Austin to Big Bend - Route & Camping Advice

[samanthahhi]

Travelling late June: Currently, I am routing us up through Fredricksburg, then down to Langtry (I-10, then Hwy 377) and then across on Hwy 90 to Stillwell Store...where it is my understanding is the only RV park around. That will be a long day, so I don't think we can get inside Big Bend on that day.

1) Is that an interesting enough route..or is there not much to see and I would be better off saving time and driving I-10 and just get to Big Bend? We love scenery, but if it is completely desolate and not advisable due to lack of services and heat, then maybe I shouldn't do it. We spent days in the Badlands of SD and loved it. So...that gives an idea of preferences.

2) Where is the best place to stay around E entrance outside of Big Bend. As mentioned above, I thought Stillwell Store was kind of it?

3) Is it advisable to go ahead and fill our fresh water tank full to carry our water with us? We will be in the lower to mid parts of TX for about 3 days.

 

[samanthahhi]

On second thought...maybe I am trying to do too much by taking an extra hour to tour through some of the Hill Country....thoughts?

 

[Ken & Sheila]

Much more in Terlingua. We drove from Lajitas (just west of Terlingua) to Austin.

From Austin, 290 west to I-10, to 67 (just west of Fort Stockton) south to 90 west to Alpine, then 118 south to Terlingua. The RV park in Terlingua looked good, but we stayed in Lajitas.

ken

 

[AStravelers]

Stillwell Store on the north side and then there are 2-3 RV parks in Study Butte and Terlingua.  Us RV Park Reivews for info on RV Parks:  http://www.rvparkreviews.com/

Note: If you stay outside the park you will have a 45 to 90 minute drive to the sights inside the park.

If what you want to do is visit the park, I would strongly recommend you stay at the Chisos Basin CG inside the park.  No electric or water hookups, but it is relatively cool up in Chisos Basin.  It is going to be about 100* at Stillwell and Study Butte. The recommended trailer length is 20 feet, and you are 24', but there are several campsites large enough for you.  There are some pretty steep sharp turns going up the the basin.  However the NP does allow 40 tour buses take passengers up to  stay in the lodge. Also the campground hosts have 35-40 foot rigs in the CG.  We took our 29' Class A and stayed in the CG in January this year.  There was only 2-3 campsites we would fit in though. 

You know it is going to be hot.  Lower elevations along the river about 100 every day.  Mountains in the mid to upper 80's.  So most of your touring should be very early in the morning, or late afternoon. 

To see the actual temps at Chisos Basin go to this website:  http://mesowest.utah.edu/cgi-bin/droman/meso_base_dyn.cgi?stn=CSBT2&unit=0&time=LOCAL&product=&year1=&month1=&day1=00&hour1=00&hours=24&graph=1&past=0&order=1  To see the history for the previous 2 to 30 days, click on the time period box and select the period you want. 

Links to BB NP:
-- Camping in the park:  https://www.nps.gov/bibe/planyourvisit/rv-camping.htm
-- There is a daily report available here:  https://www.nps.gov/bibe/daily_report.htm  There are links to the other weather stations inside the park at the Daily Report webpage. 
-- For additional info about the park here is the link to the park newspaper:  https://www.nps.gov/bibe/planyourvisit/upload/V36N1-Paisano-Spring-2016-final.pdf

 

[caz]

FYI:  Off hwy 377 to US 90 is Del Rio, Texas, and a nice little park:  Hidden Valley RV Park 830.775.0045, and less than a mile from the park is The Whitehead Museum where Judge Roy Bean and his son are buried, along with the oldest Texas Winery; The Val Verde Winery.  Lots of cultural things to do and see in Del Rio - especially the First Friday Markets, First Friday Art Walks, and so on.  The hidden valley park posts happenings on their face book page - HiddenValleyRVParkDelRio - The interpreter at the Langtry Judge Roy Bean visitor center stays here in the park, and we are currently visiting in the park.  Walmart, HEB, Home Depot, lots of restaurants, Laughlin Air Force Base... lots going on in Del Rio.  Lake Amistad is worth seeing, too, as is Seminole Canyon with the Pictographs.  You'll  enjoy Big Bend!

Safe travels!