Good high views to the habitat below which consists of 6-20 foot high mesquites, salt cedars, and a few hardwoods. 

Arrive early as the area starts getting busy and warm to hot even in the winter. The plateau to the north or south will give you different vantage points below.

Please make this a separate checklist from the nearby Santa Elena Canyon Hotspot

A recent (2023) record of Nutting's Flycatcher, plus: Greater Roadrunner, Lesser Nighthawk, White-throated Swift, Black Vulture, Golden Eagle, Zone-tailed Hawk, Red-naped Sapsucker, Golden-fronted Woodpecker, Peregrine Falcon, Black Phoebe, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Bell's Vireo, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Canyon Wren, Crissal Thrasher, Black-throated Sparrow, Lark Bunting, Yellow-breasted Chat, Common Yellowthroat, Pyrrhuloxia, Blue Grosbeak, Painted Bunting.

Big Bend is famous for its natural resources and spectacular geology. The park's varied array of habitats support more than 1,200 species of plants (including some 60 cacti species), 11 species of amphibians, 56 species of reptiles, 40 species of fish, 75 species of mammals, over 400 species of birds, and about 3,600 species of insects. The park boasts more types of birds, bats, butterflies, ants, scorpions, and cacti than any other national park in the United States.

From 500-million year old rocks at Persimmon Gap to modern-day windblown sand dunes at Boquillas Canyon, Big Bend preserves tremendous geological diversity. Marine sedimentary rocks, continental sedimentary rocks, volcanic rocks, and evidence of the three great North American mountain-building episodes are found within the park boundaries.

There is a "cattle" trail to the north of the parking area that goes down the wash to the trees below.