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The signature hiking trail in Big Bend National Park is the Outer Mountain Loop. For a section of trail that is only 30 miles, it is a grueling adventure with constant elevation changes, lack of water, and possibility of intense heat. I just completed the loop solo in April, and will in this post provide some Outer Mountain Loop hiking tips.

Outer Mountain Loop hiking tips – A picture of me at the beginning of the Outer Mountain Loop adventure

What is the Outer Mountain Loop

The Outer Mountain Loop is actually a medley of trails. There is no Outer Mountain Loop trail. It begins at the Chisos Basin with the 5.5 mile Pinnacles Trail up to the top of the Chisos Mountains. Once you reach the top of the Chisos, hikers walk about a mile on the Boot Springs Trail and then descend down the Juniper Canyon Trail. The Juniper Canyon Trail is a little over 6 miles.

Hiking up the Pinnacles Trail at the beginning of the Outer Mountain Loop

Read my three part trip report here:

Big Bend Chisos Mountains hike

Big Ben Juniper Canyon hike day 2

Completing the Big Bend Outer Mountain Loop

The Juniper Canyon Trail then meets the Dodson Trail. The Dodson Trail crosses the Chihuahuan Desert with an 11.5 mile march to the Homer Wilson Ranch. Here the Dodson Trail ends and the Outer Mountain Loop continues on via the Blue Creek Trail. The 5.5 mile Blue Creek Trail goes back up to the top of the Chisos Mountains and hooks up with the Laguna Meadows Trail. The Laguna Meadows Trail goes 4.5 miles across the top of the Chisos Mountains and then back down to the Chisos Basin.

Outer Mountain Loop hiking tips – Views coming down the Juniper Canyon Trail

Water is the key

There is no sure fire water source along the 30 mile loop. There is Juniper Springs and Boot Springs, and a few creeks along the Dodson Trail that have seasonal water. Check with the ranger to see if these sources are available.

Outer Mountain Loop hiking tips – Water is your precious – Never was I more happy to see a gallon of bottled water

Cache Water

At the junction of the Juniper Canyon Trail and the Dodson Trail, there is a backcountry parking lot with a metal box to hold water. If your car can manage the dirt roads, you can stash water here. There is also a place to keep water at the Homer Wilson Ranch at the junction of the Dodson and Blue Creek Trails. This is off the main paved park road.

Pausing for a selfie at the Big Bend Juniper Canyon backcountry parking lot – I did not cache water here, but I would if I did this hike again

The general rule of thumb is one gallon of water per day per person; however, depending on the heat, hikers may need more. I would recommend starting at the Chisos Basin carrying a gallon to a gallon and a half of water per person; furthermore, I would also recommend caching a gallon of water per person at both water caching stations. I would also bring a filter and supplement your supply by filling up a liter wherever there is an active source. If you cannot get through to the parking lot at Juniper Canyon/Dodson Trail trailhead, then you should carry at least two gallons of water from the beginning of the hike and carry a water filter.

Outer Mountain Loop hiking tipswhere in the park you are – Definitely plan to explore on top of the Chisos Mountains

Day trips on the Chisos

When you reach the top of the Chisos at the beginning of the hike, it is only 1.5 miles to Emory Peak, the highest mountain in the park. There is a bear proof container where you can put your backpack while you take this 3 mile diversion.

There are several other trails you can hike on the Chisos, which are worthwhile. The Colima Trail and the Rim trails. The top of the Chisos are cooler, tree covered, and relatively level, so the hiking is pleasant on top. Be on the lookout for the Colima warbler. The bird is extremely rare and only found in Big Bend and small sections of Mexico.

Outer Mountain Loop hiking tips – The Dodson Trail through the stark but beautiful Chihuahuan Trail

Other Outer Mountain Loop hiking tips

Hike the trail from October-March. I hiked it in mid April and it was 100 degrees. I just missed good weather. It was cool and crisp the day I got there, but then heated up the days I was hiking through the Chihuahuan Desert. If I had it over again, I would come in late March.

Outer Mountain Loop hiking tips – Backpacking the Dodson Trail

I hiked the trail in three days camping out for two nights. I would recommend staying out for three nights and hiking four days. Might as well take your time and enjoy the scenery and extend the trip if you can find access to enough water. The caveat with this is the longer one stays out in the desert wilderness, the more water they will need. If you decide to do the hike over four days, then you may need to cache/carry more water.

The trail is very well marked. If you fear hiking the trail because you might get lost, I would not worry. There are signs at every trail junction and well placed cairns and an obvious worn down trail make the navigating easy. As long as you focus on where you are going, you should be fine.

Outer Mountain Loop hiking tips – My campsite at the Juniper Canyon site in the Chisos Mountains

Do not underestimate the trail. Even though it is only 30 miles, it is up and down pretty much the whole way. Even the section on the Dodson Trail is grueling. The only part that is relatively flat is the five miles on the Dodson to the Homer Wilson Ranch and the first couple of miles on the Blue Creek. The heat and the lack of water make it even tougher.

Other useful information

Wildlife – 3 deer, 2 roadrunners, hummingbird, Scott’s oriole – No bears, wildcats, poisonous snakes, scorpions, spiders seen

Backcountry permit is $10.00 and entrance fee is $20.00

Solo hikers need to complete a solo hiker form. The park rangers will take a photograph of you, your backpack, and the soles of your shoes. They also want your vehicle information and color of your rain gear, so they can find you if you do not show up back at your car on time. You need to check back in with the rangers upon return.

Roadrunner on top of a rock

When you are done with the hike, make a beeline for the Rio Grande Village and the hot springs. There is a natural hot springs located along the Rio Grande River here. The hot water will soothe your muscles and after suffering with lack of water, you will enjoy taking a dip in the Rio Grande.

If you have any questions that this article did not answer, feel free to email me – volhiker70@yahoo.com – The park service at Chisos Basin are very knowledgeable, friendly, and helpful.  Give them a call with any questions as well – 432-477-2392 or you can research their website.

Adventure on!

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