Seeking Locations w/ Interest

[kevinwbell]

Plan on spending a couple nights in the backcountry camping from the vehicle.  Might do backpacking/Zone camping, but just hoping to research all possibilities given we are going Spring Break.  Need back up plans, don't you know.

Any suggestions on backcountry camping spots that offer places of interest to hike to during the day....springs....peaks....etc?  It is my wife, my 6 yr old daughter and 8 yr old boy.  We did Zone camping last year and loved it, but the youngest would probably do better camping from the car. We have a 4 wheel drive, so we should be able to get access to most spots.

Anywho...any thoughts or suggestions of a few spots to consider would be great.  Thank you.

[MilesOfTexas]

I know the others will steer you in the right direction, but a few weeks ago I found where I will be car camping next time ... Elephant Tusk campsite and/or Glen Springs 1 (GS1).  Both offer incredible views!!!

[jim2]

twisted shoe and robbers roost are close to the junpier canyon / dodson trail head, and both are  beauty campsites. the campsites on the pine canyon road are good ones also. take two days and drive the old ore road. stop often , camp close the middle.  do you have the booklet Road Guide to backcountry dirt roads of big bend? it tells you where to find a spring , a couple of tinajas and other points of interest.  if you haven't already check out ernst tinaja. grapevine hills campsites aren't great ,but it is a good place to catch  sunset and kids like it.

[TexasAggieHiker]

The first night you may have to take what you can get.  I've been at there at spring break and only one roadside sight was left in the whole park.  But the good thing is, after that night you'll be able to get what ever site you want for the most part.

[elhombre]

During Spring Break, you will have to pretty much take what ever is open.  Even in the car back country campsites.  I would look at trip reports to get a feeling what is out there.  With the kids being the age they are, I would look at shorter hikes like Indian Head, Cattail Falls, window trail, Earnest Tinaja, Lost mine trail, grapevine trail.....  Expect to do some driving around.  It is a big step up to go from established trails to cross desert walking.  Kids will definitely be the determining factor of what you can do from your back country car campsite.

Roy's peak campsite would be great for kids.  Follow the drainage down to Tornillo creek from the back of the campsite.  Some of the best geology in the park along the way.  The drainage above Glen Springs is real nice for a short hike.  Driving out to the mine can take a day and never disappoints young ones.  Visit Terlingua cemetery if you make it out to Indian Head.

[kevinwbell]

This is just the type of insight I was seeking.  Thank you. 
 
My fallback is Zone camping....but would love car camping for this trip.  Keep the suggestions coming if you have more to share.

[Al]

This is just the type of insight I was seeking.  Thank you. 
 
My fallback is Zone camping....but would love car camping for this trip.  Keep the suggestions coming if you have more to share.

The posters have given good advice.  Remember to get a continuous permit for the entire stay and be prepared to "plan" the whole trip real time while getting your permit at PJ.

Al

[jeffblaylock]

I recommend Fresno, if it's available, especially around a full moon. From that site, you can walk to the Mariscal Mine ruins, and it's especially cool to do so under a full moon.

[TheWildWestGuy]

You could also consider a spot on the North side of the Chisos like Grapevine Hills or Paint Gap.  These have easier access so you could drive out during the day to hike in the Chisos or where ever else.  If your going during spring break these sites will probably be full.  The only sites I don't recommend are Croton Springs (site shares parking lot),  Hannold Draw (too close to main road), and Nugent Mtn (gets dusted by dirt road traffic).   I also don't like the sites like Rice Tank that are double sites with neighbors right next to you because you never know who is going to be camping right next to you.   Almost none of the sites have water nearby so be sure to bring a lot of it for camp use.  Since you can't make reservations I would make a priority list ahead of time so your not having to decide on the fly whether you want site A or site B.   TWWG

[Cookie]

   I also don't like the sites like Rice Tank that are double sites with neighbors right next to you because you never know who is going to be camping right next to you.   Almost none of the sites have water nearby so be sure to bring a lot of it for camp use.  Since you can't make reservations I would make a priority list ahead of time so your not having to decide on the fly whether you want site A or site B.   TWWG

They removed the first camp site at rice tank, it is now closed for re-vegetation. It used to be one of our favorite sites with a group because of the awesome view of the Chisos, but seems you can't walk 10 ft out in the desert without seeing toilet paper there. they have a new site before you get to rice tank up on the ridge called Chilicotal (I think) but it would be pretty miserable in the wind. All the easy sites to get to will probably be taken. I am with TWWG, have a list of plan A, B, C.....X, Y, and Z!!

~Cookie

KevinwBell--Did you graduate from NBHS?

[dkerr24]

Slightly off topic, but what week exactly is "Spring Break" in TX?  Here in OK, it all depends on the school system.  OSU and OU have a different week than the secondary school system.

[RichardM]

Slightly off topic, but what week exactly is "Spring Break" in TX?  Here in OK, it all depends on the school system.  OSU and OU have a different week than the secondary school system.

According to http://studenttravel.about.com/od/springbrea1/f/when_spring_bre.htm the big week in Texas will be March 14-18.

[Cookie]

Slightly off topic, but what week exactly is "Spring Break" in TX?  Here in OK, it all depends on the school system.  OSU and OU have a different week than the secondary school system.

Looks like the bigger Universities are off the 14-18th. Some of the local schools are off the next week. I guess it is spread between the 7th-25th, with that middle week looking pretty busy.

~Cookie

[TheWildWestGuy]

Thanks for the update on the campsites Cookie.  I HATE it when people walk 25' from the tent to do their business and then don't have the common sense to put a big rock and some dirt on top of the TP.  Even in backcountry sites like Smokey Springs this can be a problem due to some lame-arse lazy persons who use the campsite/trail/site as a bathroom.   This is particularly common in drive-in sites which is why I often bring a shovel with me to "clean up" the site before making camp.  I kind of expect this from Spring Break drive-in campers but when I come across it in the backcountry on the Dodson Trail or someplace like that it really pisses me off, almost as much as those that have illegal campfires and leave their trash behind.   TWWG

[Al]

Thanks for the update on the campsites Cookie.  I HATE it when people walk 25' from the tent to do their business and then don't have the common sense to put a big rock and some dirt on top of the TP.  Even in backcountry sites like Smokey Springs this can be a problem due to some lame-arse lazy persons who use the campsite/trail/site as a bathroom.   This is particularly common in drive-in sites which is why I often bring a shovel with me to "clean up" the site before making camp.  I kind of expect this from Spring Break drive-in campers but when I come across it in the backcountry on the Dodson Trail or someplace like that it really pisses me off, almost as much as those that have illegal campfires and leave their trash behind.   TWWG

It is a permit violation to leave toilet paper when primitive or Zone camping.  The person who signed the permit and is responsible for compliance should make sure each camper has a designated 1 gallon Ziplock bag and they use it.

It takes a little getting used to but it's not as gross as you might think to come back to the campsite carrying a sealed Ziplock bag especially when everyone does it.  Done right it is no more unsanitary than using the TP to start out with.  A gallon bag should easily contain all the TP from a camper for several days with no problem.  If you don't want any brown to show, line the interior of the bag with a piece of newspaper or paper towels prior use.  Works like a champ!

Al