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We spent last week visiting Big Bend National Park. It's one of the least visited National Parks and is somewhat off the beaten path. From Fort Stockton on I-10 you head south for about 3 hours. It is on the Rio Grande with Mexico in sight all the time. Even with the hot weather (low 70's at night, high 90's during the day) we had a great time. Lots of hiking, great views and no crowds! At times we felt like we were the only ones there. It's a fairly large park, bigger than the state of Rhode Island. This is at the end of the Boquillas Canyon hike. The bluff is in Mexico. This is where the Rio Grande enters a huge canyon that's been carved out of the mountain. After a hike to the top of the second highest peak (7550') this is the view down. It's called the Lost Mine Trail. Views are great all the way up and it's a nice little workout! We sat at the top and had some snacks and water while enjoying the view. At the other end of the park (western end) is the Santa Helena Canyon. Mexico on the left, US on the right. The upper water flow is the Rio Grande, the lower (muddy) is the Terlingua Creek emptying into the Rio Grande. You can wade through the Terlingua to the bluffs on the right and then climb up about a quarter of the way to a lookout platform. Another nice hike was Grapevine Hill. It's not too far, a couple of miles through the desert then some light rock climbing up to this balanced rock. Carol is enjoying the shade! It was right at 100 degrees when we made this trek. This is the view from the balanced rock looking back down at where the path goes back to the start through the canyon. We stayed in Lajitas, TX at a very nice, full hookup campground. There are three RV parking areas in the park, one has full hook ups. No reservations, first come, first served. If we do it again we will look at staying inside the park. None of the park RV areas were full. Peak season is November through April, so it may be more crowded. We think the Chisos Basin has the most scenic camping areas. It is surrounded by the highest peaks and is close to the start of the Lost Mine Trail. Most importantly, bacon was consumed!

Lajitas, TX, right outside of Big Bend National Park in southwest Texas. Spent last week there. HOT! More to follow....

Speaking for myself, I didn't consider any of those dangers to be worth worrying too much about. We did see some black bear tracks in the snow on one of our hikes up around Chisos, but that's it. I think mountain lion sightings are few and far between, like years between. The locals didn't bother us either. They seem to come and go as they please down by the river and I saw no effort to prevent them from doing so. Just people dropping off trinkets for sale. You'll pass by a border patrol station on the way in and will probably have to stop on the way out while the pups do their sniffing. It's a big place, and the roads cover the tiniest fraction, so my guess is that any illegal activity would take place far from campers. I think on their website, they list a few backcountry campsites that are prone to theft or vandalism mainly due to their location on the edge of the park. But those wouldn't be the prime campsites anyway. Speaking of the park's size, getting from place to place can take time. It's worse if you've chosen a campsite that's far down one of the gravel roads. There are a few roads that are short wheelbase 4wd only, and a few, like the one that takes you to the cool rock in the photo above, that are smooth and regularly maintained. But most are somewhere in between, maintained decently enough but not regularly graded - think Subaru level So on those roads you'll travel at a snail's pace to and from. We stayed at the first campsite down Pine Canyon, and I think that hit the tradeoff between remoteness and proximity to the main road pretty well. One more thing - Chisos is pretty well protected, but everywhere else in the park the wind can be relentless.

Nice pics! This park is definitely on my bucket list, but I am seldom so far south.... Did you have any worries about bad guys crossing from Mexico? There are without dispute drugs coming through that area, though due to the remoteness, most go un-noticed and/or unreported.... How about bears and mountain lions? Obviously the popular areas and normal campgrounds are pretty safe. Did you in any way feel uncomfortable parking and hiking in the remote areas, especially low down along the river or along the "4wd recommended" backcountry dirt routes? Did you carry bear spray or a handgun? http://www.hellonearthblog.com/2013/05/big-bend-national-park-drug-war.html The BBNP website has a warning page about these concerns, but like all National Parks, it tries very hard to downplay any risk to visitors ("look big and wave your arms, throw rocks or sticks"). It more or less just says to be vigilant and report any problems. As if your cell phone will work at the bottom of a remote canyon. I'm not a big worrier, but I am a "just in case" preparer..... Thanks. John Davies Spokane WA

Great report and photos. Excellent looking meal, too!!!!!

Coy, You're right! Here's a few more. Space Camp: Like these tires: AL I65 Welcome Center:

Bill, Good pictures - particularly the one showing that a Tundra can tow an Oliver PLUS a rocket. Bill p.s. Sent you a PM regarding trip details.