Warning: Your browser appears to have Javascript disabled. In order to use some features of Texas Hiking successfully, such as this one, you'll need to enable Javascript.

Big Bend - The Window

Type: Trail

Length: 5.50 Miles

Elevation Gain: 1000 Feet

Cost: $20.00

Rating:

(4.23)24

Difficulty:

(2.98)

Solitude:

(2.90)

ADA Accessible: No

Bikes Allowed: No

Dogs Allowed: No

Interpretive Guide: No

County: Brewster

More Information: More Info

Log Your Hike

Map

Topo maps provided by MyTopo.com (purchase) Map Logo

Larger Map

Download

Order a topo map

Getting there: The easiest starting point is just a stone's throw from the Chisos Mountain Lodge parking lot. Near the start you'll find a large wooden sign with arrows pointing in various directions towards the trails that start near that point.

The Hike: The Window Trail is one of the most popular hikes in Big Bend. It starts near the Chisos Mountain Lodge and descends to a narrow opening in the rim of rock that creates the Chisos Basin. It is the sole exit point for water runoff out of the basin, so obviously you would not want to be near the Window at times of heavy rain.

This trail is mostly uphill on the way back, so pace yourself since the going will be harder on the second half of the hike.

Photos

A view along the trail leading to the Window. (Photo courtesy of Chris Henderson) (Photo by )

The end of the trail. Just beyond the window is a large vertical drop. (Photo courtesy of Chris Henderson) (Photo by )

Looking towards the Window from near the start of the hike. (Photo by Austin Explorer)

Another view along the way. (Photo by Austin Explorer)

Upon getting closer to the Window the trail gets a bit more rough. (Photo by Austin Explorer)

Great view from the window! (Photo by MikeFornal)

This is the sign at the trailhead. (Photo by Lone_Star)

The Window provides a beautiful view, but be careful as the rock is smooth and slippery. (Photo by Lone_Star)

This part of the trail has steps to make your trek easier. (Photo by Lone_Star)

Erosion has exposed all of the individual layers in this sedimentary rock, creating a very interesting pattern and texture. (Photo by Lone_Star)

As you enter the recessed canyon, follow the steps that have been cut-out. (Photo by Lone_Star)

The trail is easy to follow and takes you back into a recessed canyon where The Window is located. (Photo by Lone_Star)

Such beauty (Photo by CraigS)

great elevation changes, makes for fun and difficulty. I suggest not going in mid summer as we did. (Photo by CraigS)

great views and well worth the effort, even if it is all uphill on the way back. (Photo by CraigS)

Wife and daughter enjoying a leisurely stroll to "The Window" (Photo by CraigS)

View through the Window at end of Window Trail (Photo by oliverd)

Log Entries

Beautiful view!
By pats512 on 3/31/2018
Rating:

Difficulty:

Solitude:

Distance: 4.20 Miles Duration: N/A

The trail is easier on the way in than on the way out! There's plenty of flat trail in shade and for the most part the incline/decline is gradual. There are a few stretches with steep rock stairs and a few fun rock piles to climb over. The ascent out of the canyon is intense for the weaker hiker since the descent in is misleadingly easy.

Fairly boring walk with a happy ending
By oliverd on 2/3/2018
Rating:

Difficulty:

Solitude:

Distance: 5.50 Miles Duration: N/A

The wak itself is rather dull, as it heads down through the Basin... the payoff is the last half a mile, when you enter the narrow canyon chiselled out by Oak Creek and emerge at the WIndow. The view out isn't spectacular, but it's pretty cool seeing the desert through a narrow slit in the Chisos mountain rim. Go very early or late (sunset here is nice) - you'll avoid the crowds, and the walk is mostly exposed with not much shade until the end.

Track notes and photos: https://hikingtheworld.blog/2017/10/29/the-window/

The Window @ Big Bend
By CraigS on 7/1/2015
Rating:

Difficulty:

Solitude:

Distance: 5.00 Miles Duration: N/A

This was one of our first, and a tough lesson. it was 106 deg and up hill on the way back...lessons learned.

By jimmy peace on 5/20/2015
Rating:

Difficulty:

Solitude:

Distance: 5.50 Miles Duration: N/A

By mtuncap1955 on 3/23/2015
Rating:

Difficulty:

Solitude:

Distance: 6.00 Miles Duration: N/A

This trail is mostly uphill on the way back, so pace yourself since the going will be harder on the second half of the hike.

Okay hike
By texaskdog on 9/10/2013
Rating:

Difficulty:

Solitude:

Distance: 4.40 Miles Duration: N/A

There was no water in the creek so no falls to see (we were told Cattail falls is beautiful when running). We drove to the campground & hiked from there as the mileage is less and apparently you don't miss much. We took a right at the fork up Oak Springs and there is a rocky (safe) ledge but beautiful view from the top, as long as you don't start the steep hike back down. We saw some deer on this trail.

By DNC on 8/30/2010
Rating:

Difficulty:

Solitude:

Distance: 4.50 Miles Duration: 2 hours, 30 minutes

By bsisk on 3/22/2009
Rating:

Difficulty:

Solitude:

Distance: 4.00 Miles Duration: N/A

The hike "down" to the window is not bad at all. The view from the window is absolutely beautiful. The hike back up the trail can be difficult as you are going up the entire way of the trail. Make sure that you take plenty of water - I always fill up my camel pak when I go. There a lots of rock formations in the Chisos Mountains and the trees/plants are usually nice and green because of the elevation.

By rowdy on 3/22/2008
Rating:

Difficulty:

Solitude:

Distance: 5.00 Miles Duration: 2 hours, 45 minutes

The Window View Is Incredible!
By Lone_Star on 3/8/2008
Rating:

Difficulty:

Solitude:

Distance: 4.40 Miles Duration: 1 hour, 30 minutes

First, the reason why the mileage on my hike is only 4.40 miles whereas other people have logged 5.50 miles is because I caught the trail from the campground area whereas they caught the trail from the Basin Store area.

This hike is downhill for the first half and then uphill on the way back. The trail takes you through a scenic canyon and culminates in a water pouroff known as The Window. The view is absolutely spectacular. If you walk out to the edge of the window, be careful as the rock is smooth and slippery.

About a 1/4 mile from The Window, you can take the Oak Springs Trail which leads up and over a steep mountain. The signs says it is 2.0 miles, but it seems longer, perhaps because the trail is so arduous. If you decide to take this Oak Springs Trail, be sure you're in good shape and have good balance. The trail is steep and there are narrow areas where a slip could result in a fatal fall.

Only showing last 10 log entries. View All Log Entries