Big Bend State and National Park comments
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Houston area
Big Bend State and National Park comments
11/14/09 I was out that way...Alpine TX, on "business" so the rental Taurus and I took a 300 mile loop through the Big Bend area. Started at Alpine, out to Marfa, and Presideo then along the river and back through Marathon. Included a side trip into Chiso Mt basin...not to be missed.
Locals say mid October until late March is best temperatures, some facilities within the parks are closed in summer. It is astounding...I have traveled a LOT and seen most mountain ranges in the US and some counties but never saw the diversity of size/shapes found here in Big Bend. It is stark and almost no vegetation except scrub and cactus, think desert without sand. In the entire day I saw only 3 road runners and a fox. Do NOT pass up a gas station. Road condition is very good to excellent, varying from great tight sweepers to very tight twisty, to and from the road is excellent 75 mph limit and provides some elevation change with nice sweepers What little food is available is very good, rest rooms are almost as scarce as gas....for info on camping you better call parks and get the right answers.
I plan on riding it with a couple other bikes in March...in the opposite direction so the views are new. John
Locals say mid October until late March is best temperatures, some facilities within the parks are closed in summer. It is astounding...I have traveled a LOT and seen most mountain ranges in the US and some counties but never saw the diversity of size/shapes found here in Big Bend. It is stark and almost no vegetation except scrub and cactus, think desert without sand. In the entire day I saw only 3 road runners and a fox. Do NOT pass up a gas station. Road condition is very good to excellent, varying from great tight sweepers to very tight twisty, to and from the road is excellent 75 mph limit and provides some elevation change with nice sweepers What little food is available is very good, rest rooms are almost as scarce as gas....for info on camping you better call parks and get the right answers.
I plan on riding it with a couple other bikes in March...in the opposite direction so the views are new. John
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 143
Likes: 4
From: Northern Colorado
I rode there by accident last spring. I was trying to go to Daytona from Colorado, but the weather wasn't cooperating. Took a right at Dallas and went down to San Antonio for a couple of days, then out to Big Bend via Del Rio and Marathon. Chisos was very nice, but I really enjoyed the scenery at St. Elena Canyon, which isn't far from Chisos. There aren't a lot of choices for routes, and as flibouy said, get gas whenever you see a place. Ask at the ranger's station when you're going in.
Also, one of my favorite rides in that area was the road west of Big Bend in the state park area, going towards Presidio or maybe even beyond. The view of the mountains in Mexico is amazing. The road is fun; it's like a rollercoaster in places.
If you're thinking about visiting other National Parks during the year, get an annual park pass. Most of the time, the rangers will let two or three bikes in on one pass, so it can save a lot of money depending on the park (they don't all cost the same).
Also, one of my favorite rides in that area was the road west of Big Bend in the state park area, going towards Presidio or maybe even beyond. The view of the mountains in Mexico is amazing. The road is fun; it's like a rollercoaster in places.
If you're thinking about visiting other National Parks during the year, get an annual park pass. Most of the time, the rangers will let two or three bikes in on one pass, so it can save a lot of money depending on the park (they don't all cost the same).
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,635
Likes: 58
From: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
If you're willing to try something different take Old Maverick Road (right turn off of Maverick Road just south of Study-Butte) across to the canyon.
It's about 15 miles of gravel, sand, ruts, you name it but it sure is a fun and doable ride.
You can take the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive out of the canyon and back to Maverick Road.
It's about 15 miles of gravel, sand, ruts, you name it but it sure is a fun and doable ride.
You can take the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive out of the canyon and back to Maverick Road.
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