Big Bend National Park · Texas

Juniper Canyon

6.7 mi of trail, end to end · Hike the Lost Mine Trail: 4.8 mi round trip in the Service's write-up · about 300 ft of climbing · 3,200 ft of descent · 3,973 ft–7,076 ft · native surface · trail class Moderately Developed · hiking

Backcountry camps

6,831 ft 3,973 ft · 5.7 mi high 6,831 ft

Along the way Juniper Canyon Campsite

Hike the Lost Mine Trail 4.8 mi round trip · the Park Service's write-up

no dogs

Start Lost Mine Trail

Enjoying The View
Enjoying the view at the top of the Lost MIne Trail Photo: NPS / T. VandenBerg

From the very first step, the Lost Mine Trail leads hikers into a different world - a woodland-grassland ecosystem with some of the best scenic views in the park. Walk this trail and learn why so many park staff and visitors alike list it as their favorite hike in Big Bend National Park.

Trail Basics

The Lost Mine Trail rises 1,100 feet over 2.4 miles (4.8 miles round-trip) and provides excellent views of the surrounding mountains and desert. The average time to complete this trail is around three hours, so take plenty of water and a snack.

Hike Safe

This is mountain lion and black bear country! Keep children close to you; do not let them hike alone or run ahead of the group. If you see a mountain lion, do not run .

To improve your hiking experience, it is important to carry and drink plenty of water.

Protect yourself from the desert sun, even up in the mountains; use sunscreen and wear a wide-brimmed hat.

Know your limits. Take breaks as needed, and enjoy the view

Trail Tips

If your time and energy is limited, consider hiking only the first mile to a scenic overlook.

Parking at the trailhead is limited; during busy periods you may have to hike another trail and come back to Lost Mine another time. Do not attempt to park along the side of the road.

The Lost Mine is an excellent hike at all times of day, as the climb often leads to cooler temperatures at higher elevations.

The upper portion of the trail is steep; help prevent erosion by staying on the trail and following switchbacks.

There are no toilets along this trail. Human waste must be buried six inches deep, at least 100 yards from the trail or any water source or drainage. Be sure to pack out your toilet paper; it should not be buried, and burning it is prohibited. Being prepared for the trip is just as important as enjoying your visit.

Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their experience. Be courteous. Yield to other users on the trail. Let nature's sound prevail.

Accessibility The trail surface is composed of dirt and rocks. The second half of the trail includes switchbacks and steps.

This hike on nps.gov

On the parks map

All 109 trails in Big Bend National ParkFind a trailOn the parks mapPark on nps.gov

About this trail's facts

The lines are the National Park Service's public trails layer, the trailheads and the waterfalls, views, peaks and historic places along them the Service's public points of interest, read 2026-10-16 and simplified for the map; the length is the line's, end to end. The write-ups are the Service's own "things to do" text, unedited. Heights come from USGS 3DEP through Terrain Tiles on AWS (Mapzen/Tilezen), read along each line and rounded; a short trail on steep ground can be off by a few tens of feet. Closures change: check the park's own site before you go.