Texas · National Park trail

Rio Grande Village Nature Trail Stop #15

in Texas

This view is worth the effort! In the distance the Chisos Mountains rise like an island in a desert sea. Emory Peak, the highest point in the park, rises almost 6,000 feet higher than your present location.

The Rio Grande floodplain stretches along both sides of the river channel, a verdant green strip testifying to the refreshing effect of water. As you stand atop the bluff, the importance and effect of water on this land is spread out before you in a tapestry of rock, plants, and animals. The future awaiting this tapestry depends on water - how we use it, how we conserve it, and how we preserve it.

States: Texas
Trail type: National Park trail
Centroid coords: 29.1777°, -102.9523°

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/rio-grande-village-nature-trail-stop-15.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 Rio Grande Village Nature Trail Stop #15 and have current notes (water sources, trail closures, permit changes), tell us at /contact — we update pages as we learn.