Texas Hides A Natural Hot Spring In Big Bend National Park For Ultimate Relaxation

Situated in the sharp bend of the Rio Grande in West Texas, the majestic Big Bend National Park is widely considered one of Texas' best national parks. Established at the height of World War II in June of 1944, Big Bend encompasses over 800,000 acres making it the 14th largest park in the country. Because of its size and unique location, visitors can experience many different kinds of terrain from desert to mountains to canyons. In fact, it's the only park in the United States that includes an entire mountain range (the Chisos Mountains). Whether you enjoy hiking, whitewater rafting, horseback riding, or stargazing, you can find endless adventures at Big Bend. But one of the top things to do and see in Big Bend National Park is the hot springs.

Bubbling up from the ground at 105 degrees Fahrenheit, the crystal clear water of the hot springs has what is referred to as fossil water, or ancient, non-renewable water. Because the water has been underground for millennia, it's full of dissolved mineral salts that have long been rumored to offer healing power. Whether or not that's true, a dip in the hot spring surrounded by gorgeous views can be just what the doctor ordered after a long hike.

Before Big Bend was born, the land around the spring had been occupied by one group of people or another for thousands of years. In fact, visitors can still see pictographs left by ancient residents to this day. But it became more widely known when a man from Mississippi named J.O. Langford decided to head to West Texas in 1909 with his family in search of relief for his chronic bouts of malaria. In a hotel lobby in Alpine, Texas, Langford heard a man talking about the healing powers of the spring and decided to buy it sight-unseen under the Homestead Act. 

Once the Langford family arrived, Langford started a 21-day regimen of drinking and bathing in the spring water, and upon his recovery, he decided to open the spring to the public. He built a two-story limestone bathhouse, charging bathers 10 cents a day or $2.00 for a full 21-day treatment. He also added a family home and a post office building. Although the original bathhouse is long gone, guests can bathe in the springs bordered by the foundation of the old building.

Today, visitors can drive to the Hot Springs Historic Trailhead via a 2-mile gravel road off Park Road 12 aptly named Hot Springs Road. The hiking trail is a 1-mile loop with a 200-foot elevation change. Although it's a short hike, you'll want to heed a few hiking safety tips to keep your group safe in this arid (and often hot) climate. Bring plenty of water (one liter per person per hour), eat plenty of salty snacks to keep that water in your body, and use lots of sun protection. 

Along the way, you can explore the remains of Langford's resort, which include the store and post office and the motel all added in 1927. Finally, you'll reach the hot spring. If you decide to take a dip, be aware that this is a soak, not a bath. Please don't use soap or oils. Also note that alcohol, littering, and overnight camping are prohibited.