safety at Big Bend

[jsparks12]

We have been planning a trip out west along I10 from Alabama to Big Bend National park. With all the border problems, I am wondering how safe it would be to do this. We had stops planned at Del Rio, Texas and at Big Bend National Park. While at Big Bend we were planning to do a float trip on the river, however, I am hearing that crossing the river is how a lot of the illegals are entering the US. Please share if you have any advice!

[GoHorns]

We were there for Christmas and loved it. The river road is 55 miles of 5 to 10 mph washboard gravel... took us 6 hours... but the scenery is worth it. We saw maybe 3 other cars on that route. Also, if you have a Texas LTC, you are legal in the park as well...

[scrubjaysnest]

We love stopping at both Del Rio and Big Bend. Been camping there since the 70's

[fanrgs]

We spent a week there in January last year and saw no one crossing the river in the park. Much of the river adjacent to the park is in a canyon, so would be very difficult to climb down the cliffs to cross.

We were there in the cool season (there is no "cold season"), so had 60 degree days. But Presidio is located just a few miles upstream from the park and often has the highest summer daytime temperature in the nation. So, you would likely have more problems with heat stroke than crime if you are going to be in the park at that time of year!

[2gypsies1]

No worries. Awesome place and excellent hiking. We always stayed at Rio Grande Village campground - pretty setting mountains and river and lovely yellow cottonwood trees in November.

[Floridafrances]

Glad to see this post. My husband and I are planning to finally get to Big Bend. We've been trying for years and something always interfered. I've read enough posts, reviews, and blogs about the area that I wasn't worried about our safety, but never to hurts to have have additional confirmation from those who know firsthand about it.

[huachuca]

As others have suggested, you're very unlikely to have problems with illegals but do exercise common sense when hiking or driving the backroads. Other than the period between Thanksgiving and New Year's and Spring Break in early to mid March, Big Bend is one of the least visited National Parks. And that's a good thing!

Just to add a little spice to your visit, this 1932 murder is detailed on the Park's website. Juan's grave is located on The Old Ore Road and well worth a visit. Also, Death in Big Bend by Laurence Parent is interesting reading. And A Murder in Terlingua was a multi-part TV special a few years back.

Seriously, we're from NC but Big Bend is our favorite National Park and we've returned many times since spending part of our honeymoon there in 78. In fact, we'll be there for a few days in late June.

[DougE]

Yes. You must have a passport to cross the Rio Grande to Boquillas, Mexico. The park and Boquillas are perfectly safe. Boquillas is a long, long way from any other town in Mexico and really appreciates American $ spent in their little village.

[ken56]

If one should want to visit the other side would it be wise to have their passport in their possesion?

[agesilaus]

Jim@HiTek wrote:
The Rio Grande is only a few inches deep for several hundred miles and there would be no reason to pick out that area to cross with all those gringos watching from their RVs.

Go, enjoy the Big Bend NP. It's really a neat place to stay for a couple days to refresh after a long drive. You can wave at an occasional Mexican villager up on the hillside across the river where there's a small village. And hike up and down the river bank. Or even wade across in places. There's a wildlife marsh area there too (snakes!) with a wooden bridge crossing it.

We've been there at least three times over the years with zero problems. We spent 5 days there a few years ago. Not only is the Rio shallow it is actually dry in places. There is a slot canyon that the Rio runs thru down in the State park section that is bone dry. I suspect the river runs underground there.

For the most part the Mexican side looked very rough and inhospitable. I don't recall even seeing anyone on the other side. here is one place where you can get boated across at the eastern end of the river in the park but we haven't been down there.

[PawPaw_n_Gram]

Big Bend is one of the lowest activity of illegal crossings along the border. To get there from the Mexico side is 110-150 of unpaved, unimproved dirt road through rugged mountains.

My opinion having lived in Dallas for 30+ years and having been a campground host at Big Bend NP is that any large US City is a more dangerous place than anywhere along with the Mexico border. The Del Rio to Persidio section of the border which includes Big Bend is safer than most US small cities.

[jsparks12]

Thank you all for your reassurance!!

[rr2254545]

We too were there for 2 weeks - we took the international ferry ( rowboat) across to Boquilas Mexico and and a great breakfast and morning exploring

Their name tags really do say international ferry LOL

No crossings there - this is a very remote area and not a hot spot for crossings,
you are worrying about nothing

[Jim]

The Rio Grande is only a few inches deep for several hundred miles and there would be no reason to pick out that area to cross with all those gringos watching from their RVs.

Go, enjoy the Big Bend NP. It's really a neat place to stay for a couple days to refresh after a long drive. You can wave at an occasional Mexican villager up on the hillside across the river where there's a small village. And hike up and down the river bank. Or even wade across in places. There's a wildlife marsh area there too (snakes!) with a wooden bridge crossing it.

[Two_Hands]

We just spent four days at Big Bend and never felt the least bit worried or uncomfortable.