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If you are looking to really get away for your vacation, go to Big Bend National Park, Texas. It is one of the largest national parks (just shy of the size of Rhode Island), and it is one of the most infrequently visited parks in the country. If you look at a map of Texas you will see an area in the far South-West of the state, where the Rio Grande makes a large turn, the big bend in the river that defines the boundary between the US and Mexico. Big Bend is located on the Texas side of this bend. The park is very isolated from the outside world, and its desert is the best example of Chihuahuan desert in the country. If you visit there you will be rewarded with great scenery, exotic wildlife, interesting history, and the tranquillity of solitude.
The Chisos mountains stand in roughly the center of the park. Just beyond Panther Ranger Station, the park head quarters, you can drive up through a gap in the Chisos mountains to a wonderful camp area known as the Basin, or to the park's lodge. From the Basin you can find many great trails to hike. For inexperienced hikers there is the Window trail that leads to a scenic vista looking out of the Chisos to the desert floor below. The Lost Mine trail is another good hike for beginners. It is located along the road into the basin. For the experienced hiker there is the South Rim, a twelve mile trail to the top of the Chisos. Along the way you can take side trails to Emory peak (the highest mountain in the park), Juniper Canyon, and Blue Creek, which are both recommended for back pack trips, not day hikes. There is also a general store, cabins, an excellent restaurant, and the Basin offers many interesting programs for people who want to learn more about the area.
Santa Elena Canyon is another spectacular attraction at the park. There you can see the Rio Grande flow through a canyon with sheer rock cliffs on either side. The arrangement of the boulders in the river causes the optical illusion of the river flowing upstream. The canyon is particularly beautiful at sunset. If you have a 4-wheel drive vehicle you can get to another great canyon, Mariscal. The road which you have to take is not recommended for vehicles with a low clearance. It is over forty mile of gravel and dirt that follows the Rio Grande. It will probably take five to six hours to drive so make sure you go prepared with plenty of gas. The hike up to the top of Mariscal canyon is also difficult because there is a steep climb, but the view is well worth the effort. Further down the road you can walk through the ruins of an old quicksilver mine. Another great 4-wheel road is the Old Ore road, which has especially difficult terrain, but is a very fun off road excursion.
Among the many great hikes in the park I recommend The Chimneys, which is just over a six mile round trip to a rock formation resembling a chimney. Upon the rock are Native American pictoglyphs. Upper and Lower Burro Springs are also good hikes. They take you through flat desert terrain to a canyon where centuries of rain have carved a hole in the rock for rain to pass from the upper part of the canyon to the lower.
Hiking is not the only way to see the scenery of the park. You will see some beautiful scenery that can be found nowhere else in the world by just driving down the Ross Maxwell scenic drive, or any of the park's main roads. I especially recommend watching the Sierra Del Carmens as the sun sets or rises. The view is breathtaking. The Castolon historic district has some unique examples of the region's homestead architecture. After visiting the park you will probably gain a new appreciation for what it took to settle this wild region of the country. Castolon also has a general store. Big Bend is located about a hundred miles from the nearest bank, pharmacy, or supermarket, so you may want to take advantage of the store's supplies. The only shower facilities, except for those who 'rough it' in the lodge, are located on the border at The Rio Grande Village. The store there is pretty well stocked, and there is an RV park located there as well. If you are interested in crossing the border the Mexican town of Boquillas, Coahuila, lies south of the park.
Big Bend is a great vacation that will allow you to totally get away from the world, and experience an environment you are probably not familiar with. Our National Park system is great, but many places like Yellowstone or Yosemite get overcrowded. That is not Big Bend's problem. In fact, the best seasons to visit the park are autumn, winter, and spring, times when other parks may be closed due to excessive snows. Big Bend National Park is the perfect getaway for anyone looking for solitude and scenery.
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