I like to think I’m a hiker of discerning tastes. Trails under five miles usually get a polite scoff and a mental eye-roll from yours truly. This tiny 1.1-mile trail in Big Bend Ranch? The Hoodoos Trail? Yeah, actually it packs a serious punch. And trust me, as a certified badass (my husband says so), I don’t say that lightly. I went in expecting a glorified nature walk and came out impressed. Prepare for geological wonders, scenic river views, and a touch of microbial intrigue!
Table of Contents
I like to think I’m a hiker of discerning tastes. Trails under five miles usually get a polite scoff and a mental eye-roll from me. But this tiny 1.1-mile trail in Big Bend Ranch? The Hoodoos Trail? Actually, it packs a serious punch. And trust me, as a certified badass (my husband says so), I don’t say that lightly. I went in expecting a glorified nature walk and came out impressed. Prepare for geological wonders, scenic river views, and a touch of microbial intrigue!
RECOMMENDED SUPPLIES
- 10 essentials
- Water – at least 1.5 liters
- Sun protection – hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, protective shirt
HOODOOS TRAIL: 1.1 MILES ROUND TRIP
Hoodoos Trail is a 1.1-mile loop trail that offers fabulous views of the unique hoodoo rock formations of Big Bend Ranch State Park. It’s generally considered an easy hike. Plan for approximately 1 hour to enjoy the trail, allowing time for photos and gawking.
Hoodoos Trail gets its name from its fascinating geological formations called “hoodoos.” Wind and rain erosion have sculpted these tall, thin spires of rock over millions of years. The trail is a loop designed to showcase these geological wonders in conjunction with the natural beauty of the Rio Grande.
The word “hoodoo” has origins in Africa. These formations are sometimes referred to as “fairy towers” thanks to their often bizarre and enchanting shapes. In certain parts of the Southwest, they even go by the name “goblins.”
Whether you call them hoodoos or something else, they have a hard rock layer on top. This “capstone” protects a softer rock column underneath. The softer material erodes more easily over time. Despite their sturdy appearance, hoodoos are quite fragile. Resist any urges to scale these natural sculptures.
ACCESSING THE TRAIL/LOCATION
The Hoodoos Trail trailhead is located along FM 170 (one of the prettiest drives in Texas). It is approximately 26 miles west of the Barton Warnock Visitor Center. There is a self-pay station at the trailhead, and ample parking is available. You can see beautiful views of the Rio Grande right from the parking area at the trailhead.
You get a great view right off the bat at the trailhead
Hoodoos Trail is a loop – hallelujah for not being an out and back! Starting from the trailhead, the trail goes left for about 0.1 miles before splitting. You can choose to go right, heading directly towards the hoodoos, or left, which takes you down towards the Rio Grande first.
I opted to go left. Both directions eventually complete the loop (duh). The trail is well-marked by cairns (stacks of rocks), rock baskets, and rock “alignments” (rocks laid out in a row).
The trail is well-marked by cairns, rock baskets, and rock “alignments”.
DESCENT TO THE RIO GRANDE
From the initial split, the trail heads left and begins a gradual descent towards the Rio Grande. In this section, the trail is wide, sandy, and easy to walk. As you descend, you’ll begin to catch glimpses of the river and the surrounding desert vegetation.
Once you reach the Rio Grande, the trail becomes very sandy and is loose underfoot. There’s no blazing through this part! Depending on the river levels, sections of the trail may be wet or muddy. Here you are up close and personal with the Rio Grande.
When I visited in April, the plant life along the river was thriving. The Retama trees were in full bloom, displaying their vibrant yellow flowers and lush green shrubbery lined the trail. It’s always a delightful contrast to see such vibrant life in the desert landscape. Take your time in this section to admire the foliage and the river.
I found sections of cryptobiotic soil crusts in the sand along the Rio Grande. Tread carefully and avoid damaging these crusts. These biological crusts help prevent erosion and assist in water retention.
It might be tempting to splash and play in the water, but be aware that during times of high river flow, bacteria counts (think Fecal Coliform and E. Coli) rise. On the other hand, in times of low river flow, the water turns into a delightful soup of slime and algae.
However, when the river flow is low, the salinity of the river increases, and bacteria decrease. Personally, I’ll let the local microbes have their fun and keep myself out of the Rio Grande in high and low flows. But hey, you’re the captain of your own destiny (and potential intestinal distress). You do you, boo.
ASCENT AMONG THE FAIRY TOWERS
Leaving the river and heading back up towards the hoodoos can be a little tricky because the trail leading away from the river is easy to miss. Even if you briefly wander off the marked path (not that I did!), just walk uphill toward the distinct hoodoo formations. That will lead you back to the trail.
There is elevation gain as you go back up toward the hoodoos (remember, you came down toward the river and what goes up must come down), but take your time, sip water frequently and even the least cardio conditioned hikers will be fine.
The reward for the uphill climb is the opportunity to wander among the fascinating hoodoo formations. Their whimsical shapes and the way they stand against the desert backdrop make for fantastic photo opportunities.
Remember to admire them respectfully and leave no trace of your visit. The final stretch of the trail leads back up to the parking lot.
This trail is a great option for families, hikers who are short on time, or anyone looking for a fun and relatively easy hike that isn’t too lame. Despite its short length, it offers a unique opportunity to witness the geological wonders of the hoodoos and unexpected river beauty. If you find yourself in Big Bend Ranch State Park, don’t overlook the Hoodoos Trail. It’s a surprisingly memorable and worthwhile experience.
Would recommend.
TLDR
- 1.1-mile loop in Big Bend Ranch State Park
- Features unique “hoodoo” rock formations
- Scenic views of the Rio Grande.
- Easy hike for families or anyone pressed for time
- Trailhead is on FM 170, west of Barton Warnock Visitor Center
Check out the park’s brochure on Hoodoos Trail here.