huachuca

The wife and I have a couple of weeks off starting the day after Christmas and are planning to spend most of the time in Texas. We have a 16' Scamp and a 4WD Tacoma TV and typically camp in state or federal campgrounds having developed sites but limited or no facilities. The camper has toilet w/shower, furnace, AC w/heat strips, fresh/gray/black water tanks and a 3K Honda genset if we need power so we're fairly self-sufficient.

Our plans are to take I40 to Amarillo and spend some time at Palo Duro State Park. From there, down to Big Bend and then back east with a stop around Padre Island for some coastal camping.

We've never been to Palo Duro but did visit Big Bend in 78 while on our honeymoon (just out of the Army, long hair, 15 year old VW camper, man those were the days). We've go to spend at least one day at the Chisos Basin campground and a hike to the 'window'. I tent camped at Padre in the early 70's but the wife's never been there.

Also considering Big Bend Ranch State Park but have noticed postings on other sites indicating concerns with illegal immigrant problems when camped along the river.

Thanks in advance for any and all comments and suggestions.

Al & Cindy

copuswalker

Sounds like a nice trip. Lots of driving though? I love the Big Bend area myself. Have hiked BBRSP before but am not familiar with the camping. I have heard the Davis mountaoins are nice and have a campground. Try the link here to Texas parks and wildlife....Balmoreha? The hill country,,,lots of nice places.

Do I know you? I had the long hair and the v.w. van.. You would recognize me cause I always smoked a pipe Well not always

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There are those that hike and those that don't and those that say they will but won't.

dwalsdorf

You really are in for a lot of "wheel time" given your spots. I have been to both BBNP and BBRSP, and I really prefer the National PArk. You can't beat the Basin, IMHO. If you have time, hit Ft. Davis for a night, and check out the McDonald Observatory. Bring lotsa coats for this time of year at night.

Padre should be wide open for you, with lotsa other snowbirds to hang with.

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In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell...it was a hobbit-hole, and that means comfort.

huachuca

dwalsdorf, thanks for the reply. I think we'll stick with the NP. Ft Davis and the observatory look interesting so we're trying to figure out how to work that in. Just made reservations for two nights at Palo Duro and three in the Basin. You're right about the driving but, as long as we both have to work, there just ain't no way around it if we want to get away from the east coast and still have our camper along. Know what you mean about the temp. My first trip to BB (prior to the honeymoon thing) was with a couple of guys in the early 70's. We were tent camping and it got so cold at night the water froze in our canteens.

copuswalker, appreciate your response and suggestions as well. Now that I think about it, I do seem to recall a couple of folks fitting your description. Wonder whatever happened to .... you know..... that girl with th.....

Take care - Al