Best Spots to Propose in Big Bend
proposal location ideas for big bend national park
Thinking about proposing while visiting Big Bend National Park? You’ve come to the right place. Big Bend is filled with incredible landscapes– from volcanic rock, to the muddy Rio, towering canyons, and awe-inspiring mesas. It’s the kind of place where just being here is enough.
The rich history of the region, combined with the undeniably rugged and beautiful vistas, make Big Bend National Park arguably one of the best places to propose in the state of Texas. However, with over 800,000 acres in the national park alone, choosing a spot to propose is one of the hardest decisions to make!
While I don’t think you can go wrong with any location in the park, there are a few iconic spots that would make for gorgeous locations to pop the question. Let’s dive in—
BEST SPOTS TO PROPOSE IN BIG BEND
Lost Mine Trail
Climb a quick but steep 2.5 miles up the Lost Mine Trail for 360 views of the Chisos Basin, the iconic Big Bend Window, and the surrounding area. While it requires the most effort out of any of the other locations I’ll share below, that effort is rewarding with stunning views. I recommend hiking this trail in the late afternoon so you can be on the summit for sunset – which, for this location, is the best time to propose! Pack in headlamps so you can see the trail as you hike back down in the dark, then head to the Starlight Theater for some celebratory prickly pear margaritas.
Sotol Vista
Unlike the Lost Mine Trail, Sotol Vista is easily accessible– no hiking involved! This location is great at sunrise or sunset. Due to it’s accessibility, this location can be busy at times since it’s a popular sunset viewing location. With sweeping views of the desert and grassy hillsides, Sotol Vista is one of my favorite spots to enjoy the sunset (or sunrise) too! Pro Tip: if you plan a sunrise proposal, pack in a little picnic of fresh coffee and something yummy so you can sit and enjoy the sunrise and not have to rush back for breakfast.
St Elena Canyon
Whether you want to hike up the river and propose in the canyon itself, propose on the sandy banks, or be a little more adventurous and rent a canoe and paddle in the river yourself, St Elena Canyon is a gorgeous spot to ask your favorite person to marry you. With walls towering of up to 1,500 feet, it’s hard not to fall in love with the views this canyon provides.
Boquillas del Carmen (Mexico)
If you have your passports with you (and some cash and a craving for adventure), then doing your proposal in Mexico might be a great fit! Yep–that’s right–Mexico! Tucked on the east side of Big Bend National Park is the legal and regulated border crossing into the Mexican village Boquillas del Carmen. You’ll need cash to pay for the river trip and burro or horse ride into town, as well as cash for any food/drinks or souvenirs you want to buy when you’re there. I recommend around $50 cash per person depending how much to plan to spend. Make sure to have smaller bills since it may be hard to get change! If you’re looking for a good spot to propose in town, my recommendation would be the patio at the Jose Falcon restaurant! It has great views and you can celebrate the new adventure with enchiladas verdes and a cold margarita. If you want something a little more intimate, then hire a guide to take you to a secret local view of the river and propose at the overlook! Just make sure to get back to Texas before the border closes for the day.
Balanced Rock
Another iconic feature of Big Bend National Park sits 6.5 miles down the primitive Grapevine Hills Road: Balanced Rock. The Grapevine Hills trail (also known as the Balanced Rock trail) is a short but sweet trail that often has wildflowers dotting the landscape during the springtime months! The 2.2 mile round trip trail takes you to an arch make of three rocks with one balanced horizontally across the top–hence the name. Standing under the rock would be a great spot to get down on one knee and ask your partner to marry you. The road to get to the rock requires higher clearance and 4-wheel-drive, so make sure your vehicle can make it to the trailhead before heading that way!
Window Overlook Trail
In the heart of the Chisos Basin is the Window Overlook Trail. This paved and easy-access spot provides a stunning view of the Window with lots of local flora surrounading the path. Behind you, Casa Grande stands tall. This paved path is a lovely and romantic spot to propose–my recommend is to propose here at sunrise then grab breakfast at the Chisos Mountain Lodge Mountain View Restaurant.
Uniquely Scouted Proposal Location
In search of something a little more “off the beaten path?” That’s where I come in! One of the perks of working with Elope Big Bend is getting exclusive intel on gorgeous locations in lesser known areas of the park! Whether you want more of an activity focus (like a horseback ride or canoe trip) or you want a spot that takes a longer hike to get to (or any number of things in between!) I’ve got you covered. As part of our process working together, I’ll scout custom location options for your proposal so you can start your next best adventure in a way that’s intentional and true to you.
Your Big Bend Proposal
There you have it–six incredible locations to propose in Big Bend National Park. Wherever you decide to pop the question, I hope you have an amazing time while you’re out here! And if you want to keep dreaming about your proposal, feel free to explore the links below.
Looking for a place to stay while visiting Big Bend? Check out my blog post 5 ROMANTIC STAYS FOR COUPLES IN BIG BEND.
Planning a proposal? I’d love to document it! Let’s bring your vision to life. GET IN TOUCH.
