Think Texas has no mountains? We open the map and prove otherwise with a deep dive into Big Bend’s peaks, canyons, and night skies—and we brought the region’s top insider, Robert Alvarez of Visit Big Bend, to guide the way. From the first “don’t speed in small towns” lesson to the last stargazing tip, this journey is built for travelers who want to plan well and wander slow.

www.VisitBigBend.com

We break down the real differences between Big Bend National Park and Big Bend Ranch State Park so you can match your trip to your style. The national park delivers paved access, the Chisos Basin, the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive, Santa Elena Canyon, and family-friendly trailheads. The state park trades polish for solitude: high-clearance roads, rugged terrain, and some of the best mountain biking in Texas. Robert shares how to time your visit around the Chisos Basin renovations, why the Rio Grande can surprise you, and where to chase fossils, history, and birds—including the elusive Lucifer hummingbird in the Christmas Mountains.

If logistics make or break your trips, you’ll love the practical run of tips: top off your gas before the gate, download offline maps, lock your phone to Central Time, and choose your vehicle wisely. A sedan can reach the headliners, but a high-clearance SUV or guided Jeep tour unlocks Balanced Rock and backcountry gems. We talk safety without fearmongering—pack more water than you think, respect sun and distance, give wildlife space—and we make room for wonder. Sotol Vista, the Marathon star party, and dark-sky pullouts turn the Milky Way from a photo into a memory.

Ready to design a trip you’ll actually savor? Press play, then tell us your first move: sunrise in the Chisos, a river day along the canyon, or a night under the brightest sky in Texas. If you’re enjoying the show, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a quick review—it helps more travelers find their Big Bend.

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The ROAMies

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