Guadalupe Mountains/Carlsbad vs. Big Bend

Big Bend is amazing and not crowded. Definitely one of the best national parks in the US, IMO. The scenery is very unique amd feels very different from almost all the others.

I say stay at Big Bend the entire time. There’s more than enough to do. Terlingua and Marfa provide some nice towns (with their own respective VERY unique feels as well) to enjoy outside the park.

Carlsbad and Guad are nice of course. Just nothing like Big Bend though, IMO.

The best hikes at Big Bend are Emory Peak and South Rim. Lost Mine and Santa Elena Canyon are also very beautiful.

Watch the first 45 minutes of Paris, Texas before you go. It was filmed in the area and really showcases the wonderful solitude there.

Watch out for the border patrol station. They won’t bother you if you don’t have any illicit substances, but they do have dogs on site.

I’ve mapped this out a few times, we are definitely going to go do this in the fall/winter. Flying in to El Paso is cheap on SWA and from there it’s an easy drive to both.

if driving to BB from El Paso everything I’ve read says to take the scenic route along the river/border, and make time for the little towns as you get close to the park. Also, camping is the way to see that park

going the other way to Carlsbad/Guadeloupe both are pretty primitive as far as facilities go, and are suited to day tripping and/or camping

if you choose one I think the consensus will be big bend

I'll throw my vote in for Big Bend. Its hard to believe you are in Texas when you look at all the mountains around you. Driving River road, especially Terlingua to Presdio is spectacular. You can go miles without seeing another car. There is a little slot canyon along river road called "Closed Canyon" that only takes about an hour to hike roundtrip that makes for a good stop. There is a great hole-n-the-wall mexican food place in Presidio called The Oasis which had some abuela's in the back cooking. I had a religious experience eating the enchiladas there. El Patio is a nicer place with good food too.

I wound up booking this trip for October yesterday.
We are going to overnight hike the south rim and camp one night and otherwise stay at the lodge.

fly to El Paso and drive there and back thru presidio on the way there and thru marathon/alpine on the way back. Other than the hike we will try to chill out and just see the sights, it looks very cool and very relaxing. I’m most looking forward to the dark skies and the stars

Both are gems of national parks. Big Bend is massive and more to see and do. There is also the very large Big Bend state park nearby.

Guadalupe and Carlsbad are fantastic too. Guadalupe has more forest and feels more like the Rockies, and less visited than BB.

For a first trip, I'd probably recommend Big Bend and then save CC/Guadalupe for next time.

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Go to La Kiva bar in Terlingua after 5pm. very interesting place

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Agreed!

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anyone here stayed the night in Marfa and/or marathon?
in marathon I’m seeing the gage hotel and eve’s garden, in marfa nothing stands out

we like cool and weird places

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I love Marfa even though its been over run with art snobs.....it's kind of a mini santa fe, new mexico. The Gage in marathon is a nice hotel but there isn't much else in town. Marfa is full of Austin like hipsters, New York art people and west Texas ranchers which can make for an interesting mix. The Hotel Paisano in Marfa is where James Dean and the rest of the cast of "Giant' stayed during filming and its a nice hotel. There are several art galleries in town and the Donald Judd Studio which offers tours. If you don't know who Donald Judd is google him, he is why Marfa is an art destination now. The Food Shark has a lunch only food truck that's really good. The same guy used to have a late night grilled cheese bar but that may be shut now. Bar wise, Planet Marfa is cheesey but has a nice outdoor area. Lost Horse Saloon is good when its dark. The best bar in the Big Bend area is in Alpine....Harry's Tenaja. Get there are 3pm and the locals will be outside playing guitar and having fun. They will invite you to play with them and will loan you a guitar. I've also seen every seat at the bar inside with real cowboys sitting shoulder to shoulder having a drink after working the ranch all day. I love Harry's.

Zappa is spot on with his post. Harrys is my regular spot for a cold one. Just remember, Harrys is cash only, beer and a couple of bottles of wine.

If you go through Alpine you have to stop and see this
LINK

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If you go through Alpine you have to stop and see this

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Yes, I went to see it a few years ago and there was a game going on. Really enjoyed Kokernot Field.

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Dont expect much as far as restaurants go.

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Yea, there is surprisingly not a good mexican restaurant in the entire Alpine/Marfa/ Ft Davis area....unless something has opened in the last 4 or 5 years I am not aware of.