The Beer Drinker’s Guide to Big Bend National Park

Some parks get drive-by visitors stopping on their way somewhere else. Not Big Bend. From the Wild and Scenic Rio Grande to the sky islands of the Chisos Mountains and all the canyons, Cretaceous-era fossils, and stretches of Chihuahuan Desert in between, Big Bend National Park is always the main event.

This Texas national park sits at the state’s southern tip, forming a desert refuge where peccaries, great horned owls, and spiny lizards make their homes. People are drawn to Big Bend to paddle the Rio Grande between sheer canyon walls, hike mountain trails thousands of feet above the surrounding desert, look for the park’s 450-plus bird species, and camp under a dazzling night sky.

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. was drawn to Big Bend for the same reasons: It’s a special place that serves up nature and adventure in Texas-sized doses and deserves support to match. That’s why this summer, the brewery is featuring a special collection of its flagship Pale Ale dedicated to four national parks, Big Bend included. (The other three are Great Smoky Mountains, Yellowstone, and Yosemite.)

The beer hasn’t changed, but the artful limited-edition packaging shines a spotlight on these iconic parks. Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. is backing that up with a donation to the National Park Foundation to support wildlife and habitat conservation. “Our national parks are a jewel that we need to preserve,” founder Ken Grossman says. “Connection to nature is really critical. I think it’s our legacy to preserve those places forever.”

Amie Engerbretson, professional skier and Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. ambassador, agrees. “The national parks are where you see the very best that Mother Nature has to offer,” she says. “And they’re so accessible, it makes it possible for all people to see some of the coolest places in the world.”

So put Big Bend on your must-go list—you won’t get there any other way—and start planning with this guide to the park’s can’t-miss spots to hike, camp, paddle, and “cheers!” a day well spent.

Best Mountain Day Hike

South Rim Trail

Big effort is rewarded with big views on this route. With 12.5 miles of hiking and almost 4,000 feet of elevation gain and loss, it both tests and rewards hikers with expansive vistas over desert wilderness, canyons, and peaks stretching into Mexico. And up at 7,000-plus feet, the air is slightly cooler compared to the desert below. (Still, be prepared for intense sun; skip this one in the heat of summer.) Start by hoofing it up the steep Pinnacles Trail, then connect to Boot Canyon, South Rim, and Laguna Meadows trails for an all-day loop across the top of the park.

Pale Ale moment: Back at the trailhead, continue on to the Window View Trail, an easy .3-mile loop, and grab a bench to savor the sunset.

Best Desert Day Hike

Mariscal Canyon Rim

If standing on the edge of a sheer 1,400-foot drop to the Rio Grande sounds more thrilling than terrifying, put this stunner on your list. From the remote Talley Trailhead, follow rock cairns through patches of cholla and rock cactus before steeply climbing to the tabletop of Mariscal Mountain. Tiptoe to the overlook for a peek into the tight folds of Mariscal Canyon, where the Rio Grande begins its swing to the north. Retrace your steps for a 6.6-mile day.

Pale Ale moment: Set up camp at one of the Talley primitive roadside sites near the trailhead for a beer with a side of stargazing.

Best Paddle

Santa Elena Canyon

The westernmost river canyon in Big Bend is the stuff of legend: 1,500-foot rock walls, peregrine falcons and red-tailed hawks soaring overhead, gravel beaches, and—this is big in southern Texas—blessed shade. Tackle the 20-mile float from Lajitas to the Santa Elena River Access Point for a rejuvenating two- or three-day trip, camping on gravel bars (permit required). Check river levels, as the canyon’s Rock Slide rapid becomes a Class IV obstacle at certain flows. Or skip the long driving shuttle and get straight to the heart of the canyon scenery by doing it “boomerang” style: Paddle upstream from the take-out, an option available when the river is flowing 200 cubic feet per second (CFS) or lower, then retrace your strokes when ready.

Pale Ale moment: Pick a beach, any beach.

Best Soak

Boquillas Hot Springs

Pale Ale moment: Alcohol isn’t allowed at the hot spring itself, but that’s fine, because after soaking, when you’re good and relaxed, is the perfect time for happy hour. For that, grab a permit for one of the nearby primitive drive-in campsites at La Clocha or Gravel Pit (high-clearance vehicle required) and toast your good fortune. (Alternate overnight spot: The Rio Grande Village Campground down the road has more amenities.)

Note: It’s always smart to check the park website before your trip for conditions and safety information, as well as where alcohol consumption is permitted.

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., founded by Ken Grossman in 1980, is a pioneer in craft brewing. With breweries in California and North Carolina, it’s known for quality ingredients, innovation, and sustainability. Popular beers include Pale Ale, Hazy Little Thing, and Torpedo. Learn more at sierranevada.com.