Big Bend National Park

[Jteakus]

I have a trip planned to Big Bend in April. I don't know much about the park and was hoping to get advice on what trails to run and sights to see along with campsite recommendations, Thanks in advance for any advice.

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[Greg_L]

Big Bend National Park is beautiful but if you really wanna get gnarly go to Big Bend STATE PARK. That place doesn't have a single paved road.

 

[yoda13]

All of the unpaved roads and trails are worth doing in the national park, but none are difficult

 

[BunkieJeeper75]

I have a trip planned to Big Bend in April. I don't know much about the park and was hoping to get advice on what trails to run and sights to see along with campsite recommendations, Thanks in advance for any advice.

I visited Big Bend in October and it is now one of my favorite places! I would YouTube Big Bend for videos since there are so many wonderful trails/roads and diversity of landscape. Hopefully you have booked camp spot reservations because they can be hard to get and there is no open camping areas that I was aware of. I rooftop tented several nights in the desert (paint gap and Grapevine hills road ) and along the Rio grande River (Black Dike)
Also if you into jeep badge of honor trails there is one there and it is a nice trail (Black Gap Road). must see/do …hike Santa Elena Canyon trail, Ross Maxwell scenic Drive, hike the Window trail in the mountains at Chisos Basin. Hike to Balnced rock. Drive River Road ! Also freshen up on your night sky photography… you’ll be in one of the best places to view the stars of the universe!

 

[MudderNuker]

Been there many times. I used to patrol that area. If you enter through the Hwy. 118 entrance you can take the Old Maverick road that will take you to Santa Elena Canyon. Be ready for intense washboard roads. That same road eventually turns into Ross Maxwell road and it takes you to Castolon Visitors Center. There is a store there for refreshments. Before Castolon you will see to your right the Cottonwood Campground. It is a nice campground. Ross Maxwell ends on Gano Road. If you turn right and continue you'll end up at Panther Junction. There is a gas station right before the Park Visitor's Center. The park is quite big so be prepared to drive at low speeds for hours. Chisos Basin Is nice, as you climb you'll notice the change in vegetation. It is much cooler at the top. I did a gravel road, that was moderately difficult back in 2003 in a 2004 Grand Cherokee. It took me the entire day to traverse the park. I didn't realize what I had gotten myself into. I had no GPS and was guiding myself with the Jeep onboard compass. Ran out of food and water. Luckily it was February and the weather was nice. I thought I would have to spend the night in my car in the middle of nowhere. I was armed as I was a federal agent in case I got "skeered". I'm not sure what are the rules now on carrying within the park. Although I think open carry is allowed.

I barely made it to the gas station in Panther junction. Didn't encounter anyone on the dirt road I took until I hit a main road. Help may be hours away.


I would take extra fuel, water and food. April can get plenty warm during the day and cold at night down there be ready for that. There are rattlesnakes of the nasty kind (Mojave) so be careful when hiking. Their bites are pretty bad.

While down there don't forget to visit the Terlingua Ghost town and the Lajitas Resort (if it still exists).

Enjoy your trip.

 

[BunkieJeeper75]

Old maverick road was tough to drive because it is so washboarded when I was there !! Next time I’m going to AVOID it … not worth the wear and tear for as long as it is!
Some of the gravel roads were also washboarded but not nearly as bad or as long!

 

[Okie Gladiator]

Big Bend is my favorite place on earth. I can’t go enough. Enjoy!

Here is a good link to info about camping and off-roading the National Park.

https://hitchedtobex.com/off-roading-in-big-bend-national-park/

Here is a good link to info about off-roading the State Park Ranch.

https://tpwd.texas.gov/publications/pwdpubs/media/pwd_bk_p4501_0152k.pdf

Some additional info about State Park Ranch.

https://tpwd.texas.gov/publications/pwdpubs/media/park_maps/pwd_mp_p4501_0152aa.pdf

https://tpwd.texas.gov/publications/pwdpubs/media/park_maps/pwd_mp_p4501_152g.pdf

 

[Andy29847]

I’ll be there the first week of April. I’ll be dirt roading and sightseeing with some friends. PM me if you want to join on.

 

[MudderNuker]

Old maverick road was tough to drive because it is so washboarded when I was there !! Next time I’m going to AVOID it … not worth the wear and tear for as long as it is!
Some of the gravel roads were also washboarded but not nearly as bad or as long!

I guess it is still the same. Yeah, it's so bad it'll loosen up your teeth fillings. I remember the first time on it I wanted to turn back many times but I didn't know if it would be longer to return than staying on it.

 

[justbig]

Big Bend National Park is beautiful but if you really wanna get gnarly go to Big Bend STATE PARK. That place doesn't have a single paved road.

Totally agree - we were in both parks last month. If you Want to site see the National Park is nice. If you want rugged seclusion the State park all the way.

 

[MudderNuker]

Totally agree - we were in both parks last month. If you Want to site see the National Park is nice. If you want rugged seclusion the State park all the way.

After a long day he can go north on 67 and find a place to eat in Marfa. I imagine there are still a few motels there to stay if desired. There used to be a really good restaurant called Mayas.

 

[Andy29847]

Cannonshot is my go to guy for Big Bend info:

https://www.advrider.com/f/threads/cannontracks-big-bend-texas-region.779752/

 

[Jteakus]

My plans are to stay in the roof top tent every night, Bringing the telescope for the stars, I guess I need to get on the campsite reservations, ASAP. I don't want to stay near any RV's or in the same place every night.
Thanks for all the good info, you guys are the best,

 

[bgtmd]

https://www.facebook.com/groups/bigbendfriends/

I recommend joining this group on facebook. Almost, but not quite as friendly and informative as this forum.

 

[Jteakus]

I appreciate the suggestion sir but I don't do FB, This forum is about as close as it gets.

I have run into a major hurdle with my trip, camping. The backcountry primitive camping spots can't be reserved and have to be requested upon arrival at park, All other campgrounds are booked except for Cottenwood. I can try to start reserving there on April 2 as there is a 14-day limit to reserve. I don't like the idea of showing up with no place to park and sleep, any suggestions?

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