May 5, 2025May 5 On 5/2/2025 at 9:47 PM, Updawg said: Basin will be closed in big bend and the desert will be hot as shit. They've delayed the closing of the basin until August.
May 5, 2025May 5 2 hours ago, stc said: They've delayed the closing of the basin until August. I wonder with all the cuts from the DOTAarD administration (no cr) to the park service, if that entire renovation project will get delayed or scrapped.
May 5, 2025May 5 I wonder with all the cuts from the DOTAarD administration (no cr) to the park service, if that entire renovation project will get delayed or scrapped. I just got back from Zion and Capitol Reef and was happy to see that their projects were still going along as planned. Total renovation and rehabilitation of South Campground in Zion (and the Emerald Pools bridge is finally almost ready to reopen). Cap Reef is getting the scenic drive totally redone and repaved, and expanding many of the parking areas, including at the visitor center and at Grand Wash.
May 5, 2025May 5 On 5/2/2025 at 9:44 PM, TexEx15 said: Looking at taking the family for a short trip in June. Wife and 3 daughters between 14-8. We are thinking of traveling in on a Thursday morning and spending Thursday afternoon and Friday at the park with an AIRBNB in Terilingua. Saturday morning heading over to Alpine and Ft. Davis (lodging suggestions?) with the Star Party that evening. Heading home Sunday after lunch. Only have a short window so nothing too long. Thoughts? What parts of the park should we see during our window? Having younger girls we are thinking easier hikes. Appreciate any feedback y'all can give. Wife wants to see Santa Elena Canyon for sure. Also, any experience carrying a handgun in the park? I’m planning to take a pistol given the remote nature of parts of the trip but not sure about inside the park. I did a trip similar to this a few years ago in April, albeit without kids (high on my list to get my 12 and 10 yo out there). We went in the reverse order, but here was our itinerary for what it’s worth…if Big Bend is the main draw and the rest is ancillary you’ll want to nix a lot of this. While High Plains’ post above is great, you’ll have to pick and choose. All of his suggestions are great, but would take a lot longer than what you have to properly experience. Day 1: Austin to Fort Davis; stayed in an Airbnb above the drugstore/restaurant; Late night star party at McDonald’s Observatory. Day 2: AM Fort David National Historic Site and Davis Mountains State Park hike; There are some pretty easy hikes you can do in Davis Mountains but in June, you’ll want to start early and hit the historic site after. It was interesting but not a must do. I think there would be enough to keep your girls interested and it not be a complete bore (regardless, shouldn’t take more than an hour or 2). I seem to recall they had several “walk in their shoes” exhibits that did a good job showing what life was like on the West Texas frontier in the late 1800s depending on your circumstance in life (officer, officer’s wife, medic, etc). PM we drove to Marfa, checked out whatever shops were open, found a bite to eat, and stayed the night there. Day 3: Drove from Marfa to Terlingua via US 67 to Presidio and SH 170/River Road. Your girls may not fully appreciate it but highly recommend that route for the scenery and the “is this really Texas? In the middle of a desert?” vibes. We stopped and did the Closed Canyon Trail in BBRSP which the girls might love (fair amount of scrambling from what I recall). After that drove in to BBNP and hiked Saint Elena Canyon (started the hike around 5, which probably won’t be a good idea in June, but as stated above, the canyon walls should provide some decent shade. Day 4: Up early to hike Balanced Rock. Headed back home via 385/Marathon. There is a Fossil Discovery Exhibit on your way out of the park that, after looking at pictures online, I wish we had stopped to check out. Again, the actual Big Bend NP part of this trip was relatively small. There was a fire that had just started on the South Rim when we were there and they closed the Chisos Basin so I think we had to scramble to make alternative plans. Coming in to Big Bend NP and ending in Fort Davis, you might do well to: Thu PM: hit Big Bend NP through Marathon, check out the Fossil Discovery Exhibit, and Balanced Rock (the two are super close as the crow flies, but unfortunately a 45 minute drive (then again, so is everything in that part of the world). Friday: Chisos Basin (Lost Mine or Window View Trail) and Santa Elena Canyon. Rio Grande Village (Rio Grande Village Nature Trail) is great for sunset but on the opposite end of the park and an hour drive back to Terlingua. Saturday: Terlingua to Marfa/Fort Davis via River Road. Stop for morning hike at Closed Canyon in BBRSP. Drive on to Marfa. Stop for lunch at Bordo’s (closes at 3). Let the wife and girls toodle around whatever shops may be open while you head to Marfa Spirit Co. Head on to Fort Davis and get settled in to your AirBNB/rest before star party. Sunday: I’m usually one to pack up, grab a light breakfast and hit the road, but if ya’ll are on a more leisurely pace, this would be the time to check out Balmorhea State Park on your way home. Or if not into swimming, check out Fort Davis National Historic Site. And if absolutely jonesing for more hiking, a couple of options: 1) find a short hike in Davis Mountains State Park, or 2) head home through Alpine and do the short hike up to the Sul Ross Desk behind the Sul Ross State University campus.
May 15, 2025May 15 @High Plains Drifter had a wonderful post that gets my complete and total endorsement. The only thing I'll add is to shop at the French Grocer just a block away from the lovely Gage Hotel and get you some homemade potato chips. Holy shit we got two bags for a trip to Big Bend and they're better than anything you can buy at HEB.
August 22, 2025Aug 22 8 hours ago, stc said: closing of the basin has been delayed until may 1, 2026. Glad to hear this. Sneak in another visit or two to the window.
August 28, 2025Aug 28 reservations are open for the basin and lodge. have always wanted to stay in one of the cabins so i finally booked one for november...usually they're booked way far in advance.
September 4, 2025Sep 4 On 8/28/2025 at 1:51 PM, stc said: reservations are open for the basin and lodge. have always wanted to stay in one of the cabins so i finally booked one for november...usually they're booked way far in advance. I had pulled the trigger on lodge rooms for spring break before realizing that the restaurant is closed up there. That's why there's so much availability. They have a food truck for lunch and the convenience store is open, but not restaurant for breakfast/dinner.
September 4, 2025Sep 4 3 minutes ago, fuggled said: I had pulled the trigger on lodge rooms for spring break before realizing that the restaurant is closed up there. That's why there's so much availability. They have a food truck for lunch and the convenience store is open, but not restaurant for breakfast/dinner. i'm basically still treating it as camping and cooking all my own meals. think i've only eaten at the lodge one time ever and it wasn't good. but yeah, i can see how that would not be appealing to some.
November 10, 2025Nov 10 Leaving Austin early morning headed to Davis mountains. Thinking about lunch in Sonora junction or ozona. Any recs for lunch in those towns?
November 10, 2025Nov 10 On 9/4/2025 at 2:42 PM, stc said: i'm basically still treating it as camping and cooking all my own meals. think i've only eaten at the lodge one time ever and it wasn't good. but yeah, i can see how that would not be appealing to some. The last time I was there we had a terrible time getting our camp stove and charcoal fire hot enough for a proper meal, and after a few days of disappointment, grabbing a passable burger and fries from the lodge ended up tasting magnificent.
November 10, 2025Nov 10 9 minutes ago, Gale Snoats said: Leaving Austin early morning headed to Davis mountains. Thinking about lunch in Sonora junction or ozona. Any recs for lunch in those towns? https://sutton-county-steak-house-inc.square.site/ Steak fingers were legit.
November 10, 2025Nov 10 15 hours ago, Gale Snoats said: Leaving Austin early morning headed to Davis mountains. Thinking about lunch in Sonora junction or ozona. Any recs for lunch in those towns? lum's bbq in junction
November 11, 2025Nov 11 https://www.reddit.com/r/BigBendTX/s/rux11xQrCx not my video but very cool sight in Boot Canyon
November 11, 2025Nov 11 21 hours ago, thrillhammer said: lum's bbq in junction I also stopped there recently on our trip out west. Pretty solid.
November 11, 2025Nov 11 1 hour ago, 4th and 5 said: https://www.reddit.com/r/BigBendTX/s/rux11xQrCx not my video but very cool sight in Boot Canyon A very cool sight from the safe space of my living room.
November 12, 2025Nov 12 lum's bbq in junctionHow this place isn’t among Texas’ revered is beyond me. I stumbled onto it this summer heading east and made sure to stop and have it again on the west return leg .
November 12, 2025Nov 12 How this place isn’t among Texas’ revered is beyond me. I stumbled onto it this summer heading east and made sure to stop and have it again on the west return leg .
November 13, 2025Nov 13 15 hours ago, ShaggyBevo RIP said: How this place isn’t among Texas’ revered is beyond me. I stumbled onto it this summer heading east and made sure to stop and have it again on the west return leg . Isaac's is pretty good too, for old school small town cafe fare.
November 18, 2025Nov 18 On 11/11/2025 at 7:34 AM, 4th and 5 said: https://www.reddit.com/r/BigBendTX/s/rux11xQrCx not my video but very cool sight in Boot Canyon lol that look. “I’m not here. You don’t see me.”
November 21, 2025Nov 21 On 11/10/2025 at 10:37 AM, thrillhammer said: lum's bbq in junction Last two times I've been there the brisket was dry af. Second time it was so bad I took it to the counter and told the guy "you eat it."
November 21, 2025Nov 21 22 minutes ago, High Plains Drifter said: Last two times I've been there the brisket was dry af. Second time it was so bad I took it to the counter and told the guy "you eat it." yeah i've never had a good experience there. stopped trying.
November 21, 2025Nov 21 If you want que in big bend, the brick vault in marathon is solid. Has a brewery attached.
December 31, 2025Dec 31 bump. just booked a trip west for Mrs. Laz’s bday in April. marfa/ft. davis/balmorrhea for a few days, then Terlingua to play in the park for a few, then a night at the Gage before the drive home. Maybe a round at Lajitas if the stars align. I’ve been wanting to go to the park for as long as I can remember. Made it as far as Marathon a couple years ago but the park wasn’t on the agenda. Very excited for this.
December 31, 2025Dec 31 the amount of water they use to keep that course green is absurd. what a waste.
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