Canoeing at Big Bend?

[Boondocker]

I'm headed down to Big Bend next week and I was wondering if it would be worth taking a canoe along for paddling on the Rio Grande. Has anyone done this or have suggestions?

[nilesrob]

We didn't bring our canoe, so no direct experience. The water is flat enough to paddle (see photos). You could probably start at Santa Elena Canyon. I'd bring your boat, unless I'm missing something!

[DKDarrow]

We have floated Mariscal, Santa Elana but not Boquilas....................Deeeeep beautiful canyons...........The rainy season is kinda spooky in Mariscal with a couple of rock slides that pinch the water........twisty turny; but fun........class 2........
The flat water is a true drudge.......miles and miles of just floating..........

Don't leave a vehicle unattended..........The economy has driven the back country locals to desperate measures............Good Luck

[Gene]

Rodney,

You could Bend at Big Canoe (Georgia).

Gene

[nilesrob]

If you're not averse to paddling upstream, you could probably put in right from the boondocking campground in Big Bend (Can't remember the name).

Assuming you had a willing participant, you could have someone port you to Santa Elena Canyon and you could float/paddle back to the campground, if that is where you are staying. The havalena's will help you - they're a friendly bunch...

[Airstream25]

I think the boondocking campground in Big Bend is Cottonwood.

Originally Posted by nilesrob

If you're not averse to paddling upstream, you could probably put in right from the boondocking campground in Big Bend (Can't remember the name).

Assuming you had a willing participant, you could have someone port you to Santa Elena Canyon and you could float/paddle back to the campground, if that is where you are staying. The havalena's will help you - they're a friendly bunch...

[Boondocker]

I'm planning on camping at cottonwood. I think if I can come up with a canoe, I will take it.

[pmclemore]

Be sure to take your recliner so you can sit out and watch the stars at night. As there are no campground lights at Cottonwood, and generators are verboten, the night skies are splendidly dark.

Have a great trip. Pat

[DKDarrow]

There is a great back country campsight on the river road after exiting Mariscal...........Really worth the effort if you are into boondocking.......Otherwise it's about a 5 mile float down to cottonwood on VERY flat water...........If you do this, perhaps you can leave someone in camp for the day to protect it from the locals. That same person could drop you off and go back to camp............Good Luck......Dennis

[Airstream25]

When we were at Cottonwood in Feb. 01, there was water available but the outlets were not threaded.

Bring a "water thief" the rubber gadget that permits connecting a hose to a water outlet lacking hose threads.

Originally Posted by Gen Disarray

I'm planning on camping at cottonwood. I think if I can come up with a canoe, I will take it.

[Fyrzowt]

Originally Posted by Gen Disarray

I'm planning on camping at cottonwood. I think if I can come up with a canoe, I will take it.

The water looks pretty flat - I would consider a kayak, either sit-on-top or sit-in. Much more efficient/easy to paddle as well as faster.
Dave

[nilesrob]

After looking at a map, we stayed at Rio Grande Village. Don't be fooled - the "Village" is a very small store that barely stocks necessities. It is tiny, and that is it.

There are two camping sites there - a parking lot (literally) with power and water, and a boondocking campground that is really nice, as long as you are prepared to boondock.

[Swanny]

I just got back from BB last week and its starting to heat up. We had a couple of days where the morning started at 34 degrees and it ended up being 95 by 2:00 PM.

I've canoed a couple of times and its okay. To me (just my humble opinion) the best feature of this park is hiking. Try hiking the Lost Mines Trail and the South Rim. The views are extraordinary. Have a safe trip and be sure to follow the ranger directions about pets. Do NOT leave them unattended outside because the Javelina's or coyotes may find them to be a tasty treat.

[Boondocker]

When are you going?

leaving here Friday, forcast looks like upper 80's and 90s

Originally Posted by Airstream25

When we were at Cottonwood in Feb. 01, there was water available but the outlets were not threaded. Bring a "water thief" the rubber gadget that permits connecting a hose to a water outlet lacking hose threads.

Thanks for the heads up!

There are two camping sites there - a parking lot (literally) with power and water, and a boondocking campground that is really nice, as long as you are prepared to boondock

I'm headed for the river.

[Boondocker]

Originally Posted by DKDarrow

There is a great back country campsight on the river road after exiting Mariscal...........Really worth the effort if you are into boondocking......Dennis

So I gather there is boondocking allowed along the river road, the information I could find on this on the park service page was sketchy..

Although Big Bend’s primitive roadside campsites are mostly inaccessible to large recreational vehicles, there are four sites which an RV could reach without much difficulty (remember, generator use is prohibited in the backcountry):

. Cab anyone fill in the gaps for me?

[Boondocker]

Originally Posted by Gen Disarray

So I gather there is boondocking allowed along the river road, the information I could find on this on the park service page was sketchy..
. Cab anyone fill in the gaps for me?

OK, here is the link

[Gene]

Originally Posted by Airstream25

When we were at Cottonwood in Feb. 01, there was water available but the outlets were not threaded.

Bring a "water thief" the rubber gadget that permits connecting a hose to a water outlet lacking hose threads.

I think the reason the faucets are not threaded at federal campgrounds is to prevent RV's from taking many, many gallons of water and depleting the water table. After all, many of these campgrounds are located in the desert or have to rely on small springs in other places.

Gene