- Big Bend National Park:
- Drive to Chisos Basin (not for RVs). Stop at the Visitor Center and take the short Window View Trail on a paved path
- Drive to Rio Grande Village; take the RGV Nature Hike for views of the Rio Grande and Mexico (Note: Rio Grande Village RV Park has full hookups)
- Drive to Boquillas Canyon; hike the Boquillas Canyon Trail for river and canyon views
- Visit the Mexican village of Boquillas (passport required), wade or take a boat
- Visit the Hot Springs for a dip in 105 degree water
- Drive the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive to the Santa Elena Canyon Trail; an easy to medium hike with some rock scrambles but well worth it
Big Bend National Park Tips:
- Go early morning for best parking and hiking
- Take the dogs on the long drives; take turns hiking on the short hikes, leave the dogs at home for long hikes
- Limited cell service in the park
- Bring lots of water for hiking; rangers check at some trailheads
- RV camping is available with full hookups at the Rio Grande Village
Big Bend National Park
Big Bend Chisos Basin
Big-Bend-Vistas
Santa Elena Canyon
Rio Grand Village
Big Bend Chisos Basin Road
Big Bend Window View Trail
Rio Grande River
Trailhead Santa Elena Trail
Santa Elena Trail
Santa Elena Canyon
Boquillas Canyon
- Local Area
- Visit Big Bend Ranch State Park; drive the River Road for more Rio Grande and canyon views
- Grab dinner and drinks at the Starlight Theater Restaurant and Saloon; arrive by 4:30, get a drink, sit on the porch and be ready when the doors open at 5, stay for nightly entertainment
- Visit the Terlingua Ghost Town near the Starlight Theater
- Find excellent pizza at Long Draw Pizza
Big Bend Ranch State Park
Starlight Theater
Movie Set on River Road
Terlingua Ghost Town
Chili & Cedar’s Review:
Pasaino Village RV Park is a nice park. We took daily walks in the desert – no green space here but plenty of dirt. They did not have a dog park but everyone was very friendly.
Campground Rating: 4.5 PAWS
We loved our visit to Big Bend National Park; dogs are not allowed on trails but we saw the park from the car – that’s just the way it goes! We also liked the dog-friendly High Sierra Bar & Grill in Terlingua.