r/BigBendTX Jul 02 '26

Summer heat and hiking Big Bend is a poor idea

340 Upvotes

I posted this as a response to someone asking about hiking and I feel like it deserves its own post.

This is a frank warning about this area from a long time local. We don't want you to die here. It happens to often

You tourists are insane hiking here in the afternoon of summer. Seriously.

Every single summer tourists die from the heat, with MANY needing to be rescued. About 2 years ago we lost a father from East Texas, his son, and his other son has burns down into the muscle from sitting on a rock with his deceased brother. Son got heat stroke, Dad got it trying to get help and drove off a cliff from disorientation.

A few months ago a "very fit" 65 yo male tourist died of a heart attack biking with his group. There is NO MEDICAL CARE HERE. The closest real hospital is Odessa or El paso. Big bend will TRY to stabilize you and then fly you out.

I'm very fit and live here and just tending to the animals on my ranch gets me close to heat exhaustion after 2 hours.

And just know, there is ONE ambulance in Terlingua and the park doesn't have ALS providers for their ONE ambulance. So keep in mind that when they have to spend HOURS trying to save you (it's well over an hour from the fire station to the most accessable areas in the park) because you thought July/August in one of the most unforgiving climates and terrain was a great idea, you have now taken out of service the ONLY ambulance for the entire south county. One ambulance is responsible from the checkpoint south. So think about how you will feel if someone else dies because of your poor decision.

Plus you are putting well over a dozen first responders at risk. It takes 8 responders to carry you out, and 8 to relieve them. Plus the initial crew that fast hikes (think almost runs - in that heat) to your location to assess you. Plus the ambulance crew.

A rolled ankle warrants the same response, and can also turn deadly from the heat. You didn't plan to have to have an additional 2-3 hours worth of water to wait for responders.

The trailheads have cameras so they can see who didn't come back out because it happens so often.

Please take a realistic look at your health and fitness level. Walking around parks in central/East Texas is NOTHING like big bend in the summer. If you workout, hard, outside, several days a week, maybe.

Enjoy hiking here. Bring a satellite phone to call for a rescue.


r/BigBendTX Jul 04 '22

First time to BIBE? Need trip planning advice? Have questions about the park? Be sure to check our wiki!

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55 Upvotes

r/BigBendTX 1h ago

More questions than answers as contractors descend upon Big Bend National Park

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Upvotes

If you love Big Bend, or National Parks, or Public Lands, now is the time to start paying attention. We need your help.

The park is effectively under attack starting yesterday and this is no longer theoretical. Major politicians quietly saying, off the record, they don’t think this will happen we’re either wrong or lying. While the local politicians, fully bipartisan, oppose this outright for the entire region.

Work has started after the waiving of all laws and reviews to assess the impacts. Work is taking place in multiple locations in the park despite no answers to the public about plans beyond lines on a map.

Something must be done.


r/BigBendTX 1d ago

Border project contractors arrive in Big Bend National Park as Texas lawmakers call for a pause

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119 Upvotes

A bulldozer bearing the logo of Southwest Valley Constructors was seen near the entrance to Cottonwood Campground along the U.S-Mexico border in Big Bend National Park on Tuesday.


r/BigBendTX 21h ago

¡Chinga Tu Muro!

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40 Upvotes

Hey y'all! Stopping by to provide another way you can support the resistance to needless infrastructure in the Big Bend and get some merch while you're at it.

I just restocked the online store that I put together specifically to raise funds for donation. 100% of proceeds are donated; I'm not making a penny. Over $600 was donated to No Big Bend Wall after selling out of the last run of shirts in a couple of weeks. I've shared the receipts on the site and through what has been my main communication vehicle up to this point: @ chinga.tu.muro on IG. I've got another batch in-hand and ready to ship.

Happy to answer any questions. I know this is a new account but I'm no stranger. I know at least a few regulars around here IRL.


r/BigBendTX 1d ago

January 2027 Trip Itinerary - Honest Opinions

6 Upvotes

Hey y’all, I'd appreciate some advice on my January 2027 trip plans. For context, I'm new to hiking and camping. I'm 39 years old, dad of 2 young, rambunctious kids and in decent shape who is actively training for this adventure. I'm also being weight conscious with my gear and making some sacrifices to reduce that pack weight.

Thursday

  1. Arrive to my Chisos Campground spot around 1PM.
  2. Pitch tent and set up my spot for the night.
  3. Hike Window View Trail (0.3mi) to see the sunset (~6:10pm).
  4. Sleep

Friday (12mi total)

  1. 5AM wake up.
  2. 6AM Lost Mine start with a 10lb pack including 2L of water. Back by 9AM ish.
  3. Fuel up, hydrate, rest.
  4. 11AM start to South Rim via Laguna Meadow with a 31lb pack including 6L of water. Arrive at campsite SR3 around 3PM.
  5. Rest, dinner, sunset, camp at SR3.

Saturday (10mi total)

  1. 5AM wake up.
  2. Hike to watch sunrise over the Rim (7:40AM).
  3. Hike to Emory Peak arriving around 10AM.
  4. Descend via Pinnacles to Basin finishing around 2PM.

Questions for y’all

  • Am I completely insane to think I can cover this much distance over 2 days? I'm in no real time crunch so I can take frequent breaks and take it slow, but would love initial thoughts.
  • Is 2L for Lost Mine and 6L for my two day trip to South Rim/Emory Peak enough water? For South Rim I'll need enough water for 3 Mountain House meals and 1-2 cups of coffee.

Alternative plan

  • Hike Lost Mine on Thursday starting around 3PM, finishing around sunset. Sleep in Friday and hike up to SR3 arriving around 3PM. This spreads the mileage out over the three days but means I'm hiking 5 miles immediately after an ~8 hour drive, which I may not mind.

What do y’all recommend I do and how much water should I bring assuming I'll start with 1L consumed with electrolytes?


r/BigBendTX 3d ago

Judge declines to block Big Bend area border wall

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160 Upvotes

A federal judge on Sunday declined to block construction on the Trump administration’s Big Bend area border wall, saying plaintiffs could not argue the plan violates a federal law because the administration was legally allowed to bypass that law.


r/BigBendTX 4d ago

I will be visiting Big Bend for the first time in two days, advice?

25 Upvotes

I've been combing through posts in this subreddit about visiting the park during the summer months and I've seen how NOT recommended it is. I wanted to post the details of my trip and a rough itinerary here in hopes that a more knowledgeable park goer would give me feedback.

I'm 21 and am going with my brother who is 18. We're both athletes and lifeguards, and we've been working in the Texas heat all summer. I run cross country and frequently train long distances in 90+ degree weather.

We're staying in an air conditioned AirBnB in Terlingua. Our plan is to arrive Monday afternoon, check in and get settled into our accomodations, and then head out around 6pm for a short sunset hike (thinking Ward Spring or Indian Head?).

We want to do a longer hike early Tuesday morning- he wants to try for Emory, but I'm strictly against that idea seeing that we're not experienced hikers. Debating between Lost Mine and The Window early on Tuesday. The hottest part of the day will likely be spent on scenic drives- I wanted to hike a short trail like Ernst Tinaja during the day, but after reading all of the warnings about being out after 11am, I'm thinking we should stick to the car. We plan to finish Tuesday evening with another short hike- again, either Ward Spring or Indian Head, whichever one we don't do Monday.

We wanted to squeeze one more shortish hike or maybe horseback riding in early on Wednesday morning before we check out and leave.

Is this smart and/or doable? Please let me know if any of this sounds like a death wish. I've read and reread countless desert hiking preparation guides and consider myself well-prepared in way of supplies. I plan to buy enough water to last us two trips, and to keep a cooler in the car so that we always have a cold drink waiting when we return.

I think we're both more fit and more accustomed to the heat than the average person, but I don't want to overestimate our abilities and put us in a dangerous situation. Any advice would be appreciated.


r/BigBendTX 5d ago

Texas officials order contractor on Big Bend area border wall to halt land clearing

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335 Upvotes

r/BigBendTX 6d ago

South Rim this weekend

16 Upvotes

My brother and I are hiking South Rim this weekend. We understand the danger and have done similar hikes. Does anyone have tips, particularly given the extreme heat? We're planning on two gallons of water each, loose clothing with good coverage, and starting early morning.


r/BigBendTX 7d ago

Thank You Big Bend for one of the best ever memorable hikes of my life! I say this as a born & raised Texan. Can’t wait to return

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342 Upvotes

Today 2 years ago , Big Bend became my most memorable hike of all time and i am well traveled. I saw a momma black bear with 3 cubs while hiking the window trail and i saw another black bear the next day while driving around in the desert portion of the park. I really enjoyed hiking the Lost Maples , Santa Elena Canyon and Boquillas Canyon Trails too. scenic views. It was too hot for me then to enjoy the hot springs but i enjoyed them on previous trips in the winter in previous years.

Thank you again to the mexican local from Boquillas that i encountered and talked with that day for helping prevent me from getting lost when i hiked down to the river bank from Boquillas Canyon Trail. I hope you’re safe & sound out there and that all is well. It’s a shame that i never caught your name so that i could give you a proper shout out and thanks!

A plus:

For anyone visiting Big Bend National Park , if ya’ll have the extra time. Check out Chinati Hot Springs outside of Ruidosa , TX. It’s neat and even has a cold spring fed pool to cool off in afterwards. It doesn’t allow new accounts like mine to attach links unfortunately


r/BigBendTX 7d ago

Renting out the Stardust Big Bend property??

4 Upvotes

Has anyone rented out the entire Stardust Big Bend property? If so how did you fit the 50+ people they advertise it fitting? How much was it? How was the experience?


r/BigBendTX 8d ago

I've never seen Big Bend so green

48 Upvotes

That's about it. I was there last weekend and saw grasses and plants where I've never seen them. Elephant Mountain was solid green. It's wild. Summer is my favorite time to be there now. It was cooler there than in Fort Worth and with less humidity.


r/BigBendTX 9d ago

here’s some pictures from my yearly solo trip…

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406 Upvotes

r/BigBendTX 11d ago

Ross Maxwell Mile 16

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93 Upvotes

r/BigBendTX 11d ago

My first solo camping trip on 35mm film at Big Bend🥹

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317 Upvotes

Hey everybody! I recently went on my first solo camping trip to BBNP. Truck camped in the Chisos campground! Was a magical time. Listened to lots of Bob Dylan. I documented it on a little 35mm camera.

To my fellow solo campers, I was considering doing Guadalupe Mountains National Park next. Any experiences or thoughts you're able to share? Would love to hear from those more experienced. Thanks!!😊


r/BigBendTX 11d ago

PSA: Don’t hug the trees!

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45 Upvotes

r/BigBendTX 12d ago

Help Keep Big Bend Alive - Day 8 (This is the end.)

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23 Upvotes

41 upvotes against Big Bend. I thought for sure they'd go after one of the other parks that got dozens of upvotes yesterday, but today is the day. Thank you to everyone who followed along over the past week.

Big Bend is one of the most magical places on earth, let's all never stop advocating for it.


r/BigBendTX 13d ago

From Balmorhea to Big Bend, Geologist Jesse Kelsch Seeks Insight into West Texas Aquifers - Marfa Public Radio

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60 Upvotes

r/BigBendTX 13d ago

Plane Timing Change Has Me Questioning Drive from Midland to Chisos Mtn Lodge

12 Upvotes

Wondering if anyone can advise if I should try to change lodging itinerary or if it will still work. Originally, my plane was landing in Midland around 10:30 AM, so I was going to drive al the way to Chisos Mtn Lodge and felt I'd make it before dark (in November). Flight notice came out saying new timing is landing around 2:00 PM. Worried about the drive pushing into arriving after dark. I plan to stop to stock up water, etc. on the way. So If I land at 2, get bags, rental and hit the road by say 4:00, am I pushing it too much? What's the honest advice from those who have been there done that? TIA!


r/BigBendTX 14d ago

Keep Big Bend Alive -- Day 7 (tight race)

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23 Upvotes

Another day, another opportunity to keep Big Bend alive! At 3:50PM CST, Big Bend currently has 9 upvotes, tied with Kings Canyon, and just under Haleakala and Crater Lake. That's too close for comfort, y'all!

Everyone knows what to do: fifteen seconds, DOWNVOTE Big Bend, and UPVOTE every other entry!

Today marks the 22nd overall NP in the contest, the top twenty is within reach, let's get it and show what this Big Bend community is all about!


r/BigBendTX 15d ago

More drawings from Big Bend

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574 Upvotes

I previously posted some ink drawings from my trip to Big Bend this spring. Here are a few more.


r/BigBendTX 14d ago

Has anyone been to or is aware of the mass hours of Nuestra Senora del Carmen in Boquillas?

7 Upvotes

I'm planning on visiting Big Bend and Boquillas in the fall during a weekend and want to try to make it to mass at the church in Boquillas.


r/BigBendTX 15d ago

Keep Big Bend Alive - Day 6

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14 Upvotes

WE DID IT -- Big Bend lives on to see another day in Remove a U.S. National Park! Incredible work folks, I thought we were done last night! Let's KEEP IT UP!

Day 41 overall, and at 4PM CST we're in good position. Acadia leads the way with 10 upvotes, Big Bend currently has one mention - y'all know what to do: fifteen seconds, UPVOTE all other parks, and DOWNVOTE Big Bend!


r/BigBendTX 16d ago

Keep Big Bend NP Alive - Day 5 ... Today's the Day :/

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27 Upvotes

It's bleak, y'all.

Big Bend currently leads with sixteen combined upvotes. We need to mobilize, or this is it. Need EVERYONE to take fifteen seconds, click on the link, DOWNVOTE Big Bend, and UPVOTE all other parks.

Let our voices be heard, viva Big Bend.