The Window Trail in Big Bend National Park is a must-see for its stunning cliff faces, diverse desert fauna, and breathtaking mountain views. It’s also the basin’s primary drainage point, creating a unique landscape like no other.
Easily identified from a distance, you can see where two mountains sloping together create a spectacular slot canyon. Popular for its stunning view over the Chihuahua desert and the wildlife that if often seen on it, this trail meanders past Chisos Basin meadows, through erosion-hewn canyons, and crosses the waters of Oak Creek when they’re flowing.
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Recommended Supplies
- minimum of 1 liter of water (more in the afternoon or on a hot day)
- Salt tablets or other electrolytes
- 100-200 calories of your favorite snacks
- Sturdy, comfortable hiking shoes or boots
- A good rain jacket, with a hood (you never know in the Chisos)
The Window Trail: 4.4-5.6 miles round trip
In a unique twist, this trail descends the entire way on your outward hike. It’s not until you turn around to come back that you gain between 500-900 feet of elevation. That’s right, it’s much easier going than getting back, so set your expectations accordingly.
Until the last ½ mile or so, the terrain is either hard packed dirt or pebbly creek bed, making it suitable for all ages and ability levels. The end is a slot canyon, and the footing is slick, hard rock – exercise caution.
Also good to know, the Window trail offers scant shade and is best done in cooler months or early in the day. I’d wear a hat and sunscreen if you head out in the afternoon, especially on a hotter day. Better yet, maybe don’t hike this trail on a hot Texas afternoon.
Finally, because this trail is pretty, shows off many of Big Bend’s classic features, is easy to access (no rough 4×4 driving required), and a relatively short trail compared to some of the hikes out there, it is one of the park’s most popular hikes. Sunrise and sunset hikes are wildly popular. Don’t expect to be the only one out there.
Accessing the Trail
There are two places you can begin this hike. First is the main Basin trailhead where most hikes will begin. Your alternate option is starting at the Chisos Basin campground in the amphitheater parking lot.
If you begin at the Chisos Basin trailhead, you will cover a total of 5.6 miles and 900ft of elevation. But if you pick the Chisos campground, you will cover only 4.4 miles and gain just 500ft of elevation. So which one is the better hike?
I can personally assure you that if you choose to begin at the amphitheater access point, you are not missing out on a fucking thing. Starting from the main trailhead, all you get for your trouble is a walk down (and later up) a bunch of stone and timber built-in steps that are a real leg burning pain in the ass.
Am I a little salty because I didn’t realize you could shorten this trail when we first hiked it?
Yes.
Hiking The Window Trail in Big Bend
To start at the amphitheater parking lot, look for signs for the campground and amphitheater on your right. If you hit the visitor center parking lot, you’ve gone too far. Parking is slightly more limited at the amphitheater lot so plan to arrive early.
Otherwise, if you’re an ambitious overachiever, park in the Chisos basin parking lot by the visitor center and hit the trail from there.
Desert Mountain Meadows
For the first mile until it hits Oak Creek, the trail is open and there is only a small smattering of oaks, pines and junipers. Chaparral slopes loosely surround you from the left and right but do not enclose you. Classic desert vegetation thrives here.
This trail is known for frequent black bear sightings. Much to my excitement, my husband and I encountered a bear happily eating berries in a tree.
Making every effort to be responsible hikers, we called out it to make it aware of our presence, and we had our bear spray at the ready. Y’all, this damn bear didn’t even grace us with a pause in its munching or a glance our way.
Oak Creek Canyon
The trail quickly drops into Oak Creek Canyon. In times of heavy rainfall, it may have water flowing through it and you may have to cross several times.
Practically all of the water in the Chisos Basin flows down and through Oak Creek Canyon before it pours off to the desert 220 feet below. This makes The Window one of the tallest waterfalls in Texas (when it’s flowing).
The Final Descent
As you descend into the last ¼ mile of the hike, the trail descends into a slick rock canyon. There are several steep, rocky step downs that can become challenging for children or elderly but should be doable with some patience, care and maybe a helping hand.
Over this last ¼ of a mile, the canyon walls close in around, creating the classical canyon feel that I love.
But take note here – this is a CANYON (duh). You never want to hike in canyons during heavy rain fall. Or, quite possibly, any rainfall beyond the most mild.
In the event of a flash flood, which can happen in less than an hour, water will flow down the canyon, scooping you up in its path because you’re hemmed in by canyon walls and have nowhere to go.
Bad news, mother trekker.
The Window
As you approach the pour off, the rock becomes incredibly slick, especially if wet. There are no hand holds at the pour off, so exercise extreme caution when enjoying the view from this slot canyon.
You never want to hike in canyons during heavy rain fall.
No one in recorded history has tumbled off the edge but there’s always a first time for everything.
Pro tip: Don’t be the first.
Once you’re done with the perfect selfie, you can head back whence you came, only this time it’s a gradual uphill climb. Your legs aren’t going to love it, but you’ll be high as a kite on the beauty of Big Bend National Park.
Closing Thoughts on The Window
Would recommend.
The Window Trail is a rewarding adventure for nature lovers of all ages and levels. Choose your starting point, embrace the desert wonder, and be amazed by the iconic “Window” – Big Bend awaits!
TOO LONG; DIDN’T READ.
Did you literally skip one of my shortest trail write-ups ever?
- 4.4-5.5 mile hike, depending on your starting point with 500-900 feet of elevation gain on the way back
- Appropriate for most ages and fitness levels
- Be cautious in the Window itself
- Avoid this trail during heavy rain
- Spectacular views of the Chihuahuan Desert from the top of this dry waterfall
- Black bears frequently sighted on/near the trail
If you’ve hiked The Window, what are your thoughts? Did you see any wildlife?