Big Bend National Park

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-Is Big Bend worth the trip to check out?

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100% yes.

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-If so, what's the best way to get there? Fly to San Antonio and rent a car?

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Fly to Midland, TX then rent a car. Can make your way through Marfa, Marathon, and Ft. Davis on the way to & from.

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-What's the best time of year to go? I presume Spring or Fall.

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I'd look at March or October/Early November. We went the first week of April and it hit 100 in the desert.

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-Are certain areas or parts of the park better than others? Any must sees or must dos?

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I'd make sure you hit the high points, Santa Elana, Chisos Mts, swim in the Rio Grande at the springs, and take the ferry to Boquillas. Big Bend State Park to the West is also incredible.

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-Is it camping or any cabins you'd recommend staying at?

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We stayed in Terlingua and drove in every day. Unique town with history.

How young are you and how are your knees?

I thought south rim at BBNP was better than Guadalupe Peak

Me too, only I was not in good shape

Yes, it's absolutely worth going.

The best way to get there is to be on a long road trip in a camper van.

You want to be there in late fall to early spring. It's damn hot.

To me the best parts are high elevation. Cooler and more trees. But Santa Elena Canyon and the hot spring on the Rio Grande are two must sees and lower.

Camping - yeah - Chisos Basin Campground is good. And if you can get in Chisos Mountain Lodge I'd do it. Not a great lodge but a GREAT location.
I've seen both black bear and mountain lion near those two spots. Boot Canyon Trail is good, everything around Emory Peak is good for hiking.

Starlight Theater in Terlingua is a must visit restaurant. I had an amazing experience there with a local band playing with a great song writer included. Terlingua is worth seeing in general; and if you can't get anything at the mentioned spots to stay then find a place in or near Terlingua.

Lots of questions.
Yes worth it.
Very remote.
Drove from BR via San Antonio and along the Rio Grande through Langtry Tx.
You could fly to El Paso or Midland. You can also take a train to Alpine and rent a car.
If lodge is open, it’s fun to stay there.
Lots of great things to see in BBNP. Just research what you think. You would enjoy for your circumstances.
Time of year, anything but Summer.

Full moon weekends have the most availability in Chisos because people seek out new moons for the darkest nights for star gazing.

Not much to add besides Chisos Basin is 5,400ft and has different weather than the river. I’ve been in May and Chisos Basin is pleasant and cool nights and the river is 100+ degrees.

Also a lot of remote driving so if you take your own vehicle I’d recommend you have it serviced. We had car issues and stumbled on the Gage Hotel and restaurant. 10/10 would recommend staying there.

Where is the best place to stay in Terlingua?

I did Big Bend by myself in 2022. Needed to get away. Drove all the way from New Orleans and back. (I'm weird like that. I like long drives through endless nothingness.) Stayed at the lodge. I was very disappointed to learn that the Trump administration canceled the lodge rebuilding project. The place is old and falling apart, but still the best place to stay.

It is probably the most deserted national park in the country that is worth a trip. Very peaceful. Explore it all. Hike the Window and Lost Mine trails if you want a nice 3 hour hike. South Rim if you're a serious back country hiker. See Santa Elena. Even Boquillas Canyon is a nice place to hang out by or in the river.

If you are an afficianado of the 1980's movie Fandango, take a ride on 170 to see the DOM rock, about 13 miles west of Lajitas. Not only is it still there, but the overlook of the gorge is fantastic at that spot.