In the early planning stages of a week long vacation in October 2025. We will be taking my truck, so clearance isn’t an issue for any trails we decide to travel. I plan on crossing into Mexico and riding the donkeys into town. Hoping to get a night at the MacDonald Observatory if I can get tickets. Going to get in quite a bit of hiking too.

The Chico Basin Lodge will be closed for renovation for 2 years starting in April. I plan on camping, but also plan on a few nights in one of the many yurt style cabins around the park as we make our journey through the park.

What are some other things we need to see down there? Would a roof top tent be easier than staking down a traditional tent? I’ve heard mixed reviews about this.

Take a blanket to the Star Party. It can get pretty cold. If you take the southern route through Lajitas, the resort is nice, and the golf course looks good, if you play. Fort Davis is a decent place to visit, but many of the better restaurants are closed during the week, so check in advance if they’ll be open. And on the way back, you can swim at Balmorea State Park (75 degree water).

We went to Lajitas this year to play golf. Had a blast but the resort sucked!!! We booked this place for April 2025.

Pro tip...plan your groceries and meats accordingly. There are only a handful of restaurants and no grocery stores that your used to shopping at.

Stardust Big Bend

We went last October. Stayed at the Hotel Piasano in Marfa for a couple nights then drove down to Presidio for Chinati Hot Springs. There's something in that water so be careful if you aren't trying to have more kids..... We then stayed at Basecamp Terlingua for four or five nights. Split our time between BBRSP and the national park. We headed to Marthon after that and stayed at The Gage Hotel. Great couples trip. Check the dates on your donkey ride; the border crossing int open every day.

If you're into fast cars look up the Big Bend Open Road Race. There are events in both April and October.

They close down 285 between Ft Stockton and Sanderson for a day and have a race event. But there are events (parade, car show, etc.) in Ft Stockton all week leading up to the Saturday event. So either plan for, or around it, as needed.

On the to go list soon.

Having lived in Presidio for about 5 years I can recommend the river road. Doesn't really matter which way you go to the Park. Ain't much in Marathon though, the famous hotel has good hamburgers, but, they are pricey, and the trip to the Park is sort of boring. Marfa to Presidio to Lajitas is a better trip, imo.

The river road in the park is an interesting trip. Take water or drinks with you. Go to the restroom ahead of time. You can drive it either direction, but west to east was better for me.



We were at the 2.38 mark, but that was not the River road.

Deer feeder mentioned the high dollar burgers, but made no mention of the really really expensive Margaritas at the Gage. The CFS, I should mention, was excellent.

Wade I don’t know if you’re on the facebooks, but there is a group called Friends of Big Bend National Park that has constant postings of people who go often. It’s actually pretty overwhelming with how much information is on there.

Yes, I’m on that page, and yes it’s overwhelming with the amount of information they post when you have no idea of the layout. I’m trying to familiarize myself with the area, by studying maps and topography. I’ve ordered a few of the parks, and will highlight areas of interest.

Big Bend is for sure a multiple trip type place, can’t see and do it all unless you have a few weeks to spend out there.

Went there years ago so my info would be outdated. Hope you have a great time! It was definitely worth visiting.

I was an EMT in Ft Stockton for about 6-7 years and we'd have to have ambulances staged for that silliness. There were a few really cool cars, but most of them were just regular street/family vehicles. That being said, it is a cool road to run. DPS works it often.

Big Bend State Park is big also, right outside of Presidio. Ft Leaton is pretty neat. Maybe a 20 minute stop, going East on the river road.

Stop by Balmorea State Park on the way, awesome swimming hole. Restaurant in Alpine ReattA, same as Ft Worth Location. Definately start at least one hike from the Nat Park Lodging cabins in Chisos Mountains. Alot of tourist artst crap out there to avoid.

Deerfeeder, may or may not, drink one or two beers a year. Zero hard stuff. Deerfeeder's bad habits are cussin and longcut wintergreen Redseal dip.

Can’t say anything about Big Bend but the Observatory is fantastic. I went this year and managed to book special tours of the 82” and HET telescopes along with the general guided tour and thoroughly enjoyed it. The general tour and star parties are worth the trip to the Davis mountains alone and if you can time a trip with a special guided tour of one of the others I highly recommend it.

Doing a star party is a late night but not bad if you are staying in the area. I was camping at Davis Mountain SP so just right down the road. No issues with a ground tent, just use rocks to tie down instead of stakes.

My favorite place on Earth, my wife is from Fort Stockton, we were married in Marathon, wedding reception at the Gage, we make frequent trips.

Observatory is great. Buy tickets in advance. Try to go dark of the moon, star parties are pretty cool.

Everything is far away out there. From the park entrance to Rio Grande Village might take you 50-60 minutes. There are many dirt roads to drive and cell service is spotty at best. Make sure you are prepared. I have a Garmin InReach, I hear the new iPhones have satellite messaging. Help is a long way away. I have camped at Tally in the national park. It is pretty remote. If you like hiking there are so many options. There are some tough hikes like Mariscal Canyon where I didn't see a soul during Spring Break. The view from the South Rim is incredible, but it is a pretty tough day hike. The busy hikes will have more people. October is still hot out there. I am not a fan of rooftop tents. I use a ground tent and stake it down very well. The wind can really gust out there. Be sure to check the legal border crossing hours. It is not open for crossing 7 days a week and everyone will need a passport.

If you do the Camino Real there is scenic overlook down to the river right before you get into Terligua (there is placards showing history of indigenous people), and it is great view! Walk back to east side of the rocks and look on southern exposure and you may be able to make out the word DOM. It was etched into the rock making the movie Fandango with Kevin Costner Years back. If youre into Geocaching you can take dirt road drive upthat was one of them. River was low just over month ago and you could walk across many places and they were posted with warnings. If you go to Presidio there not much other than Ft Leaton and only couple motels on this side of the river, crossing you have more options for food and rooms if thats what you want to do. If you want exciting drive and your in the truck take the farm market road south from Marfa down to Ruidosa. 30 miles paved then dirt road with private land on both sides, dirt section is just over 20 miles and can take about 45 minutes to and hour to drive, Pinto Canyon Ranch road. After leaving Presidio you can dirt road it up to Big Bend Ranch park head quarters and maybe Casa Piedras way. I like that country but not dead of summer!

Lived in Texas all my life and still never been to Big Bend, but it is on my list.

Take extra water and top off on gas every time you hit a town with a gas station.

Same here. Figured since I’m turning 40 in January, it’s time to head south and see it

The roof top tent might be better if you don't want to keep putting the tent up and taking it down. I would not tent down on the river at Rio Grande Village. To easy for folks from the other side to come across the river. Just sayin'.