There are many things you may love to do in Big Bend National Park in the heat of summer, but running or jogging is probably not one of them. With 90+ degree temperatures, there simply is no such thing as a nice July run in West Texas. With the dry weather we've had this year, you have truly hostile workout conditions. That all changes this time of year, though, as temperatures drop and the sun gives us a break for a few months. What a great time to get out on some trails in Big Bend!

When you visit Big Bend, you may prefer the comfort of a nearby hotel bed, but getting out and experiencing the natural beauties of your favorite National Park is an exicting activity. Why not go for a little run?

Running along a trail is different from running on a paved road, and you need to be prepared. As is brought out in this website, there are specific challenges to running in Big Bend region, and you'll want to take those into consideration. The above-linked site also has a list of trails, varying from easy to challenging, for you to go and try.

This winter weather promises to give perfect conditions for the beginning runner as well as the seasoned pro. It seems that conditions will remain mostly dry for the rest of the year, and that means no sleet or ice storms. That sounds good. And when we say cool or cold in Texas, we don't mean the same temperatures as in Michigan or Vermont. Our winters are usually very mild (daily high in the 70's), which means outdoors activities like jogging can be easily enjoyed year-round.

For the serious runners out there, don't forget about the Big Bend Ultra Run on January 15, 2012.

One great benefit to running the trails in Big Bend is all the wildlife you can see. Here is an article of one runner that was able to walk right up to a group of deer and even a black bear. This guy wasn't even hurt; the bear and deer moved on like nothing was out of the ordinary.

Wildlife is more abundant during the fall and winter months due to the cooler temperatures.  Many visitors are able to catch a great peek at any number of animals this time of the year.

What adventures will you have while running the trails this winter?