Big Bend National Park

[MudderNuker]

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?

There are several RV parks coming up on Google. Although these are not in the park they are right by it.

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[Greg_L]

The good or bad thing about the Big Bend area is there is NOTHING else out there. It depends on your own personal desires. The little towns surrounding the area are basically ghost towns. So if you're into roughing it or camping it's great.

If you're a city-slicker like me and just wanna spend the day in the park and then go hit an actual shower and a bed and eat at a restaurant then you're kind of fucked. But it's okay. Still worth it. Marfa, Alpine, Presidio...not that far off. I love Marfa. What a cool little town. Go see the Marfa Lights.

 

[Jteakus]

I actually WANT to rough it. We are set up for everything, comfy bed, shower, toilet, etc. I just need to make sure I have a place to park and set up. Guess I can check with the state park.

 

[Andrzej77ff]

I would suggest get your first night at Cottonwood and explore around that area. Then in the morning hit up the ranger station at Castolon and see what’s available along River rd, Glen Springs or Old Ore Rd. Pick a site and then plan a route. There will always be sites available due to the remoteness of them. Ive never seen all the sites booked up especially since you can’t reserve them. Most people don’t camp deep in the park.

 

[justbig]

I actually WANT to rough it. We are set up for everything, comfy bed, shower, toilet, etc. I just need to make sure I have a place to park and set up. Guess I can check with the state park.

the State park is awesome for roughing it!

 

[Jteakus]

Good info.
Thank you all very much.
Always a little nervous first time in a new area.

 

[Tennessee Gobi]

I would suggest get your first night at Cottonwood and explore around that area. Then in the morning hit up the ranger station at Castolon and see what’s available along River rd, Glen Springs or Old Ore Rd. Pick a site and then plan a route. There will always be sites available due to the remoteness of them. Ive never seen all the sites booked up especially since you can’t reserve them. Most people don’t camp deep in the park.

This is what we did when we went to Big Bend last April. We booked and camped at Cottonwood the first night and went to the Ranger Station first thing the next morning and booked primitive camp sites for the rest of our nights. We were there 4 nights total and camped at a different spot each night.

We went down to go to Big Bend for a few days then headed to a friends family ranch in Hondo for the eclipse.

Big Bend was great, but it was really overcast in Hondo the day of the eclipse, so that was a bust. We should have just kept exploring Big Bend.

 

[drew0622]

Just got back 2 weeks ago. Do the Jeep of Honor, Black Gap, Trail.

 

[Jteakus]

Talked to a Ranger yday. I’m gonna stay at a tent site at an rv park about 8 miles from the north gate after driving down. Will get my primitive road sites the next morning at the Panther Junction station. BOH trail is for sure on the list Thanks to all for your help and suggestions.

 

[smlobx]

Ole Ore Road was great! There is a campsite about half way down near a great hiking trail.

 

[drew0622]

Badge arrived!!

 

[Andy29847]

Just back from a week in the area. The only thing we did in the national park was drive through to go to Boquillas. We went west on FM 170, past Presidio, to the end of the paved road. Twelve more miles takes you to Godzilla Hill. The hill looked great in a photograph. It's not that hard if the road is dry. Do not go off the paved road if there has been recent rain or snow.

Suicide Hill in Big Bend Ranch State Park

Going up Christmas Mountain

On the porch in Terlingua.

Downtown Boquillas

Petroglyphs near Indian Head rock

Terlingua Creek -the surf was up at the North County Road ford.

The Otilia bloomed and turned green while we were there.

 

[Jteakus]

Everyone here was great with their suggestions so I thought I would report back about trip. We pretty much hit every 4x4 trail on the map and camped at a different spot every night. We had a blast and really enjoyed it.

 

[Jteakus]

Made a new friend just South of Marathon. He was a “King of the Hill” fan and let me slide with a warning after seeing my propane tank.

 

[Jteakus]

Hit Black Gap right out the gate. Mild as far as difficulty but all the trails were scenic and fun. Never thought Texas had this kind of terrain!

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