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Big Bend National Park hiking guide

South Rim Trail

A 12.3-mile loop with 2,440 ft of climbing in Chisos Mountains, rated difficult.

South Rim Trail, Big Bend National Park
Photo: NPS/J. Jurado

Key facts

Length
12.3 mi (19.8 km)
Elevation gain
2,440 ft (742 m)
Route type
Loop
Difficulty
Difficult
Area
Chisos Mountains
Highest point
7,352 ft
Lowest point
5,351 ft

About South Rim Trail

This trail offers stunning views of the inner canyon from the rim, providing a relatively easy and accessible hiking experience. The trail is suitable for families and those looking for a less strenuous hike while still enjoying the breathtaking vistas of the canyon.

Route map

Route map of South Rim Trail in Big Bend National Park1 miN
Start and finishNorth is up. Drawn from the route in the Parka app.

This route was checked by Parka editors.

Elevation profile

Elevation profile of South Rim Trail6,0007,0000510Distance (miles)Elevation (ft)High 7,352 ftLow 5,351 ft
Elevation runs from 5,351 ft to 7,352 ft over 11.9 miles of mapped route. The profile is sampled from elevation data along the route.

Nearby in Chisos Mountains

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