2026 Chinati Mountains First Day Hike
NEW YEAR, NEW PARK!
Be the FIRST in Chinati Mountains State Natural Area, on this FIRST DAY HIKE!
The park, recently featured in Texas Monthly, won’t be open to the public for several years but on January 1st, they’re opening it to a select group of people and YOU could be one of those people!. This will be the FIRST time any members of the public will be allowed inside.
How can I be a part of it? KEEP READING!
Enter the Raffle!
Friends of Big Bend Ranch is selling raffle tickets from December 1-13th. Starting December 14th, Big Bend Ranch State Park employees will be drawing one winner per day ending on Christmas Day. Each person drawn will be allowed to bring ONE guest for a total of 24 people.
It’s like Willy Wonka but in the desert! Except instead of buying candy bars, you’re buying raffle tickets!
- December 1-13, raffle tickets on sale
- December 14-25, raffle drawing takes place
- January 1, 2026, hike
FILL OUT THE FORM BELOW TO ENTER, then keep an eye on the Big Bend Ranch State Park social media channels!
The more tickets you buy, the better your chances!
All proceeds go to Friends of Big Bend Ranch State Park, which then goes right back to the Big Bend Ranch State Park AND Chinati Mountains State Natural Area. We are the designated Friends group for both parks!
About the Hike
- January 1, 2026, 9:00 am
- The hike is 7 miles round trip, 3.5 miles one-way to Casa Bavista.
- It’s an easy-to-moderate hike with multiple difficulties, going up and down hills.
- Trip hazards, snakes and additional hazards are possible since this isn’t an established trail yet.
- Winners will receive additional information from Big Bend Ranch State Park once they are picked
- Visit the official hike website