We spent two and a half weeks at the National Park a couple of years ago. Don't believe the comment about 'not very scenic'. :-) Its quite awesome. My wife just commented... It depends on what you like!!
I found it very dry. A little uncomfortable. We did have some cold weather. I don't recall that it got really warm during the short spell we were there. But, other than the dryness, very comfortable days.
Being a National Park, you're limited to two weeks. We noticed that the official word is 'two weeks at a site'. We stretched it just slightly. A few days in one site, a week and a half in another, then a few more days in a primitive site.
The more popular site is Rio Grande Village. There, the nicer campground is strictly primitive... no hookups. That can be tough on a long, cold night. Generators during the day, only. There's also a more commercial, campground, with full hookups... but its more or less a paved parking lot. This is all right along the river.
There's also Chiso's, which is not recommended (or allowed, I think) for any rig over perhaps 22 feet. If you fit, its a fabulous place.
There's also Buttonwood, which is primitive and no generators allowed. At all. While we were there, Buttonwood was nearly empty. As in, desolate.
Finally, there are various dispersed, primitive campsites... where you can more or less drive out somewhere and park for a few days.
All around is simply spectacular vistas... Mexico is of course, just across the river. Like, about 50 yards from Rio Grande Village.
Birding was great. Not that its a bird, but we saw a bobcat!!
You'll love it.
- Steve
HOME IS WHERE THE JOURNEY TAKES YOU
Steve and Margie
2002 Winnie Journey/DL - Diesel
New Hampshire
moparmaga2 wrote: I have no info on wintering in Big Bend, but I doubt that many people, if any, do it.
Reason: The closest Wal-Mart is 4 hours away - one way. The closest grocery store of any size will be in Alpine, which is still a good distance from Big Bend. Alpine is not that big of town, the population is under 6,000, so selections will be limited and prices high.
Reason #2: Contrary to popular belief, it gets cold in this region. It is not rare for Big Bend to get snow once or twice a year.
Reason #3: The fuel prices around Big Bend are pretty high - they stations know that they have you, and you are not going to drive 150 miles to save 5 dollars...
We did spend 2 weeks at Big Bend in February and reason #1 above is accurate. #2 I can't speak to as the weather was great while we were there: 60-80 and sunny every day.
Gas prices in the park were better than those outside and were comparable to prices we encountered on the trip down. The gas station in Marathon, TX on the way to the park was outrageously high!
BB National Park is an interesting park and we found that 2 weeks was plenty, but it is a unique area. Keep in mind that most of the National Park campgrounds are no hookups, with the exception of the Rio Grand Village RV "campground" which is actually a parking lot with full hook-ups. And the 2 week limit...
Staying at Lajitas may be a good idea - we went through there and there is a nice RV park there and the area is very similar to Big Bend.
Good luck!
Joe & Barb
2002 F-350,PSD,Crew Cab
2003 HH II LS 32.5 UKTG
*finally retired!*
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