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Jcounsman · 02-13-2021, 07:41 AM

Looking to spend a few days in Texas Hill country in mid April, primarily bluebonnet peeping and bbq seeking. Seems like Fredericksburg Tx is a popular site. Any must sees?

Heading further west to potentially visit Big Bend NP...looks desolate with few campgrounds. Not experienced boondockers. Appreciate any recommendations on places to stay. Also vast area,

Ultimately headed to Az and Ut....guessing about three to four weeks.

GettinAway · 02-13-2021, 07:48 AM

We just got back from south TX. We were lucky to get a spot in Rio Grande Village, inside the National Park. No hookups, and some loops don’t allow generators. It’s a nice spot with good hiking near by. Also close by is Davis Mountain State Park. They have water & electric at the sites. We stayed at HH locations in the Hill Country. The winery in Vanderpool is a good one. They have electrical connections, and allow for more than one day stays.
We spent a few nights in Austin also. McKinney Falls State Park was nice (has hookups).
Really like that part on TX.
If you like RV parks (we do not) there’s lots of RV parks all around there.
(Hiking in BB)

nvestysly · 02-13-2021, 08:06 AM

We spent the better part of a week in Big Bend in a remote campsite. That was our first experience off the grid for more than two nights. It was wonderful! Give it some consideration and try it for a few days then longer if you decide you like it.

I seem to recall the remote campsites cannot be reserved in advance. We checked in with a ranger and they perused the list of sites and for $14 we stayed all week in one of the most beautiful campsites we've ever seen. There was nobody within sight. The road was just over the hill so we weren't terribly remote if we had a problem and needed help. The gravel road to the sight was narrow but easy to navigate. Highly recommend it!

Reservations (or not) and the price may have all changed by now. We were there nearly 10 years ago.

Based on the picture below we were in campsite KB1.

The sunset picture is looking to the east. Imagine that - better sunset in the east than the west! We were there during the full moon and it was a fantastic experience to see the moon rise over the horizon. Unfortunately, we didn't take a picture.

Bubba L · 02-13-2021, 08:13 AM

There are a lot of attractions around FB. Lady Bird Johnson RV Park is nice and located on the edge of town. Willow City Loop for Bluebonnets. A nice drive up to Llano for roadside flowers. Nimitz, National Museum of the Pacific War is well set up. Inks Lake State Park is a nice RV park on the Colorado River near Burnet. Pedernales Sate Park is in Johnson City. A lot of stuff around to see. Maybe get a reservation and make day trips from your home base. Good luck

TexAirS · 02-13-2021, 09:13 AM

Anywhere from San Antonio to Houston to Llano to Fredericksburg you might see bluebonnets. Mid April might be passed their prime. Indian paintbrush and firewheels should be at their best. Several websites will tell you where the best wildflowers are.

There are great state parks in the areas you mentioned. Inks Lake, Garner, Blanco, McKinney Falls, Pedernales Falls, Guadalupe River to name a few in Central Texas. Probably booked on weekends. Big Bend Ranch and Davis Mountains in the west are my go tos. There is boondocking along the River Road in BBRSP. If you tow the River Road, there is a 15% grade downhill west to east. Stop at the Prada display if you take Hwy 90 near Valentine. Boondocking in Langtry at the Judge Roy Bean museum.

Anytime in the desert, the weather can be very hot or cold. We’ve seen 95 the week before Christmas and snow at elevation in May. There is fuel everywhere. Groceries in Lajitas.

Going through El Paso, you might take Hwy 375 over the mountain if the construction is complete. I think you can see Tucson from up there. Better than going downtown and you get to see where our military dollars go.

John

2Highplains · 02-13-2021, 09:52 AM

Spent 3 weeks in October in an RV park just outside of Big Bend NP. The RV park was in Lajitas, Texas......fantastic! Mountain biking, golf, hiking, etc. Very popular, call well ahead. Heading back this fall.

2fromtexas · 02-13-2021, 10:10 AM

Just wanted travelers looking to stay at Texas State Parks, because of covid they are limiting spaces to camp. It is very hard to reserve at this time.

tommyglen · 02-13-2021, 10:11 AM

Be sure to take at least a day to visit the Museum of the War in the Pacific in downtown. Wonderful displays, and once a month they used to stage an outdoor "air raid" re-enactment. Check schedule.

Fredericksburg RV park is near downtown, convenient (bicycle to town) and well operated. Admiral Nimitz was from here, but did NOT want his name on the museum. No ego with him!

ENjoy!

bcheever · 02-13-2021, 10:32 AM

Don't miss the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center about an hour outside of Austin if you are looking for bluebonnets - amazing place to walk around with fields of wildflowers. And Salt Lick never disappoints for BBQ!! If you remember when you get back please let me know what your favorite bbq spots were for our next trip : )

We were lucky to drive through that area two April's ago - one of the most beautiful places in America.

Waipio Rim · 02-13-2021, 11:00 AM

Don't recommend the drive along the river east from Presidio. Stayed at the Cottonwood Campground, for us the highlight was the hike into the river canyon nearby. At the end of the road near the Rio Grande Village Visitor Center there is a lookout with a boulder where folks leave handicrafts that they bring across the river from Mexico, you pay on the honor system.

In the hill country, there is always cold beer and usually some kind of music at Lukenbach.

rowiebowie · 02-13-2021, 11:57 AM

GettingAway's picture looks like Santa Elena Canyon, a 20-30 miles jaunt off the road west out of Big Bend.

Ingram TX (near Kerrville & I-10) has a neat replica of Stone Henge and it's free to visit. Lots of Harvest Hosts if you are a member (but boondocking without hookups). Fredricksburg is a picturesque town, but the expensive shops are not for us. They have a nice museum dedicated to the naval war in the Pacific.

If you get as far South as San Antonio, I suggest you take Highway 90 West. There is a nice Seminole Canyon State Park (with hookups) North of Del Rio and East of Comstock. Just west of the park on Highway 9 near Langtry is a nice Texas Highway Rest Stop. Historical displays inside and you can walk through a replica of Judge Roy Bean's Saloon and nice cactus/plant garden.

Whatever you decide, try and make reservations (very hard at most state and Nat'l parks), but even if a park says it's full, always seek out the Park Hosts. They've gotten us a slot in some "full" parks numerous times, but it's no guarantee.

rowiebowie · 02-13-2021, 12:03 PM

GettinAway's picture looks like Santa Elena Canyon, a 20-30 miles jaunt off the road west out of Big Bend.

Ingram TX (near Kerrville & I-10) has a neat replica of Stone Henge and it's free to visit. Lots of Harvest Hosts if you are a member (but boondocking without hookups). Fredricksburg is a picturesque town, but the expensive shops are not for us. They have a nice museum dedicated to the naval war in the Pacific.

If you get as far South as San Antonio, I suggest you take Highway 90 West. There is a nice Seminole Canyon State Park (with hookups) North of Del Rio and East of Comstock. Just west of the park on Highway 90 near Langtry is a nice Texas Highway Rest Stop. Historical displays inside and you can walk through a replica of Judge Roy Bean's Saloon and nice cactus/plant garden.

Whatever you decide, try and make reservations (very hard at most state and Nat'l parks), but even if a park says it's full, always seek out the Park Hosts. They've gotten us a slot in some "full" parks numerous times, but it's no guarantee.

AgBullet · 02-13-2021, 12:20 PM

As mentioned, the National Museum of the Pacific War is a must see. Very well done!

TheGlen · 02-13-2021, 01:18 PM

We have been through this area twice in recent years. There is really good bbq at DB’s Rustic Iron BBQ just outside Terlingua. The golf at Black Jack Crossing in Lajitas is frankly wonderful. The RV park associated with the hotel/golf complex is called Maverick and it is very good too. The road west to Praesidio seems a little scary at first but not as bad as the traffic in El Paso. Hard to believe that anyone would want to build a 16 foot border wall right through this area.

banderabob · 02-13-2021, 02:34 PM

There is also a new park in Terlingua called Roadrunner RV. Full hookups, rates are in the $60 / nite range....ck their website. Maverick, in Lajitas, is the nicest in the area, but pricey, and a good half hour from the Big Bend park entrance near Study Butte.

Jim J · 02-13-2021, 05:19 PM

In Beaumont stop at Buc-EEs whether you need fuel or not.

If you are coming through San Antonio, you can continue west on I-10 or Divert to US 90.

Along Us 90 you will find Rios Barbacoa in Hondo.

In Uvalde is the John Nance Garner and Dolph Briscoe Museum.

North of Uvalde is Garner State Park - Very Big, campground

Further on Down 90 is Seminole Canyon SP. Interesting Indian Petroglyphs.

Further on in Langtry You will find the Roy Bean museum.

In Marathon, stop at the Gage Hotel for a meal.

In Alpine, visit the Sul Ross University museum. The Lost Alaskan is a good private campground. On to the north you will find the Davis Mountains State Park. Just north of that is a desert museum and The McDonald Observatory.

We like the Campground at the Lajitas Resort, just South of Terlingua.

From Terlingua, take a drive through Big Bend Ranch SP over to Presidio and stop at Fort Leaton State Historic Site.

If you want to come to Austin, Get off I-10 in Columbus and follow HWY 71 west. In Lagrange, stop at Weikel's and get a kolache.

Near Austin You will find Bastrop State Park, McKinney Falls State Park, and Pedernales Falls State Park as well as many private campgrounds. Including one at The Circuit of The Americas Which will be hosting the GT World Challenge at the end of April.

Stop at the LBJ library, the Blanton Museum of Art, and the Bullock Texas History Museum all located on or near the University of Texas campus.

Head West out of Austin on 290 Stopping at Cavendar's to stock up on Western Wear.

If you are in the spirit for it, there are many distilleries and wineries along the way as you head west. In Johnson City you will find a nice courthouse and a couple of great local restaurants as well as LBJ's homestead.

Further west is the LBJ ranch, a few more wineries, then just east of Fredericksburg is the Texas Ranger Heritage Center and Fort Martin Scott.

I can recommend the Fredericksburg RV park. I you drive north to look at Blue Bonnets, stop and get Pie a the Bluebonnet Cafe in Marble Falls.

Leaving Fredericksburg on 290, reconnect with I-10 and stop in Junction at Cooper's Barbeque.

In Fort Stockton take Exit 234 for the Ft Stockton RV park. Unhook and dive into Ft Stockton to have a look at Paisano Pete and search for BBQ.

Head South to get to Big Bend National Park. Stop in Fort Davis for another great old courthouse, and Marfa for some Art Gallery tours.

You can avoid El Paso, unless you are in serious need of new boots or Mexican food, by leaving Big Bend to the North on HWY 385. Stop in Muleshoe for free full hookup camping. Its worth it. Get there before 5:00 PM

After that, you will be leaving Texas.

camlivy · 02-13-2021, 08:03 PM

First I’d strongly recommend the South Llano State Park in Junction. Great kayaking, hiking and birding. Also we camped in Big Bend at the RV park in Lajitas. Very nice with a resort, restaurant, bar, jeep rental right there. Close to Terlingua as well.

Jcounsman · 02-14-2021, 09:07 AM

Thanks for all the terrific responses. We are AF retired, having spent 4 years in Wichita Falls and of course familiar with Dallas/Ft Worth and San Antonio. Very much looking forward to visiting the Hill,Country and I must say the night sky’s in the desert are simply marvelous. Lots of work to get done to make this reality. Truly appreciate the responses!

Jim

rowiebowie · 02-14-2021, 12:01 PM

A new video on Big Bend.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VBZ39YI6OU

lemley · 02-16-2021, 10:36 AM

We live in Waco and get to the hill country 8-10 times a year.

Our favorite is Mason. 40 miles from Fredericksburg but laid back. Dos Rios sites 1-5.

If you want upscale, Buckhorn RV resort in Kerrville is nice. We’ve not stayed there but did visit a rally there and were quite impressed.

We visit Fredericksburg but no longer stay there. Too touristy.

Davis Mountains State park is great. We spent a week there and would return in a heartbeat. Check out the schedule for McDonald Observatory. The star parties are really worth the trouble. If you can get a viewing on one of the big telescopes go for it. We got on the 82” and it was incredible. A couple of hours, 12 people. Just to see that monster built in the 30s move was mind boggling. It was expensive. Really expensive. But worth it.