Texas · National Park trail

Window Trail Stop #7

in Texas

At first glance, the Chisos Basin appears to be the remains of a large volcanic crater. And while the mountain peaks forming the rim of the Basin are of igneous origin, there apparently was no volcano in the Basin. Current theories regarding the creation of the Chisos Mountains say that beginning about 38 million years ago, two volcanoes to the south and east of what are now the Chisos Mountains spewed ash and lava to the surface, while a non-erupting source squeezed molton rock into the bedrock from below.

After eons of erosion, the resistant rhyolite magma intrusions remain as the mountains surrounding the Window. Turn around and take a look at the tall, square mountain dominating your view. That mountain is named Casa Grande, which is Spanish for Big House.

Many visitors think Casa Grande is the highest peak in the park, but that honor is reserved for Emory Peak, located further to the right. At 7,832 feet, Emory Peak is the third highest mountain in the state of Texas. It was named for Major William Emory, head of the United States-Mexican Boundary Commission, which established the Rio Grande as the boundary line between the United States and Mexico.

States: Texas
Trail type: National Park trail
Centroid coords: 29.2755°, -103.3163°

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-7.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 #7 and have current notes (water sources, trail closures, permit changes), tell us at /contact — we update pages as we learn.