Geologically, Grapevine Hill is a laccolith—a mushroom-shaped igneous intrusion that domed the rocks above, and was later exposed by erosion. Difficulty: Easy. 3,470' 1,058 m High ... A short trail to see a balanced rock along with other rock formations. The Balanced Rock hike is one of our favorites in Big Bend National Park. The Chihuahuan Desert is an incredible ecosystem with some incredible hikes. The hiking trail to balanced rock is an easy walk through a canyon for most of the trail, but ends with a moderate climb to the eponymous balanced rock. It’s short, it’s relatively easy, and there is a brief section of rock scrambling that is fun for kids and adults. Grapevine Hills Trail, also known as Balanced Rock in Big Bend National Park is my favorite desert hike in the entire park! It seems like almost every National Park has a trail that promises a “balanced” rock of some sort. Most of the hike is relatively flat with a short rock scramble at the last section of the trail. This hike offers great views and gets better if you scramble past Balanced Rock. The Balanced Rock: Grapevine Hills Trail - See 146 traveler reviews, 204 candid photos, and great deals for Big Bend National Park, TX, at Tripadvisor. ... Map Key Favorites Check-Ins. The Balanced Rock is located in Big Bend National Park. But the real reason for doing this hike is to see Balanced Rock, one of the most unique rock formations in the park. A popular hike in Big Bend National Park for the very Instagramable Balanced Rock at the end of the hike. Travel 6.4 miles down this road to access the Grapevine Hills trailhead. Balanced rock located in the Grapevine Hills, Big Bend National Park, is a massive boulder perched on two pedestals. Elevation Gain: 232 ft. Follow the signs to … I didn’t know what Big Bend’s version was going to look like, but I was encouraged by the length of the trail required to get to it (just a little over a mile, one-way). Grapevine Hills Trail is an easy hike up a sandy wash surrounded by massive boulders. Add The Balanced Rock to your Big Bend National Park travel itinerary, and discover new vacation ideas by using our Big Bend National Park … This is a naturally occurring geological formation. Balanced Rock Hiking Trail at Big Bend … After 1 mile the trail ascends to a low saddle at the end of the drainage. A large rock or boulder, sometimes of substantial size, resting on other rocks that often look precariously balanced. I had only a couple of hours of daylight remaining, and I figured I could squeeze the hike in before sunset. The last 5 minutes may become struggling for some, but in general it’s easy. Total Distance: 2 miles. Below is a photo looking back down the trail at the distant cliffs lit by the late afternoon sun. Time to Complete: 1-2 hrs. Balanced Rock Grapevine Hills Road. Though the Balanced Rock trail in Big Bend isn’t at the Chisos Basin trailhead, it’s located fairly close by, so we’re including it in this section for ease. Balanced Rock Trail. Here, the 2.2 mile round-trip Grapevine Hills Trail leads to the picturesque Balanced Rock. This scenic trail covers 2.2 miles round trip and ends at a spectacular balanced rock formation. 2.0 Miles 3.1 KM Out and Back. It’s a short and sweet family-friendly hike that kids and adults of all ages will love. Near Big Bend National Park, Texas.