Big Bend Recommendations? (1 Viewer)

[davegonz]

It is actually Fandango Dom Rock. Had no idea it had an actual name LOL. My pic is from the West side.

And what a name it is.

 

[patride71]

All great recommendations. I live about 45 minutes north of Terlingua ranch and just south of Alpine by 10 miles. I'm a few miles off of highway 118, which is the transport from Alpine to Big Bend as most know. It is a constant steam of RVs and Overland vehicles this time of year....actually anytime of year over the past few years/since the pandemic. We don't even bother going to the Parks due to this as they are much more crowded than years past. Plus our grocery store, now singular, is constantly out of stuff due to this. The joys of living in a tourist area!

 

[elpeyote]

The best way to get to the park from Austin is to travel to Fort Stockton and then down to Alpine, across to Marfa and then down to Presidio where you can fuel up and get any last minute groceries.

This is definitely the quickest way to get to Presidio, but I like to take I-10 and exit at Balmorhea, then pass through Fort Davis on the way down. I think the pool at Balmorhea is another must if you haven't been to the region, and the drive on Hwy 17 between Balmorhea and Fort Davis is really pretty. No matter what you choose, you're going to quickly realize you don't have enough time, and you'll start thinking about your next trip while you're still there.

 

[swhme]

Yeah, there is NO dispersed camping ANYWHERE in TX other than Padre National Seashore. Everything else is established sites that have to be reserved. A HUGE negative to living in Texas.

Big bummer. I thought the national park had some dispersed, but no luck! I really miss that from my days living in CO and NM.

What site in the State Park did you get? Did you get the actual Los Alamos site?

We’re in Jackson Pens, in a horse site. Was the last spot available, hopefully it’ll be decent!

The best way to get to the park from Austin is to travel to Fort Stockton and then down to Alpine, across to Marfa and then down to Presidio where you can fuel up and get any last minute groceries. Once in the park, it's a 28 mile gravel road to the Ranger station (has showers and toilets as well as ice, but concessions are closed). When you leave the park, the BEST way back is to head east on 170. It tracks along the Rio Grande and is SPECTACULAR! There are 3 excellent spots to stop along the way.....the Hoodoos, Closed Canyon (super cool hike) and the Overlook. 170 takes you down and around into LaJitas and then into Terlingua (really cool little town). Fuel up at the Alon and then head up to Alpine and home.

Perfect— we’re planning to stay in a hotel in Fort Stockton on our way out, so that’ll work well. On the way back, we have to go up to El Paso for some other obligations, so we’ll have to do 170 next time. Will definitely check it out!

If you're on GAIA, I'm happy to share all my trail files with you.

That would be amazing. I’ll DM you my email

 

[swhme]

Thanks for all the helpful info, folks! Zoe’s in the shop getting a last minute steering rack replacement, then we’ll be ready to hit the road!

One more question— what‘s the cell service picture out there? Any reception at all?

 

[patride71]

Spotty cell service at best. If you have a newer cell with 5G it might help some, but I'd plan on not having service for the bulk of the time while in the park(s).

 

[geanes]

Thanks for all the helpful info, folks! Zoe’s in the shop getting a last minute steering rack replacement, then we’ll be ready to hit the road!

One more question— what‘s the cell service picture out there? Any reception at all?

Once inside the State Park, you won't have cell service. The Sauceda ranger station (main station in the center of the park) will have WiFi though, so you'll be able to communicate from there. Jackson Pens is just past my all time favorite site (Fresno Vista). It's on the way out to the Solitario. It's roughly a 15 minute drive from there back to the Sauceda Ranger Station where you have access to showers and flushing toilets.

Cell service in general out there is "spotty". You should be fine all the way to Marfa (at least I was with Verizon). Once you head south out of Marfa down to Presidio, service will become intermittent. Once you leave Presidio and head east into the park, service will drop off quick.

Fresno Canyon is a REALLY neat drive. Along the way you can see ancient hand paintings on the rocks and numerous geologic features that are pretty cool. The "road" (really mostly just a dry gravel riverbed) ends at an abandoned hacienda named Crawford-Smith that's a really cool place to explore. Well worth the off-road drive. Puerta Chilicote Trail is a fantastic hike with excellent overlooks. We parked at the trailhead and then hiked 2.8 miles to the overlook (Fresno Canyon Overlook).

The main rule to remember out there: carry more water than you think you need and drink more water than you think you can.

 

[a_traut_man]

Waking up an old thread here, thinking about doing a one day trip to Big Bend right before New Years since I'll be sans wife and kids for a couple of days. Any one have a suggestion for if you are only making one stop?

 

[shanko]

Many say the state park is better than the national park. Your mileage may vary.
Have fun. And please post some pics after you get back.
-Sean

 

[77mustard40]

Waking up an old thread here, thinking about doing a one day trip to Big Bend right before New Years since I'll be sans wife and kids for a couple of days. Any one have a suggestion for if you are only making one stop?

Adam rough one day mission, I'd plan to spend the night in Alpine so you can start early to go down and back in a day. I've only been to the National Park but it may not matter which you choose, spectacular scenery any way to slice it. You'll go back...

 

[a_traut_man]

Adam rough one day mission, I'd plan to spend the night in Alpine so you can start early to go down and back in a day. I've only been to the National Park but it may not matter which you choose, spectacular scenery any way to slice it. You'll go back...

Thanks for the tip, Kelly. I know I am taking a big bite with this half baked idea; and this will be the day after completing a 17 hour drive home from Iowa. Good news is I don't mind getting on the road stupid early.

Any trail recommendations would be greatly appreciated, I am planning to only do one before pointing it back east.

 

[Whitetail]

I would not do the state park if you only have one day. Especially a short day in the winter. If you’ve never done the national park before check it out and prepare to drive as much of it as possible as the park is huge.

 

[77mustard40]

Oof that’s a solid 14 hours to the park entrance and back, couple the slow speeds in the park and it will be a long day. I’d definitely split it into two days to give yourself a chance to see some of the park

 

[jmdaniel]

Waking up an old thread here, thinking about doing a one day trip to Big Bend right before New Years since I'll be sans wife and kids for a couple of days. Any one have a suggestion for if you are only making one stop?

Bring warm clothes. I've been out to BB more than a few times on motorcycles, and a couple of those times during this part of the year. This pic was taken at the Persimmon Gap Entrance on 11/22/2020, at 7:32am. I stayed in Alpine the night before, about 70 miles away, and didn't have heated gear with me. Cool drive down, in more than one way.

 

[a_traut_man]

Oof that’s a solid 14 hours to the park entrance and back, couple the slow speeds in the park and it will be a long day. I’d definitely split it into two days to give yourself a chance to see some of the park

Re-reading what I said earlier I sound like a crazy person. More explanation:
Day 1: drive out, aim to get there before sunset
Day 2: explore the park during the day, potentially start drive back that night
Day 3: get back to austin

Goal is to have one full day out there checking things out, maybe day and a half before heading home

 

[clrussell]

Always watching for BB info.

 

[77mustard40]

Thanks for the tip, Kelly. I know I am taking a big bite with this half baked idea; and this will be the day after completing a 17 hour drive home from Iowa. Good news is I don't mind getting on the road stupid early.

Any trail recommendations would be greatly appreciated, I am planning to only do one before pointing it back east.

Adam check with your neighbors Tim & Betsy, they sound like they are headed out to BB and do so often, they'd be able to give you a solid one day drive plan.

 

[shanko]

Just a reminder: if the govt is shut down due to not passing the funding bill, the national park will be closed. The state park will be open. Just fyi to keep an eye out for this.

 

[shanko]

Finding bill passed. National park is a “go” now. Have a blast and share some pics!

 

[meatloaf]

I just got back today after 4 days at the national park. If you are only going for a day, Santa Elena Canyon is a good place and you can take Ross Maxwell scenic drive to it. Chisos basin also has a couple of nice hikes. Black Gap trail is also a good somewhat challenging road. If you are planning to camp in the park you need reservations if camping back country sites