The beauty of Big Bend isn't fully appreciated in words. I never tire of visits and always manage…read moreto find something new within the park whether it be a new plant, animal, or hiking trail. Visiting the hot springs is a must on every visit for me. So relaxing and peaceful even with others around. I would say that I am a novice hiker and hiking through Big Bend is quite easy though I have faced some challenges. Be sure to wear proper shoes and clothing. So very thankful that we are still able to have this national park as it is now. The trails, views, landscaping, all of it...simply breathtaking. I have found park rangers to be extremely helpful and friendly. Can't wait to get back again.

My husband and I made a trip out to Big Bend National Park before the Texas summer heat.....but it…read morewas unfortunately unseasonably hot this year. The dessert was beautiful and the park as a whole was very well taken care of! Old Mine Trail: Since we went around "Spring Break", the parking lot was very busy and spaces were limited. I would recommend downloading the "All Trails" app to gauge how busy the trails are. By 7:30, all the spots in the small parking lot were already taken. The trail itself was very well managed. Although the parking lot was busy, the trail was not bad! We were pretty spaced out between hikers! Take lots of water and snacks! The views up top are spectacular. Star Gazing: We were at Sotol Vista (for panoramic stars). The stars were especially beautiful inside the park because there was no light pollution (aside from the headlights from passing cars down below us).

The hike to Emory peak is iconic and stunning. You get an amazing view of the window along the…read moretrail, and from the top you can see all the way out to the south rim - it's like you really can see forever. The hike is fairly moderate up until you get to the scramble at the very end, which really does require using your whole body - arms and legs. The climb up really isn't all that bad, but coming down was a little bit tricky, even if just because it's easy to forget the path down and there's only one or two feasible options for a normal sized human. That said - I would recommend making the climb to the very top. It's a narrow area, just a few boulders wide - I'd guess that 15 people or fewer can actually fit up there at one time, and that would be standing close to one another. Overall: if you're going to do one long hike in big bend, I would say this should be it. You can do the whole thing round trip within 4ish hours if you walk fast, or take your time and spend longer. But seriously, you cannot beat the views.

Good hike. A bit strenuous, but worth it…read more But, if I had to choose between the South Rim, and Emory Peak, I would go for the South Rim. It's longer, not quite as strenuous, and more scenically diverse. Seeing the Rio Grand, from the South Rim, was amazing, but this is the Emory Peak page. If the South Rim had it's own Yelp page, I would go 5 stars! Once you get to the top, you are rewarded with a pretty good view, and cell phone coverage. At least we had it on two different networks. So get that selfies stick out, and watch your step. If you are aggressive, fast, and start early, you could probably do Emory and South Rim in the same day. Heading to the South Rim takes you to the path for Emory Peak, but it will add several hours. We did not start terribly early, so we just did a quick out and back, from the Chisos Basin Campground ( https://www.yelp.com/biz/chisos-basin-campground-big-bend-national-park ), which is where we were camping. Bottom line: If your pressed for time, I would skip it. Since we did South Rim, I would rather have seen more of the park, but hiking to the tallest spot in the park was pretty cool! PS. Review is a bit late. We were in early March, 2018.

Nice little park south of Marathon. Looks like 1 road in and out. Good for a jog or a bike ride…read more Nice well maintained park. Little pond with ducks. Also looks like there was a pool at some point. Plenty of space for picnics or a little BBQ.

This hidden gem of a historic public park lies just 5 miles south of tiny Marathon, Texas…read more(population 430). Camp Peña Colorado (today simply known as "Post Park") was the site of a U.S. military encampment around the spring-fed Peña "Colorada" Creek in the late 1800s and now serves as a perfect little picturesque picnic stop on your way out of Big Bend if you're headed back to Austin. If you're lodging in Marathon or otherwise have the time, the nearly deserted scenic road (southbound Avenue D, aka Post Road, the only one to cross the railroad tracks) out to the park is ideal for running, walking, and biking; bicycles can be rented from the Gage Hotel. Located in the middle of the Combs Ranch and generously donated to the county by the family in 1935, the land was converted from the ruins of the old cavalry post to a public park by the Works Progress Administration (WPA). Brewster County now maintains the place, which is surrounded by the Los Caballos Novaculite Mountains. If you're from around these parts, you have likely attended many a public event at Post Park, such as the long-running annual 4th of July Dance, the summer Chili Cook-Off, and the West Fest Cabrito Cook-Off in September. Check the Marathon, Texas tourism page https://www.marathontexas.com/events for details on upcoming events. The park features several educational historic markers and interpretive nature plaques, a few picnic tables & grills, some covered tables, a couple of cinder-block restrooms, a large concrete slab/dance floor, tons of cottonwood shade trees, and a dammed up portion of the creek that is often home to several species of birds and any other critters seeking a free drink. Wildlife such as deer, javelinas, turkey, jackrabbits, quail, and the occasional fox can be seen in the early morning or around sunset. Fishing is allowed. A weathered old wooden sign suggests that camping *could* be an option with a permit, but it's not clear how one would obtain such a permit. You might try calling Brewster County offices to check on that. More info about the park site's history: http://texasmountaintrail.com/plan-your-adventure/historic-sites-and-cities/sites/post-park

Big Bend Ranch State Park tends to get overlooked when compared to its big brother Big Bend…read moreNational Park. I myself was guilty of this (and still am to some extent) on my 1st 2 visits to the region. On this 3rd visit, I made it a point to spend a day in the State Park. However, I only explored the river road section from Lajitas to Presidio. I didn't go deeper into the more mountainy region of the park. Here are some of the points I explored. Barton Warnock Visitor's Center- This is where you pay your fee to enter the park, if you aren't stopping to see things then you don't have to pay. It's only like 5.00 per person so don't be a cheapskate. There is a gift shop to get your refrigerator magnet or t-shirt plus a little garden area and small museum about the region. Contraband Movie set- This is about 45 minutes down the scenic river road from Barton Warnock VC. Beware of free-range cattle! It's just a little place to stretch your legs and check out a few buildings used for filming a few B-movies. Plus, there is a few picnic tables if you want to eat by the river. Closed Canyon Trail- 15-20 minutes from Contraband Movie Set. This was the highlight of the day for me. It's only like a 2-mile round trip hike over mostly flat ground through a gorgeous canyon. The canyon is much much cooler (temperature not hipness) than outside the canyon. There is a little (really little) rock scramble to get over before there is a sign that just says, "The end". Hoodoos Trail- This is only about 5-10 mins from Closed Canyon, so we did it on the way back from Presidio. The Hoodoos is said to be a 1.1-mile roundtrip trail but it's all open so there is not a real defined trail that I could see. So you can just walk around the cool looking rock formations and Rio Grande river and take in the nature. There is also a drive-up overlook if you don't want to walk Fort Leaton State Historic Site- 30 mins from Hoodoos. Cool historic fort that wasn't for military use. It was just a family who wanted a spot along the route to El Paso to sell goods and protect his family. Cool place to walk around and take pictures and learn about the region in a different time. Highly recommend the ride from Lajitas to Presidio. Plenty of points of interest along the route and places to grab a bite once in Presidio. Next time I will make may way more into the interior of the park.

Big Bend Ranch State Park is rugged, remote, and absolutely stunning. With dramatic canyons, vast…read moredesert landscapes, and abundant wildlife, it offers a true backcountry adventure. Less crowded than the national park, it's perfect for hikers, photographers, and solitude seekers. Be prepared this is wild Texas at its finest.

What a beautiful hidden gem! The moment you step through the gates it feels like you've entered a…read morewhole new world. My wife and I spent about 45 minutes just wandering, chatting, and taking it all in, we still didn't make it through all 27 acres. The garden is meticulously maintained, with an incredible variety of native Texas plants thoughtfully arranged to highlight the natural beauty of the region. Everywhere you turn, there's something to appreciate from colorful blooms to shaded pathways that invite you to slow down. The fountains and water features are absolutely stunning, adding a sense of calm and tranquility to the walk. The sound of the water pairs perfectly with the natural surroundings, making it a peaceful escape. We noticed lights strung throughout the garden, which makes me think an evening stroll here would be absolutely magical perfect for a date night. If you find yourself in Marathon, don't miss the chance to step inside this garden oasis. It's a place where time slows down and nature truly takes center stage.

I had a little time to kill while traveling from Big Bend National Park and happened to see this…read moreplace on Google maps. Decided to stop by, and very glad I did. This is a desert oasis that is exceptionally well maintained and cared for. Beautiful dark green grass, big shade trees, and wandering walkways invite you in to relax by a fountain and just enjoy nature. Lots of plants and birds. Dogs are welcome. There is even a little putting green if you have clubs with you and feel so inclined. I stopped in late morning on a Monday and there was only 3 other people I saw while there. Definitely worth a visit!

Well since it is the Lone Star State I considered just giving it one star! But since Austin is…read morehere I figured it should get at least three, though I almost docked a star for having Houston as well... What can I say, it's Texas, home of Tex Mex and open carry laws! 4 stars even.

What a great experience. This particular location was especially thrilling, in that I had been…read morewaiting upward of 50 years to see Marathon. The Marathonians were fast and polite. What a people. Come here. Trust me.

We had an amazing time!! All our guides did an outstanding job and were exceptionally…read moreknowledgeable. You can truly tell they love their jobs and their excitement rubs off on you. It was a treasure to experience this beautiful landscape. Highly, highly recommend. If you come all the way to Big Bend, please do the river trip.

Really fun and unique experience with Big Bend Boating. We did the half-day rowing tour with a…read moreguide and loved it. Rowing has a bit of a learning curve, but it got easier toward the end. If you're in Big Bend and want something different, this is a great choice.

Very nice laid out nature trail and interesting history of the fort as a place for people traveling…read morewest to be safe from bandits! You can walk your dog outside and there are lots of places to have a picnic. I loved all the labeled flora and the bat house was very cool! There is lots of knickknacks inside the fort welcome center and the staff was so helpful and provided all the info. I recommend stopping here to check in if u are coming in to the park from the west side.

Fort Leaton is the western Visitor Center for Big Bend Ranch State Park. It's four miles east of…read morePresidio and worth a stop if you're doing the beautiful drive on Highway 70 between Presidio and Lajitas/Terlingua. The Fort was an early fortified trading post on the US-Mexico border beginning in the 1800s, and it's seen a lot of history. Full disclosure: the roof of the fort was under construction when we were there in September 2017 and the whole building has an overwhelming smell of guano. But if you can take the smell, the fort is forth a stop for the quick self-guided tour. You'll learn a little of Texas and Big Bend Country history, and entrance to Big Bend Ranch State Park covers the entrance to the fort as well. An interesting stop on a trip that definitely contained more geology than history! A nice break along Highway 70!