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Big Bend Spring Break
Posted on 1/25/24 at 9:05 pm
Posted on 1/25/24 at 9:05 pm
Looking at a trip to BBNP in March. We are in Houston and I would like to know the best way to get there. It is about 9.5-10 hours to Terlingua by car for us. Is it best to drive straight or fly to Midland and rent a car for the last leg? Maybe a Jeep for some trails? We could stay in Alpine or Marfa for the night and then head south closer to the park. We will not be camping. So hotels with nearby access to restaurants is a plus. However, access to the park for hiking is a major incentive. It will be me and two college kids.
This post was edited on 1/25/24 at 10:54 pm
5
Posted on 1/25/24 at 10:34 pm to NBR_Exile
If you haven't booked lodging yet it may be a challenge. With that said, we drive since flying into Midland or El Paso only saves 3 hours or so. We usually stay in Alpine or Marfa since there are more amenities there and the drive to the park is beautiful.
Posted on 1/25/24 at 10:43 pm to Zappas Stache
Thanks Stache. I see we can fly to Midland in about 2 hours. Drive down to Alpine and spend the night for some food etc. from there we would go closer to the park. Is Alpine too far for home base?
Posted on 1/25/24 at 10:49 pm to NBR_Exile
quote:
Is Alpine too far for home base?
I've used it as a home base before. It's about 1 1/2 hr drive but it's a really nice drive with mountains all around so it doesn't seem like 1 1/2 hrs. There is a lot to do in the area so you may only drive to the park twice. I e stayed in Terlingua before and it's ok but really only worth 1 night. I prefer Alpine /Marfa over Terlingua.
This post was edited on 1/25/24 at 10:50 pm
Posted on 1/25/24 at 10:51 pm to Zappas Stache
The area is so vast I’m worrying about a 1.5 hr drive each way to the park.
Indulge me if you will. Be my travel agent. We live in NW Harris County. Give me your best itinerary. Outdoor stuff is best.
Indulge me if you will. Be my travel agent. We live in NW Harris County. Give me your best itinerary. Outdoor stuff is best.
This post was edited on 1/25/24 at 11:00 pm
Posted on 1/25/24 at 11:03 pm to NBR_Exile
That's nothing out there. There is almost no traffic but you will have to go through border control check points coming back from the park. It's no big deal but sometimes there will be dudes with automatic weapons and a dog sniffing around your car. I've never been worried but just know ahead of time you will be asked where you were born and where you are headed.
Posted on 1/25/24 at 11:11 pm to Zappas Stache
That wouldn’t be an issue. Just trying to wrap my head around the logistics. My boys like the outdoors but long travel times for them will be a bummer.
Posted on 1/25/24 at 11:24 pm to NBR_Exile
I get that. I guess kids don't enjoy scenic drives as much as we geezers. Maybe some posters with kids will chime in tomorrow. My opinion is unless you are doing back country camping then 2 days is plenty in the park and doing a couple of drives is ok.
A star party at McDonnald observatory is cool. The Chihuahuan Desert Research Center outside Ft Davis has a couple of good 1.5 hr hikes.
A star party at McDonnald observatory is cool. The Chihuahuan Desert Research Center outside Ft Davis has a couple of good 1.5 hr hikes.
This post was edited on 1/25/24 at 11:29 pm
Posted on 1/25/24 at 11:38 pm to Zappas Stache
Thanks Stache. With your suggestions we might just wing it.
Posted on 1/25/24 at 11:40 pm to NBR_Exile
Book your lodging now. Things fill up quick at spring break and thanksgiving down there.
This post was edited on 1/25/24 at 11:41 pm
Posted on 1/26/24 at 7:02 am to NBR_Exile
There will be a long wait to enter the park during spring break. Also parking at the trail heads is limited. Get there early or you may not find a spot. If you stay in Alpine you can take the short hike up Hancock Hill and visit the Museum of Big Bend at Sul Ross. For lodging check out Chola Ranch Camp in Alpine.
This post was edited on 1/26/24 at 7:17 am
Posted on 1/26/24 at 12:45 pm to NBR_Exile
Best to stay in the chisos basin if you can just for shorter drives and hiking etc.
Off topic but the cops out there enforce the speed limit. i.e. if you’re over the limit by 3 mph you’re getting pulled over. Same for any perceived defect on your vehicle.
Last time I was there for the chili cookoff my buddy got ticketed twice. We decided to take the local ‘cab service’ to a bar in terlingua and her van got pulled over because one of the little lights on her license plate was out. And she knows all the cops lol.
Off topic but the cops out there enforce the speed limit. i.e. if you’re over the limit by 3 mph you’re getting pulled over. Same for any perceived defect on your vehicle.
Last time I was there for the chili cookoff my buddy got ticketed twice. We decided to take the local ‘cab service’ to a bar in terlingua and her van got pulled over because one of the little lights on her license plate was out. And she knows all the cops lol.
Posted on 1/26/24 at 1:01 pm to NBR_Exile
Have you considered renting an RV? Then staying in the park? May not be easy to find a spot, idk. I've never been to big bend, but it seems like a great spot to RV from October through April when the temps are nice at night.
Posted on 1/26/24 at 6:50 pm to TejasHorn
quote:
Off topic but the cops out there enforce the speed limit. i.e. if you’re over the limit by 3 mph you’re getting pulled over. Same for any perceived defect on your vehicle. Last time I was there for the chili cookoff my buddy got ticketed twice. We decided to take the local ‘cab service’ to a bar in terlingua and her van got pulled over because one of the little lights on her license plate was out. And she knows all the cops lol.
I’ve been out there a decent bit (though not much time in terlingua proper) and never experienced this. When we were down there earlier this month I had a cop bump his lights to get my attention when I was doing 15-20 over but not bother to stop me.
Posted on 1/26/24 at 6:54 pm to NBR_Exile
OP, Here is a thread from a couple weeks ago with some good info.
Posted on 1/27/24 at 11:24 am to NBR_Exile
suitable lodging options
-alpine TX, plenty of options, very cool town, 1.5 hrs to the north entrance
-terlingua/study butte, plenty of options, close to west entrance, kinda spartan
-chisos lodge, inside the park, centrally located, adjacent to the best hiking, obviously dining options are limited
-alpine TX, plenty of options, very cool town, 1.5 hrs to the north entrance
-terlingua/study butte, plenty of options, close to west entrance, kinda spartan
-chisos lodge, inside the park, centrally located, adjacent to the best hiking, obviously dining options are limited
Posted on 1/27/24 at 3:16 pm to cgrand
Gage hotel in marathon is supposed to be top notch.LINK There is road there that goes into the park.i usually stay at Hampton Inn in alpine. If you go hwy 90 through del Rio, be sure and stop at judge roy bean museum in langtree.
This post was edited on 1/27/24 at 3:38 pm
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