Hiking Project Logo
Climb
MTB
Hike
Trailrun
Ski
Limited Time70% OffonX Backcountry

Window Trail

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate Intermediate
 4.5 (109)
  1. Areas
  2. TX
  3. …West Texas
  4. …Big Bend National Park
  5. Chisos Mountains
Explore in 3D
Use onX Backcountry to explore the terrain in 3D, view recent satellite imagery, and more. Now available in onX Backcountry Mobile apps! For more information see this post.
Previous Next

“A unique 5.6-mile tour that follows the Oak Creek to the overlook called the Window. ”

Caleb Joyce
Your Rating: Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List
Zoom in to see details
Map Key

5.6

Miles

9.1

KM

Out and Back

5,352' 1,631 m

High

4,452' 1,357 m

Low

914' 279 m

Up

914' 279 m

Down

6%

Avg Grade (4°)

20%

Max Grade (11°)

Dogs Unknown

Features Views

Overview

Meander through the grasslands, trees and creek bed to end up at the edge of a cliff where water drains out of the Chisos Basin. The Window views are breathtaking and the hiking is great with the varied terrain.

Description

This is a beautiful and unique trail that takes off from the Chisos Mountain Visitor Center and ends with a spectacular gem. The trail starts in the basin's meadows and progresses down the Oak Creek drainage.

The creekbed is fun to follow, as it provides interesting built in steps that meander from side to side in the canyon. At the end of the creek, you'll find a rewarding view where water has sliced a narrow window in the Chisos Basin. Be careful at the windows ledge! The rock is extremely slippery and the fall would be fatal.

The return is uphill, so make sure that you save some water for the return journey.

Contacts

Land Manager: NPS - Big Bend National Park

Shared By:

Caleb Joyce
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.5 from 109 votes

#2

in Chisos Mountains

#86

Overall
  4.5 from 109 votes
5 Star
59%
4 Star
33%
3 Star
7%
2 Star
1%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#2

in Chisos Mountains

#2

in Texas

#86

Overall
42 Views Last Month
7,764 Since Sep 29, 2015
Intermediate Intermediate
3%
4%
70%
10%
13%
0%
Add a Photo

Photos

Overlook at "The Window" in Big Bend National Park
May 10, 2016 near Big Ben…, TX
The Window Trail heading to the main event includes really neat built in steps making this hike fun to crawl over.
Dec 15, 2015 near Big Ben…, TX
Sunset from The Window trailhead
Jun 28, 2018 near Big Ben…, TX
The Window provides one of the most unique sunset views in the park.
May 17, 2017 near Big Ben…, TX
Heading down "the window" trail.
Oct 28, 2017 near Big Ben…, TX
View of the Window. Be careful at the edge, it's a long drop to the bottom of the Chisos Basin!
Dec 15, 2015 near Big Ben…, TX

1 Comment

Sort by: Oldest Drop down
Newest Oldest Popular
6,000 characters
6,000 characters
loading

Weather

Today
82°F · 64°F 28°C · 18°C
Tue
91°F · 63°F 33°C · 17°C
Wed
86°F · 61°F 30°C · 16°C
Thu
82°F · 59°F 28°C · 15°C
Fri
84°F · 54°F 29°C · 12°C
Sat
72°F · 51°F 22°C · 11°C

Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Mar 22, 2025
Cori W
Absolutely beautiful but the last bit going back uphill is pretty brutal in the heat. Have plenty of water and avoid the hottest parts of the day.
Dec 30, 2024
Grant Pennington
Dec 30, 2024
Jackie Steele
Apr 7, 2024
Rachel Solorio
5.6mi
Apr 10, 2023
Chris Pang
Jan 22, 2023
Gurinder Saini
Great hike. A little rough to climb back. 6.2mi — 3h 21m
Nov 11, 2022
Leah McCarty
Nov 1, 2022
Ashley Byrom
Camps and Byroms 5mi

Nearby Recommended Routes

PrevNext
March 2025
SuMoTuWeThFrSa
      1
2345678
9101112131415
16171819202122
23242526272829
3031     
Welcome

Join the Community! It's FREE

Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started