Big Bend National Park set to close

bob_nestor wrote:
It's a big park and relies a lot on volunteer work campers. The closure is between June and October and I'd imagine it's harder than hell to get volunteers to work there during that time due to the excessive heat. As far as the camping areas that are being shut down during this time it probably won't affect people who still want to go. Cottonwood has no hookups and no generators are allowed so it would be almost impossible to live in a tin hut on wheels during this time down there. The campsites on the river at the Village that are being closed are the ones that don't allow generators and there are no hookups in this part of the park either. (The hookups are in the parking lot by the store there.) The primitive campsites throughout the park are rarely full; in all the years I've been going there I could probably count the campers I've seen on these spots on the fingers of one hand.

Thank you for the outstanding info; well done.

Roy&Lynne wrote:
LOL and I wonder how many rowdy campers they get that far from civilization.

You would be surprised :w

At their location It was 102 degrees F at 4:50 PM yesterday. During the day the humidity ranged from 19% to 84% With those conditions in May I am surprised that the entire park isn't shut down for the summer.
I wonder 3oaks have you been there in the summer or are you not one of those "very rugged adventurers"?

With the lack of visitors during the summer I'd be surprised if they didn't shut down some areas. I was there in mid-April and they were already diminishing services due to the hot weather slow down. I attended one of the few remaining ranger talks. At the Rio Grande Village the few sites with hookups are run by the park concessionaire. I pretty sure the campground store stays open and I suspect you can get spot with hookups although I don't know why anyone would go to the park this time of year.

Doubt they see many visitors during that time frame with 100+ temps. Doesn't sound like any bid deal.

The closure timeframe seems very reasonable. Not many go there in the summer because of the heat. Cottonwood campground doesn't allow generators so no relief there. The one loop at Rio Grande Village will be plenty.

The Texan: It's not the FHU park that's closing. It's one of the campground loops.

Maybe Aramark is the outsource company? I remember when they were filling candy machines in factories. Sure!!! We can run your operations. :)

When were at Cottonwood in Feb 2015 the CG host said they were talking about doing away with the hosts. Also a lot of the paid employees are part time and go to other NP sites for the summer so this isn't a surprise.

But it's not the reasons the article stated for closing:

"We're told the closures are due to short-term staffing shortages."

Also it those campgrounds were not closed other years because it was "too hot for hiking or tent camping". Not everyone needs all the creature comforts of perfect weather or air conditioning. There are still some very rugged adventurers out and about.

TX Shadow knows of what he speaks.

June to October is hot and dry. too hot for hiking or tent camping. the site with elec hook ups is very small.
give it a rest, folks. some parks are just not user friendly at certain times of the year.