HOME Travel Guide Common Sense Travel
decorative font style

Big Bend National Park: Vast Wilderness and Iconic Hiking Trails

Big Bend National Park: Vast Wilderness and Iconic Hiking Trails

Spanning 1,252 square miles—nearly the size of Rhode Island—Big Bend National Park embodies true grandeur. Its diverse landscapes offer lifelong exploration opportunities, while well-maintained roads and trails let short-term visitors experience its highlights in just 2-3 days.

Prime hikes start from Chisos Basin, including the scenic 4.8-mile Lost Mine Trail and the strenuous 10.5-mile round-trip to Emory Peak (7,832 ft), the park's highest summit.


Tourist Attraction
  • Shenandoah National Park: Stunning Blue Ridge Beauty, Epic Trails & Wildlife

    Renowned as one of Americas most spectacular national parks, Shenandoah showcases vibrant natural beauty year-round: wildflowers bloom vibrantly in spring and summer, leaves blaze red and orange in fall, and winter brings a serene, snow-draped landscape. Spot white-tailed deer frequently, and with luck, black bears, bobcats, or wild turkeys. Located just 75 miles west of Washington, DC, its an ideal escape.Begin at the Dickey Ridge Visitor Center near the northern end of Skyline Drive or the Har

  • Gateway Arch National Park: St. Louis Iconic 630-Foot Gateway to the West

    Since its opening in 1965, the Gateway Arch has far exceeded expectations as St. Louis enduring symbol. Now the centerpiece of Gateway Arch National Park, this shimmering 630-foot stainless steel arch—designed by acclaimed Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen (1910–1961)—serves as the Great Plains Eiffel Tower, honoring St. Louis role as the Gateway to the West.Ride the unique tram to the tops observation deck. Book tickets online or by phone in advance, as same-day sales often sell out duri

  • Canyonlands National Park: Utah s Largest and Most Rugged Wilderness

    Spanning 527 square miles, Canyonlands National Park is Utahs largest and wildest protected area. Its extreme terrain rivals the planets most rugged landscapes, showcasing dramatic arches, bridges, needles, spires, craters, mesas, and buttes—a stunning display of Earths ancient geology.The park features four distinct districts divided by the Green and Colorado Rivers: Island in the Sky, The Needles, The Maze, and Horseshoe Canyon. Each requires independent access, as no roads connect them.Moab i