Thoughts on big bend national park

Hey guys so I'm in Texas for the next few days and was thinking about heading out to big bend national park to do some exploring in the taco. I have a stock 2016 TRD OR and was trying to get some insight on some good trails and was wondering if the taco is trail capable being that it is stock. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

 

following. i live in TX and plan to head out that way at some point

 

Let's do this!

 

Also wanting to plan a trip out there in the near future.

 

Never been but have heard reports from people that have. It's really beautiful but you really have to stick with the marked areas, it's right on Mexico and some parts are supposedly pretty dangerous to wonder off in.

 

My son and I are going to Big Bend for spring break this year. I'm in for information.

 

sub'd for future adventures!

 

...crickets

 

I have done some off-roading at big bend, and it's great, but make sure you talk to the rangers if you go so they can let you know about trail conditions. A TRD OR would definitely be capable of taking on a lot of the trails there. Make sure you pack supplies, mainly water, and extra fuel. Some camping gear and food wouldn't be a bad idea either if you wind up stuck out there, and need to bivvy.

If you only do one off road trail, I would recommend Old Ore Rd. It's about 26 miles long, and takes about 3-4 hours to complete. I like going north to south, as the trail descends into the river plane, the views are just spectacular. If you want to get an idea of what the road is like, this guy drove it last week And he included a great post on another forum



If you decide to camp, my favorite place to camp is Rio Grande Village. You will find it at the south end of old ore at the border. That last time I camped there, I believe it was $12 per night.

For those that love remote outdoor places, Big Bend is a life changing experience, and for us Texans, it's right in our backyard. Given it's proximity to Mexico, I have never found it to be as dangerous as other border locations. I'd rather be there than Nuevo Laredo or Juarez. That being said, you should be aware of where you are and your surroundings at all times.

https://www.nps.gov/bibe/planyourvisit/scenic_drives.htm

 

Definitely will use this info, my family and I gonna camp there in the spring and I was wondering about trails.

 

Stillwell is the place.
Stillwell Store
48421 FM 2627 Hwy, Alpine, TX 79830
(432) 376-2244
https://goo.gl/maps/D6ZjdEtLhZT2

 

If you are feeling adventurous, black gap rd is another fun trail. Its a lot shorter than old ore ~8 miles and a little more challenging. Its the most challenging trail in the park, but we did it easily in a jeep. This trail requires a 4x4. I think most stock 4x4s with enough ground clearance should be able to do it.

 

Big Bend is awesome. Lemme see if I can dig up some old posts I made about it.

Everything you can do out there stock. I did. Even with stock tires.

 

Op. Check out this post I made

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/big-bend-2016.406742/page-2#post-11413458

There's also a bunch of other info in there.

 

Yep, it's awesome, as everyone else will tell you. We've been out there a few times now. Your stock truck will take you on any of the roads you want to go on; they're unmaintained, but it's not an off road vehicle park. You'll be OK as long as you drive responsibly.

Get a good GPS that works without cell service. It's very spotty in the park. I've been happy with Gaia Pro. Pick up a paper map, too, and be comfortable with using it. The visitor centers have them for a couple dollars.

Bring at least one good spare tire, preferably two. Make sure your jack work, you know how to use it, and are comfortable changing a tire should the need arise. Bringing a few blocks to give some extra height if needed is always good.

Spare fuel can, some water bottles, etc, are all good options.

Rio Grande Village and Big Bend Motor Inn have showers.

We usually camp in the Chisos Basin and love the view there, and there are several good hiking trails that start at or near the campground.

Bring your passport for Boquillas. (And cash!)

We usually spend about a week there. It's a good amount of time to see what you want to (for that trip, anyway), but not too long that you start to get bored.

 

Be careful down there a hunting guide and his clients were attacked by several armed men over the weekend.

 

Not in the park, and a very different situation than the OP is describing.

 

River Road is scenic - easy high clearance 2wd but there are some gravel washes where 4x4 or momentum helps. There are some hidden hot springs at one of the campgrounds on the road - ask a local.

Black Gap is a must-do and only has a couple of challenging sections.

Big Bend State Park is huge and has lots of trails - but I haven't explored it as much as the National Park.

Having a beer on "the porch" in Terlingua at sunset is a must do as well. The Starlight has some pretty good food and music. If you meet a singer/guitarist by the name of Carol tell her Tater says Hi!

 

Just got back from Big Bend. We spent about two and a half days there. It was right before MLK weekend, so all the established campgrounds - Cottonwood, Rio Grande, Chisos were full up on camping. But if you want a more rugged experience, and what I personally prefer, go to a visitor's center and register with the ranger there and pick one of the primitive campsites on the off-road trails - River Road East/West, Old Ore Road, Old Maverick Road, Glenn Springs Road. They'll issue you a back country camping permit for $12. Going this route feels as if you have the entire park to yourself. We saw only 4 vehicles pass our campsite the entire time. We stayed on River Road West at Solis #1. The off road trail continued a mile and a half further to the Rio Grande.

As previously stated River Road is very scenic and remote. We drove the entire length of the 50+ miles, passing only 3 vehicles the entire day. There is no cell phone signal, and no fm radio signal. If you want to escape, this is definitely your place. My truck is stock 2010 4x4 with Duratrac Wranglers. I drove most of the trail in rwd, though there were some spots I clicked it into 4hi, due to loose gravel or a really undulating part of the trail where I felt more traction was needed.

In my opinion, I feel that if it is raining or muddy, 4x4 would be needed. There were a ton of spots where you could see some deep tire tracks in the trail from previous drivers driving through the mud there. Keep the conditions and weather in mind if you head out there in a non 4x4 vehicle is all I ask.

If you camp or venture out on the off road trails make sure you are entirely self sufficient with enough water and food for your entire party for several days, due to aforementioned remoteness.

I recommend filling up with gas in Marathon or Fort Stockton (if this is the way you make your way in) before entering the park, with the preference being Marathon. Marathon is 70 miles from Panther Junction Visitor Center, Fort Stockton being 120+. There are two gas stations in the park, but the price is at a premium for that offered service. For reference - $2.85 for 87 octane in the park, $2.13 at Fort Stockton at the time we went.

Scenic Panorama on the River Road


Stopped to look at the Chisos Mountains


Chisos in the distance.


Looking across the Rio Grande into Mexico.

 

how much pre-planning are y'all doing before getting there? picking out camp sites? planning routes? i'm planning on doing about a week trip hitting BBNP & BBSRP....just wondering if this is the kind of thing i need to meticulously plan or can i just show up at the visitor center, get a permit, buy a map and make my way there?