Big bend National park

 Nestled in the vast, rugged, and red terrain of West Texas, far from city and civilization, and on the US and Mexican border, Big Bend National Park is arguably one of the most untouched and least visited parks (that's a good thing). Spanning over 800,000 acres, it is one of the largest national parks in the United States. The park is home to the mighty Rio Grande River, which carves its way through canyons and forms the natural border between the United States and Mexico. Creating beaming, tall, and wide walls that no camera can capture the capacity of. Pairing this with the dry desert landscapes and mountains creates the ultimate place for backcountry camping, stargazing, offroading, hiking, kayaking, and more. Visitors can explore ancient fossil beds, drift down the Rio Grande, learn about ancient mines, bathe in hot springs, witness and learn about odd desert creatures, and gaze up at some of the darkest night skies in North America.

 

I don't exaggerate when I say the sunsets and what comes after is the best I've ever seen. The sunsets with the mountains and sharp cliffs are stunning; the dark red mountains along the bright red skies are wonderful. And when the stars start to come out, there are so many you can barely tell what is what. We bought a book about constellations, but the stars were so bright all I could focus on was the Milky Way. You can admire the stars and sunsets from your camper, tent, car, or local hot springs.

 

The hot springs are amazing, but if you don't get there soon in the morning or late at night, it could get a tad bit crowded. That is because the hot springs sit right on the border between Mexico and the United States. The Rio Grande creates a beautiful opening between the mountains to see the sunset while bathing in hot springs. A funny thing that happened, actually, is that when the tide is low on the Rio Grande, you can easily walk to Mexico. and on a patch of dry rocks in Mexico there was a sign a couple feet from us where they were selling Mexican tacos and tamales.

 

Kayaking and paddleboarding are very cold during the winter, but the view of the inside of the canyon is 100% worth it. The walls of the canyon are so unbelievably large that in images it looks flat. Surprisingly, despite the cold, there was wildlife in the canyon. We saw mice, donkeys, cows, fish, and even a centipede while paddling down the canyon.

 

And the scenic drives are unbeatable. ESPECIALLY during sunrise or sunset. There are miles upon miles of endless roads that wind through mountains, on mountains, and through deserts. Big Bend offers some of the best, if not the best, off-roading experiences for everyone (whether you have a choice or not).