Balanced Rock Big Bend National Park in Texas. (Two Worlds Treasures)

BALANCED ROCK BIG BEND: AN EASY HIKE TO A NATURE WONDER!

Hiking to Balanced Rock in Big Bend National Park is a must do! It’s easy and you will be rewarded with beautiful earth art!

Balance Rock is a unique rock formation at the end of Grapevine Hills Trail, one of the desert hikes in Big Bend National Park.

For millions of years, erosion exposed a mushroom-shaped igneous rock. It has since become one of Big Bend’s most picturesque rock formations. It entices visitors to come and enjoy this natural marvel.

Many people hiked the Grapevine Hills Trail to Balanced Rock because it makes a beautiful backdrop for Instagram photos. Visitors can stand beneath the boulder and enjoy the view from the opening!

Let’s go on a hike to Balanced Rock Big Bend National Park together.

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Balanced Rock Big Bend Map

To get to the Balanced Rock in Big Bend, enter your starting point in the directions below.

Balanced Rock Big Bend Directions

Gano Springs leads northeast from the Panther Junction Visitor Center. after about 3.5 miles, Turn right onto Grapevine Springs after about 3.5 miles. Continue for another 6 miles until you reach the Grapevine Hills Trailhead on the right.

If you’re coming from the Chisos Basin Visitor Center, drive for 6.4 miles to Basin Jct. Turn left onto Gano Springs and continue for 0.3 mile. Then proceed for about 6 miles to Grapevine Springs. The Grapevine Hills Trailhead is on your right.

If you’re coming from Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive or Santa Elena Canyon, head north toward Oak Spring Rd. Turn right onto Gano Springs and continue for 9.2 miles. Then take left onto Grapevine Springs.

Hiking To Balanced Rock In Big Bend National Park

A must see Balanced Rock formation in Big Bend National Park, Texas. (Two Worlds Treasures)

DRIVING THE GRAPEVINE SPRINGS

As previously stated, you will begin by driving 6 miles on Grapevine Springs to the Grapevine Hills Trailhead.

Grapevine Springs is an improved dirt road, which means it is extremely rough and requires sturdy high clearance vehicles. You should not try to reach this trail in a passenger car, minivan, or RV. That is what the Big Bend National Park Service meant by improved dirt roads.

However, we used a minivan when we went to Balanced Rock over Spring Break 2020. I don’t remember reading an advisory like the one above on the park website. Nevertheless, the trip was difficult, and I wished we had a truck. 

Driving there, I noticed that our minivan’s bottom repeatedly touched the ground. It was a hitch, according to my husband. He volunteered to drive us back, so I assume he was trying to make me feel better.

My guess is that the road condition has deteriorated over the last two years. That’s why the park posted the notice. It’s also a good idea to check with the ranger about the condition of Grapevine Springs before you go.

The worst part of our drive through Grapevine Springs was after we passed the primitive campsites.

When you arrive at the trailhead, there will be parking on both the left and right sides. Not enough space for such a popular location.

GRAPEVINE HILLS TRAIL BASIC INFO

Difficulty: easy to moderate

Distance: 2.2 miles out and back

Time: 1-2 hours

To be honest, the hike will be made longer by the long line to take pictures. However, in our case, things are different.

We hiked to Balanced Rock in the late afternoon. A summer storm was brewing in the distance, and it appeared to be heading our way. We moved quickly, and I had to jog at times to keep up with my son.

When we arrived at the Balanced Rock, there were only a couple there. But the man was constantly coughing. It was the start of a pandemic, and information was scarce. So I didn’t want us to get sick, so we didn’t stay long.

We finished the hike in just over an hour.

Grapevine Hills Trailhead that ends to picturesque Balanced Rock in Big Bend. (Two Worlds Treasures)

HIKING TO BALANCED ROCK

The trail is flat, as shown in the photo. For the most part, you’ll be walking on a gravel wash.

Only about a quarter mile into the boulders does the trail become a steep climb. There was one section that had me perplexed. Simply look for poles with an arrow and a hiker sign pointing to the Balanced Rock.

Aside from that, it’s an enjoyable climb. When we arrived, I noticed a family with small children who came down. It’s like a huge playground, in my opinion. However, another mother chose to stay at the bottom while the rest of the family climbed to the Balanced Rock.

Stay on the trail and keep a close eye on when you’re going, especially on the way back down.

One of the spots on the last quarter of Grapevine Hills Trail to Balanced Rock in Big Bend NP. (Two Worlds Treasures)

There are no trees on the trail. It’s a desert trail, after all. Make your visit early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Because this is a desert trail, keep an eye out for snakes!

Dogs are not permitted on this trail or any other trails in Big Bend National Park. If you can’t leave your dog at home, read our Big Bend National Park guide for dog visitors.

Another thing is that there is no park ranger on duty. At least for the duration of our visit. But that doesn’t mean you can bring your dog along the Balanced Rock Trail like a family we saw that day.

My husband stayed in the car with our dog Snoopy when we visited Big Bend in March. I went hiking with our son to Balanced Rock.

That’s all. The Big Bend Balanced Rock Trail, in my opinion, is a simple hike with a unique twist. You will enjoy this trail as much as we did.

What To Prepare For A Balanced Rock Trail

Plenty of water. It’s a desert trail.

Snacks.

Sunscreen.

Rain jacket (depending on the season.)

– Good and sturdy walking shoes if you don’t have hiking shoes.

Hats & sunglasses.

Hiking poles (optional.)

– Fully charge cell phone (for taking pictures, because there’s no cell connection there.)

– Camera.

First-Aid kit.

– A plastic bag to pick up trash (in case you see any.)

– A full tank high clearance vehicle.

Other articles on Big Bend National Park and surrounding areas that might interest you:

Here’s an article about the neighboring Big Bend Ranch State Park. You must make a trip here:

Where else can you see Balanced Rock in the U.S.?

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28 Comments

  1. Umiko, you find such interesting places to explore! Not sure I’d want to hike to the top of the balanced rock…or stand beneath it either! But I’d love to take photos of it!

  2. The Balanced Rock at Big Bend National park is such a unique rock formation to view. Hiking to the Balanced Rock vis the Grapevine hiking trails must be really exciting.

  3. It’s really amazing how that giant boulder is balanced…I can’t even imagine how it got there! I know I would enjoy this hike since it’s relatively easy and scenic, so I will be sure to put it on my itinerary when I get to Big Bend. I especially appreciate the tips on the improved dirt road. Thanks for the warning. (Yikes!)

  4. Wow! I never knew about this trail. Looks so much fun. Big Bend has been on my “must go” list for a while now and I have seen so many great things and hikes there that I want to do, but somehow I missed this one. I will be adding it on my notes.

    1. Most people talked about other trails that I didn’t do because I couldn’t get a parking space at the trailhead when visiting during Spring Break. (High season.)

  5. Balanced Rock in Big Bend National Park is on my bucket list, as I haven’t been yet to this national park. Hope to visit it soon. It’s great that you provide so many valuable tips about this hike!

  6. What a cool rock formation. Any time I see this, I just think…what a natural wonder. Great hiking spot and opportunity to take some great photos.

  7. The balanced rock looks scary to me; however, the hike to it seems really interesting. I am surely going to visit the Big Bend easy hike to check the rock out when in Texas. It is nice to see you mentioning the time we should have in hand to do the hike. The route is spectacular.

  8. Thanks for sharing balance rock hike in Grapevine Hills Trail. I have not heard of this before. However, we do have two states in India where such rock formations are aplenty. The local stone is granite which is very hard, It makes for such a beautiful terrain. Thansk for sharing this trail.

  9. Balanced Rock is such a natural wonder, it really looks like a huge photo frame – hope to take a photo with such a frame myself one day!

  10. We will have to add Big Bend National Park to the our growing list of spots to visit. We are always quite fascinated when we find features like the Balanced Big Rock. It looks like it is well worth a hike on the Grapevine Hill Trail to see. Good thing we are not afraid of heights!

  11. Wow. That balanced rock looks really unique. My son is actually in Texas right now. I am not sure if he is in that area or not, but I am going to recommend it to him.

  12. I can see why visiting Balance Rock at the Big Bend National Park is a must-do. It looks spectacular. Good to know that you have to plan for around 2 hours along the Grapevine Hills Trail. As a climber I think I would be comfortable with the trail!

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