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Old 10-22-2020, 04:06 AM   #1
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Big Bend National Park

We are headed to Big Bend NP from 11/10-11-16 and need info on a couple things.

Is there space at the private run Rio Grand village lot for a 45’ coach?
We have reservations at Lajitas but wanted to spend a night or two on east side of park.

I understand the main roads are paved, is there any boondocking sites right off main road? We are new to this and want to try one boondock overnight to see how it goes?

Thx in advance
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Old 10-22-2020, 06:16 AM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by aguyintx View Post
We are headed to Big Bend NP from 11/10-11-16 and need info on a couple things.

Is there space at the private run Rio Grand village lot for a 45’ coach?
We have reservations at Lajitas but wanted to spend a night or two on east side of park.

I understand the main roads are paved, is there any boondocking sites right off main road? We are new to this and want to try one boondock overnight to see how it goes?

Thx in advance
Be aware they are just now opening some things back up. The RV park opens 11/1 on a limited basis:


Code:
Rio Grande Village RV Campground 

 By reservation only. 50% capacity.
Wednesdays through Sundays
You MUST call 432-477-2293 to make arrangements

I would definitely call the park as well. No trips to Boquillas in Mexico. Lots of other things closed. Definitely want to get the direct scoop from a ranger.
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Old 10-22-2020, 04:52 PM   #3
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There's no boondocking just off the pavement.

I'd also suggest you call the RV park in Rio Grande Village to see about the parking size. As I recall most are shorter spaces but they may be able to recommend a larger one for you.

November is a very nice time to be in Rio Grande Village. The cottonwoods are glorious in brilliant yellow against the blue sky and pink mountains. It's a favorite area of the park for us. We always stayed in the same area as the hookup park but we stayed in the non-hookup spaces. There are also some large spaces in the dry campground.

I had this in my notes of our last stay at Rio Grande dry campground with our 40' MH & Jeep for the best sites for us. Reservable/non-reservable may have changed by now but this will give you an idea.

RESERVABLE: 7 (ours), 43, 6, 5, 9, 79, 45, 76, 91, 75
NON-RESERVABLE: 42, 46, 1, 3, 63, 59, 62, 68


We've also stayed in Cottonwood campground - no generators allowed but in a pretty setting. Only a few big sites. Santa Elena trail is very nice right there.

Have a good trip.
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Old 10-22-2020, 06:51 PM   #4
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There are pull-offs all through the park and I was pretty sure they allowed boondocking, but that was years ago. Two Gypsies is probably more up to date on this. We’ll be camping in Lajitas Halloween weekend. [emoji2]. Love it out there.

Edit: DW just checked and they don’t allow boondocking beside the paved roads any more. 🤨
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Old 10-22-2020, 07:17 PM   #5
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Thanks for all the info so far!

We have reservations at Lajitas but wanted to maybe go a night early or stay a night later and try our hand at roughing it😂😂

We also backpack, and are doing an overnight on window trail in the tent. So the above was a joke. Don’t flame me 🤦🏼*♂️
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Old 10-22-2020, 07:50 PM   #6
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We were at big bend earlier this month. Stayed at maverick ranch, great resort, plenty of room for big rigs. We stopped at Rio grande village store for snacks and for future reference asked if the campground could accommodate our 43' MH. They told us 38' is really pushing the limit but worth a call for you to ask. Didn't notice any place to boondock in or near the park. From Houston, we drive through Del Rio to get to big bend and there is a great boondock spot on the way in Comstock. It's a scenic overlook on the Pecos river, plenty of room for a big rig with toad. Leaving big bend we go up through Marfa and another great boondock spot there at the Marfa viewing lights rest area. Again, lots of room for big rig, and get to see the Marfa lights from living room window. Both spots able to run generator till evening cool weather then open windows.
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Old 10-22-2020, 09:50 PM   #7
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Big Bend National Park

If you use hiway 90, Stop in Langtry and see Judge Roy Bean’s place if you have time. I prefer taking 90 instead of 10.
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Old 10-23-2020, 03:06 AM   #8
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We were at big bend earlier this month. Stayed at maverick ranch, great resort, plenty of room for big rigs. We stopped at Rio grande village store for snacks and for future reference asked if the campground could accommodate our 43' MH. They told us 38' is really pushing the limit but worth a call for you to ask. Didn't notice any place to boondock in or near the park. From Houston, we drive through Del Rio to get to big bend and there is a great boondock spot on the way in Comstock. It's a scenic overlook on the Pecos river, plenty of room for a big rig with toad. Leaving big bend we go up through Marfa and another great boondock spot there at the Marfa viewing lights rest area. Again, lots of room for big rig, and get to see the Marfa lights from living room window. Both spots able to run generator till evening cool weather then open windows.


This sounds perfect. Can you send me info about the parking place in Marfa?
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Old 10-23-2020, 09:41 AM   #9
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It's on Google maps, Marfa Lights Viewing area. Loop drive that you can park along the curb. We only put out the curb side slides, pick which slides you want out and park accordingly. We get parked at the viewing area early afternoon and take toad in to explore Marfa and find new restaurants. Like Rob M, we prefer 90 to I10. Even if you choose not to spend the night at the Comstock rest area, stop to enjoy the view, high up over the Pecos. We unhook toad while there and short drive to see judge Roy Bean saloon, nicely preserved by the desert. If you go 90, diesel up in del Rio at the only truck stop. Nothing but small stations after that. 2 pix of view at comstock, and of rig parked at Marfa.Click image for larger version

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Old 10-23-2020, 10:51 AM   #10
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Originally Posted by davo54 View Post
We were at big bend earlier this month. Stayed at maverick ranch, great resort, plenty of room for big rigs. We stopped at Rio grande village store for snacks and for future reference asked if the campground could accommodate our 43' MH. They told us 38' is really pushing the limit but worth a call for you to ask. Didn't notice any place to boondock in or near the park. From Houston, we drive through Del Rio to get to big bend and there is a great boondock spot on the way in Comstock. It's a scenic overlook on the Pecos river, plenty of room for a big rig with toad. Leaving big bend we go up through Marfa and another great boondock spot there at the Marfa viewing lights rest area. Again, lots of room for big rig, and get to see the Marfa lights from living room window. Both spots able to run generator till evening cool weather then open windows.
Davo, Thanks for the tip on the Comstock rest area. It looks like a perfect spot to boondock on the way to Lajitas! Going there March 1st.
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Old 10-23-2020, 11:52 AM   #11
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"if" you are a light sleeper, be prepared for road noise and sometimes more trains than others. You'll get a mixed bag of reviews, so just saying
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Old 10-23-2020, 12:22 PM   #12
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All camping in Big Bend is by registration. There were boondock sites before Covid. None were on paved road. Maverick road had boondock sites accessible to big rigs. The road and sites are gravel and somewhat rough.

There were boondock sites on Old Wagon Trail road. Road and sites are unimproved. A big rig overturned there a few years ago, closing the road for months. High clearance 4 wd only.

Call for reservations this year.
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Old 10-23-2020, 03:53 PM   #13
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Here's the web site's COVID information.

https://www.nps.gov/bibe/planyourvisit/camping.htm

Rio Grande Village campground will open Nov 1 with reservations

Rio Grande Village RV park is open with reservations

Cottonwood campground - no date of opening yet
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Old 10-23-2020, 06:38 PM   #14
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BTW, for anyone headed to Big Bend NP, get the app, Just Ahead. It's a GPS based guided tour of many national parks and it's free for Big Bend. Lots of information about the park as your driving through. It's a great tour guide.
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