April 30 – May 3, 2023 – Big Bend National Park, TX

Big Bend National Park & Big Bend Ranch State Park

In Big Bend National Park (and Big Bend Ranch State Park), roads end at the Rio Grande, the boundary between the US and Mexico. Elevation ranges from 1,715 feet along the river, the dessert and in the mountains up to 7,825 feet – brings very diverse nature.

Our spot at Big Bend Village Campground – it’s primitive (no electric and no water) but the sun is out enough to feed our solar panels :-).
You can see the campsite from the Overlook on the Nature Trail.
… and we have many visitors at the campground!
Javelinas
Cows from Mexico – because of the irrigation in the campground – “The gras is greener” ..
Roadrunner
And Cayotes …. at night we can hear – this lonely guy is not lonely at all – there must be MANY around the campground!
At sunset the bads (Mexican long-nosed bats) flying over us.
And the Vermilion Flycatcher shoes his beautiful color.
Our first trail is the Boquillas Canyon Trail.
… with great views to the Rio Grande and Mexico.
The canyon is pretty cool – but the walk ends here – the only way to get further is by water.
“Tax free Artwork” (lol) from Mexico with a little “self pay box/jar” …
… the artwork is brought over by canoe …
… or horse.
Next trail is the Chisos Basin Loop Trail …
hmmmm – not sure if I like to meet one of the guys – but seeing them from a save distance would be super cool! (But we did not)
…
Next is the Santa Elena Canyon – also spanning the border – where the south canyon wall tower Mexico.
A bit tricky to get there with dry shows’ 🙂 (we did it!)
Partly a bit steep!
But wooooow — it’s absolutely worth it to go!
Our friends Michael & Verena (from Cape Coral, FL) come for a short visit, coffee and ice cream – we exchange our travel adventures and walk the nature trail – after that everybody is back on their route.
We drove to Big Bend Ranch for a day trip – to drive along the River Road
Starting with the Barton Warnock Visitor Center – with an awesome exhibit about the history of the area.
Torrey yucca are in bloom everywhere.
Entry to the Big Bend Ranch State Park.
With many views to the Rio Grande and Canyons.
View to the Rio Grande along the River Road.
Movie set sites …
… where you can envision the movie action 😉
A view to the mountains of Big Bend State Park with huge Ocotillo plants in the front.
A lunch break “in style”.
And another Wooow-Trail – the Closed Canyon Trail.
Again towering Canyon walls. This (right now) dry river bed brings the water to the Rio Grande.
AMAZING !!!
Many little lizards in the canyon.
And unfortunately the last way to the Rio Grande is impassable and the trail is closed. But what an awesome experience!
Back in Big Bend National Park – we visit the Hot Springs – this area where once a big tourist attraction – the hotel rented a room for $1 per day.
This guy is sooo pretty – its a Greater Earless Lizard
Beautiful Sunset over the river from the outlook near the campground …
… with a swamp where we spotted a beaver (sorry, he was to fast for the photo)
… and a loud “frog concert”.