Backcountry permits during Spring Break

[RCRanger03]

I am assuming that i wont be able to saunter into a Visitor Center and obtain one at midday, but it says you can only get them at most 24 hours in advance. Do people like line up outside visitor centers waiting for them to open?
 
Also if I were to get a backcountry permit say that had JF1, SW4, EP1, JF1 for my first 4 nights and then wanted to do an overnighter in Santa Elena canyon, could i just have that on my original permit, or would i need a new one. I ask this bc the Rio Grande Wild and Senic River NPS site (http://www.nps.gov/rigr/planyourvisit/permits.htm) says that Santa Elena permits are ONLY available through Barton Warnock, but Frommers says they ALSO available there. Any and All answers are greatly appreciated for this Life Long Texan, First Time BiBe experiencer

[Lorax]

A backcountry permit can be written for up to 14 days.  The cost is $10...1 day or 14.  A permit is broken when you leave the backcountry for a night.  So if you leave the Chisos and enter a zone near Santa Elana you are still in the backcountry.  Visitor Centers in Big Bend can write River permits as well as other backcountry permits.  ALL permits are coordinated through Panther Junction.  At Castolon, we have to call the "Permit Hotline"  which during Spring Break is not so hot.  My advice...make a list, have second choices, be flexible, come to have fun.  Yes people do wait for PJ to open.

Ted

[Hoodoo]

Plan your visit/permits

Permits for Santa Elena Canyon ONLY can also be obtained at the Barton Warnock Environmental Education Center.

I believe that means you can also obtain a back country permit at Barton Warnock Center, but ONLY for Santa Elena Canyon.

Don

[RCRanger03]

A backcountry permit can be written for up to 14 days. The cost is $10...1 day or 14. A permit is broken when you leave the backcountry for a night. So if you leave the Chisos and enter a zone near Santa Elana you are still in the backcountry. Visitor Centers in Big Bend can write River permits as well as other backcountry permits. ALL permits are coordinated through Panther Junction. At Castolon, we have to call the "Permit Hotline" which during Spring Break is not so hot. My advice...make a list, have second choices, be flexible, come to have fun. Yes people do wait for PJ to open.

Ted

Awesome thanks for the info!

Plan your visit/permits

Permits for Santa Elena Canyon ONLY can also be obtained at the Barton Warnock Environmental Education Center.

I believe that means you can also obtain a back country permit at Barton Warnock Center, but ONLY for Santa Elena Canyon.

Don

You're absolutely right i read it wrong, Good looking out