Texas · National Park trail

Chihuahuan Desert Nature Trail

in Texas

Trail Information Roundtrip distance: 0.5 mile loop (0.8 km) Elevation change: 30 feet (9 m) Average hiking time: 30 minutes Dogs and other pets are not allowed on any trails in the park. The trailhead is located at Dugout Wells, across the road from the picnic area, and is marked by a brown wooden sign. This short loop winds through vegetation typical of lower elevations in the park, and small metal signs along the way introduce plants commonly found in the Chihuahuan Desert.

The trail ends at the lower side of the loop road that wraps around the oasis of Dugout Wells, and a short spur brings you through the trees back to the start. Accessibility The trail is composed of dirt and gravel and and meanders in and out of small arroyos as it completes a circle back to Dugout Wells. The gravel lot at Dugout Wells provides parking for about eight vehicles.

Hike Smart Bring plenty of water! Carry 1 liter of water per person per hour that you plan to hike. The importance of carrying enough water in this hot, dry climate cannot be overstated! Eat Your body needs food for energy and salts and electrolytes to replace what it's losing from perspiration.

States: Texas
Trail type: National Park trail
Centroid coords: 29.2721°, -103.1363°

About Big Bend National Park

National Park

This trail is inside Big Bend National Park, a national park managed by the U.S. National Park Service. Conditions, road status, trail closures, and reservation requirements are published on the park's NPS page — check it before driving in, especially in winter or during major weather events.

Entrance fee: $30 per vehicle (verify current rate on the park page). An America the Beautiful annual pass ($80) covers entrance to all NPS units.

Official NPS trail page: https://www.nps.gov/places/chihuahuan-desert-nature-trail.htm

Park homepage: https://www.nps.gov/bibe/index.htm

Plan your hike

Practical notes

Maps + permits: long-distance trails like this often require permits for through-hiking, backcountry camping, or specific sections (especially in National Parks). Check with the maintaining organisation listed above and the relevant land manager before booking travel.

Water + supplies: water sources vary seasonally on most U.S. trails. Carry a filter and consult current trail-condition reports — through-hiker journals (PCT-L, AT Reddit, etc.) and the maintaining organisation publish regular updates.

When to go: hiking seasons vary widely with elevation, latitude, and snowpack. Through-hikers traditionally start the AT in March-April (Springer northbound) and the PCT in late April (Campo northbound). High-elevation western trails (CDT, JMT, Wonderland) generally aren't passable until July.

If you've hiked Chihuahuan Desert Nature Trail and have current notes (water sources, trail closures, permit changes), tell us at /contact — we update pages as we learn.