Spring Break Campsites

[Tiraka]

Howdy folks,

I'm planning a trip to Big Bend with a few friends at the busiest time of year.  We'll be there from March 14-18 (Sunday-Thursday).  I tried booking back in November and managed to snag two campsites in Rio Grande Village for our first night, but there was nothing available for the rest of our trip.  Can anyone guess what our chances are of getting a first-come, first-serve spot for the other three nights at an established campground?  What are our options if there's nothing available?  We're still finalizing the group, but expect 6-8 people to go.  Backpacking isn't an option as several people have never even been camping before and don't have equipment.   I've always gone in the winter, when stalking people as they leave in the morning is sufficient to nab a nice Chisos Basin campsite  .   Thanks for your help!

Additionally, if anyone has recommendations as I plan the itinerary, they would be welcomed!  I've been to the park several times before and have visited most of the major trails/attractions, but would love any off-the-beaten-path ideas to avoid the spring break crowds.  Our group is in relatively good shape and up for some adventurous hiking/scrambling/bushwhacking if it leads to a nice view

[CactusFlower]

I started going to BB with my folks during our spring break in the 1980s.  We ALWAYS (with one exception for one night) were able to stalk the campground and get a site for our camper for spring break week.  Especially with your size crowd, get there at sunup, break up into groups and walk around the sites that are not reserved in advance and scout who looks like they are leaving.  Be friendly and they will let you leave a cooler or camp chairs to claim the site the second they leave.  Most folks there understand how wonderful it is to camp there and will be friendly about helping you out.  Also, I haven't dealt much with the reservation system for the campground but start calling at least daily the week before you get there and check for cancellations.  I don't think they keep a waiting list so it is just timing and check in person when you get there as well.  I would even check it out for the night you have reservations just in case you can score a spot then as well.  As far as what to do, part of it will depend on weather.  If it is hot, you may want to do the Window trail and up and over Oak Spring, especially if you have a pickup or can leave a vehicle.  Let us know how it goes!

[madplanter]

Howdy,

I have a group of 4 whom will be hoping for a tent site in the basin
over spring break during the week, for maybe 3 nights. 

We will likely arrive on Mon or Tues around noon.



Has anyone EVER been shut out ??

I mean, 60 sites is a lot.  And this park is farrrr
for all visitors. 

I just cannot imagine 100% occupancy,
especially during the week days.

Anyone ??


thanks


MP

[badknees]

Howdy,

I have a group of 4 whom will be hoping for a tent site in the basin
over spring break during the week, for maybe 3 nights. 

We will likely arrive on Mon or Tues around noon.



Has anyone EVER been shut out ??

I mean, 60 sites is a lot.  And this park is farrrr
for all visitors. 

I just cannot imagine 100% occupancy,
especially during the week days.

Anyone ??


thanks


MP

Plan on the Basin being full for at least some/most time during spring break. I have camped during this time period many times and have been able to snag a site, but timing is critical. Look at the college break schedules and try to plan around that if possible. If not, arrive early in the morning and try to catch somebody packing up and leaving. It is best to be flexible with your plans, because this will be the busiest time of year for the Basin.

[Cookie]

Howdy,

Has anyone EVER been shut out ??

I mean, 60 sites is a lot.  And this park is farrrr
for all visitors.  

I just cannot imagine 100% occupancy,
especially during the week days.

Anyone ??

thanks

MP

 
 
I would not count on it especially during Spring Break and trying for Basin campsites. If people make the drive they will stay the week in one spot. but there always is a small chance   you can catch someone leaving, but you might spend all your time patrolling the sites and not enjoying the park. If there aren't sites available, and you can't or don't want to backcountry car camp or zone camp you have to find a place to stay outside the park then drive in everyday. Just do a search on "spring break" on this forum and that should answer your question.
Good luck!
~Cookie

[RichardM]

It is absolutely possible all of the sites will be occupied for the duration of Spring Break. My brother got shut out 3 years ago and ended up camping at the Stillwell Ranch. Yeah, the drive in and out of the park each day was a pain, but at least they had showers at the ranch to return to.

[madplanter]

wow, that is a lot of people !


i am imagining a solid line of people from the basin
to the south rim !


normally i would NEVER go during that
time, but my friends can only go
then.

stillwell would not bother me....sounds
better than Study-Lingua.

are there permits required ??
...or are permits only for travel
beyond stillwell, deeper into
black gap??


thanks


MP

[jeffblaylock]

Has anyone EVER been shut out ??

Yes. I would be prepared to zone camp, which essentially means parking on the side of the road, backpacking out a mile or two and setting up camp in the desert out of sight from roads or trails. Chances are good you will snag a site, particularly in the Basin, as people head up the trails. But you may not. Key to visiting over Spring Break, Thanksgiving, and Christmas/New Year's is flexibility.

If you are not inclined to camp primitively, there's always Stillwell's and I'm sure there are some places in Terlingua/Study Butte where you could camp.

[Lorax]

If the past 4 years of working during spring break are any indication, I would strongly suggest that you come prepared for car camping at a back country roadside camp site.  Cottonwood Campground which is empty most of the year is filled during the two weeks of Spring Break by noon.  Conversely, Cottonwood Campground is often open until noon.  If you get shut out you can go to Castolon Visitors Center and request a back country roadside site.

Since you are at RGV on Sunday night you could go into the RGV Visitors Center and check on back country sites.  They will need three choices from you.  They then call Panther Junction to confirm availability for back country sites.  Better yet is to go to PJ and check out the "Zoo", at least thats what it looked like when I was there and that's what it is called.  If you have a high clearance 4 wheel drive vehicle you can go almost any where.  If you have a car with limited clearance, you can go to places like K-Bar, Grapevine Hills, Paint Gap, Croton Springs, Terlingua Abajo and maybe Rattlesnake Mountain. ( I haven't been in the park yet this year, we will arrive on January 26th; the Old Maverick is doable in a car most years but rain changes everything on that road, check).  The sites at TA are beautiful and will accomodate 2 cars plus tents, etc.  Check out the Park's web site to get info on camping.  I'll be at the Castolon VC from Sunday thru Tuesday during SB if I can help.

[madplanter]

.

well, wish us luck.....we'll be looking for a 2-tent campsite
monday or tuesday, depending on the snow in the forecast.

2 street motos and a truck...convoy from Ft Davis
to BIBE.

hopefully we can find a site that the street cycles can access.

looking fwd to 3 days in the park.

wish us luck.....






CD

[SHANEA]

You can drive down all the way past Stillwell to La Linda bridge.  To go into the interior of Black Gap WMA, you have to have a Ltd Public Use Permit from TPWD. http://tinyurl.com/yfkuxqn

If I was going to be out there over Spring Break, I'd blow off the Natl Park and go to Stillwells and camp there  and tour around Black Gap.  However, Stillwell can get crowded also.  They do have a lot of sites.  All the way down at the river campsites are very nice and awesomely secluded and if there is not a burn ban in the place/county - you can have a contained ground fire there. http://tinyurl.com/yaz9y66

[CactusFlower]

I camped at Stillwell last week, not busy yet, and enjoyed the spacious sites.  We easily put up five tents with room to spare.  Plus it was nice to have a fire (well controlled of course).  They charge $5 per person to tent camp which for our group of 6 seemed a little steep.

[madplanter]

.

hi,

just a late report that we fell inn LOVE with Stillwell campground.


we hauled firewood and enjoyed the privilege thoroughly.


i am still amazed at the amount of people on the river
during spring break !!!     wow.

we spent most of our time on street motos, but
had a blast.

MP