Hi All:
I am retired and live in FL ....used to live and wander Colo., WY, NM, AZ ...hiking, rock-collecting, finding gorgeous topography/hills/canyons. I would LOVE to wander TX (west TX?) in December, while my wife will be visiting her mother. I will drive and camp in a van with my dog. I have heard of the Big Bend Country, and it sounds tantalizing. But I know NOTHING about where might be great places to hike and explore. Can any of you indulge me with suggestions? My possible schedule runs from early Dec. through end of year. Thanks VERY much for your time and your advice.
Alex
aax1@bellsouth.net
kippers@live.com

Couple of things...

Big Bend Country is amazing. Wide open spaces with all kinds of topography. Pay heed to Park Rangers info on wildlife, weather and "other" warnings.

Also, I love Pedernales Falls State Park out west of Austin a bit. Beautiful area, lots of wildlife, etc.

On up north, I recommend Palo Duro Canyon. Pics you will see on the internet can not do it justice.

Enjoy Texas...

Big Bend Ranch State Park is a wonderful place to wander. You can sleep out or for a reasonable fee you can stay in the bunkhouse. Meals tickets and sack lunches were reasonable. Unbelievable high desert wildlife. Fantastic birding. Carry a firearm due to traffic out of mexico! JMHO

PS: Don't try to wander on private ranches in Texas!!!

After reading your resume, you may be disappointed.

Big Bend.

THANK YOU GENTLEMEN.

While in the Big Bend area check out Ft. Davis (Davis Mountains State Park).

Drive Pinto Canyon Rd from Marfa to Ruidosa, TX (on the border).

December in this region can get real cold at night. If RVing you'll have to fill your water tank, drain the hose at night. I stayed in Davis Mnts a few years ago for Christmas. The low each night was below 10 degrees. Make sure you have plenty of propane for your heater.

If you make reservations early enough you can get on the Full Service loop. It has cable hook ups. The campground is in a canyon so no TV or Radio reception.

Other stuff nearby is the McDonald Observatory and old Ft. Davis National Historic Site. Drive "The Loop" through the Davis Mountains. The Marfa Lights is a fun side trip. Lots to do and see in that region. Enjoy. We stayed 4 full days. Could have stayed and week and stayed busy with something different each day.

THANKS!!
I have ordered some rockhounding books, and just finished a phone call with a lady at a lapidary shop in Mason. I hope to do that area, Big Bend, and others as found.....and will check out your suggestions above. No heat in van, just me and dog, but if I woose out, would take a fleabag motel room here and there.

Check out the Garner State Park area. Two hours west of San Antonio. Concan, Leaky, Vanderpool, Utopia. Several beautiful rivers. Frio, Sabinal, Medina, Clear clean and lots of running water. Big Bend is beautiful but a hell of a long drive to get there and it is desert country. Grab a chair and sit out in the rapids or hike and climb. Nice climate and easy access to civilization if needed.

Will do....thanks. Also looking forward to the BBQ spots and "Mex" food discussed here, and flea markets. .....wide open spaces.... to hike with dog/pal (Florida has none.....it's for old people .....I'm only 72).
I appreciate this web-site, and all your suggestions.

Read the Palo Duro/Caprock Canyon thread, both are good places to wander around. Caprock Canyon is a little smaller and I've hiked many a weekend at PD growing up. The rock hound side of you might want to check out the Alibates rock quarry near Lake Meredith north of the canyon. Google the Alibates. Every town has a Mexican restaurant and most have a bbq joint and those are usually suitable. Chicken fried is also everywhere. You shouldn't go hungry.

This area below (at bottom in quote by blancoman) would be my choice. I drive through this area once a month and it's beautiful... I love the area around Rocksprings and Camp Wood.. specifically Sout of Camp Wood where the Nueces River crosses the highway.. it's beautiful and there is a nice, staffed camping area there and a general store.

The South Llano River that crosses 377 North of Rocksprings and South of Junction is beautiful and I've heard the fishing is good... if you get out of your car to fish the river, make sure you walk up stream in the river and not on the bank.. the bank is private property of the land owner....

I've also heard there are some nice sights to see around Frederickberg TX... Buchanan Lake is supposed to be nice and there's an Enchanted Rock area there that I've heard some good things about. Fredericksberg is a nice tourist town that your wife would love I'm sure.

For BBQ, make sure you go to Snow's in Lexington; Louie Mueller in Taylor and Kreuz Market in Lockhart.... Lockhart is known as kind of the the capitol of BBQ in Texas because there are three famous places there.. Kreuz being the best and most consistent of the three.

I travel all around Texas for work, five days a week... I've had the best of the best in TX BBQ... these that I list above are worth veering off of I35 for. Make sure that you call ahead and find out when they are open... most of the good places close at 6PM.. and I think Snow's is only open on Saturday 8AM to Noon.

And look up the Castle Law in Texas... I understand that this law allows Texas residents to have a concealed gun in the car with them because it's part of their home property or 'castle'... not sure if it applies to travelers from out of State. But I strongly recommend only traveling with a self defense tool.

Thanks....did a web search re handgun in car ...apparently allowed as long as not exposed......ok to keep in glove box......will do.

Caverns of Sonora

If your into rocks the most interesting areas are going to be, the Llano Uplift and Marathon Uplift areas, along with the Davis and Guadalupe Mountains

Enchanted rock near Fredricksburg is no Mountain but it has an awesome winter time view when the moon is fool.

Some great suggestions on here. I would throw in Luling City Market as well for BBQ. It is only about 15 miles from Lockhart. From Luling, Palmetto State Park is another 20 minutes away. Great CCC buildings and some nice easy hiking in the bottomlands around the San Marcos river.

I would definitely do the drive on state highway 337 between Medina and Utopia. The color will still be around in early December and on a clear day the view is amazing.

Check out Seminole Canyon (ironic I know) to see the petroglyphs.

Chinati Springs is worth the visit as well in West Texas.

Finally, Government Canyon State Natural Area is actually in Bexar County (San Antonio) and has some nice hiking. Best part is that you can get a great Tex-Mex meal to end your day in SA.

Enjoy your time here.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!! .....will do. Your suggestion of petroglyphs reminded me of some I discovered 40 miles W of Rawlins, WY. I tried to tell the chair of the Anthropology Dept./Univ. WY about them, as well as about a cave I discovered (full of stone tools and bones) W of Chugwater. Those folks were just not interested; they are overwhelmed with sites across the State. I returned to the cave a few years later; the entrance was now blocked by a small landslide.

From fort Davis, loop 118 and 166, go either direction is awesome scenery, McDonald Observatory... Guadalupe's are best in Nov for Mckittrick canyon and Dog canyon fall color. But for what you describe, Big Bend.

Palo Duro for sure.

GONNA!!!.....for sure!!
Thanks

Guys: ....please forgive my bothering you with another question..... but you are "THE SOURCE". I phoned Big Bend State Park, and also Palo Duro today. Dogs must be leashed there at all times. I imagine the same holds true for all state parks in TX. Texas web-sites I have found involving rockhounding, issue strong warnings about (1) most land in TX is privately owned, (2) landowners do not welcome casual hikers/strangers. Does this mean the my dog-partner will have no chance to hike freely with me while unleashed? I would be grtateful for your advice. THANKS!

I run my dogs in Palo Duro regularly in the spring and have never had an issue. There's just too much country out there to run into someone. Get off the beaten path a ways and cut him loose.

Great!!! Thanks

Welcome to Texas!! Unless your wife is spending at least a year with her mother, you won't get to cover all the places...

Check out the Texas Parks and Wildlife website. Most of the places everyone is mentioning on here can be found on their web-site and all the places are great!

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/state-parks/