South Rim Trail Loop + Emory Peak | Complete Hiking Guide

The South Rim Trail is the best full-day hike in Big Bend National Park. This 12.6-mile loop starts in the Chisos Basin and climbs steadily to the South Rim, where sweeping views over the Chihuahuan Desert make every switchback worth it. Add on the short but steep scramble up Emory Peak, the highest point in the park, and you have one of the most rewarding hiking days in all of Texas.

Tim and I did this hike on our very first day in Big Bend. It’s the most challenging thing we did in the park, and we wanted to tackle it while our legs were fresh.

We set out just past sunrise and had the trail almost entirely to ourselves for most of the morning, a rare thing on a hike this spectacular. The quiet, the early light filtering through the forest on the Laguna Meadows Trail, and then those big open views from the South Rim were all highlights. But the standout moment was the rock scramble to the top of Emory Peak, with 360-degree views that are simply the best in the park.

Here’s everything you need to know to hike the South Rim Trail in Big Bend National Park.

IMPORTANT — Chisos Basin Closure: Beginning May 1, 2026, the entire Chisos Basin area will be closed to visitors for approximately two years as part of a major construction project funded by the Great American Outdoors Act. This closure includes the Basin Road, Chisos Basin Visitor Center, lodge, campground, restaurant, and all surrounding trailheads — including the trailhead for this hike. The closure affects only the Chisos Basin area; the rest of Big Bend National Park remains open. Check the National Park Service website for updates as individual areas may reopen as construction phases are completed.

South Rim Trail: Stats & Map

Distance: 12.6 mile (20.3 km) loop
Total Ascent: 2,800 feet (850 m)
Difficulty: Strenuous
Length of Time: 6 to 8 hours

This can be done as one big day hike or as a two-day backpacking trip. There are numerous backcountry campsites located along the trail, the perfect place to spend the night if you are looking for solitude or a unique backpacking experience. Learn more here.

As a bonus, you have the option to add on Emory Peak, which is the tallest peak in Big Bend National Park. Emory Peak adds 3 miles (4.8 km) and about 1.5 hours to this hike, bringing the grand total distance to 15.6 miles (25.1 km).

The South Rim Trail is done as a loop. You can do this in either direction. If you do it counter-clockwise, it is a slow, gradual climb up to the South Rim, on the Laguna Meadows Trail. If you do it in a clockwise direction, the climb will be shorter but steeper, with much of this climb coming right before the spur trail to Emory Peak.

We hiked the trail in a counter-clockwise direction, so that is how I have written this post.

Below is a color-coded map of the hiking trails. The trails change names numerous times and with the option for detours (Emory Peak) and alternate trails (Northeast Rim Trail versus Boot Canyon Trail) it can get confusing. Hopefully, this map clears up any questions you may have.

Color coded map of the South Rim Trail in Big Bend with the option to add on Emory Peak

Elevation profile of the South Rim Trail and Emory Peak.

Please practice the seven principles of Leave No Trace: plan ahead, stay on the trail, pack out what you bring to the hiking trail, leave areas as you found them, minimize campfire impacts, be considerate of other hikers, and do not approach or feed wildlife.

Hiking the South Rim Trail Loop

Start: Laguna Meadows Trail

This hike starts and ends near the Chisos Basin Visitor Center.

There are several trails that start next to the Chisos Basin parking lot (the Window Trail, the Window View Trail, and the Laguna Meadows Trail). From the parking lot, look for the sidewalk that leads to these hiking trails.

Trail sign at the Chisos Basin trailhead. The trail to the left is the Laguna Meadows Trail.

Take the Laguna Meadows Trail. This trail starts off relatively flat and then gradually gains elevation as you approach the South Rim Trail.

For much of this part of the hike, you will be walking in and out of a forest. During the early morning hours, this part of the trail is all in the shade, until the sun rises high enough in the sky to shine over the mountain peaks.

Laguna Meadows Trail (near the visitor center) with Emory Peak in the distance.

Tim on the Laguna Meadows Big Bend South Rim Trail

After the Laguna Meadows Trail, the trails change names several times. However, if you continue to follow the signs for the South Rim Trail, you will end up in the correct place.

Colima Trail to Southwest Rim Trail

The Laguna Meadows Trail ends at a fork in the trail. Continue on the Colima Trail for a short distance until you reach the Southwest Rim Trail.

For most of the hike, so far, you are in a forest. It’s a pretty hike but there is not much of a view. Every so often, you will get a brief glimpse of the mountain range, but it is not until you reach the South Rim that your effort really begins to pay off. But the time you reach the South Rim Trail, most of your elevation gain is done and you can enjoy the views over the park.

First good view of the hike.

The South Rim Viewpoint

It can be very easy to miss what might be one of the best views of the day.

Once you get to this sign (and “South Rim” on Google Maps), make sure you take the spur trail to the right. This trail leads out to the South Rim, where the views are incredible, and almost as good as those from Emory Peak. Here are the GPS coordinates, just to make sure you don’t miss it: 29.226315, -103.302805.

Photo showing the detour to the South Rim Viewpoint, labeling the two trails

If you hike the spur trail out to the farthest point, this adds about 0.25 miles to the hike (and it is worth it!).

Big Bend South Rim View of Chihuahua Desert

Continue on the Southwest Rim Trail

After taking the detour, continue on the Southwest Rim Trail. Here are more photos from the trail.

As you continue on the South Rim, you will reach another fork in the trail. If it is open, you can take the Northeast Rim Trail for similar views as what you get from the South Rim. However, this adds more distance and time onto the hike. Plus, this section of trail is closed during peregrine falcon nesting season (typically February 1 to May 31).

The Northeast Trail was closed during our visit so we hiked Boot Canyon Trail.

PRO TRAVEL TIP: Before you start your hike, ask about trail closures at the visitor center (you might have to do this the day before your hike since the visitor center typically does not open until 8 am). I assumed that the NPS website would have up-to-date information about trail closures, but this was not the case. The website did not list the trail closure for the Northeast Rim Trail during our visit. It wasn’t until we arrived at the Northeast Rim Trail (now over 5 miles into the hike) that we learned that it was closed.

Boot Canyon Trail

If the Northeast Trail is closed, or you just want a shorter hike, take the Boot Canyon Trail. This trail is 3.3 miles long and is a mostly downhill walk until you get to the Pinnacles Trail and the Emory Peak Trail.

Emory Peak or Complete the Hike on the Pinnacles Trail

Once you reach the saddle that sits at the base of Emory Peak, you have a choice to make. You can either take the trail to Emory Peak, for amazing panoramic views over Big Bend National Park, or you can skip this and return to the Chisos Basin Visitor Center on the Pinnacles Trail.

View from the saddle at the base of Emory Peak

See all of our articles about Big Bend National Park

Adding on Emory Peak

Emory Peak is the highest point in Big Bend National Park and the Chisos Mountains.

This detour adds 3 miles (4.8 km), an additional 800 feet (245 m) of elevation gain, and about an hour and a half onto the hike. The trail ends with a 25-foot rock scrambling section to get up onto the peak. If you like rock scrambling, you’ll love this part of the hike. But if you have a fear of heights or climbing up and down massive boulders, this final section can be intimidating.

From Emory Peak, enjoy the spectacular 360° views over Big Basin National Park. On a clear day, you can see the Chihuahuan Desert and the entire Chisos Mountain Range.

Pinnacles Trail to Chisos Basin

Once you are back on the saddle, continue down the Pinnacles Trail until you reach Chisos Basin. At first, the trail is steep, with a lot of switchbacks. When we did this, it felt like a never-ending descent to get back to the Visitor Center. However, I think that the Pinnacles Trail is more interesting than the Laguna Meadows Trail, since you are surrounded by rocky mountains and are treated to better views of the park along the way.

The Pinnacles Trail will join the Laguna Meadows Trail and then the hike ends at the Chisos Basin Visitor Center.

Summary of the Hiking Trails: Laguna Meadows Trail → Colima Trail → Southwest Rim Trail → Boot Canyon Trail or the Northeast Rim Trail → Emory Peak Trail (optional) → Pinnacles Trail → Laguna Meadows Trail

Best Time to Hike the South Rim Trail

We hiked the South Rim Trail in early March, and while the clear skies gave us spectacular views from the rim and the top of Emory Peak, it came with a surprise: temperatures hit 90°F that day — unusually warm, even for Big Bend in spring. The following day turned cloudy, which is a good reminder that conditions can shift quickly here. Starting at sunrise made a real difference in beating the heat on the long climb up.

March is also Big Bend’s busiest month by a wide margin. The park saw over 100,000 visitors in both March 2024 and March 2025 (compare that to 50,000 visitors in February and 65,000 visitors in April). On the South Rim Trail itself, we had the trail largely to ourselves for most of the morning, which suggests that an early start is the key to a quieter experience even during peak season.

Best times to hike the South Rim Trail by season:

Spring (March–May): Most popular time to visit. Wildflowers can be stunning, but temperatures rise quickly. March can already hit the 80s and 90s. Start at sunrise.
Fall (October–November): Excellent hiking conditions. Cooler temperatures, fewer crowds than spring, and pleasant weather make this an ideal window.
Winter (December–February): Cool to cold, sometimes freezing at elevation. This is still a popular time to visit the park. A great option for experienced hikers who don’t mind cold mornings.
Summer (June–September): Not recommended. Heat is extreme and potentially dangerous on an exposed, strenuous hike of this length.

Tips to Have the Best Experience

Start early in the day. This is a very long hike, so ideally, start at sunrise to give yourself enough time to complete this hike. Starting early will also let you get the most strenuous part of the hike, the ascent up to the South Rim, finished before temperatures really heat up.

Bring lots of water. During the warmer months, bring 4 liters per person.

Bring sunblock. On the South Rim and the trail to Emory Peak, there is very little shade.

Check in the Visitor Center and/or the National Park Service website about trail closures before you go. The Northeast Rim Trail is typically closed from February 1 to May 31 for peregrine falcon nesting season.

There is a chance you could cross paths with a black bear or a mountain lion. Click the links for advice from the NPS website on what to do should you encounter one of these animals on the hiking trail.

Frequently Asked Questions

How hard is the South Rim Trail?

The South Rim Trail is a strenuous hike. The 12.6-mile loop gains nearly 2,800 feet of elevation, and adding Emory Peak brings the total to 15.6 miles and 3,640 feet of ascent. The climb up via the Laguna Meadows Trail is long and gradual, while the descent on the Pinnacles Trail is steep with many switchbacks. Most fit hikers complete the loop in 6 to 8 hours; plan for 8 to 10 hours if you’re adding Emory Peak.

Which direction should I hike the South Rim Trail loop?

We hiked it counter-clockwise, taking the Laguna Meadows Trail up to the South Rim first. This gives you a long, gradual climb and saves the steeper Pinnacles Trail for the descent. Hiking it clockwise means a shorter but steeper ascent. Either direction works, but counter-clockwise is the more popular choice.

Is Emory Peak worth adding on to the South Rim hike?

Yes, it’s the highlight of the entire day. The rock scramble to the summit is fun and not overly technical, and the 360-degree views from the top are the best in Big Bend National Park. It adds 3 miles and about 1.5 hours, but if you’re already doing the South Rim loop, it would be a shame to skip it.

Can you backpack the South Rim Trail?

Yes. There are several backcountry campsites along the route, making this an excellent two-day backpacking trip. Permits are required and can be obtained through the NPS. Check the NPS website for current permit details and campsite availability.

When is the Northeast Rim Trail closed?

The Northeast Rim Trail is typically closed from February 1 to May 31 each year for peregrine falcon nesting season. If it’s closed during your visit, you’ll take the Boot Canyon Trail instead, which is the route we hiked.

Continue Exploring Big Bend National Park

The South Rim Trail is one of the crown jewels of Big Bend, but there’s a lot more to discover in this remarkable park.

If you’re still planning your trip, our Big Bend Travel Guide covers everything you need to know, and our Big Bend itinerary helps you make the most of your time.

For more hiking, browse our guide to the best hikes in Big Bend, including shorter options like the Ernst Tinaja Trail and the Balanced Rock hike, both worth doing if you have an extra half day.

Do you have any questions about how to hike the South Rim Trail? Let us know in the comment section below!

Explore More of Texas & the National Parks

If this is part of a bigger road trip through the USA, visit our Texas Travel Guide and United States Travel Guide for more inspiration and travel planning tips.

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How to hike the South Rim Trail and add on Emory Peak in Big Bend National Park.