The Window is a hike that I had been wanting to do since we left Big Bend in 2016. We just didn’t have time to do them all. So, it was top of the list of new trails to do this spring when Matt and I went there with my parents’ this spring. I have to tell you, it didn’t disappoint. The trail itself is just really special and we had such a great time hiking this trail together.
Quick Info About Window Trail
TRAIL LENGTH: 5.6 Miles total, out and back.
TRAIL DIFFICULTY: This trail is rated as moderate and I think that with the distance and the fact that the uphill is kinda steep, I would say that’s fair, especially if you don’t hike a lot. If you’re an experienced hiker, I’d say it’s moderately easy.
ENTRY FEE FOR BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK: Big Bend has a $30 entrance fee for personal vehicles. If you take a motorcycle or walk, it is slightly cheaper. You should know, if you visit multiple national parks in a year, they do have an annual national park pass. We get one every year and love it! This year we’re visiting 12 different parks and it’ll save us loads of money this year!
TRAIL HIGHLIGHTS: The actual highlight is the window which is made from a pour-off. However, I think this whole trail gives off a lot of Zion National Park vibes and had us saying wow multiple times looking up at the rugged canyon walls.
IS THIS TRAIL KID-FRIENDLY? I think this is a decently kid friendly trail. Full disclosure, we did not take our toddlers, but I think we could. If your kids are old enough to hike on their own, if they can make the distance, they can do the hike, it isn’t that difficult. The biggest thing you’ll want to watch is at the Window, there is a major drop-off, so don’t get near the edge, that rock is slick and can be wet based on recent rains.
IS THIS TRAIL DOG FRIENDLY? Dogs aren’t allowed on trails, off roads or even in the Rio Grande in Big Bend National Park. They’re also not allowed to cross into Mexico with you. They’re also not allowed to just sit in your vehicle while you get out on the river or take a hike. This can quickly become dangerous for your pet. So leave them in a hotel, a camper or back at home where they’re safe.
Our Experience on the Window Trail in Big Bend National Park
When we first pulled into the parking area here, the thing that I said first off was that the canyon walls had a rugged, rust-colored canyon walls that had a rugged mountainous essence to them and they were covered in sage-colored brush and trees.
The trail meanders down a series of switchbacks. Then, you get down to the bottom of the canyon and the different-colored cliffs are towering over you. I loved getting to see all the different species of cactus-dwelling plants, and we even saw a roadrunner on the trail! They’re such truly beautiful birds!
Down at the bottom of the canyon, you’re walking along parallel to the wash. When we were there in March, it was essentially dry, but there definitely can be water down there, which is evident because of the existence of the Window. It’s so wild that water carved this giant cutout of the cliff. There is a lot of desert flora all along the trail, which is really beautiful.
At the edge of the Window you can see that the rock is slick, there is even a little dip down where the water goes. I will admit that I slid down into that dip, but I’m not recommending that. I got on to my dad for trying to do it, but then, in true Paige form, I was jealous he went three steps closer than me, so, of course, I had to do it.
The trail is out and back, so you’re going back the same way. Since you go down into the canyon, there really aren’t a ton of views going back up, except similar ones back down into the canyon. But, it’s still pretty and a good workout there at the end to get back up to your car.
Gear We Used Hiking the Window Trail
One thing you for sure need on any hike in West Texas is plenty of water! We love using these wide-mouth 32 ounce Nalgene bottles. They’re easy to clean and hold a decent amount of water. The bottles themselves aren’t overly heavy either and fit in most side pockets of backpacks. Speaking of backpacks. For shorter trails like this one, I love my Osprey Daylite backpack. It holds all the things I need for a quick trail: snacks, a stasher bag to store trash/waste or certain snacks, some sort of flannel or jacket – weather depending. For footwear, I wore my Merrell hiking boots. A lot of people like trail runners because they’re lighter, but I like the heftier boots that come up to my ankle because I’m clumsy and roll my ankle all the time, so I like extra support. I also highly recommend these Merrell socks for hiking. My hot take on socks is I prefer these to wool ones. If you’re a person who likes to document your travel memories, I actually wrote this National Park Journal with space to plan and document each of the 63 U.S. National Parks.
Alternate Option for People Who Don’t Want to Take on This Trail, but Want to See the Window
If you’re wanting your own experience looking at the Window of Big Bend, I highly recommend doing the Window Viewpoint Trail – especially at sunset. It’s only less than 0.5 miles roundtrip, it’s paved, stroller-friendly and well-worth the stop. We did this in addition to the Window. We came back for Sunset the next night and it was really beautiful, so I would still do this even if you’ve gone down into the window. It’s just a different experience.
The Window Trail is definitely in my top three favorite hikes in Big Bend National Park. This was a new experience for me on this trip and it will definitely be a repeat hike on future trips!
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