Big Bend National Park

[donthompson]

Any Oliver owners traveling to Big Bend National Park?  I'll be at the Chisos Basin Campground in late-February/early-March.  I plan to move on to Big Bend Ranch State Park and points west after that.  Hiking and mountain biking.  Would love to say hello if you plan to be there.

[mountainoliver]

Don, have you been to Big Bend before? We were just there this past November and camped at the Chisos Basin Campground. We were towing with a Tundra 5.7. I don’t know how heavy your camper is but, it is a tough pull up there with a couple of tight turns that require you to go almost dead slow around. There are a couple signs and a warning on the map that say you shouldn’t take a camper longer than 20ft and 24ft for an RV (I think those are the dimensions). We made it but it is tight. The road is closed and a police escort is used to get the campground hosts’ campers up there. As a suggestion, drop your camper off at the bottom and drive up just to see and check the campground for open sites. I think there are a limited number of sites suitable for the LEII. Most sites are for tents. We were lucky and got the last camper suitable site across from the dump station. Although we did not stay there, we thought that the Cottonwood Campground area was very quaint. Next time we go we’ll stay here. Have fun it’s absolutely gorgeous everywhere there! We were thinking of going to the Big Bend state park on our way home from Quartzsite. Don’t know what our timing will be but may bump into you.

[John E Davies]

Wish I were there....it is miserably cold and wet here.

 

If you use the GAIA nav app, they just added the National Geographic Trails maps for BB. It is available for Premium members. These maps are most excellent, I use them whenever they are available for my location. The app is stellar also, the best out there for back country where there is no cellular.

 

As an aside they also added an excellent USFS Roads and Trails overlay, which shows all the large and small tracks in the National Forests. Click the trail and a popup tells you its status, conditions, material (gravel or “natural”) and width. Very cool, much better than the USFS MVUMs, and updated every three months.

 

This summer they are also going to release an update that will allow you to overlay wierd user downloaded pdf maps, which is the only drawback to the current program.

 

Have fun down there, carry a satellite communicator, carry a gun (snakes and two legged varmints), and watch yer back,

 

https://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-border-patrol-big-bend-2017-story.html

 

John Davies

 

Spokane Wa

 

 

[Spike]

Any Oliver owners traveling to Big Bend National Park?

 

We won't be there this year. Headed west about that time, but sure appreciated your advice for our trip there last year. Such a beautiful and interesting place. Also fell in love with the hill country north of the region.

 

 

[attachment file=IMG_6446.JPG]

[Overland]

You definitely do not need a gun at Big Bend.  That's silly.

 

The hairpin going into Chisos is tight, but doable.  The hiking there is the best, but the camping is better out in the park.  If you're at all adventurous with your trailer, there are plenty of backcountry sites that you can get to with a 2WD and your Oliver.  You might check with the backcountry office when you arrive to see what's available and if you want, scout them out with just your truck before committing.  We usually go right after Christmas, when there are people camped outside the office to get spots, but when you're there you should have a good choice.  Generally the roads are bumpy but if you stay off the designated 4x4 trails, then no problem - just some long drives to get to some of them.

 

Last time there, we camped at the gravel pit - not great scenery, but you're right on the Rio Grande.  Our favorite spots are along Pine Canyon and Glen Springs road.  A handful of spots there are far enough in to feel secluded yet don't take half an hour plus to get back to the main road.

 

Pay attention to your gas while you drive around.  It's a big park so don't let yourself get too low.  There's a good roadside BBQ spot in Terlingua if you get tired of camp food.  Boquillas entry is open again, if you want to take your passport.  There's really not much to do there but eat some average TexMex, but it's a poor town and they appreciate the patronage.

 

If you've got a telescope, it's worth packing it - the night sky is pitch black in the backcountry.

[Spike]

You definitely do not need a gun at Big Bend.  That’s silly.

 

Agree.

[donthompson]

Yes, I've camped at Chisos Basin before.  I was there for a couple of weeks two years ago.  I have reservations for 14 days at Chisos Basin this time out.  The road is tight, but I didn't have any issues getting to the campground or negotiating the very tight back-in space I had.  This time I reserved a spot that will be much easier to deal with!

 

 

[donthompson]

John,

 

Thanks for the tip about the maps on the GAIA app.  I love the National Geographic maps.  I buy one for every National Park I hike in.  Also, I carry a Spot when I hike and have a mount for it on my bikes.  Essential for a solo hiker and mountain biker.

[donthompson]

Wish I had a telescope--the night sky is amazing there.  Binoculars are the best I can do.  I did scope out some backcountry boondocking sites a couple of years ago and will probably try a couple after my 14-days at Chisos Basin are up.  Forgot my passport two years ago.  Won't make that mistake again.  Now I carry my passport card at all times--I think it's adequate for border crossings into Mexico and Canada but I'll make sure of this before I leave.  Looking forward to some warmer weather.  I rode for a couple of hours in the snow on my fat bike today.  It was around 5 degrees when I started and rode for a couple of hours with almost no increase in temperature.  More snow coming tonight.  We have over a foot on the ground.  Nice soft, fluffy snow.  Our backcountry trails here aren't groomed, but there have been enough people on the trails with fat bikes to make the ride enjoyable with a few falls :).

[Mike and Carol]

If you’re making the trip to Big Bend it’s worth scheduling an evening at McDonald Observatory for a Star Party. If you stay at Davis Mountain State Park it’s a very short drive and then you’re just a couple of hours north of Big Bend. Mike

[permit bob]

We were at Big Bend for Thanksgiving. It was the first time we visited the parks and, for sure!, like no other place we've seen.

 

We stayed at Lajita RV Park and took day trips into both parks from there. Be sure and take a ride out to Santa Eleana Canyon; impressive.

 

The ride through Big Bend Ranch State Park up to Presido, TX on State Road 173 is an eye opener if your not used to this area of the country.

 

Chisco is tight and glad we scouted it out first with just the truck.

 

No need for a weapon. Couldn't ask for nicer folk.

 

Fort Davis, TX and it's observatory is worth a stop.

 

Best, Bob

[Janie]

We boondocked at Government Spring on Grapevine Hills Road, just at the base of the road that goes up to Chisos Basin. It's not far off the main road and right in the middle of the park – a great starting point to explore the whole park. Big Bend is one of our favorites.  Have fun!