I'm confused.. Big Bend NP/SP

[pajombre03]

Howdy, I've got some mixed information. Wondering if anyone has any information. So on on nps.gov (national park service) from what I can see, it says that driving 4wd vehicles off road is not allowed at Big Bend National Park. And on the Texas State Parks website, for Big Bend Ranch STATE Park, its says you can. However, I have seen videos of wheelers at Big Bend NP, and even a few photo's on ExPo if im not mistaken. I was wondering if it is in fact allowed to overland travel at BB National Park, and I dont in fact have to drive the extra 1 1/2 hours to the state park to do so. Some buddies and I are trying to put together a trip to Big Bend this summer. Any information is welcomed and appreciated.

Thanks
Pajombre

[kai38]

There are roads that cross BB NP, some are paved, closer to the river they are graded dirt roads.
Black Gap road is one of them, like most place you have to stay on the roads and you can not cut across country to get from point A to point B.
The NP has plenty of dirt to drive on and the SP has a lot. We spent 3 days in the back country of the SP and never saw any one but our group.

https://skydrive.live.com/?cid=DE2D3...8B02FBAEE!1162

[pajombre03]

Awesome pictures! Thanks for the information kai38, very helpful. Any videos by chance from out there?

[kevint]

Glad to hear you're making a trip to Big Bend. The national park has several backcountry roads rated as 4WD although 4WD in the national park is usually not considered necessary unless it has rained. If it has rained most agree to stay away. High clearance, though, is very helpful. There six 4WD roads. Here is the list and my limited knowledge:

1) Old Ore - 4 - 8 hours, 26 miles, very enjoyable drive
2) Glen Spring - mostly not too bad except for one section
3) Black Gap - Notoriously the worst. There is one significant ledge that may require stacking large rocks to navigate. This road is not maintained.
4) River Road - Doing this road in a single day is considered one of the rites of passage in Big Bend. Over 50 miles. A two day with an overnight stop will be much more enjoyable.
5) Dagger Flat - Short drive, recently graded - mostly only worth the effort when the dagger yucca are in bloom
6) Old Maverick - Not much info on this one.

I've driven Dagger Flat and Old Ore. I definitely recommend Old Ore. Last time we camped along Old Ore at the La Noria. Here is my campsite:



It is just a remote as it looks.

If you want to prepare for a trip to Big Bend, your best resource is the forum at http://www.bigbendchat.com which includes an are where the back country roads are discussed. I'll be watching out for any questions you post.

It sounds like you have found the State Park website so you have probably found this publication: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/f...sToNowhere.pdf

It should tell you everything you need to know about driving in the State Park. As a rule, the 4x4 designations at the national park are considered to be very conservative, the state park not so much.

I see you are planning to go in the summer. You need to make sure you understand the environment there in the summer, especially the need for sufficient water and some form of shade with you. If you break down on a back country road in Big Bend it may be days before someone else drives by. If you run out of water you may die that day. Common recommendations are to have 1 gal of water per day per person if you are just sitting in the shade and to have at least 3 days worth of water with you as well as some for your vehicle.

Sorry if you know all of this.

I love Big Bend. I hope you have a great time but I would plan a trip in the cooler months if I were you.

Here are some photos from a couple of my recent trips which will hopefully keep up your interest.

http://thornsberry.smugmug.com/Trave...0911730_fXF7MN

http://thornsberry.smugmug.com/Trave...2008715_XM4VP3

[jaxs1984]

I'll be heading up to BBNP right after/ from Overland Expo.