Experience the beauty of Big Bend National Park.

Whether you stay in Big Bend National Park for a few hours, a few days, or a few weeks, there’s a good chance you’ll leave wishing you had more time. The park is enormous and it’s still growing, encompassing land around it as it comes up for sale. It’s so big, it can be tempting for many visitors to simply drive through the park, in order to see “more” of it in a short time.

In truth, those who leave the roads enjoy the best of Big Bend. Even short hikes – those that leave the road behind by only a few yards – can have a tremendous impact on visitors. Away from the car, one immediately feels more capable and more vulnerable. Big Bend has that effect on people.

Great ways to explore Big Bend:

• Walk the Window View Trail, a paved, wheelchair accessible trail in the Chisos Basin, only .3 mile (round trip) long. It affords wonderful views of the Chisos Basin and the Window.

• Hike the Window Trail. This 5.6 miles (round trip) trail starts at high elevation and leads down to the Window. Views are magnificent.

• Bike the Old Maverick Road to Santa Elena Canyon.

• Bike the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive from Panther Junction to Castolon.

• Dine at the restaurant in Chisos Basin.

• Drive the 14-mile Dagger Flat Auto Trail, in the northern portion of the park.

• Dip your feet in the Rio Grande. But don’t dip yourself. The river hides sudden drop-offs and dangerous currents.

Something about exploring the rugged environment of Big Bend National Park makes one want to sleep comfortably. The park is only about 123 miles from Fort Davis, Texas, a friendly town with a fascinating history. That’s a short distance in Texas. Fort Davis Texas Bed and Breakfasts offer the simple luxury of tranquility.

Please visit our Fort Davis Texas Bed and Breakfasts page to find an inn.

Please visit Big Bend National Park for more information about traveling in the park.

Guadalupe Mountains National Park, originally uploaded by NationalParkLover.

If you are planning a trip to West Texas, be sure to put the Guadalupe Mountains National Park on your itinerary. In addition to being stunningly beautiful, it boasts one of the finest examples of fossilized reef in the world. It is fascinating to behold.

There is solitude here, and silence. Hikers will revel in over 80 miles of trails traversing woodland canyons and riparian springs. Some may want to head straight into the wilderness on switch-back trails that aren’t for the faint of heart (literally). Once in the back country, you’ll find isolated valleys and, if you stay the night, you’ll see more stars than one would think possible. Be sure you are well prepared before you set off on even a short hike. There is no water in the back country, and the weather can change suddenly.

The Guadalupe Mountains National Park is worth a visit even if you aren’t a hiker. It is a great spot for birding and fossil hunting. History buffs will enjoy learning about the geology of the area and the first peoples. You can’t go wrong.

So the next time you feel like a road trip, head to West Texas. The Guadalupe Mountains National Park is four to five hours from both Odessa and Fort Davis. Enjoy the comfort and hospitality of West Texas Bed and Breakfasts on your way to and from the park.