Big Bend NP - RV-Dreams Community Forum

kb0zke · RV-Dreams Family Member

Big Bend NP

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

Big Bend is a long ways from the illegal alien routes, so that is not a problem. We dry camped in the Rio Grande campground and the only critter that was a problem was the javelina (peccary), but mostly for dogs left unattended. Safety is not a major worry there, most everyone is there because they want to be.

soos · RV-Dreams Family Member

Well, there actually ARE illegal aliens- they come across the border with their hand made treasures and leave them on boulders, with a "suggested donation" amount. It is illegal to purchase those items. That being said, we have seen a couple of tarantulas but only on the roadway and hiking trails. We have been to Big Bend 5-6 times. Its one of our favorite parks. Last time there, we took a day trip to Boquillas, right across the border- we had a blast! This is our favorite time of year to go- 2 years ago we were there for Thanksgiving.
We have never stayed in the park- always at Big Bend Resort and Adventures, but don't let the word "resort" fool you. Its in Study Butte and gave us great access to Terlingua.

Here are my blog posts about the park

http://soos-ontheroad.blogspot.com/search/label/Big%20Bend%20National%20Park

-- Edited by soos on Saturday 26th of November 2016 11:32:26 AM

Sushidog · RV-Dreams Family Member

Great Blog soos. Yes, the margaritas and tacos at the Starlight are the best - especially during happy hour where they are dirt cheap too.

I've been going there every few years since the 70's. In fact I'm planning another trip in March right now. There are bears and mountain lions in the Chisos mountains, as well as the Arizona pine bark scorpion, but your rig is too big to get up to the basin so they shouldn't be a concern. Look out for them (and javelina) if you decide to take your toad. There's only one CG in the park with electric hookups, and that is by the Rio Grande Village. www.nps.gov/bibe/planyourvisit/rgv_hookups.htm They fill up fast, so may not be available if not already reserved.

Here's a mountain lion warning sign posted at one of the trailheads.

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And another with me goofing around.
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They have giant metal mosquitos in Terlingua too.
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Chip

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

Before 9/11 the Big Bend experience with the Mexicans was much more cordial. There are not that many Mexicans living there, and in the old days the rangers would take tours over the border, refill the Mexican's propane tanks, etc. It was all very friendly. They tried to keep it that way for a year or so, but new Border Patrol rules post-9/11 messed that up. It sounds like that was the time period soos visited. A couple years ago they figured out how to make it closer to pre-9/11 with a real border crossing. Gone with the Wynns have a blog post from June 2014 when they went over - http://www.gonewiththewynns.com/boquillas-mexico-big-bend-texas.

el Rojo and Pam · RV-Dreams Family Member

We went there in the early 1990's and took the "ferry" across. Pedro the "Captain" handed all the men a paddle then came aboard and hollered PADDLELAY. Which we did and moved the john boat across the river. We took the mules to the town walked around a little and had a beer and returned. It was fun, but we didn't have Paul and Soos to brighten our trip so we didn't stay as long.

Great blog Sue!

Red

soos · RV-Dreams Family Member

bjoyce wrote:
Before 9/11 the Big Bend experience with the Mexicans was much more cordial. There are not that many Mexicans living there, and in the old days the rangers would take tours over the border, refill the Mexican's propane tanks, etc. It was all very friendly. They tried to keep it that way for a year or so, but new Border Patrol rules post-9/11 messed that up. It sounds like that was the time period soos visited. A couple years ago they figured out how to make it closer to pre-9/11 with a real border crossing. Gone with the Wynns have a blog post from June 2014 when they went over - http://www.gonewiththewynns.com/boquillas-mexico-big-bend-texas.

Actually, looks like we went over after them.

They turned it into a border crossing, after 9/11 but pre 9/11 the Mexicans could cross without a visa and Americans could cross without a passport. When they finally re-opened the border, the 'casualness' was gone and - visa/passport are now required. We had to check in with immigration on the Mexican side, and use a phone to call in remotely on the US side when we got back.

And thanks, Red 😀

You know those trips are always fun in a group! Hope to catch up with you two in AZ this winter 😊

David and Cheryl · RV-Dreams Family Member

We were just in Big Bend last week for six days. As noted above, Rio Grande Village is the only campground in the park with hookups. 40' is the maximum length they can handle, and then only in certain spots. We are 40' 7" and decided not to mess with it. Another reason is that Rio Grande Village is way down in the southeast corner of the park, and it's a LONG way from there to anyplace else.

If you're willing to consider a private CG outside the park, I highly recommend BJ's RV Park in Terlingua, which is where we stayed. Great management, reasonable rates, full hookups and pull-thrus. It's just a few minutes away from the west (Study Butte) entrance to the park. There's a good grocery store, Cottonwood Market, in Study Butte. Gas and diesel are also available nearby. And you have two excellent restaurants, La Kiva and the Starlight Theatre, in Terlingua. We thought Terlingua was going to be a yawner, but it's actually a wonderfully funky little town full of fascinating individuals. We loved it.

I've been to Big Bend many times, though just once in the RV, so feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

David

-- Edited by David and Cheryl on Sunday 11th of December 2016 11:51:19 PM