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!