My wife and I are considering a trip to Big Bend for our 20th anniversary the week of March 15. Any suggestions on nice places to stay while we explore the national and state park?

Will you be camping?

Get one of the Roosevelt cottages in the Basin. Another posibility is to base out of the Gage Hotel in Marathon. They have a nice pool, gym, and an awesome restaurant.

If it's your anniversary and you want to explore Big Bend NP and the state park, the Lajitas Resort and Spa sounds like what you're looking for. The Roosevelt cottages at the Chisos Mountains Lodge in the park are always my first preference when I go to the park but unless you luck out with a cancellation your odds of getting one this March are slim and none. March 2011 for the stone cottages is probably booked up by now. The Gage is also a nice alnernative but it is a long way from the state park and a good hour to the entrance of Big Bend.

[This message has been edited by SA68AG (edited 1/18/2010 4:07p).]

This place is about an hour away from the park, but well worth the stay!

www.cibolocreekranch.com

Thanks, the Lajitas Resort and Spa looks nice and we'll definitely look into it further.

On the travel route, since it looks like it is only about 20 miles further, I assume the faster path when driving from San Antonio is to take I-10 to Ft. Stockton and then turn south on 385 through Marathon rather than taking Hwy 90 through Del Rio and Sanderson? Does Hwy 90 make up for it in scenery?

[This message has been edited by jbeaman88 (edited 1/19/2010 4:08p).]

We took 90 from DR in August a few years ago. We went to Del Rio to go over to Acuna. The cenizo was blooming along 90 so it was pretty. I don't know if it would be blooming in March. However the Judge Roy Bean Center is cool as is the high bridge and overlook.

I-10 is a lot faster than 90.Other than going over the Pecos on 90 scenery is kind of a wash to me. I don't like all the small towns and asscoiated small town speed traps on 90.

I say go out on 90 and return on the IH-10 route.

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unless you luck out with a cancellation your odds of getting one this March are slim and none

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Agree, Spring Break is a very busy time at Big Bend. But we have gotten in. Tomorrow morning at 8 (or whenever their cancellation time is) call and ask if there is an opening. If not, call back the next day. And the next. And the next.

Worked for me.

Spring Break is the busy season out there. Hotel rooms could be very hard to come by. I-10 will be faster than 90. But the scenery on 90 will be better. I like the suggestion of taking one on the way out there and the other back home. If you would like to do some hiking while in the National Park, I'll be leading a couple of trips that week. Check out my site:
www.lonestartrekking.com

DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT STAY AT THE EASTER EGG VILLAGE BETWEEN TERLINGUA AND THE PARK! We were broke at the time and it was the only place we could afford. My friend didn't want to camp, so we stayed there. Camping would have been better.

The smell of the room knocked us back a few yards when we opened the door; we found some short and curlies in a shower towel; stains on the floor; the bathroom curtain over the window was another towel...geez I don't know why we didn't just sleep outside. And to top it off, our room was the only room that wasn't painted a pastel color...so so drab.

We have stayed at Cibolo Ranch but it is pricey and pretty remote..

This last trip we stayed at Sproul Ranch (the ranch, not Harvard Hotel section) and it was a blast...and very reasonable!! http://www.sproulranch.com/

Be sure one night to drive to Alpine to eat at the Reata!!! We LOVED it!! Our favorite place, ever! http://www.reata.net/alpine-texas-restaurant.html

[This message has been edited by AGGODDESS (edited 1/27/2010 1:32p).]