Big Bend, Texas / Off-Road and Primitive Campsite Ideas

The girlfriend and I are planning a trip out to Big Bend next week and I was happy to find countless threads of Taco owners who recommend the place. To be honest it is a bit overwhelming with the amount of information here and was hoping anyone with experience in this area could give pointers in regards to what we are trying to do.

Backstory: I've got a 2018 TRD Offroad 3" lift with 285 K02s, very capable off-road but not looking to do anything too crazy. Big bend seems to have a huge variety of "Backcountry Primitive Camping" which is essentially what we're trying to do, Take the Tacoma off-road a bit, and find a quiet place to set up camp along a trail, preferably near a river and some scenery. Would love to do some fishing in the rivers if possible. I have a fair amount of experience in austere camping from growing up near the eastern sierra's so I am not overly concerned with getting in above my head as far as a backcountry camping trip. Though if anyone has a spot they'd like to recommend I'd definitely love to pick your brain a bit as far as water availability for pump filtration, fire restrictions, or anything else.

Any recommendations that fit this criterion would be greatly appreciated. I know there is plenty of info out there about these backcountry sites but this is the first place I came to get some like-minded recommendations. Look forward to hearing anything y'all got! Thanks in advance.

 

Reservations are required for ALL camping in Big Bend and a quick look at the rec dot gov website doesn't show any availability for back country roadside sites next week https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/10028875/itinerary - It does look like a few backpacking sites may be open if you're up for that. Of the developed campgrounds, the Basin appears to be full but RGV and Cottonwood have a few sites open as of this AM. The week before Christmas through mid March is the busiest time of the year for this Park. I would not recommend trying to stealth camp anywhere in BB; the LEO's there take there job very seriously.

I've never camped there but have heard Stillwell Ranch is decent and there may be some other options in Terlingua. Check the Texas State Parks website for possible availability in Big Bend Ranch State Park. Its not too far from the western entrance to the National Park.

Definitely recommend Big Bend; its been one of our favorites for over forty years (honeymooned there in 78). You won't have trouble with any of the backroads unless its rained recently; check with the Park staff for conditions. Old Ore Road is good for half a day. River Road with a side trip over Black Gap (the most challenging) could take the better part of a day. Be sure to hit the Hot Springs. The Park newspaper https://www.nps.gov/bibe/learn/news/upload/2020-Paisano-for-website.pdf is a good reference with suggestions and limited maps. Let me know if you have specific questions and post back with pictures.

 

"Next week" will be tough as @huachuca mentions.

Another vote for BB Ranch. We have Guale 2 reserved (interior) and grassy banks (river district) in late March. The ranch is a bit more desolate and preferred over the national park. I have a trip report from my ranch excursion from last October.

Good luck too.

 

For the National Park not quite true. There are 64 roadside campsites. These are mostly remote sites with no improvements other than a cleared spot of ground with a metal bear box to store food. While all campsites require permits there are 30 backcountry roadside campsites that are not reservable but you have to stop and get a permit. https://www.nps.gov/bibe/planyourvisit/roadsidecamps.htm

 

Thanks for the correction - shoulda read a little further. Hope I didn't cause problems for Rudolph805.

 

Ok I got you here. First! Do Black gap. It’s a fancy pants jeep honor trail. I did it in my prerunner so not bad and really awesome. Secondly try and reserve the camp site on black gap called elephant tusk. If you really want some back country time go down to the southwest visitor center and jump on river road. Take that to the tusk camp site. Then run the rest of black gap in the morning and drive multiple miles of back country trails down to the south East. Enjoy the hot springs and then stay at a site up near the ernst tinaja, a cool water feature just past a camp site. There are lots of sites out there. When we went early last year some sites were online reservation only and some you had to reserve in person. We reserved some both ways and it gave us some flexibility throughout the week.

Below is a link to a video my wife and I made if interested. Talks a bit about our black gap experience.

if you have more questions let me know. Possibly my fav national park and I have been to.... 50 ish?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6c0IkxclF7o

 

A Dodge Neon has done a bunch of the roads in Big Bend. I think he did black gap

 

I went in December and was recommended the best camp spot they had by the ranger. It was called loop camp right on the Rio Grande. One of the coolest things I’ve ever done, def do that campsite or another one along the river. There’s also a mining town along the way to camp that is a must visit

 

I've stayed at Loop a few times and it is nice looking down on the river. I really like La Clocha #1. Down in a hole right next to the water. 29.149254229204555, -103.00777683202348

 

heading to big bend in june. shakedown trip for new casita camper. can't wait

 

Where are you staying? Will you be able to run your AC? It's going to be hot. Really hot. Plan most of your activities as early in the day as possible. BTW, I have a Casita but have never taken it to the park as I normally go there to backpack.

 

pull it down Maverick Rd. That'll should shake it.


washboard every time I've been there

 

we are staying at paisano rv right outside the entrance. picking casita up in rice on the 11th, arriving at BB on the 12th. will be leaving the 16th. yeah, hottest time of the year apparently. was hoping to do some mild dirt road riding. no winch or recovery gear, and id hate to pay a $500 tow. i dont know if matt would come get me anyway.

 

I've been on most of the dirt roads in Big Bend. No sweat with 2wd. Everything from a Dodge van to a Suzuki Sidekick. Many years ago one of the park rangers would go everywhere in his 2wd mini-pickup. There's one sandy spot on River Road that's an issue if you're on a motorcycle. (A surprise if you hit it after coming over a rise going west bound).

 

Great choice on the Casita (we have a Scamp 19D). You'll miss a lot of what the Park has to offer if you don't hit some of the backroads. Old Ore Road with a short hike to Ernst Tinaja is recommended and there are several nice 2-3 hr trails. As Ocotillo advised, early morning is best. Check with the rangers on conditions but, unless its rained recently, I doubt you'll have any problems on any back road except maybe Black Gap. Just make sure you have a good spare, plug kit and pump - also extra water.

 

We went last month. First time for our family, and it was awesome!

Ernst Tinaja
McKinney Springs
Paint Gap 1

I’d be glad to answer any questions, I did a ton of research before we went.

 

I've stayed at Paint Gap before (#3) and am familiar with the other locations. How was traffic at Ernest since the parking for the hike up to the tinaja is nearby, right?