The Lone Star State has no shortage of hiking trails that boast incredible views, but some of the very best consistently fly under the radar. One of the most underrated hikes in Texas is the Balanced Rock via Grapevine Hills Trail, located in Big Bend National Park. This short and easy trail leads to some of the coolest rock formations you’ve ever seen, and it features 360-degree vistas of the park’s mountainous landscape.

Welcome to the Grapevine Hills!
AllTrails/John Motley
This gorgeous area of Big Bend National Park is home to the Balanced Rock via Grapevine Hills Trail, a two-mile, out-and-back hike with an elevation gain of just under 250 feet.
The trail starts off paralleling a gravel wash, staying relatively flat long enough for hikers to get their bearings.
AllTrails/Heather Dockery
Without any large trees encroaching on the path, you'll enjoy sweeping vistas of the wide-open desert landscape from start to finish.
For the last quarter mile or so, the trail climbs steeply into its namesake: an abundance of rock formations in all different shapes and sizes.
AllTrails/Jasmine DePompeo
Some uphill scrambling is required, but even children can usually navigate it with careful footing. The views are undeniably worth the effort - can you spot the trail from this high up?

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The balanced rocks are truly remarkable to see. Can you believe this neat formation occurred without any human involvement?
AllTrails/Chris Haseler
A word of caution: tempting as it may be, refrain from climbing on the boulders, as snakes often burrow into the gaps between them.
Nobody knows for sure how old the rocks are, but they have to be ancient.
AllTrails/Mark Spaniel
Each one has a unique blueprint, telling the origin story of Big Bend in its own special way.
Get those cameras ready - the rocks serve as an excellent picture frame!
AllTrails/Jeb Smith
Is there anything nature can't do?
Since the trail is so short, you can spend some time soaking up the scenery.
AllTrails/Gragory Strange
360-degree views of the park will have you swooning, and you just may never want to leave. Be careful on the way back down! The rocks are covered in a layer of loose sand and gravel, so the descent can be a tad slippery.

A dirt parking lot is available at the trailhead, and it can accommodate roughly 10 vehicles. To learn more about the trail, visit its page on AllTrails. Click here for the Big Bend National Park webpage (and here for Facebook) for details regarding park hours, entrance fees, and more.

Have you ever hiked Balanced Rock via Grapevine Hills Trail? If so, we’d love to hear all about your experience in the comments section below! Check out our previous article for another bucket-list-worthy trail in Big Bend.

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Big Bend National Park, TX, USA