Texas · National Park trail

Window Trail Stop #6

in Texas

The pine-oak-juniper woodlands of the Chisos Mountains attract many species of birds that would not otherwise be found in Big Bend. Of the 450+ bird species that have been recorded in Big Bend National Park, 312 of those species have been reported in the Chisos Mountains. Two distinctive birds to look for along the Window Trail include the large, blue and gray Mexican Jay, and the black and white Acorn Woodpecker.

Both species are social birds that tend to hang out in flocks. Mexican Jays forage on the ground or in trees, feeding primarily on acorns, insects, and fruit. In the fall they harvest acorns and bury them in the ground, often remembering the locations and retrieving them later.

These beautiful blue birds often approach folks along the trail. Please do them a favor and do not feed them. Acorn Woodpeckers are very unusual woodpeckers in that they live in large groups and breed cooperatively.

States: Texas
Trail type: National Park trail
Centroid coords: 29.2756°, -103.3139°

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-6.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 #6 and have current notes (water sources, trail closures, permit changes), tell us at /contact — we update pages as we learn.