Chisos Basin Loop Trail
What to Expect
Safety Advisory
Black bears are genuinely common in the Chisos Basin — among the highest bear density in any lower-48 national park. Do not leave packs unattended at the trailhead, store food in your vehicle, and make noise on blind corners. A bear encounter here is not a remote possibility.
Mountain lions also inhabit these mountains. Avoid hiking alone at dawn or dusk, keep children close, and do not crouch or run if you encounter one.
Trail Details
- 1
Parking at the Chisos Basin trailhead fills by mid-morning on spring and holiday weekends; aim to be moving by 7:30am or plan to arrive after 4pm when day-hikers are heading out.
- 2
The basin sits around 5,400 feet — roughly a thousand feet above the desert floor — so temperatures run noticeably cooler here than at Panther Junction or the Rio Grande. Still bring a full liter of water per person; there are no water sources on the loop itself.
- 3
For the best Window shot, position yourself at the open saddle section on the western arc of the loop in late afternoon when the low sun turns the notch frame amber — this is one of the most photographed views in Big Bend and the angle matters.
