agesilaus wrote:
Have you been to Big Bend NP, I make it about 450 mi from Austin.
We were campground hosts at Big Bend NP from April to August 2014.
It takes about 10-12 driving hours to get to Big Bend from Austin via I-35, I-10 and US-385 from Fort Stockton. A much easier drive is US-90 from San Antonio through Del Rio to Marathon, then US-385 to the park. But it takes at least three hours longer driving time.
Big Bend is an amazing place. I'm ashamed to admit I lived in Texas for 28 years before my first visit. Missed the greatest natural wonder in the state for that long.
Big Bend has one small RV hookup campground at Rio Grande Village - a concessionaire operation - really a parking lot where rigs back in. Hookups at the back.
That campground is located an hour and 20 minute drive from the north park entrance at Persimmon Gap. Do not speed, the park LE rangers will stop you if you are going over 45.
Spring break is the absolute worst time to visit Big Bend. Every reservable campsite is already reserved, usually five or six months in advance. There are first come, first serve campsites in the various campgrounds, however those are usually taken by 8 am.
The largest crowds of the year are from the start of spring break through Easter.
While we were not there during spring break, we talked with people who were campground hosts during that time, and we saw their records of the campground utilization.
Big Bend has three campgrounds. All with no hookups. Rio Grande Village is the largest. Right on the Rio Grande with over 100 spots. Most can accommodate large RVs. It is the hottest location in the park.
Chisos Basin Campground located in the Chisos Mountains is at 5,100 ft elevation. It can be 30 degrees or more cooler than RGV. The road in is steep, twisty with several switchbacks and not recommended for RVs over 24 ft, or trailers over 18 ft.
We had several Class C's, small TT in the CG while we were hosts. My sig pic was taken there. I had to back-up my 36 ft TT about 1/4 mile out of the CG when we left because there wasn't room to turn the righ around inside the CG.
I once had to back-up a Casita over 1/2 mile from the lower end of the CG because there wasn't room to turn it around below that.
If you go to Chisos Basin with an RV, park in the amphitheater parking lot and walk into the CG to see if you have space and room to maneuver. I've seen 28 ft Class C rigs in the upper loop, but no space lower. Most camping spots in Chisos Basin CG will be parking on an unlevel wide spot on the side of the road.
Cottonwood CG on the Rio Grande River on the west side of the park is a very nice small CG of 24 spots, good sized parking spots on level gravel. No generators allowed at Cottonwood.
In general, you will be limited on water usage. The park has had below average rainfall for several years, and the springs which provide water are drying up.
Current NPS campground fees are $14 per night ($7 with Senior Pass).
Another option is some of the
Primitive Roadside Campsites about a dozen of these sites would be accessible by a small RV/ trailers. Cost for a backcountry permit is $10.
There are no showers in any of the campgrounds. The store at Rio Grande Village does offer pay showers. They have two each for men and women.
Commercial FHU campgrounds near the park. Note it is a minimum of 35 miles from the west entrance to any of the Big Bend visitor centers/ key locations.
Big Bend Resort, behind the motel in Study Butte, is a FHU campground with open spots. Not much else. Closest to attractions in the park.
BJ's RV Park in Terlingua is also a bit 'rustic'.
There are a couple others which might be open in the Study Butte/ Terlingua area.
Maverick Ranch RV in Lajitas is a very nice resort park with full hookups. You are at least two hours driving from any thing you want to see in the park.
To the north of the park there is Stillwell Store and RV Park down FM 2627 is a clean open RV park. Mainly for hunters, but they get some spring break business.
I strongly urge everyone to visit Big Bend. It's not a feature filled park for young children, but it is an incredibly amazing place.
Just not at Spring Break. Best times to visit are after Easter to Memorial Day, and after Labor Day but before Thanksgiving.
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For the OP - Garner State Park is your best destination choice, though if you haven't been - Inks Lake State Park is our favorite.
We would also recommend most of the commercial RV parks near Fredericksburg, and day trips to Enchanted Rock and the LBJ complex.
Pedernales Falls SP and Guadalupe River SP are also very nice.
Kerrville-Schreiner Park in Kerrville, a former state park, which is run by the city of Kerrville.
South Llano River SP just outside Junction off I-10 is a nice park, 30A power and water. A hidden gem of the Texas state park system for hikers and naturalists is Lost Maples SP.
San Angelo is a nice area, but very high prices for the FHU RV parks near the city/ airport. Despite the recent rains, the two big lakes, and San Angelo SP, are very low with no facilities.
ugh wrote:
but I am afraid it would be packed full of college kids partying during their spring break, so that is why I am thinking of west.
Texas has a LOT of college kids during spring break. Big Bend is full of them, and many state parks are also full of them during that time.
The smaller state parks are better.
As for WiFi - you are going to have to do without at your campsite most places. Heck you won't have phone service in many places like Big Bend, Garner, Lost Maples, Guadalupe River, Perdernales Falls, etc.
Inks Lake does have a better than average campground wide WiFi network.
