New to Big Bend and Planning Light Day Hikes

[fweiss1]

I'm a new light day hiker planning first trip to Big Bend in April for 3 nights.

I'd like your recommendations for light day hikes, accommodations and places to stay in and out of the park, food/restaurants, and anything else for a newcomer to the park.

Thank you in advance for your advice.

[BigBendHiker]

If staying in the park, the basin campground is quite nice.  The Chisos Mountain lodge in the basin has rooms and stone cabins.   The stone cabins generally stay booked up, but you can snare them at times if you reserve well in advance.  There are also a number of hotels / motels in the Study Butte and Terlingua area as well.

Day hikes:
1.  The Window.
2.  Lost Mine Trail.
3.  Hot Springs.
4.  Burro Mesa Pour-off.
5.  The Chimneys would be a good one in early April.  If going in late April, do that one early in the morning as it is in the desert and heating takes place quickly.

Restaurant options --The Chisos Mountain Lodge has a very good restaurant.  The view from the dining room windows is superb.  Head to Terlingua for many options: LaKiva, Ghost Town Cafe, Starlight Theatre.   The Starlight has great food, plus it is in the old theatre building that was built for the miners who worked the Chisos Mining Company cinnabar mine in the early 1900's thru the 1940's.  Plus, just sitting out on the front porch and watching the sun set on the Chisos is something you never forget.

[Lorax]

Welcome!

Three days is short for a park the size and scope of Big Bend.  Good advice above.  Try for reservation at the Lodge in the Basin.  That puts you in the middle of the park.  If you are a car camper all the better.  On a Basin day you could hike to the Window  and the Lost Mine Trail to the first mile.  This is a point that let's you look into Pine Canyon.  On an Rio Grande Village day visit Boquillas Canyon and the Hot Springs.  Check for the Rock Art at the Hot Springs.  Day three would be to drive the Ross Maxwell Science Drive to Castolon.  Santa Elana Canyon Trail is short but well worth the time.  Camping at Cottonwood in awesome in April as the area is filled with birds but not people.

Use the parks map for planning 

http://www.nps.gov/pwr/customcf/apps/maps/showmap.cfm?alphacode=bibe&parkname=Big%20Bend%20National%20Park

Have fun planning.  Also, have a great trip.  Stop in at the Castolon Visitor Cener and say hi.

Ted

[Homer67]

Check out the Mule Ears trail, a personal fave of mine!

[jim2]

ward spring is a favorite of ours, the spring is at the base of a volcanic dike. it's an easy hike. check out the sam nail homesite, there is a couple of windmills, and the thick vegation make for good bird watching. try to catch sunset at sotol vista at least once.

[jim2]

Welcome!

Three days is short for a park the size and scope of Big Bend.  Good advice above.  Try for reservation at the Lodge in the Basin.  That puts you in the middle of the park.  If you are a car camper all the better.  On a Basin day you could hike to the Window  and the Lost Mine Trail to the first mile.  This is a point that let's you look into Pine Canyon.  On an Rio Grande Village day visit Boquillas Canyon and the Hot Springs.  Check for the Rock Art at the Hot Springs.  Day three would be to drive the Ross Maxwell Science Drive to Castolon.  Santa Elana Canyon Trail is short but well worth the time.  Camping at Cottonwood in awesome in April as the area is filled with birds but not people.

Use the parks map for planning 

http://www.nps.gov/pwr/customcf/apps/maps/showmap.cfm?alphacode=bibe&parkname=Big%20Bend%20National%20Park

Have fun planning.  Also, have a great trip.  Stop in at the Castolon Visitor Cener and say hi.

Ted

slight correction, that look out point from Lost Mine Trail is into Juniper Canyon, not Pine Canyon

from the top of lost mine,as you go up pine canyon is on the left. the top of the pouroff is visible from there. juniper canyon is on the right, much broader than pine canyon.