The Sam Nail Ranch

One Day Visit
If time allows, drive to the Chisos Mountains Basin to take in the spectacular mountain views. Walk the 0.3-mile self-guiding Window View Trail to get a feel for the mountain scenery.

A trip along the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive will give you a taste of the Chihuahuan Desert and will lead you to the Rio Grande. There are scenic overlooks and exhibits along the way. Sotol Vista, Mule Ears Overlook and Tuff Canyon are all worthwhile stops. The short walks to the Sam Nail Ranch and Homer Wilson (Blue Creek) Ranch and a visit to the Castolon Historic District will give you a glimpse into Big Bend’s past.

A highlight of the trip is the short (1.7-mile round trip) walk into Santa Elena Canyon—one of Big Bend’s most scenic spots. Drive to the end of the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive to access the trailhead. You may return to the main road by returning on the Ross Maxwell Drive or on the Old Maverick Road, a 13-mile gravel road linking the Ross Maxwell Drive to the Maverick (west) Entrance. Be sure to check on road conditions first.

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Chisos Basin campground

Three Days
With three days to spend in the park, you can explore the major roads more thoroughly and still have time for some great hikes. In the Basin area, consider hiking the Window Trail (5 miles round trip) or the Lost Mine Trail (4.8 miles round trip); consult the Hiker’s Guide to Trails of Big Bend National Park (available at the BBNHA Book Store) for trail descriptions.

In addition to the Basin and Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive (see suggestions for “one day”) you can drive to Rio Grande Village, perhaps stopping at Dugout Wells along the way to walk the short Chihuahuan Desert Nature Trail. The Rio Grande Village Visitor Center (open November through April) offers a brief introductory slide program. Walk the Rio Grande Village Nature Trail which begins near site 18 in the campground. The bluff overlooking the Rio Grande at the end of the nature trail is a particularly beautiful spot at sunset.

The Boquillas Canyon road will take you to an overlook of the Rio Grande and the small village of Boquillas, Mexico. At the end of the road is the Boquillas Canyon trail, which takes you to the entrance of this spectacular canyon.

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View from the Rio Grande Village Nature Trail.

One Week
With a week or more to spend in Big Bend, endless possibilities are open to you. You’ll have plenty of time to explore the roads mentioned in the One Day and Three Day sections and will also have time to hike or to drive some of the primitve dirt roads. For these, you’ll need a high clearance or four-wheel drive vehicle; don’t forget to check at the visitor centers for current road conditions. You may also want to consult the Road Guide to Backcountry Dirt Roads of Big Bend National Park. The River Road, Glenn Springs Road, and Old Ore Road are some of the more popular backcountry routes. A visit to Ernst Tinaja near the south end of the Old Ore Road is a Big Bend highlight.

If you don’t have high clearance or four-wheel drive, improved dirt roads such as Dagger Flat, Grapevine Hills and Old Maverick Roads will get you “off the beaten path.” Hike the Chimneys Trail, Mule Ears Trail, or Grapevine Hills Trail for a closer look at the desert environment. If you'd like to explore the Chisos Mountains, trails to Boot Canyon, Emory Peak and the South Rim offer good views of the park and take you into another world which seems far removed from the desert. There are plenty of opportunities for overnight backpacking along these trails. A backcountry use permit is required and can be obtained at park visitor centers.

If you have the time and the inclination, you may want to consider a river trip. Seeing the park’s canyons from the middle of the Rio Grande is both fascinating and gratifying.

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