Texas · National Park trail

Window Trail Stop #5

in Texas

In addition to black bears, mountain lions also roam the Chisos Mountains and surrounding desert. These large cats can live in many different habitats, including forested mountains, grassland, and desert. Their preferred diet consists mainly of deer, though in the Big Bend region, javelina and rabbits may also be on the menu.

As apex predators, mountain lions play an important role in limiting herbivore populations, which helps maintain diverse and sustainable ecosystems. Each year, more than 150 mountain lion sightings are reported by visitors to the park. While most of these sightings happen along park roads, encounters have occurred along trails.

While mountain lions generally avoid people, aggressive behavior can be caused by a number of factors including: a mother protecting kittens, a juvenile cat learning what is and is not prey, an older, injured, or ill cat who is stressed for food, or a curious cat whose ambush instincts are triggered by behavior such as running. In the event you do encounter a mountain lion – do not run! Keep children close, do not let them run ahead while hiking.

States: Texas
Trail type: National Park trail
Centroid coords: 29.2763°, -103.3125°

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/window-trail-stop-5.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 Window Trail Stop #5 and have current notes (water sources, trail closures, permit changes), tell us at /contact — we update pages as we learn.