Solo Female Road Trip USA: Stop 3 - Big Bend National Park

🌄✨From Austin's artsy coffee shops to the raw wilderness of the Texas borderlands — welcome to Big Bend, where the desert teaches you stillness and the stars make you feel infinite. 🐴 Wake-Up Calls from the Wild At Chisos Basin Campground, dawn doesn't arrive with an alarm — but with the sound of mule deer hooves, the braying of wild donkeys, and the curious gaze of a coyote lingering at the edge of my site. Being watched by wildlife while eating oatmeal? Just another morning in this wild neighborhood 😂. 🌌 The Milky Way, Unfiltered When the last light fades behind the Chisos Mountains, the real show begins. With zero light pollution, the Milky Way spills across the sky like a river of diamonds. Wrapped in a sleeping bag on a flat rock, I learned what it truly means to sleep under the stars. 👵👴 The "Sunset Squad" to the Rescue With temperatures hitting 40°C (104°F), solo hiking felt risky. That’s when two retired couples from the campsite waved me over: “Hey kiddo, hike with us! We’ve got extra water and a satellite phone.” Our little squad of six piled into two pickups and set off on a slow-and-steady sightseeing tour: Shared binoculars to spot peregrine falcons nesting in Santa Elena Canyon Held each other’s arms on the rocky slopes of Lost Mine Trail Swapped addresses at the end: “See you at Yellowstone next year!” 💫 Notes from the Trail 1️⃣ Safety first — joining a group in extreme heat isn’t just smart, it’s essential 2️⃣ Kindness is everywhere — strangers in national parks quickly become trail family 3️⃣ The wild humbles you — locking eyes with a coyote reminds you we’re only visitors here 📌 Tips for Your Big Bend Adventure Visit in spring or fall; if in summer, hike at dawn or dusk Book campsites 6 months ahead — but check for last-minute cancellations! Pack sunscreen and a wide-angle lens — every turn deserves to be remembered Traveling solo doesn’t mean being alone. Whether it’s the Milky Way blazing above, a warm cup of coffee shared by new friends, or a wild donkey serenading your morning — you’re always traveling with the world. #US #Texas #Austin