Big Bend NP

Does anyone have experience camping in the Chisos Basin of Big Bend NP? There is a recommended limit on trailer length of 20 ft for the road into the Basin but I wondered if this is a strictly enforced rule or can be fudged a bit for the smaller models of TM.

I don't yet own a Trailmanor but they sound great. I hope to be in the market soon.

Thanks.

It has been some years ago but at that time it was enforced. The problem is that longer trailers present a danger to themselves and other traffic on the way up and down.

Things may have changed, I don't know. However there was, up to about 5 months ago camps for RVs by the river. It is my guess that they are still there. But be forwarned, camping in that park is under review ATT and may well be lost because of the low air quality in the park. (caused mostly by electric plants in Mexico, how camping impacts air quality was not made clear)

I sent an email about a month ago regarding the 20ft limit. They said anyone can try to go up but it is not recommended and could hamper other vehicles because of sharp curves.

The Big Bend Ranch which is a Texas State Park, has many campgrounds along the river but all are primitive sites. We are going to the river area for a couple of days and then to the Natl Park.

I've never heard anything about the air quality though, here in Mexico we have fairly new power plants at least newer and cleaner than those in California.

Chris air quality in BB has been a hot topic for about the past 8 years or so. The rangers say the problem is from coal fired power plants in Mexico. Each year the park must revise it's mission statement to reflect new or developing conditions. They post ads in the local papers for persons wishing to make input. Then it all goes to Washington and they do what ever they want.

You are right about the BB ranch. I think the views there are better than that offered in BBNP. Also next fall I am co hosting a rally in the Davis Mts State Park the weekend after Labor day. The BB Ballon Bash is Labor Day as is the Marfa lights festival. I would be honored if you would care to join us for a week or so (we will be going up Thursday before Labor Day and staying untill the Monday week after Labor Day.

This rally will be right on the edge of our chapter boundry so I can't even guess how many folks will show up but the park will hold 36 units (I think, will have to check on that). I'm thinking of inviting the Rocky Mts. chapter also. They did the ballon thing in N. M. year before last but they may want to join us anyway.

Just in case any one does not know, there is lots to do there and I will put up a page about the middle of Dec. with lots of information. All are welcome! If we need extra spaces there is the ranch that we may have BBQ and a show at just three miles down the road and they have 15 or 20 slots also.

Windbreaker,

You are right, Mexico's Carbon I and Carbon II power plants are big contributors to the haze created at Big Bend.

( COPIED QUOTE)
However, in addition to the recently released binational summary, a study released on April 27, 1998 by the Galveston-Houston Association for Smog Prevention (GHASP) and the Lone Star Chapter of the Sierra Club challenges that view. According to that study, at least 43 percent of the state's (Texas) roughly 2,500 industrial plants are heavily if not totally grandfathered and account for some 37% of all industry-generated air pollution in the state.

A legacy left behind from the late 1990s by a governor of Texas.

I just want to give my country a chance to defend itself too although any pollution needs no defending.

We are really looking forward to the trip and any info you can provide will be greatly appreciated. I have heard that many people go to Big Bend for Christmas and that everything is first come first serve.

I hope you get you page up and running because a lot of people are unaware of what the state of Texas has to offer, a very diverse state.

BTW, where do you live in Texas? Keep us posted on your event which will take place after Labor Day.

This past April/May my Wife and I went camping in the Basin. A tour bus made it up there, while it was a short one, it was well over 24ft in length. I was a bit surprised to see that though...

Chris I don't really think of BB as being a part of Texas, it is surrounded by Mexico on three sides, it is more Mexican in nature, culture and geology than Texan.

We live in Del Rio but travel a lot, most springs and falls we are out of here. We summer here because of the pool in the back yard and winter here because it's not as cold as most other places. So the summer and winter are devoted to the arts and getting fatter.

As soon as I get the page up I will post here. Nothing would make me happier than to fill that park for two weeks. Greet old friends and make new ones.

jml78, I think the 20 foot limit is on trailers. You get that 20 plus the 16 to 20 of the TV then add 3 for the hitch and you're talking maybe 43 feet. Anything over that would be pushing it on those curves.

Windbreaker,

We really enjoyed our last trip through west Texas. We stopped in Del Rio at Lake Amistad. I can't recall the name of the place we stayed but it was remote and primitive. That was my first dry camping experience with the TM and it was great. Very quiet, peaceful and a great sunset. We plan on stopping their on our way to BB. Balmorhea State Park is another nice place if you enjoy bird watching. Also very quiet and peaceful.

Windbreaker.. quite true.. We were just surprised to see a tour bus there restuarant. Those last curves are pretty tight.