Big Bend Recommendations (1 Viewer)

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76FJ40

76FJ40

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I'm in the very early stages of planning a trip to Big Bend National/State Park and I'm looking for recommendations - trails, campsites, GPX tracks, etc. I lived in TX for several years but have no experience in the Big Bend area. I've searched the Internet but haven't really found what I'm looking for so any help would be appreciated.
The group I'm with is made up of 40, 60, 70, 80, 100, and 200 owners from VA, MD, and PA and we've done several trips to UT, CO, and VT. We usually drive out and/or ship our Cruisers out and spend 7-9 days on the trails. We limit each trip to 6 Cruisers but would welcome some local participation.

TIA

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Thanks for your help. I'll take a look at this over the weekend.
 
OP, be sure to read up about picking and reserving campsites: Camping - Big Bend National Park (U.S. National Park Service) - https://www.nps.gov/bibe/planyourvisit/camping.htm

6 rigs is going to be too big for any of the regular sites, but several of the backcountry sites are clustered near each other that you could get a couple of them and fit. There's also a group site in the Chisos Basin.

I'm normally there around Christmas and have to book my site 6 months out; Spring Break is another popular time that must be booked far in advance. The campground campsites allow this, many of the backcountry sites are in-person only.

There are no facilities near the backcountry sites.
Showers are only available at Rio Grande Village or in Study Butte.
Fuel is typically available in RGV, Panther Junction, and any of the towns outside the park. I say typically because... well, sometimes one station or another is closed for a few days.
 
Thanks. Being able to get campsites is my biggest concern. We have the flexibility to avoid peak times, but it's a heck of a long drive to get there and find you can't get a backcountry campsite. We're hoping to move around between back country sites to explore more of the park.
 
76FJ40 said:
Thanks. Being able to get campsites is my biggest concern. We have the flexibility to avoid peak times, but it's a heck of a long drive to get there and find you can't get a backcountry campsite. We're hoping to move around between back country sites to explore more of the park.
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The state park is much less crowded, more remote, and might be more what you're looking for?

From my experience, the NP is more conventionally pretty with mountains, hiking, water falls, etc. Definitely don't miss it.
The SP is more remote, more contusive to overland type dispersed camping, and significantly fewer people. Might check it out too.

Also, you asked about roads. None of the roads/trails/OHV tracks are technically difficult. Many do require 4wd during inclement weather and Black Gap does have a ledge there 4wd and/or rock stacking is required, but it's not an OHV park. The rangers do, however, frown on rental minivans getting stuck in the back country lol.
 
Thanks again for the help. Am I correct that you have to check in at the SP Ranger Station each time you check into a different back country campsite?
 
@76FJ40 when are you doing this trip? I'll be out there in a couple weeks if there's anything specific you'd like scouted.
 
Thanks for the offer. We are planning to go next January and my biggest unknown is camping. I'd like to string together a number of different campsites for a night or two each so we can see the variety the park has to offer. I would appreciate some feedback on the campsite availability you find during your trip since most can't be reserved in advance. Any recommendations on campsites that can accommodate 4 vehicles would also help. Thanks in advance.

@Tikicruiser
 
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