Southern New Mexico and Big Bend
Since we had to cancel our late June trip to Yellowstone with our grandson, Tom and I have decided we'll wait until Fall and go 2 places we've wanted visit but never were able to get to - southern New...
Forum Discussion
I'd suggest staying within the Park and splitting your time between at least the NPS Rio Grande Village (not the nearby RV park) and the Cottonwood campgrounds. I think you may be too big for the Basin or I'd suggest 2-3 days there as well. Drive up in your jeep and make your own decision. Big Bend is a huge Park and you can lose a lot of time driving in from outside or exploring around the west end when you're camped at RGV. There's plenty to see/do in each area. Neither campground has hookups and Cottonwood is non-generator but Fall weather should be OK.
Plan your activities before you get there. The Park website is really good if you take the time to explore all the links. Google 'Paisano'; its the Park newspaper and back issues are available on the net. National Geographic offers a pretty good map that can be purchased on line or when you arrive. bigbendchat dot com is a website for enthusiasts.
Read up on the backroads and hiking trails for those that meet your interest and abilities. With the jeep, you should be able to cover any of the roads unless there's been a good bit of recent rain. Check with the staff for conditions before starting out. Old Ore road is good for a half day. Be sure to take the short hike from it to Ernst Tinaja. Maverick is another good drive and can be a short cut from Cottonwood into Study Butte or Terlingua on the west end. Glenn Springs to Mariscal Mine connecting to the River Road is a good way to spend a full day. Black Gap Road is the only one that is not maintained to some degree but should be OK for the jeep when dry.
It would be hard for me to pick a single 'best' trail; we've done all the day hikes and an overnight on the South Rim. The Hot Springs certainly shouldn't be missed and Lost Mine, The Window and Emory Peak are three good ones up in the Basin when heat is an issue at lower elevations.
The Basin restaurant is average to good. Limited supplies are available at stores in The Basin, RGV and Castolon (west end). Gas in the center and RGV. Study Butte, west end outside the Park, has gas, groceries and most essentials.
Outside the Park, on the west end, be sure to visit Terlingua. Graveyard there is interesting. The Starlight Theater has surprisingly good food and La Kiva is a unique local watering hole.
Enjoy your visit. We'll spend a few days there next month on our way back east from Utah.
Plan your activities before you get there. The Park website is really good if you take the time to explore all the links. Google 'Paisano'; its the Park newspaper and back issues are available on the net. National Geographic offers a pretty good map that can be purchased on line or when you arrive. bigbendchat dot com is a website for enthusiasts.
Read up on the backroads and hiking trails for those that meet your interest and abilities. With the jeep, you should be able to cover any of the roads unless there's been a good bit of recent rain. Check with the staff for conditions before starting out. Old Ore road is good for a half day. Be sure to take the short hike from it to Ernst Tinaja. Maverick is another good drive and can be a short cut from Cottonwood into Study Butte or Terlingua on the west end. Glenn Springs to Mariscal Mine connecting to the River Road is a good way to spend a full day. Black Gap Road is the only one that is not maintained to some degree but should be OK for the jeep when dry.
It would be hard for me to pick a single 'best' trail; we've done all the day hikes and an overnight on the South Rim. The Hot Springs certainly shouldn't be missed and Lost Mine, The Window and Emory Peak are three good ones up in the Basin when heat is an issue at lower elevations.
The Basin restaurant is average to good. Limited supplies are available at stores in The Basin, RGV and Castolon (west end). Gas in the center and RGV. Study Butte, west end outside the Park, has gas, groceries and most essentials.
Outside the Park, on the west end, be sure to visit Terlingua. Graveyard there is interesting. The Starlight Theater has surprisingly good food and La Kiva is a unique local watering hole.
Enjoy your visit. We'll spend a few days there next month on our way back east from Utah.
