By Lani Johnson
Chisos Mountain Basin in Big Bend National Park
Chisos Mountain Basin is at the heart of Big Bend National Park in southwest Texas. Surrounded by peaks of the Chisos Mountains, the Basin contains a visitor center, store, amphitheater, camping, lodging, a restaurant and the Chisos Basin trailhead.
Geography
Chisos Window. Photo courtesy of houstonfreeways.com
The 800,000 acres of Big Bend National Park include more than a hundred miles of Rio Grande frontage, canyons, mountains, desert and mesas.
Access
Photo courtesy of houstonfreeways.com
The road to Chisos Basin, crossing Panther Pass, is steep -- in one place there is a 15 percent grade -- and includes switchbacks. Motor homes over 24 feet and travel trailers over 20 feet are prohibited.
Lodging
Sunrise photo courtesy of houstonfreeways.com
There's too much to see in a day. Staying overnight means camping in a developed or primitive campground or renting a room or cottage at the Chisos Mountains Lodge.
Big Bend National Park
PO Box 129
Big Bend National Park, Texas 79834
(432) 477-2251
Park fee: $10 a person, or $20 per vehicle, good for a week
Chisos Mountains Lodge reservations, (877) 386-4383;
Chisos Basin Campground reservations, (877) 444-6777;
Click the links on Resources below.
Activities
Ranger-guided activity. Photo courtesy of Eric Leonard, NPS.
Hikes of all lengths are available from Chisos Basin, including a 0.3-mile walk along Window View Trail to view the sun rise or set and a one-mile uphill hike to Emory Peak for a loftier vista.
Preparation
Elevations at Big Bend National Park rise to over 7,000 feet, making temperatures cooler in summer and colder in winter than at lower places in West Texas. Chisos Basin sits at approximately 5,400 feet. It is recommended to bring warm clothing any time of year, to keep water supplies topped off, and to wear sun-blocking clothing and lotions.
Resources
About the Author:
Lani Johnson is a hiking, writing musician. Recent published work includes journalism, poetry and research. See her online writing at Trails.com or at Azacda.presspublisher.us.
Photo Credits:
Chisos Basin developed area, seen from above. Photo courtesy of NPS
