Hiking the Window Trail in Big Bend National Park (Before it closes in 2026!)
IMPORTANT - Notice from the National Park Service:
“Thanks to funding from the Great American Outdoors Act, work on two large construction projects in the Chisos Basin is scheduled to begin May 1, 2026 and continue for approximately two years. As work begins, the Chisos Basin area will be closed to visitor entry. This includes the Basin Road, lodging units, Basin Campground, restaurant, NPS visitor center, camper store, and surrounding trail access. This work will ONLY affect the Chisos Basin area of Big Bend National Park. As major components are completed, park managers will assess which areas can be safely reopened to regular public access.”
In other words, you will not be able to access The Window Trail beginning May 1, 2026, for two years. Get your visit in before renovations begin and keep up to date with announcements and the latest updates regarding the project.
The Window Trail (not to be confused with the Window View Trail - also a great little hike), in Big Bend National Park, is one of the most popular out-and-back hikes for its end reward of a canyon “window” view into the Chihuahuan Desert beyond. 5.4 miles of diverse terrain and stunning scenery attract visitors to this trail year-round. This article shares everything you need to know about hiking the Window Trail in Big Bend National Park before Chisos Basin is closed for renovation in 2026.
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About The Window Trail at Big Bend National Park
Distance: 5.4 miles out-and-back
Elevation Gain: 961 ft
Highest Elevation on Trail: 5,459 ft
Difficulty: Moderate
My Stats: 5.78 miles completed in 2 hrs 31 mins
Entrance: No permit required for day hikes in Big Bend. Entrance fee into the national park is $30/vehicle, valid for 7 days.
The Window Trail in Big Bend National Park is one of the most popular in the park for its moderate difficulty and distance, and the rewarding natural wonder at the end of the trail, where narrow slot canyon walls end at a steep drop-off, offering a “window” or framed view of the Chihuahuan desert below.
Volcanic activity formed the Chisos Mountains, and millions of years of water and wind eroded the canyon we have the privilege to admire today. The Window Trails takes you right into this stunning natural process.
The trail offers a pleasant and exciting variety, almost feeling like 3 hikes in one, starting with an exposed and brushy trek downhill, to lush tree cover in the middle, and towering canyon sides surrounding you at the end.
From the trailhead at Chisos Basin, the entire hike to the window, you will be going down in elevation for 2+ miles. That means on your return trip back to the trailhead, you will be going only up for nearly 1,000 feet over 2+ miles. This is a relatively steady and manageable incline until about the last mile, where it becomes steeper. Going back up is where most people have the most trouble, getting tired and overheated and being deceived by the ease of going down, so take breaks when you need them, take advantage of any shady spots along the trail, and keep drinking water.
The Window Trail is unique, jaw-dropping, fun, and adventurous. A must-do hike with proper preparation in Big Bend National Park.
Above: Chisos Basin Campground, one of the starting points of The Window Trail
Where is The Window Trail + Parking Info
The Window Trail is located in the Chisos Mountains in the heart of Big Bend National Park. The trailhead begins and ends at the parking lot of the Chisos Basin Visitor Center.
Hikers driving in to complete The Window Trail who are not already staying at the Chisos Mountains Lodge or Chisos Basin Campground should arrive early to find a parking spot, especially during the busy seasons in the park (Spring and Fall).
Approximate drive time to The Window Trail trailhead from:
Chisos Basin Campground (in BBNP): This campground is located with direct access to the trail at about 0.6 miles in
Rio Grande Village RV Site & Campground (in BBNP): 30 miles; 43 mins
Cottonwood Campground (in BBNP): 39 miles; 57 mins
Terlingua: 32 miles; 47 mins
Marathon: 77 miles; 1 hr, 30 mins
Alpine: 106 miles; 2 hrs
Marfa: 132 miles; 2 hrs, 22 mins
Left: Middle-ish section of The Window Trail with some shade; Right: Crowds at the drop off of the “window” in March
When to Hike The Window Trail
The Window Trail is open year-round; however, it comes with its seasonal challenges. The best time of year to visit is early spring or late fall for the most favorable weather window. Regardless of the time of year, hikers should have at least 2L of water with them per person for this hike.
Spring
Mild weather and flowers begin to bloom, but it is the busiest time of year in the park. Expect crowds and sold-out campgrounds! In early Spring, you can get away with hiking this trail at any time of the day with adequate preparation, such as wearing layers, plenty of water, and snacks for your trek. However, starting the trail as early as you can in the morning will help you avoid some of the crowds and midday warmth.
We hiked this in mid-March 2025, and the weather was perfect, with a range of 50s to mid-70s.
Summer
Fewer crowds, but extremely hot and not advised to hike in the midday sun. Hikers should be prepared with plenty of water to stay hydrated, regardless of the time of day. Summer is also the rainy season, and flash floods can occur in the canyon of The Window Trail due to higher elevation run-off. Knowing the forecast for the day is crucial!
Fall
Mild weather with fewer crowds than Spring, though still a popular time for visitors. Later fall (late October through November) will have a lesser chance of rain and cooler temperatures.
Winter
Less crowded, but cold temperatures and the possibility of snow at higher elevations.
We spoke with a park ranger at the trailhead who expressed the sheer number of people they have to attend to on this trail due to exhaustion from heat or overestimating their ability to complete The Window Trail, no matter the time of year. The main takeaways are: start early, pack in at least 2L of water per person, talk to a ranger to understand trail conditions, take a look at the forecast for the day, wear layers, read reviews of the trail from AllTrails to get an idea of others’ recent experience, and know your limits.
What to Bring on The Window Trail
At least 2L of water per person
It is advised to have at least 2L of water per person for hiking The Window Trail, regardless of the time of year or day on which you do the hike. At the trailhead, park rangers stopped hikers to ensure they had the minimum! For a full day, you should have access to at least a gallon of water per person, per day, especially in the hottest time of the year/day.
Camelbaks are an excellent solution to this!
Snacks
Lightweight trail snacks that give you a boost of energy and nutrients on a hike can make all the difference. Electrolytes, beef jerky, nuts and seeds, protein energy bars, dried fruit, and nut butters, just to name a few.
Sun protection
The Window Trail has intermittent tree cover and shade. Sun protection, such as wide-brim hats, UV protection layers, sunscreen, and sunglasses, will help protect your skin from sunburns and help regulate body temperature.
AllTrails Map
The Window Trail is straightforward enough to follow without much guidance, but for an added layer of GPS certainty and a little fun of tracking your hiking stats, apps like AllTrails are the perfect tool.
Download the offline map so you have guidance even when you lose cell service, check in on current trail conditions and weather before beginning your hike, and see reviews and photos of recent fellow hikers.
Hiking shoes with good traction
This trail is rocky. The weathered and smoothed rocks through the canyon are slick. Having good hiking shoes with traction and a strong sole is highly advised. Better yet that they also have ankle support! Watch your footing at all times.
Layers
Depending on the time of day, season, weather conditions, shade, and whether you’re trekking uphill or downhill, you may find yourself needing to remove or add layers.
On the way back up to the trailhead (all uphill), I needed to remove my puffer jacket, particularly in the sections with no tree cover or shade, as I got too hot being fully exposed and working up a sweat from the uphill climb. Alternatively, going through the canyon, there were high and cold winds that day, so I had on all my layers plus gloves, which was necessary for comfort.
First Aid
There are spiky plants on this trail, blisters can pop up unexpectedly, and scrapes from a misstep can happen. I like to always carry a small first aid kit with me, no matter the conditions or how busy a trail is, for peace of mind. Band-Aids, antiseptic wipes, tweezers for removing splinters or thorns, hand sanitizer, and pain reliever.
Common sense!
This is one of the most important things to bring on any trail. Plan and prepare, look at the forecast, know your body’s capabilities and limits, talk to rangers before your hike if you are uncertain, bring more water than you think you need, be smart about the time of day you do the hike to avoid midday heat, stay on trail, don’t stand too close to the edge at “the window,” keep a distance from wildlife, wear the proper gear, pay attention to your surroundings and where you step.
Optional but helpful: Trekking Poles
Trekking poles would be useful on this trail to help the pressure on the knees and keep your balance across the uneven, constantly changing, up and down terrain of The Window Trail. It is something I didn’t personally have, but would have found helpful in some parts!
Left to Right: Mexican Jay, trail signage, views from Window Trail, awesome rock formations along the trails
Other Things to Do Near The Window Trail
More Hiking Trails
Chisos Basin is one of the best areas of Big Bend National Park for epic hiking trails. Here’s a list of some of the most notable:
Window View Trail - 0.3 mile loop
Basin Loop Trail - 1.7 mile loop
Lost Mine Trail - 4.8 mile out-and-back
Emory Peak Trail - 9.3 mile out-and-back
South Rim Loop Trail - 12.2 mile loop
Lunch at Chisos Basin Lodge Restaurant
This is the only restaurant in Big Bend National Park. There are beautiful views from the dining room of the mountainous landscape. This was a great post-hike lunch stop to refuel!
NOTE: The Chisos Basin Lodge Restaurant is currently closed for renovation. Alternatively, there is a food truck (Big Bend Chuck Wagon) located behind the restaurant, open from 8 am to 7 pm daily. There is limited seating at picnic tables around the basin. Refer to the official Chisos Basin Lodge website for updates on restaurant re-opening.
Browse the Chisos Basin Visitor Center
Grab a souvenir, a snack, a cup of coffee, and talk to a ranger. It’s always fun to stop at national park visitor centers!
Enjoy the Chisos Basin Road Scenic Drive
Whether driving into the Chisos Mountains or out at the end of the visit, take the time to slow down and really enjoy and bask in the beauty of the 6-mile Chisos Basin Road. This was one of my favorite drives in the park with breathtaking vistas and mountain peaks.
Birdwatching
The Chisos Mountains are a deep woodland area with over 300 bird species. If you make the effort to hike in a bit, you are sure to see abundant bird life. Ask a ranger what trails they recommend for the best birdwatching!
View of the Chisos Mountains from the start of The Window Trail
Additional Tips for Hiking the Window Trail
Be aware of wildlife & give them space. Black bears, mountain lions, rattlesnakes, and scorpions are just some of the more dangerous encounters you could come across on The Window Trail hike. We didn’t see any of these, but did see lots of beautiful Mexican Jays and squirrels! If you do run across any notable wildlife, be sure to report it to a ranger at the trailhead so they know.
Expect crowds at “the window,” especially during high season and the busiest part of the day. We hiked this trail in March 2025, starting at around 10:30 am, and by the time we got to the window, there were 20-30 people and counting crowded around trying to get photos with the view.
If you want to cut off about 1 mile from the overall out-and-back hike, park at the Chisos Basin Campground parking lot, where you can cut into the trail about 0.6 miles in from the trailhead. Starting here also emits a good chunk of the steep incline I talked about above!
Dogs are not allowed on The Window Trail or any hiking trails in Big Bend National Park.
Chisos Basin Road is not recommended for trailers over 20 feet or RVs over 24 feet due to the sharp, curvy roads and steep grades.
As stated above, the Chisos Basin will be inaccessible for visitors beginning May 1, 2026, for two years of renovations. Get your visit planned now before you can’t access this part of the park until 2028! You can find updates and announcements about the project here.
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