We're planning a camping trip in March, and admittedly I didn't plan early enough to have a big selection of campsites. When I booked basically my only option was Nugent Mountain - we have a Forester, and I'm not sure if that qualifies as a "high-clearance vehicle". Does anyone have recent experience to confirm whether we'll have any issue reaching the campsite? I searched the old posts and didn't find what I was looking for.

We typically camp in Big Bend first and then go to Marfa, but I'm reversing the trip this time. I'm trying to buy most of my food and consumables like charcoal out there instead of tote it all the way from Austin.

Alpine looks like the obvious answer. I've been to Blue Water a few times, a little pricey and I'll bet they don't have things like charcoal.

Lowe's and DG? Any thoughts on those?

Other ideas along my route?

I need help making a one itinerary. I plan to reach the park at around 10:30-11AM. My current rudimentary itinerary is;

Reach at 11.

Afternoon: Start with the Window trail. Hike up and sit-down to eat some food.

Evening:santa Elena canyon trail.

For sunset: catch it either at window view overlook, near the chisos basin. Or do the ross Maxwell scenic Drive. ( Need suggestions for the part of the trip . Especially since we intend to camp later for the night )

(Preferably the sunset spot is close to the campsite so we have time to setup)

Night: we have a campsite reserved near Boot canyon .

Next day morning we have until 11-11:30 am.

Need a hike for sunrise and something to do until 11:30 ish. Assume food is taken care of.

(Also one of my friends wants to fish . But I'm not sure where I can fit it in the itinerary)

Thoughts and suggestions? If there's anything that's a must see and preferably there's a nice flow between activities so we don't have to drive around a lot instead of being on our feet. Thanks!

I'll be visiting Big Bend this winter and planning to stop at the Marfa Lights Viewing Center one night but wanted to also walk around and explore the old airfield next to it. Is it open for people to walk around in there? Looked like it might be fenced off but I wasn't sure.

Heys guys wanting to check myself, they say that to do the boomerang kayak loop the river should be at 100-150cfs from what I can find right now on American whitewaters website the river is at 11cfs is this way too low to kayak? Or am I reading the rivers level way wrong

Just curious if any one has experience driving the Terlingua Ranch Road to Persimmon Gap or the Old Maverick Road? Signs obviously say high clearance 4x4 only and some of the roads I have seen have been intimidating. Just curious. How bad are they? What did you get it done in? Could say a stock 4 runner get it done?

Looking to go to Big Bend in a few weeks for the first time, and put together an itinerary based on the research I did. Looking for any feedback on it, to make sure I’m not missing anything or underestimating how much time it takes q to get around, etc. Any and all feedback is welcome. Itinerary:

Saturday: Wake up at Rio Grande Village Campground. Hike: Rio Grande Village Nature Trail - Begins on the back end of the campground, 0.75 mile loop round trip - great for bird watching in the mornings Hike: Hot Springs - Sit in Hot Springs and hike the hot springs trail - a 1 mile loop, about 30 minutes Drive to Santa Elena Canyon Trail via Panther Junction/Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive Hike: Santa Elena Canyon Trail - 1.6 miles roundtrip, about 1 hour Drive to Chisos Basin Campground Eat Dinner at Chisos Mountains Lodge

Sunday: Hike: The Window Trail - 4.5 or 5.4 miles round trip, depending on starting point Lunch/Recover at Campgrounds Hike: Upper Burro Mesa - 3.8 miles round trip

Monday Hike: Lost Mine Trail - 4.8 miles round trip Drive back Home

I’m trying to book a spot at big bend and I have 6-8 people going. If I book a spot that has a minimum of 9 people… are they really gonna find our tell you to leave if you have less? Just curious on how they regulate that and how strict it is. Thank you.

What are some good trails for people who could walk say two to four miles in half a day, but no slippery terrain where you might die. Some rocks and gravel are okay, but not where slipping might result in death.

My mom has had several joints replaced in her feet and knees. She can do more than a paved trail, but I don't think a 3-mile strenuous uphill hike is going to work either.

I see a lot of weekend trip itineraries, which are great, but I want to do a longer trip, and a road trip is not feasible for us, so I wanted to post here to make sure we are making the most out of our time. This is kind of my "first draft" itinerary, so looking forward to some feedback.

Profile: Me, 20s, experienced hiker / traveler, comfortable with long hikes. My three friends are also good hikers and a similar age, but not as experienced. We would be going mid-January.

Day 1: Fly to Midland, pick up rental car and rental gear, buy food, drive to Terlingua for dinner, drive to Chisos basin campground and camp for the night.

Day 2: Pay the park fee at the visitor center (Or are we able to do this on day 1? We'd be arriving at the park late), see the Lost Mine trail, relax, see the Window trail in the evening. Camp at the same place. Prep for next day.

Day 3: South rim loop, day 1. Optionally do Emory peak if we feel good. Camp at a reserved backcountry site. (Does reserving a campsite count as getting a backcountry permit? Or is that separate)

Day 4: South rim loop, day 2. Not planning anything specific this day to give us some buffer time, but I assume we'd have plenty of time in the evening and afternoon to add on something. Camp at Chisos basin again (or should we move on from there?)

Day 5: Drive on the scenic road to Santa Elena. At this point, I'm not sure if we should opt for a river tour, but at this point this is where we'd do it. If someone has a strong recommendation for what would actually be worth our time for an excursion here I will consider it. Otherwise this day is open after the canyon, and I'll have to research more things to see. Camp at RGV.

Day 6: I'd like to visit Boquillas, and have some margaritas. See hot springs. Maybe a sunset hike. Again somef ree time here.

Day 7: Nothing planned for this day so far.

Day 8: Based on flights, I think we have to drive back and sleep the night in Midland at a hotel by the airport for a 5:30am flight, unfortunately.

Our biggest logistical hurdle: Gear. My friends are from abroad and don't have stuff locally they can use, and we can't drive down. I saw an option of renting from LowerGear and having all that stuff shipped to a FedEx store. This is definitely an attractive option. We could also rent from local outfiitters, but it's been hard to find information/good deals. However, if all four of us have carry ons, does it make more sense to pre purchase tents, pads on FB Marketplace / at REI, bite the bullet, and pack it all? I am pretty lost on what the best value is.

Thanks for your help. I am aware of the usual caveats about knowing your limits and PACKING ENOUGH WATER. I notably have not added a ton of hikes to this itinerary so far, so I'm willing to hear suggestions on what hiking we should do beyond the basics.

How's Terlingua on a Sunday? Once someone in Marfa told me that is absolutely the best day to go because people hang out on porches at stores and stuff.

We are traveling to boquillas this weekend and we are not sure if card is ok or should we just bring cash, if cash, how much would be enough for 6 people in total for a boat, donkey, and lunch?

Hey all! Stoked for our upcoming trip, and although I know there’s a new moon in a few days, I’m stoked for some stargazing! Any tips on what times to look for stars? Thanks!

Ov

I have someone riding down with me for several days but they need to leave earlier than me. They can fly out of midland but it would be a 8 hr round trip drive for me to take them and drive back. There doesn’t seem to be a rental car place down there unless we bring one in the beginning. Any suggestions?

I didn't buy anything. They always feel like traps.

I am going on a one night trip and will be camping at Juniper Flats, is sunset visible from here, if not any suggestions to catch a glimpse of it and hike back to campsite before dark, as I am not very experienced night time hiker.

I have a trip planned for Big Bend in January, I was wondering if there’s decent cell service in the park or if I should look at investing in a Sat Phone for the trip?