Big Bend

[hedhunter9]

We were just at Big Bend Nat. Park in Jan. We stayed at the Village for over week. With our pass it was $8 a night. (no hookups.. Water available and dump available) You have to reserve, but we got a no show spot.
We saw these big horn sheep jump the road right in front of us one evening. In all the brochures, there is no mention of them and our campground host was amazed that we got several photos of them..
also saw lots of Roadrunners and a couple coyotes .. No Acme rockets or other tho.. ;-)
There was still snow at the Chisos Mountain trails and they had a heavy snow there again shortly after we left Texas.
We hit the river road on the scooter several times and loved it all.. We road over to the Big Bend State Park, but it was a long way back on gravel roads..
It was our 2nd time to the Big Bend and we plan on going again.. We keep doing new things there.. It would take pages to describe what we got to see.
(it gets brutal hot there in the summer)
Bob

[hedhunter9]

Some of the trinkets we saw.. They were in multiple spots thru out the park.. Of course the wife had to keep buying different ones... And the guys crossed the river back and forth thruout the day. some on horses some in boats.. All were super nice and friendly..

Bob

[hedhunter9]

Sunsets can be spectacular if in the right spots.
We road our scooter down many of these trails (ore rd, Car trail, river rd)
Got knarly in some spots.. Lot of clanking and clanging going on.
The wife took a thousand pictures..

Bob

[TXNP]

Originally Posted by twogypsies

You're anti-mask and perhaps anti-vaccine and you're worried about hygiene?

LOL!!!! Yep

[TXNP]

Originally Posted by hedhunter9

Sunsets can be spectacular if in the right spots.
We road our scooter down many of these trails (ore rd, Car trail, river rd)
Got knarly in some spots.. Lot of clanking and clanging going on.
The wife took a thousand pictures..

Bob

This looks amazing!!!!!! Now, you got me excited!!! Thanks for the info!
Pam

[TXNP]

Originally Posted by hedhunter9

Some of the trinkets we saw.. They were in multiple spots thru out the park.. Of course the wife had to keep buying different ones... And the guys crossed the river back and forth thruout the day. some on horses some in boats.. All were super nice and friendly..

Bob

Those are actually Aoudad sheep, also known as Barbary. They are so beautiful. Hope we are lucky enough to see them!

[twogypsies]

Here's a good article on the Bighorn sheep:

https://www.nps.gov/bibe/learn/news/...ghorn%20sheep.

Each national park has an excellent web site with lots of good information... things to do, places, road information, closures, where to stay and now especially inform on Covid. Be sure to read before going to any national park.

[F4Gary]

Originally Posted by Doug427

Maverick RV park is a good place. It's not lush by any means but likely the nicest park in the area. Resteraunts are open for eat in dining, be forewarned that everyone in the area take the whole mask thing very seriously. I can't speak to the diesel situation now as I was there immediately after the whole deep freeze passed through and diesel was tough to get. I'm sure it's better now however.

We went to Big Bend from Houston. We took 10 out to Alpine then headed south from Alpine into Terlingua. The road just south of Alpine is very hilly and twisty. It's certainly doable in rig but it's not a relaxing cruise. Going home we went through the Nat'l park up to Marathon and took 90 back to San Antonio, spent a few nitghts there, then took 10 back to Houston.

Getting fuel on 10 was a no brainer, there is fuel at about every exit. On 90 it's a bit tighter with choices. We fueled up at a Stripes station in Sanderson. It had truck pumps so easy in and out. There's no need to be heavily armed in the park unless you wish to be. It's super laid back in the park and the very few folks who do wander over from the Mexican side are far and few between and they are very, very friendly and laid back. They'd like to sell you a few trinkets or tamales. They really are very nice, and no sales pressure at all, it's almost like they're just looking for someone to chat with to break up their day. Really, there's no reason for apprehension whatsoever. You're going to have a great time, Big Bend is an incredibly beautiful and relaxing place. It's hard to believe this isn't one of our most visited Nat'l parks, rather than one of the least visited, which is what it is now.

Lastly, heading west right out of the gate of the RV park you're staying is the Big Bend Ranch Texas State Park. There's not much in there, but the road along the Rio Grande through there is called River Road. Driving River Road is a MUST DO. It's amazingly beautiful. We saw two incredible bighorn sheep on a rock outcropping along the road. There is another similar invasive type sheep species in the park, but this wasn't them. These were defintely bighorn sheep. There's just a few in the park, and we were lucky enough to stumble upon two of them.

The views along River Road are breathtaking, and they just keep coming. Don't try River Road in your rig, that would be tough. It's a ride for the toad only. Head out the front gate of your park and turn toward the town of Presidio. There's no need to go all the way to Presidio, there's nothing to see there. Just enjoy the ride on the way.

Enjoy and let me know if you have any other info you need, I'm happy to help.


EDIT - I only have one photo of River Road, I tossed it in below. It's MUCH nicer than this, however this is the only photo I have here on my computer. My wife has the rest.

That highway is one heck of a roller coaster ride.

[aspengirl]

Originally Posted by F4Gary

So stay in Alpine and use the toad to visit the park during the day.
Lost Alaskan RV Park is great.
I wouldn't be down next to the Rio Grande at night.

We stay at the Lost Alaskan, as well, when visiting Big Bend!

[Doug427]

We looked at the Lost Alaskan when we went down, but it's a 2 hour drive to and from the park each way from there. How do you guys deal with that amount of drive time each day to and from the park? Doesn't that negatively impact the amount of time you can spend daily in the park itself?

[F4Gary]

Originally Posted by Doug427

We looked at the Lost Alaskan when we went down, but it's a 2 hour drive to and from the park each way from there. How do you guys deal with that amount of drive time each day to and from the park? Doesn't that negatively impact the amount of time you can spend daily in the park itself?

Google maps says 1hr20mins. We also wanted to go to Ft Davis and Marfa so Alpine was a good base.
We don't get up at the crack of dawn and go hiking. We toured the place via car plus spent time in the visitors center and ate lunch at the restaurant there.

[allenb12]

We are planning on staying at Big Bend Resort & Adventures then to Lost Alaskan RV Park in Alpine. There is also the Davis Mountain Observatory Tour.

[twogypsies]

For Davis Mtn. Observatory and the historic Fort Davis and beautiful surroundings consider staying at Davis Mtn. State Park. We feel it's much too far to tour Big Bend Nat'l Park which is huge on its own. If your main objective is to tour a national park then stay in it for the best overall experience.
Here's what else is in the area:

https://fortdavis.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQj...kaAlJLEALw_wcB

[F4Gary]

I highly recommend the Davis Observatory tour.