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nilesrob · 08-11-2006, 10:59 AM

Since people were SO gracious to help with our plans for Death Valley, I have posted a few photos of our trip last November to Big Bend National Park - located about a days drive west of San Antonio.

Billed as the least visited National Park, many of you may not have visited this park. Highly recommend - although it is about the most remote place we have ever traveled (that's not a bad thing).

We traveled there in November, which was a great time to go there. There are campsites in the park, some with full hookups and some for boondocking. I would highly recommend the boondocking option - absolutely gorgeous!

Pahaska · 08-11-2006, 11:11 AM

I like to visit Big Bend every couple of years. You are right, it is remote. Even though I live in Texas, it is a hard day and a half drive from Austin. I used to make it in one very long day with my Scamp.

The only full hookup option in the park is a grim parking lot with rigs packed door to door. We usually stay at Study (pronounced Stew-dy) Butte, just outside the west park entrance with full hookups and we are as close, on average, to things in the park as any of the NP campgrounds. We were there this spring.

If you have a small trailer (22' or less), the Basin is the place to boondock. No hookups, but it is a mile high with beautiful views all around.

We enjoy Lajitas and Terlingua as much as the park. Great restaurant in Lajitas.

Best time to visit is the spring when the giant yucca are blooming. One thing to not miss is to drive the River Road west out of Lajitas. The first 20 miles of that road are among the most scenic drives in the US. Don't willingly pull a big trailer over that road, though!

pienjim · 08-11-2006, 12:40 PM

We were in BB this past week. There had been considerable rain in the area and the ocotillo was bright green; the Rio Grande was running high and muddy and the road to Cottonwood was closed due to mud on the road. Temperatures were less than in central Texas. It is a beautiful place. I second John's recommendation to stay in Study Butte.

Paula

ghatfield · 10-26-2006, 01:28 PM

I contacted John about the park he stayed in just to make sure I had the right one. Sure enough... I didn't. There is a Study Butte RV Park, but John recommends the Big Bend Motor Inn & RV Campground also located in Study Butte.

George

Boondocker · 11-03-2006, 08:58 AM

Im thinking I want to be somewhere fun for New Years, would Big Bend be a nice place to be then?

Zeppelinium · 11-03-2006, 09:07 AM

NILESROB and All,

Please bump this thread up again in Feb and Mar so us forgetful ones will think about where to go in the spring! It's probably far enough from Crawford that I won't get arrested....

Sounds like a wonderfully excellent place and worth the trip.

Zep

Pahaska · 11-03-2006, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gen Disarray

Im thinking I want to be somewhere fun for New Years, would Big Bend be a nice place to be then?

I haven't been there in that season, but my guess is that it will be a very quiet New Years. The park is so remote and so large that it never gets crowded.

The weather in the lower areas of the park is reasonably temperate since you are a long way south. I have been there in early February and it was shirtsleeves in the daytime and sweaters at night. Things are a lot cooler up at the Basin; we woke up in the clouds and we had heavy frost on the trailer in the morning.

There may be some New Years celebrations in the Terlingua/Lajitas area. There is usually some live music in that area.

You will see Airstreams dotting the hills around the Terlingua / Study Butte area.

Airstream25 · 11-03-2006, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pahaska

I like to visit Big Bend every couple of years. You are right, it is remote. Even though I live in Texas, it is a hard day and a half drive from Austin. I used to make it in one very long day with my Scamp.

We enjoy Lajitas and Terlingua as much as the park. Great restaurant in Lajitas.

Best time to visit is the spring when the giant yucca are blooming. One thing to not miss is to drive the River Road west out of Lajitas. The first 20 miles of that road are among the most scenic drives in the US. Don't willingly pull a big trailer over that road, though!

This weekend is the annual Chili Cook-Off contest near Big Bend.
More info here/
http://www.abowlofred.com/

nilesrob · 11-03-2006, 05:19 PM

A couple of photos - they won't do justice...

Pahaska · 11-03-2006, 05:35 PM

First photo is on the river road between Lajitas and Presidio. Some of the best scenery anywhere. The Rio Grande is down there in that gulch.

Second photo is me, my wife, and my stepson with the "Window" of the Chisos Basin in the background. We were there so that my stepson could enter the bicycle events at Terlingua.

Melody Ranch · 11-03-2006, 05:46 PM

Make your trip in April. Waters up and temps perfect. See if Steve Fromholtz is running trips...book with him and have a Texas Experience. ( yes, Steve Fromholtz of Texas Trilogy Fame for those of you in the know.)
Then...........Texas wildflower trip up into the Hill Country. Damn!!! I love this palce.