Big Bend National Park

• Texas Big Bend National Park
• Hike to South Rim: Big Bend National Park
• Big Bend National Park - Snow on Chisos Mountains

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Family Vacations to Big Bend National Park

By Rich Herman

Big Bend National Park is one of the most popular vacation destinations in Texas. It is located in southwest Texas along the border of Mexico. Open year-round, it is a beautiful park with rugged mountains, scenic vistas, unspoiled desert scenery, diverse wildlife and over 800,000 acres of open spaces to enjoy and explore. Hopefully, this little bit of information about the park, will peak your interest and cause you to plan a trip here sometime in the near future.

Hundreds of miles of hiking trails and dirt roads wind their way through the park, offering endless opportunities to hike, mountain bike, explore back roads, horseback ride and enjoy some of the best back country adventures that Texas has to offer. The Rio Grande River borders the park for about 118 miles and offers a variety of water activities. Experience rafting, canoeing or kayaking trips, sometimes taking you through miles of canyons up to 1,500 feet deep.

The Chihuahuan Desert covers most of the park, with the Chisos Mountains acting like an island in the middle of it. Emory Peak rises to 7,832 feet, and is the highest point in the park. From here, visitors can enjoy a wide range of scenery. Relax in the shade of a forest of oaks, pines, and junipers while enjoying beautiful views of the mountains and surrounding desert. The mountain area of the park alone provides almost 20 miles of hiking trails.

For those who like to camp, there are a number of options. The park has three developed campgrounds with individual campsites, picnic tables, water, grills and restrooms. There are also a number of primitive camping options. Primitive roadside campsites can be found along the park's dirt roads and provide over 70 spaces. These sites do not offer the same amenities of the developed campsites, but many of these offer spectacular views. Backpackers in the Chisos Mountains have the freedom to choose their own campsites in open zone areas or they can choose from 42 designated campsites. All and all, the park offers ample opportunities for those who like to camp.

Big Bend National Park is by far one of the most interesting and beautiful spots in the United States. Everyone should make a point to visit this vast unspoiled wilderness area. This article lists just some of the things you can do while visiting here, and hopefully has given you some ideas for your next family vacation. Consider a visit to Big Bend National Park for your next family trip and start creating memories that last. Have fun and stay safe!

Rich Herman loves the outdoors and travels extensively with his family. For more family vacation ideas visit his website: http://www.FavoriteFamilyVacations.com.