We are both finally retired and hope to be fulltiming sometime in September. We would like to explore the Big Bend area of Texas during the month of October. Might stay there for the month to explore, save fuel, and get the best rates.
We would appreciate recommendations on the best centralized place to stay given our rig, and our plans stated above. Rig is 41' Dutch Star and Jeep Liberty 4wd.
Would like to do some hiking but will be getting into that slowly at first
Thanks for any advice on places to stay, things to do.
Jim and Carmel
Jim & Carmel
2004 Dutch Star 41'
2006 Jeep Liberty
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I think your best bet would be in the Study Butte area.
http://www.visitbigbend.com/wheretostay_study.html
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There are both National and State parklands in the area. Not a lot in the way of resorts (they come and go, e.g. LaJitas). Davis Mountains is within reach of several interesting areas. MacDonald observatory, Balmorhea (huge natural spring made into swimming area). Terlingua Ranch has accommodations and a reasonable restaurant, but local and sporadic entertainment.
Lots of nature, geology, hiking.
Raft trips and canoe/kayak on Rio Grande.
Marfa can be fun. www.marfatx.com
http://www.lajitas.com/hometxt.html
www.terlinguatx.com
the last time we were there, a couple years ago, there were two rv parks just west of the park.
at Study Butte and at Terlingua..just a couple miles apart.
Study Butte is a little bitty park with just the basics.
Big Bend Motor Inn and RV park is much bigger, but not much fancier.
Both places do a pretty brisk business.
Both are reasonably close to the park.
But the park is so big, it's a long ways to Rio Grande Campgrounds from Terlingua.
What you could do is:
stay a few days outside the park and then a few days inside the park at one of the primitive campgrounds near the headquarters... they're listed on the parks's map.
the access roads to the camp sites are just graded gravel, and very dependent on the weather.. insofar as being bumpy... I think it's too rocky for you to worry about getting stuck in the mud.
we like the primitive camps because most of the time, you're all alone.
There are about 3 of them that are only a mile off the main road.
Anyway, just alternate between the park and Terlingua...
TexasShadow
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We spent the month of May in the Big Bend area. It was a little warm, but practically deserted, which was kind of nice.
In Terlingua, the Big Bend Motor Inn and RV Park is well located and reasonably priced. Wireless internet in the cafe, but didn't work well in the campground itself. From Terlingua there's easy access to both the national and state parks, Mexico, etc. No real grocery or hardware stores to speak of in the area, so be sure to go in well equipped. We ate in a lot of local restaurants that look questionable from the outside-- but they all ended up being terrific. Locals will tell you about them, but don't miss the one-woman pizza joint that's only open a few hours a week.
In the Alpine area, we stayed at the Lost Alaskan. Nice park, wireless internet throughout, very dog friendly, well located to Alpine (two really nice grocery stores, a great hardware store, etc.) and only 20 miles from Marfa. We stayed there to catch up on laundry and provisioning both prior to, and after, the Terlingua part of the trip.
And be sure to stay a few nights at Davis Mountain State Park north of Alpine. No internet or even cell service, but it's at a 6000 foot elevation, all kinds of wildlife wandering through the campground, and sites with full hookups (including cable TV) were, I think, $20. Well located for the McDonald Observatory, and just looking up at night you'll see why they built it there-- amazing night skies.
Within the Park itself, you have at least four options:
1) Cottonwood (west side) - No hookups and doesn't permit generators but I'd recommed at least a couple of nights there since you seem to have the time. Santa Elena Canyon, Castolon, Burro Mesa Pouroff and the tuff formations are all short day hikes. Drive the Old Maverick Road (check with rangers first for road conditions but usually easily passable even in a passenger car, Catch Big Bend Ranch State Park, visit the Barton Warnock Center and drive completely through the Park (paved but take the jeep due to twisty and hilly roads.
2) Rio Grande Village (east side) no hookups but does have a generator section. Boquillas Canyon, RGV Nature Trail, and Hot Springs are short dayhikes in this area. Drive to the Mariscal Mine and maybe the Old Ore Road (again, check with rangers first for road conditions).
3) Rio Grand Village RV Park (east side) Concession operated with full hookups but a big parking lot.
4) Dispersed camping (mostly central) two or three sites that I can think of which should work OK for you. Check with the rangers on this as well for their suggestions. Rain in October isn't too likely but roads quickly become impassable when it gets wet.
I've seen some big class A's in the Basin campgroumd but the official recommendation is nothing over twenty feet or so. Drive it in the jeep to see for yourself. You'll need to make the trip anyway as thats the location of the only restaurant in the Park and the short Window View trail is incredible at sunset. The Lost Mine Trail is a bit strenous but I'd sure give it a shot.
Outside the Park - the Starlight Theater in Terlingua has good food and the town is a neat place for a half day or more. We've never stayed at any of the nearby campgrounds so I'm no help there. Have fun and feel free to PM me if you want more info on the hiking opportunties in Big Bend.
This is the view you get from the Rio Grand Village CG. Yes, it is a paved parking lot but I wouldn't have given up my evening happy hours with this view for anything.
Ray and Susan
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Slowpez, you're right - the Sierra Del Carmens are indeed a sight to behold in late afternoon. Thanks for posting and I enjoyed the other pictures in your album. My apologies for sounding so negative about RGV RV Park - any camping spot in Big Bend is a treasure.
We visited Big Bend back in March and stayed at the Lajitas resort campground. In my opinion this is the best campground in the Big Bend area. Large sites, easy to navigate and fairly good facilities (full hookups) pool, etc..
Jim I think huachuca gave the best advice, you can do a week of dry camping then go up to the concession for full hook ups to figure out what works best for you. We were there in february and stayed in the dry camping for 8 days. You will love the place plenty of roads to take the jeep and plenty of hiking. There are books in the visitors center for off roading and hiking, and they are o a couple of dollars each . Go and have a great time
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