Big Bend-UPDATE

[Charlie_D_]

Going to Big Bend. Where do I need to stay and what to see. Coming from East of Houston

[huachuca]

Sounds like you had a wonderful trip, thanks for the update. We're from NC but Texas is one of our favorite destinations as well.

[Charlie_D_]

Here you go Joe: Unable to post some of the other pictures. Joe you will just have to make the trip. We did almost everything PawPaw told us.
Canyon for rafting

CCC building that is now rented out to the public at Palo Duro


Marfa Courthouse- http://i.imgur.com/WvLPYQum.jpg




Unfortunately mmy camera does not do justice to the photos

[2gypsies1]

Thanks for reporting back. Wish more would do so!

[Skid_Row_Joe]

Charlie D. wrote:
Thought I would give you guys an update of a wonderful trip and thanks for the help;

We spent a week in Kerrville/Fredrecksburg and the kids came over for 4 days. We have been to the Hill Country many times and have family and friends there. First time for the family. From there we headed to Big Bend. Spent the night in Marathon at the Marathon Inn and RV Park. Neat place with restored building and a small park with full hook ups, Would stay there again.

From there to the east side and stayed at the full hookup park below Panther Junction for 4 days. Traveled every inch of the road on that side. From there we moved to the west side to Study Butte/Terlingua. Drove every inch of the road on that side. Even the Old Maverick Ranch road which was bumpy gravel and shallow water crossings.. When we came to the end of that road and back to Asphalt we found the canyon. What a sight with a cool wind exiting the canyon. Wonderful views, incredible beauty and the stars at night were breathtaking.

We then went to Ft. Davis and stayed at the state park. HEY!! That place has cable and WI-FI!!! In Ft. Davis were were able to get cell phone service to check on things as we were without any news or contact with the rest of the world for over a week. A week there and visited McDonald Observatory. There is a switch back road at Ft. Davis that takes you to the top and a CCC trail.

From there to Lubbock and then to Amarillo. Saw the Cadillac Ranch. Had to do that just to say we didn't miss it while we were there. Visited the RV Museum and ate at the Big Texan. Incredible Filet Mignon. Two guys were trying the 72 ounce but as slow as they were eating they could not have finished. Their record time is by a woman-picture looked to be in her mid-30's-ate the 72 ounce steak, salad, and potato in 4 minutes 18 seconds. What a woman. Saw the Palo Duro Canyon and drove all the way to the bottom. Although we stayed at a public park in Amarillo the campgrounds in the Canyon were nice. Saw a Class A going down.

The high plains between Ft. Davis and Lubbock were also a sight to see. Much of that area of Texas was receiving heavy rains but thankfully the only rain we received was a heavy rain in sheets on the way back to the campground and AFTER Palo Duro. The musical starts June 2 so we missed that. We then headed back to Fredricksburg and received heavy rains and hail north of there. Spent the night in Bourne then home the next day. Wonderful trip and life long memories of this great state.

We so love having the time and resources to travel this great country and seeing it's beauty. See you on the road.:B

We have been to 32 states and all had beauty but nothing matches Texas.

Did you also take pictures to share here?

[Charlie_D_]

Thought I would give you guys an update of a wonderful trip and thanks for the help;

We spent a week in Kerrville/Fredrecksburg and the kids came over for 4 days. We have been to the Hill Country many times and have family and friends there. First time for the family. From there we headed to Big Bend. Spent the night in Marathon at the Marathon Inn and RV Park. Neat place with restored building and a small park with full hook ups, Would stay there again.

From there to the east side and stayed at the full hookup park below Panther Junction for 4 days. Traveled every inch of the road on that side. From there we moved to the west side to Study Butte/Terlingua. Drove every inch of the road on that side. Even the Old Maverick Ranch road which was bumpy gravel and shallow water crossings.. When we came to the end of that road and back to Asphalt we found the canyon. What a sight with a cool wind exiting the canyon. Wonderful views, incredible beauty and the stars at night were breathtaking.

We then went to Ft. Davis and stayed at the state park. HEY!! That place has cable and WI-FI!!! In Ft. Davis were were able to get cell phone service to check on things as we were without any news or contact with the rest of the world for over a week. A week there and visited McDonald Observatory. There is a switch back road at Ft. Davis that takes you to the top and a CCC trail.

From there to Lubbock and then to Amarillo. Saw the Cadillac Ranch. Had to do that just to say we didn't miss it while we were there. Visited the RV Museum and ate at the Big Texan. Incredible Filet Mignon. Two guys were trying the 72 ounce but as slow as they were eating they could not have finished. Their record time is by a woman-picture looked to be in her mid-30's-ate the 72 ounce steak, salad, and potato in 4 minutes 18 seconds. What a woman. Saw the Palo Duro Canyon and drove all the way to the bottom. Although we stayed at a public park in Amarillo the campgrounds in the Canyon were nice. Saw a Class A going down.

The high plains between Ft. Davis and Lubbock were also a sight to see. Much of that area of Texas was receiving heavy rains but thankfully the only rain we received was a heavy rain in sheets on the way back to the campground and AFTER Palo Duro. The musical starts June 2 so we missed that. We then headed back to Fredricksburg and received heavy rains and hail north of there. Spent the night in Bourne then home the next day. Wonderful trip and life long memories of this great state.

We so love having the time and resources to travel this great country and seeing it's beauty. See you on the road.:B

We have been to 32 states and all had beauty but nothing matches Texas.

[Charlie_D_]

5-6 days at Big Bend. Rest of the stops are unknown because we are looking at 3 1/2 to 4 weeks.

[DougE]

Admittedly the Chisos Basin is nicer than Study Butte. If the kids stay at the Chisos Mountain Lodge then you have a 50 minute drive each evening back to your motorhome (45 mph in the park). Likewise you have the same run back each morning. If you stay at Study Butte then you can spend the evening together and you can all watch TV in one of the rooms if you wish. How many days do you plan to stay. (This is my last comment, I'm headed out there in the morning).

[Charlie_D_]

Thanks to everyone. Considering the lodge for the kids/

[huachuca]

Charlie, I'm a bit late to the party as usual but would suggest staying in the Park if you can get reservations for everyone. You at the RGV concession campground and the others at the Basin lodge (the stone cabins built by the CCC are awesome if they can get one). Its a long drive from Study Butte to the middle and eastern sections of the Park and this would actually give you two bases of operation. The distance between RGV and the Basin isn't that far - less than thirty miles.

The concession-operated Rio Grande Village RV Campground (with full hook-ups) is also located at Rio Grande Village. For reservations call 1-877-386-4383 or 432-477-2293. Lodge Reservations By Phone: (877) 386-4383 or (432) 477 2291.

Sounds like you have a great trip planned.

[DougE]

Charlie D. - you've got a workable plan.

[Charlie_D_]

If I understand correctly the recommendations are to stay at Study Butte for the best access to Big Bend and a convenient motel for the kids. When we leave there we will be headed to Marfa, Ft. Davis, Balmorhea-we were close to there on our trips out west but did not stay there-then to Palo Duro Canyon.

[PawPaw_n_Gram]

Roy&Lynne wrote:
I see there is a notice at the National Park site that water is limited to 5 gallons a day so if I were you I would take some extra and fill up before you go.

The water restrictions were implemented while we were campground hosts at Chisos Basin last summer. The main area with severe water problems is the Panther Junction HQ area.

The mountain area/ basin maintained good water supply last summer, but it was a relatively wet summer. Their water comes from a spring.

Panther Junction was trying to get an EIS done to drill a new water well, because their current well was running dry.

Rio Grande Village has adequate wells, as long as the Rio Grande is flowing decently.

Castelon uses a reverse osmosis system to purify a very limited supply of water from some very high mineral content wells.

They were having to truck water around last summer.

High demand times when campgrounds are full can strain any of the water sources in Big Bend if folks are extravagant with water usage.

As far as camping with water and electric hookups.

The best way is to volunteer for three months, either as a campground host, visitor center rep, or other position. I knew one person who volunteered as a general pipefitter/ plumber, another who volunteered as an auto mechanic.

For short trips - the contractor run parking lot at Rio Grande Village is the only place with hookups in the park. Not bad, but not a national park experience.

There is a FHU campground just five miles outside the north entrance on TX 2627 - Stillwell Ranch.

In Study Butte at the west entrance to the park is the Big Bend Resort Campground behind the restaurant and lodge.

There are a couple others in Study Butte, and as mentioned above - Maverick Ranch in Lajitas is the best campground around.

Maverick Ranch is also 22 miles from the park entrance, 64 driving miles from the fantastic Santa Elena Canyon, 46 driving miles from the incredible mountain hiking in the Chisos Basin, 64 driving miles from Rio Grande Village.

And the park does enforce the 45 mph speed limit.

Plan plenty of time and a bit of driving.

Must see - take the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive to Castelon - stop at the over looks and side trip walks. Walk down into Tuff Canyon.

In the Chisos Mountains if you are physically up to a 15 mile hike, with a 2,500 ft climb - the South Rim is incredible.

If not up to that (we weren't) - the Lost Mine Trail at the top of the pass into the Basin is a great hike.

If you want to do the Window Trail, strongly recommend driving down to the alternate trailhead in the campground. Be aware that the trail down to the pouroff (dry waterfall where water drains out of the basin in heavy rains) can be a difficult climb back, since most of the elevation change occurs in the last half mile of the return trip when you are most tired.

Young kids do the trail down and back in under two hours. Old folks and young children get dehydrated because they didn't carry enough water and the climb back in full sunlight is tough.

Though temps will likely only be in the mid-80s, the 10-15% humidity and direct sunlight with no shade, along with 5,000 ft elevation can get to you quickly if not an experienced mountain hiker.

Also strongly recommend going to Fort Davis for a couple days. At 165 miles - it's not a day trip.

We hosted there in Nov and Dec last year at Davis Mountains State Park. Along with the MacDonald Observatory - don't miss Fort Davis National Historic Site. DMSP has some nice hiking trails which are much better suited for an older generation than the mountains of Big Bend.

Do be aware that Big Bend NP is not 'dog friendly'. Your dogs cannot go on the trails, they must be on leashes. There are bears active, especially in the mountains, and javalina (peccaries) near the river and in the desert. You don't want a dog to be anywhere near those.

You will also see javalina at DMSP in Fort Davis.

Javalina will get into a tent, cooler, any container with food. We, and the other camp hosts, worked very hard to keep the Big Bend Mexican Black Bears ignorant of people food.

[jamway]

Roy&Lynne wrote:
I see there is a notice at the National Park site that water is limited to 5 gallons a day so if I were you I would take some extra and fill up before you go.

We were in Big Bend in March and I talked to a Ranger about the water notice. He told me that must be for some place on a mountain.

We had plenty of water at the Rio Grand Village Campground.

Enjoy

[timandsusan]

BB is a large park with good roads but I think the speed limit is 45mph--so plan accordingly. In May--it will be HOT down on the river and cool in the Chicos Mtns. Lots to do in BB and in Davis Mtns. I suggest you relocate to be near each location. All recommendations are great. We have stayed at the Lost Alaskan in Alpine--really nice FHU park. Also visit the Museum of the BB in Sul Ross Univ. Have a great trip. Check out the Marfa Lights!