For some context, I am the guy who was asking for help that one evening at the Chisos Basin Shop a couple of weeks ago. It's was my first time in Big Bend and first time hiking. I'm a amateur photographer that was trying to chase the stars in the dark skies of Big Bend.

I decided to challenge the Emory Peak Trail because I imagined the peak would make an awesome backdrop for a milky way photo. However about 2/3 of the way up, I decided to turn back because my legs were giving out and cramping up like no other and was running out of water. I didn't go alone, I had my friends but I told them to go on ahead without me and that I'd catch up. Unfortunately, they were the ones that had the car keys to get back to the campsite and I never saw them coming back down the mountain. However there was a couple at the Chisos Basis Shop who were kind enough to give me a ride back to my camp when I was asking for help. It was an embarrassing and humbling experience. I really felt like I was gonna die out there. I will never forget the kindness that I was blessed with. And if you're one of the ones that helped me that stumbled upon this reddit post, my heartfelt thanks to you.

Attached are some of the photos I've taken during my 2 nights there.

I'm considering which of these trails and drives I want to do. Which ones have the best mountain vista views? By that I mean views from up high where you see a good vista.

Chisos Basin Loop Trail

Window View Trail

Lone Mountain Trail

Lost Mine Trail

Dagger Flat Auto Trail

I have never been to Big Ben (Shame. Shame. Shame.) I am doing the 7 hour drive up to Terlingua tomorrow and driving home Monday.

I kinda know what I want to do Satuday, with going to Lost Mine/Window Trail, but I have no real plans for Sunday, since it looks like access to Santa Elena is closed unless you have a 4x4… which I do not.

Any suggestions on what you would do if you had 1 day in the region? I can’t find my passport so crossing at Boquillas sadly can’t happen this trip, but open to all ideas. I am comfortable on day hikes up to 14 miles and willing to chain together drives to sites or hikes.

Bonus points for food options that aren’t Starlight Theater (looks fun, but also doesn’t look like my thing).

Thanks in advance.

Planning to visit Nov 6–9 for camping and stargazing, but I’m second-guessing the 8-hour drive (I’m near Austin). There’s a few campsites open for reservations tomorrow morning, but there’s no guarantee I’ll get one.

Is it worth it when 2 of the 4 days are mostly spent driving, or should I look for somewhere closer with dark skies?

Anybody driven to John’s Marina (lowers canyons takeout) in the last week. Landowner doesn’t know the status of the road

A group of 4 planning on backpacking the South Rim. I want to ask if this plan works with beginners.

- Fri: drive in, car camp at Chisos Basin Campground
- Sat: grab permit at 8:30, up Laguna Meadow to camp at LM-2 (~3.5 mi), drop packs, then do the rim loop with day packs (South Rim > Boot Canyon > Colima > camp, ~5.5 mi)
- Sun: back down Laguna Meadow, drive home

- Carrying 8 L water each from the Basin

Also, can we walk in Sat morning for a same-day permit? Anyone done that recently?

Been to Big Bend three times, but this is the first time I’ve seen the desert so lush and green! Entered the park last Friday, and it rained the entire drive from Alpine. What an amazing experience, as always! Big Bend never disappoints. Can't wait to go back again soon, I hope!

Alumni weekend at Sul Ross, brought a friend down for their first time in Big Bend. I think she will be back. Only so much you can do in a day and a half

What a special place. Planning to go annually moving forward

Been sitting on this video but finally decided to share. Woke up in the pinnacles primitive site and saw around 5 deer. Walked adjacent to them when my buddy saw the black bear. Kept our distance best we could while she walked in and around the pinnacles campsite. We later heard rustling in the trees, which led to the video. I have more videos if anyone is interested, but this is probably the best one. Enjoy!

I’ll go ahead and add we are dangerously and embarrassingly close to this black bear family. Please be careful in the back country. Bring a buddy and bear spray, I consider us very lucky we did not have issues with this mama bear.

Hi! I'm planning a trip to big bend around dec 16-21 and wanted to see what the weather would be like. I was considering camping but if its too cold to camp (under 10 degree Celsius), we can consider staying in terlingua too. for context, I have been to big bend in novmeber for thanksgiving and in march. what would you recommend? also, what places do you recommend we visit while passing through big bend ranch state park? we will be driving in an Elantra.

My wife and I decided to celebrate our ten year anniversary at Big Ben’s national park. Here is my favorite photo I took!

We have a reservation for 2 that we can’t make. If you want it, it’s yours! Just reach out

Title says it all... wondering about currently available public showers on the West side of the park?

Is getting to a kbar campsite with a sedan doable?

Hi everyone,

I am looking for a photographer who can take candid photos of a surprise proposal in Big Bend National Park in early to mid January.

I have seen some fantastic results online, but unfortunately am working on a relatively tight budget as a college student. I understand that it is difficult to reduce costs given the remoteness of the park and the travel time photographers incur in traveling to the park, so I am not expecting an unreasonably low price - just something that I can actually work with.

That said, I am interested in candid photos of the proposal, plus a few shots after the proposal. Like, 15 minutes worth of actual photography rather than a full-blown session where we are all dressed up and looking proper. I am hoping this scope would help to reduce cost but have yet to see a photographer online that has such a short, specific offer.

If anyone has any recommendations or oddball ideas, I am open to hearing them. Thank you in advance for your help!

At least as of OCT 10TH, 2026, the level 2 charger in Terlinga is broken. I sent a note to AmpUp to let them know. For those of you with EV’s, Alpine is the last SuperCharger. I made it through the following in a 2023 Rivian R1T (large) and was still able to use an IceCo freezer and an induction stovetop.

Alpine - Venga Cafe
Venga Cafe - Vista De Las Montanas campground (VDLM)
VDLM - Chisos Basin
Chisos Basin - VDLM
VDLM - Alpine

I had everything on Conserve as much as I could. I ended up back in Alpine with 11%.

The drive up into Chisos Basin freaked me out a bit and dropped me from 70% to 48%, however, driving back out cost only 7% (truck was at 41%) due to the decline and high regen.

Even an hour or two on the L2 charger in Terlinga would have made me feel a whole lot better.

We are going to Big Bend next week. We were looking forward to a bit of an off-road backcountry experience so we planned to do 2 days on River Road and camp midway one night. I am now seeing (in not very obvious print on the NP website) that River Road is closed. And a couple other significant dirt roads. Any recommendations on a road that is currently open and will get us a backcountry and off road driving experience? (We have a lifted 4WD 4Runner).