Texas - Top to bottom recommendations - Wild Texas Forums: Parks, Travel & Recreation

huachuca · 11-21-2007, 11:14 AM

We're in the process of planning our annual Big Bend NP trip from NC and would appreciate any recommendations you folks might offer. We'll have about three weeks beginning in mid March. Our tentative route is to take I-40 out to Amarillo for a couple of days in Palo Duro State Park. Then down to Big Bend for five or six days. From BB we'll head back east probably stopping at Seminole Canyon SP and maybe a night or two in Aransas National Wildlife Refuge on our way up to I-10.

We have a small camper (16' Scamp) plus our backpacking gear (tent, bags, etc.) and prefer rustic or dispersed camping - no hookups needed. Don't mind an overnight hike if the truck and camper can be left in a secure spot.

Palo Duro, Seminole Canyon and Aransas are areas we've visited in the past and would enjoy exploring further but, if there are other spots along this general route we should consider, I'd appreciate the input. The Big Bend part isn't negotionable; its our all time most favorite NP.

Thanks for any and all responses and Happy Thanksgiving - Al

Shannon · 11-21-2007, 12:15 PM

Well, first off, you're going to have to rethink your "night or two in Aransas National Wildlife Refuge" as there is no camping whatsoever, no overnight use in fact, of the refuge.

I apologize since I don't have more time to add some suggestions. Hopefully some of our regulars can chime in, and if my little one beds down for a solid nap (she's teething), I'll come back and post some suggestions.

rockhill · 11-21-2007, 01:35 PM

You did not indicate yor predicted route back up to I-40. Just roughly figuring from the Aransas area a lot of East Texas sites come into play. Huntsville, Caddo Indian mounds, Tyler are all between Aransas and I-40 depending on your route.

Troop198 · 11-21-2007, 04:01 PM

Other interesting stops on the way might include Monahans Sandhills SP TPWD: Monahans Sandhills State Park

Balmorhea SP is worth a stop TPWD: Balmorhea State Park
and for sure Davis Mountains SP
TPWD: Davis Mountains State Park

There are rewiews in this forum on all these. Also consider coming up 59 from the south and hit Brazos Bend,TPWD: Brazos Bend State Park

huachuca · 11-22-2007, 07:00 AM

Thanks for the replies.

Sorry Shannon, thats what I get for trusting my memory. I was thinking of Amistad National Recreation Area on 90 outside of Del Rio where we found some great sites just off the water. It was mostly empty in January but I'd bet the place gets busy in the warmer months. Enjoy that 'little one' while you can. Ours is all grown up now and in her first year as a teacher. We're looking forward to having her home today for Thanksgiving.

Rockhill, my niece is in Houston so we'll probably stop in to see her then head north on 59 to Shreveport and I-20. Anything to avoid I-10 from the TX/LA border to New Orleans; I can make better time with less damage to my camper on the back roads of Big Bend than on that stretch of interstate.

Troop198, I've heard a lot of good things about Davis Mountain and Balmorhea so they've been added to the list.

Thanks for the help folks. If any of you get back east to NC, let me know. We've got a few spots you just might enjoy as well.

Happpy Thanksgiving - Al

toejam · 11-23-2007, 05:37 AM

If you like quiet places, Caprock Canyon and Devil's River are along your route.

Shannon · 11-24-2007, 01:07 AM

Devil's River SNA is awesome but I'm not sure how far they could drive into it while hauling the trailer. If it were parked elsewhere, though, that'd be fun. We had to turn around at some point (near the river) because we were in my (former) sedan and would have needed 4x4 to navigate the gravel, steep grade and (contributing factor--it was raining) mud to go any further. We'd just passed the ranger's house and he was coming up the road just as we started our turn-around--I guess he's used to people getting stuck, and/or having to convince people to turn around before they get stuck.

Sadly, we didn't have time in our schedule to stay the night, we just hit it on a day visit. We barely even got any photos, since it was pouring down rain for most of our visit. /sniff

huachuca · 11-24-2007, 08:08 AM

Thanks toejam, we do like quiet out of the way places and I'll definitely get more info on your suggestions. Those of you who live in Texas are really fortunate to have so many camping choices. I have several customers there (Houston, DFW, San Angelo) and am amazed that almost none of them take advantage of your State and National outdoor resources. Maybe its just not as awesome if you experience it every day.

Shannon, thanks for taking the time to add to my list and for providing such a valuable place to meet others with similar interests. We've had the camper in some fairly remote spots but if it gets too rough we always have our packs, bags, pads & tent along.

Al

toejam · 11-26-2007, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by huachuca

Those of you who live in Texas are really fortunate to have so many camping choices.

The list may be long, but most are not very big and there are great distances between them. There are a whole lot more options/square mile in the Carolinas.

We'll try to give you the low down.