Big Bend National Park Advice
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,246
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From: Cypress, TX
Big Bend National Park Advice
I'm planning a trip out to Big Bend in the fall. I have a pretty good idea about which roads to make sure to ride. gonna head to San Antonio from Houston then out 90 to Alpine. Ride the park and the Davis mountain area then blast home down I-10. Ridden the hill country a bunch so not stopping there. I know about gassing up at every opportunity and carry water etc...
What I am hoping to get is some advice on where to stay (or not to stay) and the "make sure you don't miss this" sites and places there and along the way out. For example, I want to check out the Pecos River Bridge and Langtry (Judge Roy Bean's Saloon) on the way.
Thanks in advance.
What I am hoping to get is some advice on where to stay (or not to stay) and the "make sure you don't miss this" sites and places there and along the way out. For example, I want to check out the Pecos River Bridge and Langtry (Judge Roy Bean's Saloon) on the way.
Thanks in advance.
Getbackonit is right. A lot of critters roam the area. That is to include the two legged outlaws from the other side of the boarder that are roaming the area. Have a good trip and keep your radar up.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,319
Likes: 1
From: Deep South Texas
It is a shame that we cannot even enjoy our own damn country. It is my understanding that the drug cartels are using the isolated areas out that way to move their product.
But if you are planning on going, check out Terlingua, Texas. The Starlight Theatre is a cool place to grab a bite, plus they have a historic "ghost mining town" there as well. If you head north you can ride into Marfa and see the "Marfa lights" or head over to the McDonald observatory in the Davis mountains.
Watch your bike around the coyotes (mainly the two legged type).
But if you are planning on going, check out Terlingua, Texas. The Starlight Theatre is a cool place to grab a bite, plus they have a historic "ghost mining town" there as well. If you head north you can ride into Marfa and see the "Marfa lights" or head over to the McDonald observatory in the Davis mountains.
Watch your bike around the coyotes (mainly the two legged type).
Been to Big Bend a few times. Last year was the first time on the bike with my HOG chapter.
We stayed in Alpine at the Best Western Alpine Inn. Great folks there and if your thinking of riding the Davis mountains as well might be a good base of operations for you.
Down the road a little from Alpine is Marfa, you can check out the Marfa lights, then there's the McDonald Observatory and Fort Davis.
A great ride is to take Hwy 90 west out of Alpine to Marfa then take Hwy 67 south to Presidio. Be sure to fill up here, then take FM 170 (aka River Road) to 118. You'll pass through Lajitas and Study Butte and Teralingua. There will be a gas station at FM 170 and 118 to fill up for the trip back to Alpine.
As for Big Bend theres a couple of ways you can get there if you stay in Alpine. Either back down 118 from Alpine or head east on Hwy 90 to Marathon then head south on 385 to the park entrance. There are a couple of gas stations inside the park for gas.
Inside Big Bend I highly recommend the ride up to the Chisos Mountain Lodge for lunch. Just remember when heading up the road to the lodge if the sign say's 5 MPH do 5 MPH there's some very sharp curves up and down the mountain. Great views and a nice restaurant with decent food.
Lots of roads inside the park to ride and great scenery with every turn.
Can't wait to get back there myself one of these days.
Have Fun.
We stayed in Alpine at the Best Western Alpine Inn. Great folks there and if your thinking of riding the Davis mountains as well might be a good base of operations for you.
Down the road a little from Alpine is Marfa, you can check out the Marfa lights, then there's the McDonald Observatory and Fort Davis.
A great ride is to take Hwy 90 west out of Alpine to Marfa then take Hwy 67 south to Presidio. Be sure to fill up here, then take FM 170 (aka River Road) to 118. You'll pass through Lajitas and Study Butte and Teralingua. There will be a gas station at FM 170 and 118 to fill up for the trip back to Alpine.
As for Big Bend theres a couple of ways you can get there if you stay in Alpine. Either back down 118 from Alpine or head east on Hwy 90 to Marathon then head south on 385 to the park entrance. There are a couple of gas stations inside the park for gas.
Inside Big Bend I highly recommend the ride up to the Chisos Mountain Lodge for lunch. Just remember when heading up the road to the lodge if the sign say's 5 MPH do 5 MPH there's some very sharp curves up and down the mountain. Great views and a nice restaurant with decent food.
Lots of roads inside the park to ride and great scenery with every turn.
Can't wait to get back there myself one of these days.
Have Fun.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 600
Likes: 0
From: La Vernia (San Antonio), Texas
Thought you might want to print this out. Seems to have some good information.
http://wikitravel.org/upload/shared/...eformatted.png
http://wikitravel.org/upload/shared/...eformatted.png
Last edited by TxCowboy; Aug 23, 2010 at 06:07 PM. Reason: Removed the Garner State Park info -- too far from Big Bend Nat'l Park.
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Most believe there nothing but reflections from headlights and such.
Still kind of interesting to see them in person though.
http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/o...s/MM/lxm1.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izkxj...eature=related
Still kind of interesting to see them in person though.
http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/o...s/MM/lxm1.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izkxj...eature=related
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 4,519
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From: Slidell, LA
We have made the trek from Louisana to Big Bend several times. Great riding and sunrises rivaled by none. If you are looking for a nice upscale place to stay try the Lajitas resort.
http://www.lajitasgolfresort.com/
http://www.lajitasgolfresort.com/