What to pack for your trip to Big Bend National Park?
In addition to your basics - clothing, toiletries, pajamas & whatnot, we have a few things specific to this region we believe you'll be happy you packed.
First & foremost, we have to address the sun. The UV rays here are FIERCE.
You absolutely need to protect yourself from the sun here. Bring a sunhat, sunscreen, sunglasses & chapstick with SPF protection.
One of the great draws to this region is the many amazing hiking opportunities! Far West Texas is home to Big Bend National Park, Big Bend Ranch State Park & the Fort Davis Mountains!
To set yourself up for success, you'll need to have comfortable hiking shoes. Some of the hikes at Big Bend National Park, like the Santa Elena Canyon, are best with water shoes - since when water levels are high you need to wade through water for a portion of the hike.
Additionally, a hiking backpack to carry the essentials, namely WATER, is a good thing to have. Every hiker should have adequate amounts of water. One gallon per person per day is recommended, or at least 2 liters per person for a half-day. We love using a water bladder, because it doesn't weigh much & it's not bulky in the backpack. Still, any water bottle will do.
Other items to include in your pack are your phone &/or camera, sun protection, snacks (think granola bars, jerky, trail mix, sandwiches) & potentially bear spray, hand sanitizer, first aid kit, insect repellant, & an extra layer (especially if hiking in the later afternoon/evening). Remember to pack out what you pack in. So if you picnic at the summit of The Lost Mine trail (which we highly recommend), make sure to pack your trash & carry it out with you. Also noteworthy, be sure to bring or wear your swimsuit if you plan to visit the Hot Springs in BBNP (you should totally go for a dip!).
Another unique aspect of this region is that it's within a protected dark sky reserve. This means the nights get extremely dark. We love that about this area - the stargazing is world-class (more on that here). It's a good idea to bring headlamps &/or flashlights to use at night.
One thing to note about this area... everything is a little bit more expensive. From gasoline to groceries - there's a premium on everything. That's the cost for being the end of the supply chain & incredibly remote. To save money, it's a great idea to purchase your groceries locally & pack food with you, if possible.
Don't forget your essentials like toiletries, phone chargers, clothing for hiking, going out, sleeping, & more!
In Summary, Big Bend is a unique place. The following items are going to be lifesavers out here:
SUN PROTECTION
Sunhat
Sunscreen
Sunglasses
Chapstick with SPF
HYDRATION
1 Gallon of Water per person per day (minimum)
Water Bottles &/or Water Bladders
HIKING
Comfy Hiking Shoes
Water Shoes
Hiking Back Pack
Snacks (granola bars, sandwiches, trail mix, jerky)
Swimsuit
Bear Spray (not essential, but nice to have in the backcountry)
First Aid Kit
Hand Sanitizer
Sun protection
Insect Repellant
Extra Layer (especially if hiking in the late afternoon/evening)
NIGHTTIME
Headlamp
Flashlight
Layers to keep warm (it is typically hot in the day & cold at night)
TOILETRIES (take what applies, & forget the rest)
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Floss
Deodorant
Hairbrush/Comb
Shampoo
Conditioner
Body wash/Soap
Razor
Facewash
Lotion
Q-tips
Makeup
Feminine Hygiene Products
Skin care (face wash, moisturizer, etc)
Hair tools
CLOTHING
Pajamas
Hiking Clothes
Going Out clothes
Loungewear
Socks
Undies
Coat/Jacket
OTHER
Chargers
Camera gear
Phone
Laptop
Medications/Vitamins
First Aid Kit
Finally, don't forget to bring your spirit of exploration! There's so much to see out here in the majestic West Texas desert.