More to see in Big Bend National Park with the Carful of Kids

After several days on the road exploring West Texas, the carful of kids sleep great in our cozy cabin at Far Flung Outdoor Center. A beautiful sunrise greets us across the desert garden that flanks the cabins.

We spend a few minutes letting the kids sleep in and enjoy our coffee on the back porch. It's chilly out this morning but should warm up nicely even in the winter and the river guides are preparing for float trips.

Later, we'll trek east through Big Bend National Park--entering at  Maverick Junction and continuing to the Chisos Basin. Chisos Basin Road has several sharp, steep S-curves and isn't recommended for RVs and trailers though it's a pleasant drive and should not be missed.

The Window in Chisos Basin should not be missed.

The Chisos Basin is the hub of activity--a 60-site campground ( 26 sites are reservable ), Chisos Mountain Lodge, a Visitor Center, a store and seven trail heads. Arrive early in the day, parking is limited during the peak season.

The carful of kids check in at the visitor center and look over our hiking options. I spot the map that displays all the recent encounters with black bear and mountain lions; the kids watch the video explaining what to do if you meet one on a trail. We are prepared to hike.

Hiking along the Chisos Basin Loop Trail, great for older kids.

The carful of kids' first hike is the Window View Trail, an easy, paved .3 mile walk to a viewpoint--nice and don't miss it. The Chisos Basin Loop Trail is next, a 1.8 mile round-trip hike that's rated moderate.

The Chisos Basin Loop is good for families with older children as it gets away from the buildings but you shouldn't encounter bears or mountain loins. Though my boys insist on carrying large rocks the whole way to protect us from predators, just in case.

After a hike the carful of kids are hungry for lunch so we move on to Dugout Wells for a picnic. It's in a grove of trees that serves as an oasis in the desert.

The carful of kids head to the Rio Grande Village on the far east side of the park; but first, we need gas--the Panther Junction Visitors Center has it.

The Rio Grande Village is another hub--125 campsites, a visitors center, a store and the Mexican Border Crossing. I check with the visitors center about the conditions in Boquillas Del Carmen--an isolated village across the border.

The border crossing is closed on Monday and Tuesday.

All sounds great; passports in hand, ready to cross except--they are CLOSED. Ouch, seems like I read that somewhere. Next time, kids.

We head to Boquillas Canyon Overlook instead, where you can see the village of Boquillas Del Carmen--it's very small and isolated. On the rocks here, there are handmade souvenirs left by the villagers of Boquillas. They watch their wares from their side of the river and when a purchase has been made, they gather the money left in the jar in front of the rock.

The residents of Boquillas Del Carmen cross the Rio Grande.

While the carful of kids look at the view through binoculars, the Border Patrol drives by in an unmarked SUV and plain clothes. The boys are all eyes.

This area is also popular for backcountry camping and 4x4ing. The sun is hanging low in the sky so the carful of kids turn in their Junior Ranger booklets for a cool patch before heading out.

The National Parks of West Texas give out patches to students who complete a NPS Junior Ranger Booklet.

We need to get to Del Rio tonight so we load up and say good-bye to the Big Bend National Park for now. After visiting nearly 60 national parks in the U.S. and Canada, this one has to be one of the most beautiful.

Up next: A visit to Garner State Park and Lost Maples State Natural Area.