Big Bend?

[silverlabs]

Has anyone been to Big Bend? If so, would you please tell me a bit about your trip? What time of year did you go? Where did you stay? What did you do? How long would you recommend a visit be? Thank you in advance!

[64airstream]

Just tagging in to watch the responses. We're considering a trip to Big Bend NP and had the same questions.

Thanks for asking and starting the thread.

Roy and Marie

[Lily&Me]

We were there in September 3-4 years ago.

It is a very long drive down in.....be sure you have everythng you need for your stay, and do a few days to see the park and offset the length of the drive.


Maggie

[SteveH]

DO NOT go in the summer. Seriously, any time but summer, but dead of winter can be cold too. Spring Break is probably not a good time either...crowded.

Stop at the gate visitor center and get information. There is lots to see and do there, especially if you are a hiker.

At a minimum, drive all the paved roads and visit Boquias Canyon, Santa Elena Canyon, and the Chisos Basin.

The only place inside the park big enough to park your trailer is at Rio Grande Village, which has hookups, but it's like a parking lot.

[n2916s]

If you are into geology or desert ecology, it is an interesting place. You can actually cross to Mexico legally and visit a tiny village. We were there in late April and it was very toasty. I imagine that it is untenable in mid-summer.

Load up on groceries before you head down to the park.

Mike

[sid42]

follow.

[Wingeezer]

We have been down that way a couple of times and really enjoyed it. We stayed at a decent campground in the small town (crossroads!) or Terlingua which has full hookups and is very close to the State Park and the Federal Park.

It is the kind of place where most folk seem to drive pickup trucks (not that there are many folk around!) and many wave at you when they approach on the highway!

You can get some food supplies at Terlingua (right at the campground) and there is at least one gas station there - maybe a couple. Also a few really interesting little restaurants there - I remember one that was sort of half underground and looked like a cave inside.


It is a fantastic spot for scenery and hiking -lots of walking trails and ranger guided tours in the park.

If you enjoy that sort of thing it is not to be missed.

Don't go there looking for lots of shopping and city life though, it is pretty remote

Brian.

[karenjude]

We went for a Thanksgiving week one year with our old 34. Fried turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy - the works! It was a great time of year to go weather wise. Sometimes cool enough to need a light jacket but pretty nice all around.

We did not stay in the park campground area with the full hook-ups. It's just a parking lot with hook-ups. We stayed at Rio Grande Village in the park. No hook- ups but very natural setting. We had no problem fitting with our 34.

We did some hiking and biking. Maggie is right. Make sure you have everything you need as it is a long drive on the road to the park 2 hours if I remember correctly.

We loved the park and may go back in March of this year. Check out Marfa if you're dien that way. A funky, artsy town not to far from Big Bend.

[silverlabs]

Thanks everyone! Please keep those ideas coming. We are thinking of going the first or second week of March. Has anyone stayed at the Maverick RV Park in or near the Lajitas Golf Resort?

[sbates]

We have been researching for spring break. Thinking of Lajita Resort that has a RV park attached. Only bc of resort activities. Their phone has not been working for a month, so that has worried us.
Also thinking the state park, but I read they do not have hook ups.
Would love any feedback as well.

[silverlabs]

@64airstream: Thanks but I have to give credit for starting the thread to our buddy, Arcticfox. He had a great idea to start the thread!

[silverlabs]

@sbates: I have called them several times over the last few days and left several messages. They finally left me a message back today saying they do have reservations open. We'll see how long it takes me to get them back on the phone....

[Ampman]

Been there first week in December of last year. Stayed at the Rio Grande Village parking lot with hook ups. No crowds at all. Light freeze in the mornings. Served as a base camp for exploring. Visited all of the park by road, paved and unpaved. No cell service and minimal wifi at the store/laundry. Gas and light groceries available in the park. If you want a whole lot of room to yourself then this is the place to visit. Darn good accommodations for being as remote as it is. Only bummer is no pets allowed on the hiking trails. Felt strange being next to the border just a few yards away. Can't wait to return. Lots of history about the hardy early settlers in the region.


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[Lance M]

Originally Posted by silverlabs

Has anyone been to Big Bend? If so, would you please tell me a bit about your trip? What time of year did you go? Where did you stay? What did you do? How long would you recommend a visit be? Thank you in advance!

Yes! Three times. You can find details here-
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f42/...bby-79678.html
We went in October, December and March. Wonderful.
We stayed at the RV parking lot at Rio Grande Village and Terlingua Ranch.
We did a whole lot of hiking.
I would stay there for a very long time if I could.
Alpine, Marathon and Marfa are some of the best things to see in Texas.
Have fun!

[nilesrob]

Here are a few (of many) pictures from our trip to Big Bend some years back. I would go back in a heartbeat. Also check out Terlingua and as Karenjude says Marfa is a must. As I remember Big Bend is supposedly the least visited of the National Parks, which was for us a huge endorsement.

[Cannonball]

We have stayed at the Marathon Motel and RV Park, in Marathon, which is at the turn off of Hwy 90 into the park, which is 30-70 miles away depending on where you are going. The RV park is no big deal, but the owner is super nice. His name is Danny Self. They have a nice courtyard, and the Gage Hotel has a very nice restaurant.

I would really encourage you to think in terms of everything being an hour to 90 minutes away. Marathon is pretty centrally located, and you can hit Alpine, Marfa, Ft. Davis, and Terlingua.

I have been going to the Big Bend area for 35 years, and always find something new. You simply cannot take in the park in one trip.


Cannonball, Deep in the Heart of Texas!

WBCCI #4387, Air #84080

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[Arcticfox]

SNIP........

Originally Posted by Ampman

Only bummer is no pets allowed on the hiking trails.

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Is this correct that no pets are allowed on any of the hiking trails?

Thanks
Doug



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[BicycleStream]

Originally Posted by silverlabs

Has anyone been to Big Bend? If so, would you please tell me a bit about your trip? What time of year did you go? Where did you stay? What did you do? How long would you recommend a visit be? Thank you in advance!

We drove across country in 2012 and along the way we asked folks we met in campgrounds which two or three parks are on their "do not miss, list". Big Bend was one of the top two (Acadia NP in Maine was the other).

We visited in January 2013 and had an amazing stay in the National Park located at Rio Grand Village. We didn't want the parking lot effect so stayed in the area without hookups. Stayed for a few days hiking, biking, exploring. Wish we had more time but had to leave.

Oh, don't forget to visit the hot springs just a few miles from the campground!

Amazing geology, so different than most of Texas. We'll be back in the next few years.

Jay

[Rocinante]

Originally Posted by Arcticfox

Is this correct that no pets are allowed on any of the hiking trails?

Generally, national parks do not allow pets on hiking trails.

[clocke]

Hey there. See you have a 2014 Flying Cloud. I just bought a new 2015 27FB on Saturday at Vogt in Fort Worth this past weekend. I live in Dallas, so we are practically neighbors. I am interested to see how you like your Flying Cloud? I am interested int a trip to BB as well, but most likely will have to wait for some vacation time later in the Spring. I am interested in a shorter ( I know - long way ) trip to Marfa to see the stars at nigh in West Texas.