Thinking about making the Big Bend trek this fall sometime. We are located in Southeast Houston and have discussed Big Bend as a spot we want to visit since being in Texas. I've read quite a few posts over the years and since we are seriously considering this year, I'm looking for a few current options on the following topics:Campgrounds -keeping in mind DW and two kids, would ideally be looking for water and electric. Read about several in the area including what looks more like an RV resort type in Lajitas. Anyone stay here?Gas - planning on bringing supplemental gas cans for the trip, but has anyone run into issues with theft. Trying to think of a good place to store the gas cans when not traveling and camped for the evening. Just looking for opinions.Firearms-curious on this topic. I've spoken to several who made the visit to the park and typically have at least brought theirs along. Just seeking some opinions.I know you ask opinions on the internet and you will get 100 different responses, but in my profession I like data points. Anything else you can think of (good hikes while there, etc.) is appreciated.

OK we drove past the RV CG in Lajitas and looked in, it had trees which is quite unusual for the are and was obviously a cut above the dirt parking lot cg's that make up the rest of the selection. There are a couple CG in the Sturdy Butte/Terlingua area. Plus there is a FHU cg in the park itself. There are lots of places around the park with no services at all. Don't worry about gas, there is are several service stations in the area including at least one in the park. The gas will be somewhat pricey but it wasn't outrageous when we were last there. There is a small super market in Sturdy Butte too.Firearms? This is Texas and the parks follow local law.A lot of businesses shut down for summer, I'm not sure when they re-open. I highly recommend the River Road as one day trip.

re fall visiting to Big Bend. It probably won't cool off there until mid to late Oct. But check on the date for the annual Chili cookoff in Terlingua, because the area will be busier than usual at that time. It's usually in NOV.The FUH in the park is literally a paved parking lot with hookups. Rio Grande RV park. Next door is the Rio Grande campground, with lots of shade and water and a dump station. There's a little store inbetween the two campgrounds. Make a reservation NOW if you really want elec. hookups.In Terlingua, we have stayed at the Big Bend RV park and the Study Butte RV park.Neither is fancy...both provide the basics and are close to the park's west gate.Again, if you can, make reservations.On the way to the park, if you use highway 90 out of San Antonio, there are lots of rv parks in Del Rio, and a state park campground near Comfort TX. And at Marathon, one of the gateways to Big Bend, there is a decent rv park in town and a good restaurant at the hotel.

For a campground on the way I'd recommend the Seminole Canyon State Park just before the Pecos River.If you want to be on hookups:Stay in Study Butte if you want evening dining out choices (Dirt w/ some trees). The only resturant in Big Bend NP is in the Chisos basin.Stay at Rio Grande Village on pavement with trees.Gas and convenience store both places.

After several visits we liked best and recommend staying in the full hook up RV park in the park. Yes its an asphalt parking lot but if you want to see many different places in the park it is much shorter / less driving than any other location, there was picnic tables and trees in the grass area behind every asphalt parking spot. It is also right on the river, So our recommendations. If want to see the park, stay in the park, if want to see sights outside park, stay outside. We’ve done both. Interesting place.

November is a perfect time to be there. The cottonwoods are in glorious yellow color against the bright blue sky. If you need hookups, stay in the park itself at Rio Grande Village RV. Fuel is available. No need to haul it. Firearms.. can't help you but here is the national park's web site on it:https://www.nps.gov/bibe/learn/management/firearms-regulations.htm

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DelB19702

Explorer

Jul 28, 2018

Big Bend Advice

Thinking about making the Big Bend trek this fall sometime. We are located in Southeast Houston and have discussed Big Bend as a spot we want to visit since being in Texas.

I've read quite a few posts over the years and since we are seriously considering this year, I'm looking for a few current options on the following topics:

Campgrounds -keeping in mind DW and two kids, would ideally be looking for water and electric. Read about several in the area including what looks more like an RV resort type in Lajitas. Anyone stay here?
Gas - planning on bringing supplemental gas cans for the trip, but has anyone run into issues with theft. Trying to think of a good place to store the gas cans when not traveling and camped for the evening. Just looking for opinions.

Firearms-curious on this topic. I've spoken to several who made the visit to the park and typically have at least brought theirs along. Just seeking some opinions.

I know you ask opinions on the internet and you will get 100 different responses, but in my profession I like data points. Anything else you can think of (good hikes while there, etc.) is appreciated.

11 Replies

agesilaus
Explorer III
Jul 28, 2018
OK we drove past the RV CG in Lajitas and looked in, it had trees which is quite unusual for the are and was obviously a cut above the dirt parking lot cg's that make up the rest of the selection. There are a couple CG in the Sturdy Butte/Terlingua area. Plus there is a FHU cg in the park itself. There are lots of places around the park with no services at all.

Don't worry about gas, there is are several service stations in the area including at least one in the park. The gas will be somewhat pricey but it wasn't outrageous when we were last there. There is a small super market in Sturdy Butte too.

Firearms? This is Texas and the parks follow local law.

A lot of businesses shut down for summer, I'm not sure when they re-open. I highly recommend the River Road as one day trip.

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