Stats, trail tips and important information regarding this trail are located at the bottom of the blog post. Unless explicitly noted, all pictures in this blog are owned by me and should otherwise not be used without expressed written consent.

When you do research on all the cool hikes to do in Big Bend National Park, you’re going to see The Window Trail show up consistently. This is for a reason. It’s a charming, sublime hike, is relatively easy and creates some quite photogenic picture oppos. To get to The Window Trail (is the “T” in it capitalized? Maybe. I’m capitalizing it. 😎), you’ll most likely park in the Chisos Basin Visitors Center parking lot. This parking lot is quite large, but it can get full. Getting here early during peak times of the year is probably ideal – or maybe during sunset? We were able to find a good parking spot (one of a few remaining). The trailhead is close to where several hikes in the Chisos Basin begin (including my Hike #588 – Emory Peak). Here’s the trailhead for a perspective…

The first time we attempted to hike this trail was after a family elopement ceremony (Done in Big Bend! Such a beautiful idea). About seven of us tried to hike The Window Trail. We saw a bear close to the trail, persisted, saw another bear relatively close to the trail, persisted, and then we stumbled on big mama bear right in the middle of the trail eating berries. We tried to make noises to get her to move but Mama was hawngry! She didn’t move. So we had to turn around and cancel the hike. So word of caution – there are 44 or so bears in the Chisos Basin and they are sometimes on this trail. Bring bear spray! But I don’t believe they’ve ever been aggressive to anyone. Just be kumbaya with nature, man. 🐻😎

We took a pic near the trailhead with the Chisos Basin Visitors Center area behind us. Heck, why not? lol

You can see the “window” quite early in the hike…

Just like any hike in the Chisos Basin, you’re going to see desert flora including cactus. Until now, I was not aware of the formal name of this cactus – Christmas Cholla. They’re also prevalent in parts of the Texas Hill Country (and Austin). You do not want to touch them. They are not your friend. 😂 Enjoy from afar. And most CERTAINLY, don’t trip and fall on one. I can only imagine how that would feel…

Our window is getting closer…

So I love century plants! 🤷 Being originally from Louisiana, this plant just reminds me of the iconic pictures I’ve always seen and imagined about Texas. They’re also quite tall – sometimes 15-25 feet tall – so they are utterly majestic…

As we were hiking through a shaded area, someone mentioned there was a tarantula nearby. Cool! Well, we ended up meeting that tarantula. Check it out! I’ve never seen one in the wild before so I was stoked…

And I’m absolutely certain all of you arachnophobes would like to see this tarantula in action. So here goes…

If you’ve read enough of my blogposts, you’ll notice I sometimes like to reveal the abstract beauty of the hikes I do. Or, in other words, a simple “That’d make a cool photo!”. When this tree decided to grow, it chose an interesting spot in between two rocky mounds so I felt it was worth showing you…

Close to your arrival to the Window, you’ll walk through a super-cool canyon. Check it out…

You then climb some stairs and go through what looks like a dried creek bed and you’ll be there. It was at that point that we met a Dutch couple who were awesome to chat with. We talked about our travels some. Lesson learned – I need to take more pics with people we meet. We were the only four at the Window the moment we arrived…

Is that not breathtaking? This hike is popular for a reason. Unfortunately the shininess of the rock is from humans walking on it. Sad, but I’m not sure there’s an easy solution other than closing the hike. Note: I’ve seen this at quite a few hikes. It’s not necessarily unusual for popular rocky spots.

The wonderful Dutch couple took a picture of us at the Window! I’m on the left.

And I climbed as close to the Window as I could without getting nauseous. People afraid of heights will likely stay away from this spot. It’s pretty much a sheer drop. But wow, check out that view.

We had a snack then started our way back. The above pic shows the steps not far from the Window.

And here is that canyon/creek bed I was telling you about. I love hiking in these little spots. They’re always a little cooler in temperature than the area around them. On a hot day, that’s nice!

This giant-sling-shot-shaped tree was cool and created a cool effect with the cactus behind it. My Pixel Watch says we burned 1,385 calories. That seems a little extra but hey – that’s how I logged it! It’s about six miles round trip. Definitely do this hike – and do it before May 2025 or you will be waiting a couple of years before you’re able to do it again. The Chisos Basin Visitors Center is undergoing construction and will be closed for awhile. Experience this beauty while you can!

Total Distance/Time: 5.91 miles in 2 hrs 41 min

Calories Burned: 1,385

Trail Type: Out-and-back

Trail Features: Desert flora, distant views, mountain views, canyon walk, creek bed, tarantulas, bears

Best Time to Hike: November through March

Difficulty Rating: 6/10

Trailhead Coordinates:

Trail Tips:

• Wildlife. There are bears, tarantulas, scorpions and mountain lions in the Chisos Basin. I’ve never heard of a mountain lion or bear attack here, but it’s always good to be aware of your surroundings. In general, it is best to hike in groups of two or more where there are mountain lions and black or brown bears (and a larger group in grizzly country).
• Popularity. This hike wasn’t bad in late November but I suspect it can get crowded during peak times of the year. Get there early or maybe at dusk, and I suspect you’ll find it a more ideal, peaceful time.
• Parking. The Chisos Basin Visitors Center has plenty of parking, but it can get full during peak times. Arriving during the aforementioned non-peak times will make parking easier. We parked in late November. The lot was almost full but we were lucky to snag a spot.