River campsites

[kewlaidjams]

Hello, new member here but have been lurking and reading most of the post  past week or so.
I'm leaving in couple of weeks with a couple of buddies from Htown and will be spending 4 days in BB (first trip to BB).  I'm planning to stay in a few campsites in the high country (Pine Canyon/Glenn Springs) but also interested in campsites closer to the river.  The two spots would either be Woodsons or Talley.

My questions are:
1) Are the river sites worth it at all in terms of scenery? I have also read about the safety issues.
2) We are also driving the entire River Road (W to E) (Land Cruiser & GWagen) so hopefully the drive shouldn't be a problem. If those two campsites listed above aren't that great, are there any other recommendations?

Thanks!
 

[Sotol Vista]

welcome to the board.

First off the Pine Canyon and Glenn Springs camp sites are not in the high country. they are in he desert area below the Chisos Mountains.

the pine canyon sites will offer some great views of the Mountains. As far as the Glenn Springs sites, I would recommend the Glenn Spring # 2 site as it has much better 360 degree views, than the GS 1 site as it is is in a lower below the road. But either way both of the GS sites are nice.

I have never been to the Elephant Tusk back country site, but It is one i want to stay at one of these times.

There are some problems along the river as with any other place, but honestly, you are more likely safe there than in Houston. You can always ask the rangers when getting your permits on the current recommendations for River sites, some of them are pretty remote, even from the Mexican side.

James

[Verduretiger]

I love to photograph and have spent 4 or 5 nights at loop camp on the river road which is on a bluff overlooking the river and has a great view of the Chisos.  Because of the loop in the river (name of site) you actually look into Mexico and then back into the Chisos.  It makes for great pictures at dawn.  There is a lot of sign there that horses come across from Mexico but I have never had an issue.  But always be on the alert.

[Raoul Duke]

I spent a night at Talley #2 about a year ago and really enjoyed it.  It's on a small rise about 1/2 mile from the river, so you have unobstructed views of the Chisos, Elephant Tusk, Mariscal Mountain, the river, and even Santa Elena Canyon in the distance.  I highly recommend this site.  Be advised that Talley Road is pretty rough, but your 'Cruiser should have no problem.  I haven't been to Woodson's, so I can't comment on that one.

As for safety, you definitely feel isolated out there.  According to the rangers, however, there haven't been any problems at those sites.

[elhombre]

We never stay on the river because the safety issue of leaving your stuff out is a problem.  Also the border patrol moves thought the area and tickets get written for stupid stuff.  My friend has finally given up on gravel pit after 3 tickets for car inspection sticker, sleeping outside the rock boundary, and having a charcoal fire for cooking (no open "campfires").  He now only stays up on Pine Canyon and always comments that it he was missing out before. It just seems that you are inviting extra inspection by Johnny Law when down there. 

The views are not very nice in my opinion.  We always stay in the desert and usually have a nice spot next to camp for our chairs to watch the sunset/ sunrise on a vast vista.  I agree with earlier info about Glenn Springs.  The northern most camp spot is down by the spring and you are in a hole.  The southern camp spot is very open with great views of Mexico. 

Driving river road is a must do in my opinion, but if this is your first time out there, I would leave it for a return trip.  It will take a long day to do and with only 4 days, it seems like a big commitment.  Driving out to the Mariscal Mines along river road East takes about an hour and you get a great place to explore.  I  would suggest driving old ore road and staying at Roy's peak Vista over night for the car adventure.  There is a hill 5 minutes away from camp that has a nice view of sunset.  Also, the drainage can be followed all the way to Tornillo Creek for a great hike.  I have stayed at La Noria and it was nice also, but Roys's peak Vista is my favorite.

[kewlaidjams]

Thanks all for the great information.  Talley 2 appears to be a good site for a 1 niter.  Given it's a day long drive, I may just consider driving parts of the road (E side).  I purchased a Gwagen earlier in the year and am really excited to test out some of these roads.  Black Gap looks adventurous but being a first time visitor, I'm a bit wearly as to the actual driving conditions.  I do have 3 locking diffs on the G if that helps at all. 

As far as firearms, do you guys carry any into the park given the safety concerns along the river? My buddy has a CHL and is planning to carry.  If we end up on a river site, then most likely he'll carry but if it's more interior spots, he'll leave it at home.
 

[RichardM]

As far as firearms, do you guys carry any into the park given the safety concerns along the river? My buddy has a CHL and is planning to carry.  If we end up on a river site, then most likely he'll carry but if it's more interior spots, he'll leave it at home.

Wow, it's been a while since anyone has brought up carrying in the park. I tried a quick search, but couldn't find any of the old topics with all the "discussion". I'd say your buddy's plan is reasonable.

Here's the park's info:

As of February 22, 2010, a new federal law allows people who can legally possess firearms under applicable federal, state, and local laws, to legally possess firearms in this park. It is the responsibility of visitors to understand and comply with all applicable state, local, and federal firearms laws before entering this park. As a starting point, please review this PDF of Texas Firearm Regulations

Federal law also prohibits firearms in certain facilities in this park; those places are marked with signs at all public entrances.

Keep in mind that the regulations to carry a firearm do not permit the discharging of a firearm. The discharge of a firearm is still illegal in national parks.

For those on a river float trip, please be aware that it is illegal to transport firearms and ammunition into Mexico. Due to the fact that the Rio Grande is an international boundary, this is a complex regulatory area. The US/Mexico boundary is defined as the deepest part of the middle channel. As watercraft float down the river, boats cross the international border many times on a float trip.  Thus, a US citizen with a firearm on the river who may lawfully possess that firearm in Texas still violates Mexican law because they likely will have entered Mexico several times during the float trip with a firearm just by meandering down the river. There are severe penalties in Mexico for the possession of firearms and ammunition,which is what a person is doing if they carry a weapon on the river. Mexican officials can arrest persons floating on the Mexico portion of the Rio Grande and along the Mexican shoreline for possession of guns and ammunition.

Update: Ok, so I did find one discussion: http://www.bigbendchat.com/portal/forum/el-saloacuten/firearms/

[Raoul Duke]

As far as firearms, do you guys carry any into the park given the safety concerns along the river? My buddy has a CHL and is planning to carry.  If we end up on a river site, then most likely he'll carry but if it's more interior spots, he'll leave it at home.

My buddy packed a .44 Mag revolver when we camped there.  I have to admit that I slept a little better knowing we had it if we needed it.

Kind of on a side note--in the excellent book "Death in Big Bend," Laurence Parent discusses the two murders that have occurred in the park since 1980.  Interestingly, both murder victims were armed with handguns.