Hot Springs Historic District

After trekking down into the canyon along the Rio Grande, we drove to the Rio Grande Village visitor's center to collect a national park passport stamp and ask for advice.

The ranger on duty advised us to drive down the historic Hot Springs Trail, but she warned us that it was going to be something of a bumpy ride.

It was my turn to drive our rented car, much to the chagrin of my dad who didn't like the idea of a guy who only drives for one or two weeks a year taking us over the steep, narrow, and pebbly path to the historic district.

Nevertheless, we made it in one piece. I parked the car after a harrowing white-knuckle drive along some of the sketchiest roads I've ever seen, and we stepped out into the dusty vista of the Hot Springs Historic District in Big Bend National Park.

We started off on our hike along the river, unsure exactly of what to expect. The trail took us along a beautiful, verdant stretch of the Rio Grande River, which was in stunning bloom in the early spring.

A sign informed us that we should be on the lookout for a nearby collection of some ancient rock art on the cliff walls up ahead.

On this trail, there were both pictographs:

as well as petroglyphs:

To be honest, I didn't know the difference, but the informative signs at the national park explained that petroglyphs and pictographs are both forms of rock art, but they differ in how they are made. A petroglyph is an image carved, incised, or scratched into the stone, while a pictograph is painted on the stone using natural pigments.

We followed the trail to the eponymous hot spring.

The hot springs have a long history of human occupation, dating back to thousands of years ago when Native Americans left rock art on the limestone cliffs. Later, settlers and pioneers came to the area and built a resort and a post office, hoping to benefit from the healing powers of the mineral-rich water. Today, you can still see the ruins of the historic buildings and soak in the warm water that emerges from the natural spring at 105°F.

The hot springs at Big Bend National Park are a great way to experience the natural beauty and history of this region. Whether you want to relax your muscles, soothe your soul, or explore the cultural heritage, you will find something to enjoy at these thermal features.

Even though we didn't have any swimsuits, we decided to take a quick dip in the hot springs. Typically, visitors who come prepared will alternate their baths in the hot springs with a cooling plunge in the cold waters of the rapidly flowing Rio Grande River.

The surrounding landscape was stunning. While we couldn't spend too much time in the hot springs, we really enjoyed our visit to this historic district. It gave us a chance to relax after a long day of hiking and enjoy the beauty of the river.

Next time I visit Big Bend National Park, I will be sure to bring a bathing suit with me. I'd love to go on one of the park's famous river rafting tours and would also love to spend some time soaking in the historic hot springs along the Mexican border.