Community Forums

Hilola · 03-20-2023, 02:50 PM

Hi all. Planning for a future trip to Texas (from California) and am looking for campground suggestions in, or near, Big Bend National Park. Also, any suggestions for other sights to see in the general area, restaurants, etc. are appreciated. RV is a 27' class C with a toad. Time of year is April. Thanks!
Greg

wolfe10 · 03-20-2023, 03:05 PM

There are several nice dry camping CG's and one concessionaire run "parking lot with hookups"in the park itself.

And on the west side just outside the park are several commercial CG's.

andy29847 · 03-20-2023, 03:24 PM

We like to stay at the Big Bend Resort Campground. They have a resturant, gas, and store on the property. Just down the road is the grocery store. It is 3 miles form the west gate of the park. It is five mile from Terlingua. it's not really what I think of when I think of a resort. It is a desert campground (as are the other campgrounds in the area).

https://visitbigbend.com/vendors/big...-adventures-2/

https://www.bigbendresort.com/

I go to Big Bend a lot. I love it there. It is normally a winter trip. I have not been after the first week of April. It gets hot, hot, hot in the summer.

There is a lot to do in the park. The park service gives away good maps and reference material. The lodge restaurant in the Chisos Basin is a must do. You should visit Santa Elena Canyon too. There is a short hike into the canyon that is very good. If water levels are low, you can come out of the canyon walking in the river. If you can get off the paved road a little, Ernst Tinija (near the south end of Old Ore Rd) is another good place to see.

The Starlight Drive-in, the adjacent souvenir shop, and Terlingua Ghost Town are the hot spots outside of the park.

I've written trip reports form previous visits. My focus is own activities off of the paved road, but the photos show a lot of things available form paved roads too. I'll post links below.

https://www.advrider.com/f/threads/b...again.1499435/

https://www.advrider.com/f/threads/2...-trip.1426252/

https://www.advrider.com/f/threads/d...g-bend.554339/

SeeTheUSA · 03-20-2023, 04:32 PM

“the general area” in West Texas is a broad term! Lotsa wide open spaces. The other National Park in Texas, Guadalupe Mountains National Park, is great for some serious hiking. Guadalupe Peak, the tallest point in Texas, has a great trail to the top and the views are stunning. 8,751 feet elevation. About 240 miles to the north of Big Bend.

traveldawg · 03-20-2023, 06:43 PM

Been there.... only advice is to stay in/around Terlingua if you want a few restaurants and be sure to find a park with good water.

wolfe10 · 03-20-2023, 06:49 PM

And, if in the area, Fort Davis State Park is great.

A tour of McDonald Observatory just "up the hill" is well worth while.

rosebud1218 · 03-20-2023, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by traveldawg

Been there.... only advice is to stay in/around Terlingua if you want a few restaurants and be sure to find a park with good water.

BJ's RV Park in Terlingua, TX 79852

twogypsies · 03-20-2023, 10:39 PM

Scour the website for lots of good information including RV parks outside of the park.

You can't appreciate how big the park is until you start driving within it or to outside places.

We like to stay in the park itself if that's why you're there.

There are 4 C.G.s in the park:

- a concessioner RV park at Rio Grande Village - 25 sites with electric

- nearby is the park's Rio Grande Village campground - our favorite; no electric

- up the mountain around 5,000' EL is Chisos Basin and is very nice and would be cooler than all the others. The recommended length limit for RVs is 24' and trailers, 20' because of the narrow road to get to the campground. No electric

- Cottonwood C.G. is very pleasant with trees; No electric

Spring break should be over in April so you should be able to get a site with this short notice. Everything is reservations.

https://www.nps.gov/bibe/camping-opt...e-the-park.htm

Hilola · 03-21-2023, 01:46 PM

OP here. Thanks all for your suggestions, a lot to digest but I will check them all out! Regarding camping inside the park, my RV is too long for the Chisos Basin cg (which would have been my preference since it is higher in elevation). I'm a little concerned about staying right on the Rio Grand river due to the current border issues. Am I being overly cautious?

wolfe10 · 03-21-2023, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hilola

I'm a little concerned about staying right on the Rio Grand river due to the current border issues. Am I being overly cautious?

You would be just fine down there.

Just pull up a satellite view of the area south of the park. Very little population in this desert and certainly not a "migrant route".

Of course, you can always call Big Bend HQ for more information.

Rob_M · 03-21-2023, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hilola

OP here. Thanks all for your suggestions, a lot to digest but I will check them all out! Regarding camping inside the park, my RV is too long for the Chisos Basin cg (which would have been my preference since it is higher in elevation). I'm a little concerned about staying right on the Rio Grand river due to the current border issues. Am I being overly cautious?

No you’ll be fine that is probably one of the safest places if not THE safest place along the Mexican border to be

twogypsies · 03-21-2023, 06:27 PM

National park rangers are law enforcement. You would be perfectly safe in the national park's campgrounds. The nearest town is across the river in Boquillas. We took the boat over and stayed the afternoon at a park ranger's home who we met in our campground. The tiny town relies on the national park to get their groceries and fuel from the park store. These people are awesome and so very kind and appreciative to the national park for help they've needed in the past. They are many miles from the nearest civilization. Then rangers even installed solar panels for them as they didn't even have electricity. You don't have to worry one bit. It's not a travel corridor for migrants. There is no safer place than being in the park itself. Where you live in California is much, much unsafe!

CaptainYARRR · 03-21-2023, 08:14 PM

Really enjoyed the newer Road Runner in Terlingua. Well maintained newer facility. Stayed there twice so far and both times have been good.

Hilola · 03-22-2023, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twogypsies

National park rangers are law enforcement. You would be perfectly safe in the national park's campgrounds. The nearest town is across the river in Boquillas. We took the boat over and stayed the afternoon at a park ranger's home who we met in our campground. The tiny town relies on the national park to get their groceries and fuel from the park store. These people are awesome and so very kind and appreciative to the national park for help they've needed in the past. They are many miles from the nearest civilization. Then rangers even installed solar panels for them as they didn't even have electricity. You don't have to worry one bit. It's not a travel corridor for migrants. There is no safer place than being in the park itself. Where you live in California is much, much unsafe!

Thanks for your post. True about California being unsafe these days but that's another discussion topic.

I guess in my mind I'm imaging a gunfight between the park rangers and cartels and it doesn't go well for our rangers. Where's Chuck Norris when you need him?