True Explorer: Big Bend National Park - 2 day trip

So the True Explorer team set out to explore Big Bend, never been to this part of Texas and what a delight it was. This is what we call a shotgun trip, arriving late on a Friday night and leaving only Saturday and Sunday to explore as much as we could. 

We started by visiting the National Park Service website for Big Bend, they have a good amount of information for you to reference before visiting. As suggested, we first created an account in the recreation.gov website, this allowed us to search for an available campsite. We found a tent site in the Rio Grande Village campground, very nice site. You can tent camp, but they also have RV spots available. The tent camping area was nice, very spacious and well maintained. They do have rest rooms onsite and showers are available at the nearby camp store. Note, the showers work on a pay per use, so make sure to bring some quarters along. There is no change machine that could see and if you arrive late in the evening the camp store does close so plan accordingly.

Our main focus was to explore the area around the Rio Grande Village, Big Bend being as big as it is you have to do some good amount of driving to traverse the whole park. So, we tried to do only this part of the park. 

We stayed at the Rio Grande Village Campground, it is tent camping and had some nice sized sites with ample enough room to pitch a tent and be away from other campers to have a nice quiet time. We traveled in November, and to our surprise the weather was fairly warm during the day but with chilly temperatures at night. They do have a section for RVs, but as you can imagine this is limited and needs to be reserved well in advance. 

Saturday morning we set out to explore, we drove east and hit the Boquilla Canyon Trail. As you get near, you get closer and closer to the Rio Grande. This trail is directly on the banks of the river, it requires a small hike over a ridge which may be moderate to some. Once we went over the ridge and down the other side, we were surprised at the state of the river water. It was an emerald green hue, there were families enjoying the day in the water. We have seen pictures of the water being a normal brownish color so we are unsure what the normal state is. 

After spending some time here, we set back on the road and drove west on the main road and made our way back past the village into the Langford Hot Springs. Once you get near the exit, it is a narrow drive into the canyon and may require a 4x4 wheel vehicle. There is a parking lot some visitors use and then walk to the river front. We drove all the way to the hot springs parking area, the walk to the springs is an easy walk but it does time some time to get there. 

As you walk this area, you are literally in the banks of the river in some areas. There are families on the Mexico side that leave relics on these trails, which is very interesting. This works on the honor system, as these relics are left unattended along the trail and you can leave money for them if you would like to purchase.  

We arrived at the Hot Springs, there was a large group of people enjoying the area and the water was nice and warm. Some people take a cooler and some non-alcoholic drinks and snacks and just enjoy some time there. We did hear of some visitors that enjoy this area in the night time, which would be a sight to see as the sky and stars would be in full view. 

After this, we did enjoy some overlanding near this area. We took our truck and explore a bit before we set off to the Chisos Basin. This was a spectacular drive, not only the drive itself along the main highway, but the drive up to the Chisos Basin Visitor Center was especially spectacular. 

At this site, you can also get lodging and there is a restaurant and the visitor center also is stocked with any last minute items you would need on the trail. 

From here, you have several options of hiking either short or longer strenuous hikes. Please follow all the rules and especially all the warning signs related to the amount of water one may need while hiking in this area. The temperatures are significant in some areas and it may be very dangerous if you are unprepared. 

Due to the size of this National Park, you will need a few days to Explore the area. The drive alone from one side to another is long but enjoyable. Aside from the campground, they do also have many dispersed camping sites that one can use that are in more isolated areas. You will also have several overlanding trails that you can enjoy and get off the beaten path. But, the most enjoyable are the many hiking trials throughout this National Park. From easy to strenuous, you can enjoy the day and see some great sights. 

On Sunday, we left the park but not before stopping at the Fossil Discovery Exhibit. They have some great information on Big Bends prehistoric history. 

If you have not been, do yourself a favor and visit Big Bend National Park.