Hey everyone! A friend and I are thinking about making the pilgrimage to big bend national park...just wondering how many of you have done the same? We're wanting to do some hiking, kayaking, and of course trail riding. Those of you who have been, How was it? How long should one stay? Did you camp or stay in a room? Any pics? Tips? Advise?

Any info given would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!!
Colby

 

I was planning on doing this trip in March 2012, let me know how it goes.

 

Me and the wife were planning to do this with some friends next year. We're going to stay in my camper and the others will stay in theirs or a tent. Going to ride dirt bikes, and the jeep around and just hang out. Look forward to hearing about your experience.

The folks i know that have gone, all stayed in their campers or tent so that is the only input i can give on where to stay, but they usually go for 3-5 days.

 

So for hi-jacking this thread but this is definitely a trip im going to do next year. I already asked for 10 days of from work for March 2012 so that this trip would happen, so if you dont go through with it now just know ill be doing it in about 8 months. Ive wasted 5 years of my life in the desert and i know first hand that im not going any where near a desert between April and Sept, that is why im planing my trip during Spring Break.

 

Big Bend is an awesome park. My son and I camped--this was pre-Jeep for us, but we hiked various places, and paddled the Rio Grande (canoe). If you go in the summer, stay in Chisos basin to enjoy milder weather. You can camp there, or stay at the lodge. Can't provide much info on four wheeling camp spots, however, since that's not what we did. But, someday I'd like to go back expedition style with the Jeep. Also, don't miss out on Big Bend Ranch State Park--between the two you have a million acres in which to play!

 

I go every Thanksgiving. I have been going for about 12 years with only missing one year after 9-11. I have tons of pictures. We always camp in the backcountry sites. Late fall and Spring are the best times to go for good weather.

We went once in the summer and the heat was misserable. Made you not want to do anything during the day at all. Temp was around 108 - 112 during the day on the desert floor. It was a little cooler up in the basin.

There are tons of hiking trails and roads to explore. Even after all these years we usually still find something we have not done or seen before.

Here are some pics with my last Jeep. I am looking forward to going again this year with the new Jeep.

 

I can only stand two and I'm done in Nov. Told the wife that I want to go on vacation and the only rule is no sand!!! Going to Colorado in Jan to the big concert in Steamboat and going to take the Jeep. Should be cold... thank God. We were gonna go straight through Amarillo but I may talk her into going through Big Bend either there or back. Good call.

 

Last year myself and two other's from the forum did it for New Years. It got a little bit chilly, dropping down into the 40's but was amazing during the day time sitting in the low 70's. We are planning on doing it again this coming New Years. I can't remember where all we went but if you send a PM to JK-Tex I am sure he could help you out with it all. He has been going for quite a few years now.

G'luck, it's definitely beautiful out there!

 

We plan on going early to mid October this year. Got a lot of info I'm trying to find too!

 

My wife and I went last Spring Break to Big Bend and had a fantastic time. I highly recommend going to http://www.bigbendbookstore.org/store/ and getting the "trip planner" set which contains the Paved Road Guide, Backcountry Road Guide, Hiker's Guide, Terlingua-Chisos Map, and Big Bend Nature Guide, all of which are invaluable while you're out there and it's only 12 bucks... If you want a few pictures some of the ones we took are here: http://gallery.me.com/jtimbrook#1001...lack&view=grid

You'll have a blast!