Howdy Ags,

I'm headed to BBNP for the first time this year. I'd appreciate any and all recommendations from those who have been.

I've heard that the drive out there can get lonely but is beautiful. What is the best route to and from BB if I'm in Houston? Any restaurants on the way worth trying out? I don't anticipate having much time for detours, but I'd like to know what's worth trying/seeing on the way.

Love hiking so I have all the popular hikes circled. Santa Elena, South Rim + Emory Peak, the scenic drive, hot springs, Lost Mine, etc. Any other must do's? Any tips for the rock scramble atop Emory Peak?

Favorite food spots in Terilingua? Any other cool things to do in the area?

I'm aware of the upcoming renovation project starting in May. Let's see if that gets going on time.

Thank y'all.

itrev21 said:

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Howdy Ags,

I'm headed to BBNP for the first time this year. I'd appreciate any and all recommendations from those who have been.

I've heard that the drive out there can get lonely but is beautiful. What is the best route to and from BB if I'm in Houston? Any restaurants on the way worth trying out? I don't anticipate having much time for detours, but I'd like to know what's worth trying/seeing on the way.

Love hiking so I have all the popular hikes circled. Santa Elena, South Rim + Emory Peak, the scenic drive, hot springs, Lost Mine, etc. Any other must do's? Any tips for the rock scramble atop Emory Peak?

Favorite food spots in Terilingua? Any other cool things to do in the area?

I'm aware of the upcoming renovation project starting in May. Let's see if that gets going on time.

Thank y'all.

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I took five kids, including my five year old son at the time, to the top of Emory Peak. The scramble is not that bad. Just stay left and don't look down

The drive out is about 90% not beautiful. Ive made it probably 50 times minimum. Taking hwy 90 will reduce the 90% number, but the drive is slower.

Terlingua- starlight should be top of your list. The Taco place in the ghost town is pretty solid. Rustic iron BBQ is good as well as long draw pizza.

Be aware, the road to the hot springs is closed. You will have to park on the paved road and walk in.

There is only one way from Houston to BBNP and the drive sucks for 95 to 99% of it.

I have been there a few times, I have done quite a few hikes there. I've done the south rim, I have kayaked the canyon, I've done the MTB race in Lajitas. I do not really understand the appeal of BBNP.


I would describe it as follows... "Its a million miles to ok."


I hope you and your kids have a much better experience than I have ever had there.

Big bend is absolutely incredible, and yes, there is what I refer to as a north and south route I take, depending on weather.

I always fly Hobby to Midland and then drive down. Seriously.

And I also like the taco joint in Terlingua ghost town.

Googlemaps shows that there isn't much difference in time between the 90 route starting in San Antonio, and taking I-10 to Ft. Stockton. You might consider taking one route outbound, and the other back home. You will then be able to make a more educated decision the next time you venture out that way.

In Marathon, you might be temped to eat at the Brick Vault BBQ place just down the street from The Gage Hotel. Their food is very disappointing. OTOH, there isn't a lot of places to eat in that area, so......

The drive from Houston to San Antonio is mind numbingly ugly. Passing SA it gets better and from Kerrville west is what most people think of when they think of Texas.

I'm sure I'm biased since the Trans-Pecos Big Bend area is where I was raised.

Big Bend is awesome for its remoteness and lack of tourist hordes. The scenery is top tier in Texas, fair to middlin' compared to some other states. I liken it to Capitol Reef NP in Utah: not the flashiest out there but has an appeal all its own.

That's a lot of planned hikes and attractions. Be mindful of how long it takes just to get from place to place even within the park. We always stay in Marathon at the gage and me and the older kids will camp in the park for a night or two while the wife and youngins stay at the hotel for the night. 3 nights is usaually our minimum just because of the 5.5 hour drive from SA. Thats a good amount of time to do a couple short hikes or one long one if you are out early. Go to Boquillas if you can for a couple hours for lunch one day. and Reata in Alpine is pretty good.


Also the 90 route is only about 10-15 minutes longer with del rio being a good half way point for us to get lunch/late breakfast. It's a much better drive

Memo's in Del Rio is damn good! Eat there for lunch, coming or going.

I love Big Bend - one of my favorite places on earth.

I'm glad you're aware of the upcoming construction on the Chisos Lodge - when that begins they're closing the road up to the Basin. That is supposed to be a two-year project and would wreck your plans.

If you're going before they begin, and are camping, try to get a spot in Chisos.

I think Lost Mine is the best bang for your buck hike in the park and that Pine Canyon Trail is a hidden gem.

Water - take all the water. People die in Big Bend every year from dehydration.

Fill up in Martahon or Study Butte - I never drive into the park without a full tank. There is a gas station by the Panther Junction visitor center but it has been known to be out of fuel so I would not solely rely on it.

If you're meandering on your drive there, instead of turning at Fort Stockton, stay on I-10 and drop down through Alpine and drive from Alpine to Ft. Davis - that stretch of highway along 118 is my favorite in Texas.

Enjoy!

Good on you for getting in a trip to Big Bend before construction closes the Chisos basin. They have pushed back that project several times, but get in your visit while you can. And we can all expect the project timeline to be extended beyond the two years or whatever they are saying currently.

You did not say when you are planning to go. Note that bluebonnet season in BBNP is late March to mid-ish April. Worth seeing/smelling if you can schedule accordingly.

Someone has already mentioned the distances between some of the places on your list. That is valid ... and remember, the park speed limit is posted at 45. I've seen folks pulled over by park police, so just bear that in mind.

What was not mentioned was that if you are planning to cross the border to Boquillas (think "Gringo Honeymoon"), you will need a passport. There is a big gate on the American side that only opens on specific days of the week (seems like toward the end of the week/weekend, but check if that is important to you). I have seen a ranger/border patrol inside the gate and I understand there is a kiosk where you input passport information.

Hikes up in the basin: The Window, Lost Mine (as already mentioned). The South Rim trail is beautiful but it is an all-day hike, especially if you plan to include the Emory Peak side trip. Most people - including me - overnight out at one of the primitive campsites on the South Rim (reservation required). The sunset and silence out there is absolutely worth it!

In lieu of a South Rim sunset, consider Sotol Vista on the west side of the park. Primo!

When I was out there back in June, I met a guy on the trail who was coming down from Emory Peak, slipped on the rocks and fell into one of the *****ly plants up there. He was pretty beat up and managed to limp down to civilization in the basin. Point is, stay left is probably good advice; but mostly be damn careful up on the rock pile/summit 'cause its a long way back to the parking lot.

Have fun.

I've been out there a few times from Galveston.

As mentioned, you can go I-10 or US 90. Go out one way, back the other. Each has their plusses and minuses.

Bottom line, it's just really far away - even though you're still in Texas.

Good restaurants I've found along the way:

• Junction - Lum's BBQ
• Van Horn - El Capitan
• Alpine - Amigo Sports Bar & Restaurant
• Marathon - Gage Hotel
• Uvalde - Oasis Outback (this place is a trip - like Cabela's meets Luby's)

I second the mentions about keeping a full tank of gas.

And my other recommendation is to bring a large container of water from home.
I keep a 7 gallon container in my Jeep which has been great.
https://www.cabelas.com/p/reliance-aqua-tainer-water-jug

Also, depending what you're doing and how far out you're going, you might want to invest in some handheld GMRS radios too.

I've done it a few times. Get off 10 and go highway 90.
Going 90 will also take you over the Pecos River Bridge and give you a chance to see cave paintings at Seminole Canyon Park.