campermom

Other than swimming, which looks to be quite appealing, what could we do while there for a few days?

Aspen5

Sorry, but I posted a reply on your Davis Mountains thread that applied to Balmorhea. I would recommend that you not stay there, but take a side trip from Ft Davis SP, or at least stop in on your way too or from Ft Davis. You have to drive right past Balmorhea if you're traveling I-10 to get to Ft Davis.

Brett

campermom

Thanks for the reply. Reservations have been made. Here's the agenda

1. am drive to South Llano, swim all day, stay SLRSP
2. am drive to Davis Mtns, stopping at Fort Lancaster for a travel stop, attend Star Party on a New moon Saturday night, stay at Davis SP
3. am visit Fort Davis NHS and explore Davis SP a little, stay at Davis SP
4. am drive to Balmorhea, swim all day, stay Bal SP
5. swim all day ( or day trip to Carlsbad Caverns) stay at Bal SP
6. Drive to South Llano, stopping at Fort Stockton for a travel stop, stay SLRSP, swim upon arrival
7. swim all day, drive to Devils Sinkhole for bat tour pm, stay at SLRSP
8. swim all day, 2 hour drive home.

We considered Caverns of Sonora, but they have a steep price. We just did Natural Bridge for a school field trip in May, and Longhorn is $ 17 for adult and a kid (which we've seen and will do again with Scouts in August), C of S is $36. For that price, a day trip to Carlsbad to see possibly the best caverns in the US, would be worth it.

Aspen5

Sounds like a heck of a trip! South Llano is our favorite close SP, my 3 boys love it. We will be there 7/23 and depart 7/25 for home. The caverns at Sonora are beautiful, we did them several years ago, but I didn't realize their prices had gone up so much. Good luck on your trip!

Brett

happybooker1

I answered the cave post first, but I def. vote for Carlsbad. Someone on a camping forum gave me this hint if you go: walk down & ride the elevator back up! Eat lunch in the only underground restaurant in the US. You can even mail postcards/letters from there & they are stamped 'mailed from 750' underground' or something like that.

Check out the Carlsbad website & see if the bats are flying. We also opted to do the 'Left Hand Cave tour' in addition to Carlsbad proper. It was the only one my son could go on (he was just 9 at the time) but some of the other special tours look good too.

We spent all DAY at the caverns & they had to chase us out at the end!!

lphilpot

It's more than a mile to walk down Carlsbad, with about 750' drop along the way. Last year, my wife, (then) 7 year old daughter and I walked down, then rode back up. I think the mile walk up might be tiring, but certainly not out of the range of the doable. At 56F in the caverns, at least you won't overheat (until you walk out at the top!). However, I was almost immediately wishing I had not brought a sweatshirt along - I never wore it at all.

However, don't do like I did and forget your camera in the car, WAAAYY back in the parking lot... :rolleyes:

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riverrat

I don't remember how far but a good day trip would be to Monahans Sandhill State Park. Probably hotter that hades this time of year but it is an awesome sight to see. Definetly would make the return to Balmorhea all that much sweeter!!

srds

Be sure and take some swimming fins,easier to chase fish,have a great time.
srds
Have Fun

campermom

Well folks, we made it back and what a week. I will break up the posts to include information about the specific park and what we did while staying there.

Originally we had planned 2 nights here but extended to 4. Davis was paving and needed everyone out by 8am. Ew. While at Balmorehea, we swam. The water was cold and refreshing, but for 7 year old boys, they got cold to quick. The did enjoy swimming with the fish, and chasing the chipmunks which have taken over the lawn at the pool. The park is in the desert with very few tall trees for shade. The loop is almost exclusively pull-thrus. All the tables are covered with a large white stucco looking structure with red tile roof. The restrooms quite serviceable but the showers give you a minute of water, at a pre-determined temperature, then turn off. They take water conservation very seriously out there, and that's OK by me. From here, we were able to take a second trip to Fort Davis ( the fee is good for a week), spend a half day at Mc Donald Observatory, a day trip to Big Bend, and a day trip to Carlsbad Caverns NP & Guadalupe Mtns NP.

As for McDonald Observatory, we would have made the kids happier if we'd had gone to McDonald's. They showed us the telescopes and some slide shows but it wasn't at their level. Also, the road to the top is quite steep. Call ahead if you have a long rig.

This was a great place to use as base camp. I would have preferred Davis Mountain SP due to the nicer temperatures and view from the campsite but that would not be the case this trip.

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