Big Bend area

Thread from a couple weeks ago

It’s God’s country. Your blood pressure drops immediately and it’s a fantastic and almost meditative mental reset. The beauty isn’t just in the landscape (which is stunning) but also the remoteness. Something about being present with so much nature and so few people is amazing. Disconnect from the rat race for a couple of days. Did I mention the stargazing?

Also should check out Terlingua and/or Marfa while you’re there.

The bluebonnets are definitely still in full bloom. Try looking for a place to camp in Terlingua Ghost Town area. There are some places that may have some spots and its only about 20 or so minutes to the west entrance of the park. If you enter there you can take Old Maverick Road (unpaved but maintained) to Santa Elena Canyon at the Rio Grande. Be sure to get gas before you get there. There is one store in Study Butte and it will be busy. In the park Panther Junction and Rio Grande Village have gas. Get everything you need in Fort Davis if you leave from there. There is a small grocery store there, Porters is the store. On the east side through Marathon is the the Stillwell Store. They have camping sites and it is not far from the East Park Entrance. Be prepared for people. Like I said before, busiest time of year is now.

Cold Drink gets it. I go by myself (when I can) and enjoy the solitude. I live close enough where I can make a day trip out of it, but I usually stay in Terlingua and have few cold ones at Starlight, the porch and High Sierra. I am not a camper-sleep in my truck kinda person.
Another place I like to drive, Pinto Canyon Road, FM 2810 out of Marfa turns into Pinto Canyon Road. The road is public, unpaved and desolate. The land is PRIVATE. Once you are at the bottom of the canyon just stop and listen and look. I always get an eerie feeling down there but I love it. Border Patrol may roll up on you on either end. The lower end of Pinto Canyon Road ends up on HWY 170 in Ruidosa. No cars though only vehicles that have a higher clearance.

I leave in the morning from East Texas. Drove here today from KC. Staying at camp in Terlingua area. Hoping to get some good photos. Will post next week if I do. Hoping to do some astrophotography if you can drive thru park at night. Thanks for all info.

I just went, I followed the advice I got in the previous thread. I am going again in August, but going straight to the park and not wasting any time in Marfa.

Went last year to see bluebonnets and also used bluebonnet tracker. Weren’t as plentiful last year, so they’ll be picturesque this year. Did Waco and blue bonnets trip last year. Still talk about excursion to Waco Mammoth National Park.

Got a lesson in real life gentrification in Marfa, the hipsters have bought out all the Mexican families except for 2 in the old “ wrong side of the tracks neighborhood “.

I hope they paid through the nose.

Been here almost six years and really like it. I miss nothing from the cities I have lived in. I love the Big Bend Region and I am happy to be able to call it home.