Community Forums

Laker44 · 11-08-2014, 10:27 PM

Headed to Big Bend NP in Texas in January. Need recommendation for good campgrouds, I would like to have electricity, but that is all I really need.

I will then head along Gulf Coast, ending in Florida in Febrary. Also would like recommendations for campgrounds along that route.

Thanks

DSL417 · 11-09-2014, 05:40 AM

Cottonwood campground in the park...it is down on the river. Nice with a general store there, but it is really backing into a spot in a parking lot. Utilities at the back (E,W). There is a second campground at about 5000 ft with E/W that is more conventional. There are more stores there, But I think it might be a little cool in the Winter.

Lajitas RV Resort is the only decent park just outside the park (10 miles) but works for both the National and State Parks. Full service park with decent rates during the Winter.

RV735 · 11-09-2014, 07:22 AM

We stayed in the Rio Grande Village; a parking lot with utilities, no cable. It was 2/5/14 . Cool and windy during our stay. You can see our blog of Big Bend and and the West at :

RVGR8escape: BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK, TX FEBRUARY 5, 2014

We are also putting our itinerary for Florida: East Coast, West Coast, Alabama, Mississippi, to New Orleans this winter. Then back to Central NY in May.

Also here is a picture of a sun set from our campsite:

twogypsies · 11-09-2014, 05:57 PM

Hmmm. Unless things have changed, Cottonwood campground does not have hookups and it doesn't allow generators.

DSL417: Perhaps you meant Rio Grande Village RV with the hookups and the dry camping spot next door on the other side of the general store. The store also has a laundry and showers. We enjoy the dry camping best - bigger spaces and more of a 'campground feel'.

rgvtexan · 11-09-2014, 06:15 PM

We stayed at Stillwell Ranch a few years ago. Did the park in the Towed. 3 GREAT days.

Stillwell Store

For on the way to FL. We like the TX state parks. We have the yearly park pass and have stayed at Seminole Canyon, Casa Blanca Lake, Mustang Island, Goose Island, and Goliad, plus many more not on your route.
Enjoy the trip.

LewBob · 11-09-2014, 07:08 PM

Neither Cottonwood nor Chisos Basin campgrounds have utility hookups. Only the Rio Grande Village RV, operated by the park's concession company, offer those. Check the park's website at Big Bend National Park (U.S. National Park Service).

Craig_R · 11-10-2014, 11:03 AM

We are currently in Alpine, TX at the Lost Alaskan and will be headed down to Terlingua for a 5 night stay at BJ's RV Park on Wednesday. I'll report back.

andy29847 · 11-13-2014, 08:11 AM

I have stayed here: RV Park & Campground | Big Bend Resort

Not fancy, but a full service campground on the west side of the park.
The campground has a good store/restaurant and is near Terlingula, TX - an interesting place in it's own right.

Craig_R · 11-13-2014, 08:59 AM

We arrived in Terlingua yesterday and are currently staying at BJ's RV Park. They are only open from 10/1 thru 4/30. It's a little spartan here, but then that's the desert landscape. Good electric and soild Wifi but you should bring plenty of bottled water. There is no Verizon service here and be sure you're stocked up before you come. Not much in the way of shopping. I'll report more as we learn more.

twogypsies · 11-13-2014, 04:27 PM

Your description of BJ's and Terlingua are the reasons we always stay IN the park at Rio Grande Village - beautiful lush surroundings.

Craig_R · 11-13-2014, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twogypsies

Your description of BJ's and Terlingua are the reasons we always stay IN the park at Rio Grande Village - beautiful lush surroundings.

We drove down through there today. I would agree that if you don't need or want hookups the NPS Rio Grande Village CG is a nice place with lush surroundings. It is very green. It'll cost you $7/night with a Senior Pass or $14 without. There is a dump station on the way in and out.

The FHP side isn't much more than a parking lot with pedestals and everyone appears to be pretty much on top of each other. The grounds surrounding the FHP park are lush, as you say, but we like a bit of space between us and our neighbors. The FHP side is run by a concessionaire, so there are no discounts and reservations are recommended. RV Park Reviews says that it has WiFi and that it will run you about $37-38/night, or $10/night more than we are paying at BJ's. It was full when we were there.

Floatsflyer · 11-23-2014, 08:24 PM

We stayed a few nights at Lajitas RV Resort last March. Full hookups, large spaces, friendly staff, sparklingly clean facilities, access to resort's restaurant and golf course, reasonable rates. No shade, but it was not necessary at that time of year. We made reservations a couple weeks ahead of time. Nicest facility we saw in the area. Less than half an hour to Big Bend NP. Will definitely stay there again. Caution about Chisos Basin: if I correctly recall the twisty, windy, but scenic road up there is restricted to rigs 24' or less in length. Do your homework before heading up to that gorgeous basin.

GREGORYJ · 11-24-2014, 07:11 PM

NPS Rio Grande Village CG is very nice & lush as Craig R mentioned & have no hook ups.
We like it very much , private , and a roof covered padio in our site 10 as do some other sites in this campground.