Big Bend Park: State or National?

[ElanR]

Looking to head that way next month for some tent camping. Anyone been to both?

[Phototx]

I usually go to both parks everytime I make the trip out there. Both are great and have different terrain.

I generally see more wildlife at the state park. The state park is more primitive both the roads and the camp grounds. High clearance or 4x4 required for some of the roads. The main road in is not paved. They do have a bunk house and a lodge that can be rented. I dont belive any of the outer camping areas have showers or toilets. The state park has had only a few visitors and several times over the years I was told that I was the only one on the property for a day or two.

The national park has more improved campgrounds, a paved main highway through the park, a few concession stands, and more mine ruins to photograph. There are also more people at the National Park.

Glen
www.phototx.net

[wclavey]

Glen is right... See both of them. Even if you just drive through the state park, you should go see it. And, of course, Terlingua is between them on the road, and you certainly would not want to miss a visit to Terlingua, especially at dinner time for a meal at the Starlight Cafe.

[ElanR]

Glen, great reply! We were thinking about staying at the state and visiting both parks. We do have a 4X4, but don't want to tear it up. Any particular camp sites you like, especially ones with good views of photo ops? Or would you stay at the national?

Westley, Terlingua was on our list and now so is the Starlight Cafe.

We're going there on 11/11 btw. Any other info/tips appreciated.

[Phototx]

Originally Posted by ElanR

Glen, great reply! We were thinking about staying at the state and visiting both parks. We do have a 4X4, but don't want to tear it up. Any particular camp sites you like, especially ones with good views of photo ops? Or would you stay at the national?

Westley, Terlingua was on our list and now so is the Starlight Cafe.

We're going there on 11/11 btw. Any other info/tips appreciated.

Elan,

The state park has very primitive camping. If "We" means you have a lady with you then I would stay at one of the National Park campgrounds or the State Park Sauceeda Loge. The drive between the parks is beautiful and has many photo opportunities but can eat up a lot of time. It's probably about a 80 to 100 mile drive between the center(not the borders) of the two parks but generally takes me all day to drive it because of the many photo stops. While I have seen most of the campsites at the state park I generally stay at the Sauceeda Lodge house. None of the sites I have visted in the state park had any infrastructure. A few along the Rio Grand had restrooms and picnic tables.

I can come up with a quick list of my must/see stops at both parks if you like.

The links below cover my recent trips and include events in the area at the time and the trip to and from Big Bend each time. I do a lot of off roading during these outings and can give you the easier 4x4 adventures if you are into that.

Glen

2009bigbend

Big Bend 2008

Big Bend State Park 2007

Big Bend 2006

Rio Grand to Big Bend, Texas

[ElanR]

Awesome galleries, Glen! I spent some time looking at them and got some good shot ideas. The views that appealed to me most are in the 2007 and 2008 sets. I can't tell which pic is which park, though, and I wish I could.

No ladies in our group. I'm actually going with the great white hunter Sniper-Bob, a guy that uses a rock for a pillow and considers a round of kickboxing with a black bear entertainment. We're bringing a tent, firewood, cots and bucket toilets, so we can pretty much stay anywhere. We're thinking of picking the la Mota campsite right now, but really have no idea. We want a site with great views, that you can drive right up to, and that has a picnic table. The rest is not critical.

A must see/do/photograph list would be very helpful. Literally something I'll print and take with us. I'll also be looking at your galleries some more. I'm guessing the snakes will already be in hibernation by the time we get there. That's good in a way, but we'll miss all the good snake shots you got.

[studiocygnet]

A couple things to add to what was said above.
First, The Starlight. It was being leased from the property owner. Chad, the manager/restaurant owner for the last few years, shut it down and quit recently. The property owner has opened it up and is running it as best as they can, but I can't vouch for the quality or experience any more.
Second, you can now access the state park from The Barton Warnock Center near Lajitas. Used to be you had to go up almost to Fort Leaton and then drive in the dirt road to Saucedo, but now they let you go in across the road from Warnock. However, it's hike, bike, or horse in, no motorized vehicles down there. But the Contrabando trail system is a fabulous hike or bike, and doesn't take days like the Rancherias trail does. Or bring Mountain bikes if you've got them. Or rent bikes down at Desert Sports in Terlingua. Or hire some horses from Lajitas stable. I say go to the state park, because there's never anyone there. You'll be all alone.

[wclavey]

Wow, Tom, on the Starlight, did that happen recently? We were there at the end of August and I am certain that Chad was still there - - at least, the waitress we were talking to was saying about the up-coming changes he was making to the menu, etc.

[studiocygnet]

Originally Posted by wclavey

Wow, Tom, on the Starlight, did that happen recently? We were there at the end of August and I am certain that Chad was still there - - at least, the waitress we were talking to was saying about the up-coming changes he was making to the menu, etc.

Yep. like about 3 weeks ago now. I need to get an update from a friend that just got back from there yesterday.

[ElanR]

Thanks, Tom. Good info! Too bad about the Starlight.

[studiocygnet]

Well, make sure to grab a pizza from Long Draw Pizza on the highway in Terlingua.

[venchka]

You could buy the grocery store in Marathon and say, "Adios Houston!"

HOURS: Monday through Friday 7:30 am till 9 pm Saturday 8 till 9 pm Sunday 9 till 9 pm PHONE: 432-386-4522 LOCATION:?Avenue D in Marathon. From the Gage Hotel porch go east to the corner, look to the left. It?s on to Ave D, 200 feet on the right.

Peek in at the James H. Evans Studio.

James H. Evans

Have fun!

[ggeen]

One of each. Big Bend has both a state and national park adjacent to each other. I was planing a trip there but was waiting for the feds to drop the ban on CHL because I could be hiking in the state park, wonder over into the federal park and not know it. The weapons ban in federal parks is lifted where states permit such use.

[Phototx]

Elan,

Here's a quick guide with description and photos. It starts at the State Park and heads south on 170 to Terlingua and then to the National Park. I made the background neutral so you should be able to print it out from the web. It's not perfect and I will validate and perhaps add a few more to it over the next few days.

Big Bend Guide

Glen

[ElanR]

Glen, this is just awesome! I really appreciate you taking the time. The whole gallery printed nicely into a one page pictorial guide that I can take with me. I'm pretty sure I can also screen capture the gallery and take it on my memory card so I can zoom in and view it on my camera. All I have to do is paste it into an existing image file, so it has the right file header and the camera will recognize it. I'll test that and post the result.

Thanks again for all your help!