Where are the best badlands?

[Sotol Vista]

Thanks, James! That's perfect.

Where's a good place to park? Should I park inside the park boundaries and hike in there? About how far west of the entrance gate is this area?

i will get my directions messed up if I tell you where to park when leaving hte park so I will tell you the other way.

When coming from Study Butte, you pass the Big Bend National Park sign on your right. then just a short ways up ahead there is a small pull off on the left hand side of the road where maybe 2 or 3 vehicles could park. its just north of the wash out.

GPS cords from google earth are. this should get you real close. then just hike east towards the small hills. you can go all around the place.

LAT 29.298681°
Long -103.504305°

James

[Roy]

There's a couple of places to park on the east side of the road.  As you're leaving the park, the first one is next to a somewhat open area; easier to get back  into the area a ways.  The second one, I think the one James is talking about, is at Dawson Creek (usually dry);  I've never gone in there as it looks pretty rough.  If you go in the first one, and head north you'll eventually have to cross Dawson Creek but the drainage is shallower and less of a scramble.  Should be possible to skirt the east flank of Maverick Mountain all the way to Indian Head, or pick up Rough Run Creek and head east all the way to Slickrock.



Erosion along Dawson Creek.

[tjavery]

Now I'm really getting the itch to go

Thanks for all the info, guys!

Sounds like some of this area (around Maverick Mountain) is outside the park boundaries. Is it private property?

[Roy]

There's a fence line;  don't remember exactly where it is but there's plenty of room to roam without crossing it.