A Peaceful Escape Can Be Found Along The Laguna Meadow Trail In Texas
By Katie Lawrence|Published March 08, 2024
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Katie Lawrence
Author
Katie Lawrence is a Southeast Texas native who graduated 18th in her high school class with a GPA of 4.25. She attended college in the Houston area and began writing for OnlyInYourState in 2015.
Today, Katie writes, edits, and performs several other tasks for OnlyInYourState and has never been more passionate about a job before. Outside of work, you can likely find her curled up on with a hot cup of coffee, practicing yoga, baking, or exploring the beautiful Lone Star State (in particular, the vast and mystical West Texas desert).
It’s no secret that Big Bend National Park is home to some truly stunning landscapes, and it’s my firm belief that hiking is the best way to experience the scenery. You don’t have to be in tip-top hiking shape to have a memorable outing, however. There are plenty of trails, such as the Laguna Meadow Trail, that are just hard enough to make you feel accomplished without zapping all of your energy. Many people believe it’s one of the best hikes in Texas (and certainly the best hike in Terlingua, Texas!).
I've featured a lot of difficult hikes in Big Bend National Park lately, but there are plenty of moderate trails that don't require as much skill and prior hiking experience. One of my personal favorites is the Laguna Meadow Trail.
Clocking in at just under eight miles, the trail is well-marked and easy to find, starting from the park's visitor center. It also connects with several other popular trails, so you can really customize your route.
The trail has an elevation gain of just over 1,750 feet, with much of the ascent taking place towards the beginning. You can choose to see that as either a good or bad thing, but I actually prefer getting the hardest parts out of the way first.
Sunrise is definitely the best time to start this hike. For one, the mountains block the morning light, so you'll enjoy some much-needed shade (there isn't much on the trail, so it's important to take advantage where you can). The other reason to get started early is because the trail gets harder before it gets easier, so you'll appreciate the cooler temperatures.
There are some fun stairsteps at several points on the trail. They do add a bit of a challenge (your legs will definitely be sore!), but they also provide a nice change from the monotony of the regular path.
If ever you should find yourself discouraged at any point along the trail, just look around at the towering mountains encouraging you to keep going. Just a little bit longer, and your efforts will be worth their weight in gold.
The views from the trail's highest point can only be described as magical. You can see for miles in all directions, and it's so quiet that you could hear a pin drop.
Bring some snacks or a picnic lunch to refuel with before hiking back out the way you came. You'll also want to take some photos - both to remember the beautiful scenery and to have everlasting proof of how hard you worked to get to this point.
Visit AllTrails to learn more about the Laguna Meadow Trail. I also recommend signing up for AllTrails+ for perks such as 3D and offline map access!
Have you ever hiked this picture-perfect trail? If so, do you think it’s the best hike near Terlingua, Texas? Tell us your thoughts in the comments, and check out our previous article below for a super easy hike in Big Bend National Park if you’re not looking to break a sweat. We also have a full list of the best hikes in Texas, so give it a read and find your new favorite.