Big Bend

[Breezy]

when is a good time to go in April?
When should we avoid it?
Dh has to take some leave before heading to Va. That said we have no money but don't want to sit here for 30 days. So we are thinking a few nights out there would be better than nothing.
So when should we avoid it at all costs lol.
Anything else in TX that we HAVE to see before we leave? Still hoping the house sells and we go together but we aren't holding our breath lol. And planning for the worst.
TIA

[Gordon]

BigBend is awesome and usually pretty quiet. The only times it really gets busy are the major holidays - spring break and thanksgiving being the worst.

[Breezy]

Great so we may have to deal with spring breakers then :(
When is that usually over down here lol

[lhdvies]

If you go in april, the earlier you go, the better chance you have to see the desert in bloom. Since spring break will be over by then and Easter, is past, any time should be OK. I would still call ahead to check if you plan to stay at the lodge. Camping should not be a problem. But a call wouldn't hurt just to get an idea of how crowded it might be.
Warning!!!! If you have never been, be prepared to want to come back real soon!! LOL
I'm heading back out there friday and can't wait to get going again.

[JamesB]

no spring breakers in April so you good to go.

It will be hot so make sure you take or plenty of water and sunblock. Nights will cool off so don't get caught with out cool weather clothes as well.


will you be hiking any??? I can shoot you a quick list of things to do in 2 days that will get you seeing some good quick spots in the park.

James

[Breezy]

James that list would be great can you do it here or do you need my email.
Thanks for all for all of the tips so far. DH isnt' too excited lol but I refuse to sit here for 30 days with him, 3 kids and a dog I will go nuts lol. We will probably camp as we are broke and need the cheapest possible way to go. If the house sells by then we may stay at the lodge. It sucks to not know anything at this point lol.
Thanks again for the tips :D

[Breezy]

OK checked out the website for the park and I have more questions.
One specifically being would a 10, 9 and 7 year old be able to hike most of the trails?
I know it said there were two that all kids could hike.
Also how much are the guided tours? Didn't see that info.
And hopefully the last for now how long should we plan on staying to get the most out of the trip? I definately want some sunrise (that will kick my butt) and sunset photos for sure. And then just some really nice landscape shots and anything else yall can suggest.
I would love to hike LOTS (no snakes right? lol) as I have 20 pounds to loose before heading home as I refuse to do it fat lol. DH is like his parents and will probably sit around and do nothing as vacation to him and his family are just that. The kids will probably enjoy hiking a day or two but not everyday etc....
So throw out any and all suggestions based off my questions and anything else :D
Thanks
Breezy

[Breezy]

Besides birds what kinds of animals could we see?

[Breezy]

OK I found pics of the wildlife.
What the heck do you use to protect against snakes?
And any issues with tarantulas? Those 2 things freak me out lol

[snidow]

The best thing to defend against snakes in knowledge, during the heat of the day they will be in cooler shadier places, during the early morning they may be out on the trails and rocks getting warm. If you come across one, just back away from it slowly. Snakes are very afraid of people and do not attack in general unless given good cause. Like stepping on one for example. With kids, I would give them clear instructions to not reach into dark places under rocks because you can find a snake that way. Don't go pulling up rocks and old logs and so forth. For the parents, I would say learn what to do in case of a bite. What is critical to know is what kind of snake bit you so they can apply the right anti venom. What facilities are available to you there, emergency contacts at the site and such.

Tarantulas, normally wont bother you and normally wont bite you either and I think most in this area are non venomous. Kind of the same thing as with snakes, just leave them be. They are ground dwellers so really they should not be in rooms and such.

Hope that helps.

[Breezy]

Thanks for the tips Laurie.
We grew up with snakes but the last time I actually got close to one was probably 15 years ago lol.
We did have a huge rattle snake here when we came back from Rita. Dh wanted me to help hime "catch" it. I told him he had lost his mind lol.
I held the gate door but that was it lol. It started rattling as soon as he opened the gate to go into the back yard.
But he did capture it and took it across to the drainage ditch. Not sure what the point in that was lol.
So we should take some meds "just in case"
My kids are deathly afraid of snakes so hopefully telling them what you said will keep them from grabbing any.
What are the chances of a Tarantula crawling into the tent. I think I might die of a heart attack if one were to get in lol.

[Coelus]

If want to make a road trip out of it, head to San Antonio and see the Alamo and all that good stuff. Check out Alpine on the way to Big Bend Natl Park, the college campus is beautiful. Hit the Natl. park for a couple days, then spend some time in Terlingua and Lajitas on the way down the river toward Presideo and the State Park.
If your feeling adventurous, the weather is good, and your not afraid of dirt roads look for 169 that goes through the state park passed Casa Piedra and ends up on 67 before you get to Marfa. You'll also pass a ghost town with a building and a half left of it on the side of the road named Alamito. That drive is one you'll never forget if your up for it.
Marfa of course has the Marfa ghost lights and a good roadside park to see them from now, again you'll never forget them if you get to see them. The kids may get bored waiting or them.
After that you get to decide how long you want to be gone. After Marfa you can go north west to Van Horn and north from there to the Guadeloupe Mountains and Carlsbad caverns in New Mexico. If you head to Van Horn look for the giant white Air Force blimp on the side of the road and eat at Chuey's when you get there.
Or you can go north to Fort Davis and back to I-10. Past Junction you can take 290 to Fredericksburg; good food, Nimitz Museum, wineries, etc. After that is Austin with all the things to see there.
From Austin you can head down I-35, with a Schlitterbahn and Oma's Haus stop at New Braunsfels, and back to San Antonio.

My cousin and I made a similar trip, sans San Antonio and New Braunsfels, last summer in five days, two f that was getting to west Texas and back.

[Breezy]

Great info John. I doubt we will head that far north though dh is a party pooper when it comes to stuff like that. I tried to get him to stop at the Caverns about 10 year ago on our trip from SD to SC.
We have been to Canyon Lake and the local areas. It was fun would have been more fun had the river not been over flowing.
Been to the Alamo a couple of times but never the missions so we might have to stop and see a couple of those.
I saw Ft Davis on a website may have to check that out as well.
Thanks again for all of the tips.
Gonna have to figure out how long he is willing to be gone. We still have to have time to get all the "stuff" off of the walls so that he can patch them and paint as I refuse to do that part lol. And he still insists on having the Navy pack us up when he leaves, Just don't know how long I can sit here in an empty house with 3 kids lol. As long as there is already an offer on the house I can deal but if not, I may have to fight him on that one. I am a big girl I can deal with the movers, I normally do anyway lol.
Thanks again all keep the suggestions and Ideas coming.
BTW is South Padre Island worth going to before we leave? Some say yeah others say no, but then again some think that Corpus beaches are nice too lol.

[studiocygnet]

Hi Breezy, a coincidence, I just got back from Big Bend this morning. I used to be a guide there, so a quick run down.
Spring break is the middle of March, anytime in April is fine. I have seen plenty of flowers in February before, but there were none this trip. Depends on the weather. Maybe in early April you may still have some, since they must be later this year.
There are 3 main camping areas in the NP. The Chisos Basin, which is higher altitude and cooler. Rio Grande and Cottonwood campgrounds near the river, warmer and larger. And primitive camping with high clearance vehicles, probably not best for kids, since you need to deal with "sanitation issues".

You most definitely will see deer and javalinas, especially if you're camped in the basin.

Likely you will see peregrine falcons, owls, rabbits, racoons, and coyotes, often while driving.

Maybe tarantulas, foxes, and ringtails, btw tarantulas are harmless unless cornered. I've yet to hear of one entering a tent. However, the skunks sometimes get curious.

Unlikely, but they're there, are snakes and turkeys. There is so much room out there that rarely have I seen a snake. I see way more around here. They just don't hang with the humans out there. But it's a good way to keep the kids on the trail when you mention the possibility.

Extremely unlikely, mountain lions and bears. I've seen the back end of a lion disappearing into an arroyo once, but it wasn't in the NP, it was on Terlingua Ranch. They are very elusive. But there is a reason for no dogs on the trails.

Really, in the dozens and dozens of times I've been out there, the worst problem I had was with the skunks in the camp foraging through the dishwashing we left out on a table. They pried the lid off the peanut butter container and stole it. The raccoons will sometimes play in whatever you leave out for the night too, so put everything up.

And I would say that all the trails are fine for active kids. Usually they run circles around the adults. Just don't let them get too far out into "the Window".

[Breezy]

Awesome Tom thanks for the great info.
I will be copying and pasting all of this info.
Now the issue will be finding someone to deal with the dog. We had hoped to take her as she still isnt' used to car rides yet.
Thanks again.
As for the skunks and racoons that is funny but it wouldn't be funny at the time I am sure lol.