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alajones’ trip to Big Bend NP
Posted on 3/16/18 at 11:23 am
Posted on 3/16/18 at 11:23 am
alajones2 and I took a little trip to Big Bend NP during spring break. More about that later.
The first tip I need to give is related to the distance. It’s way out there. We left Friday afternoon from Shreveport and didn’t arrive until Saturday afternoon. Stopping in Weatherford, TX for the night. Because it took two days to get there, we really only had three days in the park. Once you head south from Midland, the scenery is gorgeous.
Another tip is don’t expect to be able to stay in the park. There are very few reservable camp sites (all were booked in Jan when I started planning the trip) and it’s mostly first come first serve. Which I think is stupid. We also came during the very busy season. We had to stay the first night at a “campground” (gravel lot) in Terlingua off park. We were lucky and got a campsite for the other nights on park in the Rio Grande Village.
Terlingua is a cool little town. It is worth hanging out in one night. Especially if you are younger without kids as it seemed to be a desert version of Panama City. I didn’t get any pics with my phone though. Sorry.
The Chisos Mountain area is the most popular area. If you want to hike there, get going early. Parking spots are limited as these are the most popular trails. alajones2 isn’t up to 10 mile hikes so going to the peak wasn’t an option this trip. We did hit the Windows trail though.
We also hit up the Cottonwood area. Then went to the Rio Grande Village for the night.
These are from Boquillas Canyon and the Hot springs (omg, they are great. Go in the mornings.) That is the Rio Grande and that is Mexico across the river from me in the Hot Springs.
We wanted to do Lost Mine trail but the parking lots were all full in Chisos. Besides the campground issues, this is another complaint of mine. They are not prepared to be busy and don’t seem to give two fricks.
We also hiked Dog Canyon. It was a really easy flat hike through a canyon.
It was insanely windy one night and we hardly slept as you can see from our tent.
Definitely will go back.
If you plan a trip, plan it around Texas’ spring break.
The first tip I need to give is related to the distance. It’s way out there. We left Friday afternoon from Shreveport and didn’t arrive until Saturday afternoon. Stopping in Weatherford, TX for the night. Because it took two days to get there, we really only had three days in the park. Once you head south from Midland, the scenery is gorgeous.
Another tip is don’t expect to be able to stay in the park. There are very few reservable camp sites (all were booked in Jan when I started planning the trip) and it’s mostly first come first serve. Which I think is stupid. We also came during the very busy season. We had to stay the first night at a “campground” (gravel lot) in Terlingua off park. We were lucky and got a campsite for the other nights on park in the Rio Grande Village.
Terlingua is a cool little town. It is worth hanging out in one night. Especially if you are younger without kids as it seemed to be a desert version of Panama City. I didn’t get any pics with my phone though. Sorry.
The Chisos Mountain area is the most popular area. If you want to hike there, get going early. Parking spots are limited as these are the most popular trails. alajones2 isn’t up to 10 mile hikes so going to the peak wasn’t an option this trip. We did hit the Windows trail though.
We also hit up the Cottonwood area. Then went to the Rio Grande Village for the night.
These are from Boquillas Canyon and the Hot springs (omg, they are great. Go in the mornings.) That is the Rio Grande and that is Mexico across the river from me in the Hot Springs.
We wanted to do Lost Mine trail but the parking lots were all full in Chisos. Besides the campground issues, this is another complaint of mine. They are not prepared to be busy and don’t seem to give two fricks.
We also hiked Dog Canyon. It was a really easy flat hike through a canyon.
It was insanely windy one night and we hardly slept as you can see from our tent.
Definitely will go back.
If you plan a trip, plan it around Texas’ spring break.
This post was edited on 3/16/18 at 11:27 am
5
Posted on 3/16/18 at 1:55 pm to alajones
Thanksgiving is the other busy time down there. Did you drive river road from terlingua to Presidio? It's a really beautiful drive and there is a slot canyon in Big Bend State Park you can hike into.... About a 30 minute hike. And then Ft Davis, Marfa, Alpine are at 5000 ft altitude so they are nice in the summer.
Posted on 3/16/18 at 2:18 pm to alajones
That looks kick arse. Would love to bring my kiddos there!
Posted on 3/16/18 at 3:41 pm to Zappas Stache
Alpine was on my want to list. But it wasn’t in the cards.
Unfortunately I only had three days.
Unfortunately I only had three days.
Posted on 3/16/18 at 11:32 pm to alajones
Cool pics.
I've been wanting to take the wife and kids for quite awhile now. We may try and get away in the next 6 weeks, but it seems I get overwhelmed with where to stay and what to do each time I start putting a plan together. My kids are 7 and 2 so only so much hiking to be done.
Any suggestions on where to stay with a couple kids in tow?
I've been wanting to take the wife and kids for quite awhile now. We may try and get away in the next 6 weeks, but it seems I get overwhelmed with where to stay and what to do each time I start putting a plan together. My kids are 7 and 2 so only so much hiking to be done.
Any suggestions on where to stay with a couple kids in tow?
Posted on 3/17/18 at 10:24 am to alajones
Any night sky pics to share? Big Bend may be one of the best spots in the lower 48 to see the Milky Way
Posted on 3/17/18 at 1:30 pm to tigerzballzdeep
quote:
Any suggestions on where to stay with a couple kids in tow?
There’s a pretty nice resort in Lajitas, down the road from Terelingua. It’s really just a hotel with a golf course and pool but very suitable for kids. We stayed in a cabin in one night and lajitas the rest of the time ( that we weren’t camping out).
This post was edited on 3/17/18 at 1:31 pm
Posted on 3/17/18 at 10:49 pm to jmarto1
I’ll try and add more pics. I just used my phone images. alajones2 took like a hundred on her 900 damn dollar camera. So I’ll try and add some of those.
The first night we saw the amazing sky from the campground/gravel lot. The other night it was very windy which must’ve made the sky more hazy than usual. It was still awesome. But not as clear as the first night.
The first night we saw the amazing sky from the campground/gravel lot. The other night it was very windy which must’ve made the sky more hazy than usual. It was still awesome. But not as clear as the first night.
This post was edited on 3/17/18 at 10:51 pm
Posted on 3/17/18 at 10:53 pm to tigerzballzdeep
We saw several people with kiddie carrier backpacks. Your 7 year old could handle the hikes I posted.
I think I might consider dropping them at granny’s for a week or so.
I think I might consider dropping them at granny’s for a week or so.
This post was edited on 3/17/18 at 10:53 pm
Posted on 3/17/18 at 11:40 pm to alajones
quote:
The other night it was very windy which must’ve made the sky more hazy than usual. It was still awesome. But not as clear as the first night.
When the wind blows from the south it carries the smoke from electric coal plants in Mexico into the park and makes it hazy. It's a big concern down there.
Posted on 3/18/18 at 7:23 pm to alajones
quote:
it’s mostly first come first serve. Which I think is stupid. We also came during the very busy season. We had to stay the first night at a “campground” (gravel lot) in Terlingua off park. We were lucky and got a campsite for the other nights on park in the Rio Grande Village.
First come first served is a challenge when camping in a popular national park. I'm not criticizing you but posting to let people know that they need to research this. And be prepared to drive at crazy early hours so that you can get a camping spot. I've been through this rodeo at Glacier, Yellowstone, Yosemite, Big Bend. The best plan is always to be there as early as humanly possible. The national parks are not adding to camping while the population continues to grow. So in essence the national parks are being rationed by scarcity. They are funneling the people who want to visit into tiny, increasingly maddening spaces. So you either learn the system or find other places; either one works.
Posted on 3/19/18 at 10:51 am to Tigris
quote:I’m not sure what’s around BB because I’ve never been out there but most National Parks are surrounded by public lands (National Forests & BLM) that allow dispersed camping. Camping just outside the park is almost always better than the front-country camping in the park and is my go to recommendation for those who are looking to camp.
So you either learn the system or find other places
Posted on 3/20/18 at 3:24 pm to PearlyBaker
There is no public land around the National or State Parks
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