01ACRViper

Just had a quick question regarding the Primative Roadside camps sites

my friends got me to come along with them to Big Bend this next week and i'm doing all the planning. I've been to Big Bend 3 times, we've jsut stayed in the Basin every time. We usually go in early january, so crowds are never a concern. Now that my eastern state highpoints trip fell through, i need to plan this trip. i've called and like i suspected all the developed areas are full. is there a place you can call to check availability of roadside sites? we won't be able to do hike in sites with this group because of a lack of experience/equipment. i think k-bar, cotton springs, or painted hills would be the best for being crowded, but thats just where we need to be

toejam

I'm pretty sure the primative camps can't be reserved more than 24 hours in advance of getting there and you can reserve them on the phone with the rangers. They may be difficult to get.

Another option is to check Big Bend Ranch State Park, which sits on the west side of the National Park. It's not heavily used and also has a bunch of primative campsites in the backcountry that you can drive to.

Sorry you didn't get a response sooner

toejam

I just got back from a Big Bend trip where I stayed at primitive drive-in campsites. We arrived on Friday morning and reserved a bunch of different sites for the next 5 nights. We got mostly what we wanted. One of the park employees mentioned that Monday and Tuesday of spring break weeks are the busiest.

The only disappointing camp site we had was Terlingua Abajo where there are 4 sites squeezed real close together. There are some sites that are right next to some of the busier roads that could be unpleasant. The ranger/counsellor can tell you about this if you know to ask.

The good sites we had were at the end of the Juniper Canyon road and Pine Canyon road (very rough roads) and Nine Point Draw. Great hiking opportunities from these sites.

Reserving the sites was a new experience - they send you to a building behind the Panther Junction visitor center for what I can best describe as a counselling session with a ranger. They go through a long list of rules and can describe some of the sites and local attractions.

You used to be able to reserve backpacking sites in the Chisos from either Panther Junction or the Basin ranger office - I don't know if they still do it that way. Another new twist is that they had the northeast rim sites NE1 - 3 available, according to a backpacker I met. I thought these used to get closed for falcon nesting. NE2 & 3 have access to great views.

munkee

I went there in May last year and the little office in the back wasn't open. Bu I went on the Friday before Spring Break a few years ago and the office was open. I think they do that to have better control over the crowds since it is the busiest time for them. That is totally guessing, by the way.