Big Bend National Park- Day I

This past week we stayed in Marathon, TX (check out our post about it here). From there we took a couple day trips to Big Bend National Park. The entire Chisos Mountain range is located inside of the park as well as a large part of the Chihuahuan Desert. It felt very vast.

The hour long drive to Big Bend from Marathon was quite lovely but also very quiet. We had forgotten that there was no wifi or cell coverage close to the park so we couldn't use our Pandora or Amazon music for our long driving day. There are no radio stations either. I pretty much sang any annoying song that came to mind and I don't think Chris was feeling it. So needless to say for our 2nd trip up there we made sure to bring the small amount of CDs we have left.

When we first arrived we made a quick stop at the Persimmon Gap Visitor Center (there are 5 in the park) but this one the first one upon entering.

We verified everything we had planned on doing for the day and found that the map of the park we were given at the gate was sufficient to find what we needed. Onward to the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive!

Chris was intensely admiring the beauty of the park...hence the peaking over his sunglasses, lol.

There were a lot of spots where you could pull over and take pictures. We decided we needed a picture of the beautiful Chisos Mountains.

There were a lot of cacti even some purple ones which we had never seen before.

Here are a couple of things we were able to do during our time at the park.

Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive

It was so pretty my pictures just don't do it justice.

We stopped at Mule Ears View point and Tuff Canyon to snap a quick picture.

Mule Ears Peak

Tuff Canyon

Sam Nail Ranch

This was one of the hiking trails along the Ross Maxwell drive.  It was only a .3 mile hike and in all honesty I wouldn't suggest stopping for it. It was supposed to be good for birding but we didn't see many birds. The views on the way to the trail were prettier than the actual trail.

On the way back to the car

Santa Elena Canyon Trail

Santa Elena Canyon

Bluebonnets in front of the canyon

This trail is short, pretty easy and only a 1.4 mile hike.

I do feel I should point out there weren't clear markers at the beginning of the trail but we eventually found our way.

The right side is the US, the left side is Mexico and it is separated by the Rio Grande River. Chris was sad we didn't have a kayak.

At the end of the trail it was time for a quick selfie and then we were ready to hike back.

We loved the amazing views of the Rio Grande.

After our hike it was already 4 and we still had an hour and half drive home which meant we had to get home to take care of our pups. If you are planning on taking your dogs be warned they can come into the park but aren't allowed on any of the trails.

Tomorrow we will be sharing our adventures of day 2 at Big Bend.

Have you been? If so what were some of you favorite things?