Road From Presidio to Lajitas - What's It Like?

[xseption]

It is the best in Texas.  Be sure to stop and go through Closed Canyon while driving through BBRSP.  It is a great hike through a slot canyon that leads to the Rio Grande.

BBH

I never knew what I was missing. I will take the drive the next time I am in the area. Thanks for sharing this gem and thanks Jeff for those inviting photos.

~ edd

[SHANEA]

Hmmm...I could cancel the BB reservations and try BBRSP...I've never been there. Maybe it's time. I don't mind the solitariness (?) and the darkness would be great. Do I see correctly on the BBRSP map that there are...wait for it....showers!? Pay or free? That fact alone might make me try BBRSP!!
  Bill

Showers are pseudo free.  Meaning, they are free once you've paid your TPWD admission/day use and camping fees.  Of course, if you have a TPWD Park Pass and visit enough parks during the year, then it's well worth the money.  GET THEM HERE

Now, it's time for Presidio to chime in and indicate as tax payers we have already paid for the land and the right to be on the land and we shouldn't have to pay to use our parks and our showers.   
{just josing you Presidio - ringing your chime in good humor!}   

BTW - the showers are nice and have hot water.

If you didn't want to camp out, then I'd suggest staying at the bunk house, which also has showers.  If you got deeper pockets, then the ranch house is nice too. 

One thing is for sure, set up a meal at the bunk house - the enchalades are outstanding!

[SHANEA]

Hi Al!
If I go to BBRSP, it will be on the way down from Davis Mountains SP so it would be kinda on the way. It would be a longer drive home but not too bad. I'm used to being self sufficient...either bring it or do without.

The more I think about this, the more I like the idea of BBRSP next spring. Any ideas for "must sees" or "must dos" in the area? Is Presidio able to supply gas and a food store if needed? Can you tell that I've never been out that way? 
  Happy Holidays!
    Bill

Presidio, the city,  has basically everything you need, but, once you are in the park don't plan on going back to Presidio as it is a very long drive from the park, at least an hour from the closest campsite and two-three hours from the interior of the park (that's one way).  You will not want the closest campsite, Rancho Viejo, as the lights from Presidio will work against you.  Like BBH indicated, Bezos has both gas and a large grocery selection.  Although typically, the Phillips 66 (might be a Texaco now) down on the main drag at the Y has cheaper petro.  Bezos also can have a line for petro.

If you've never been to BBRSP, then there is more than enough to keep you occupied during the day checking out the road side exhibits, etc.  Must sees, yes, Cinco Tinajas tops the list. 

Since you are probably going to be in your Chrysler vehicle, I'd be sure and carry a tire plug kit, extra spare tire if you can fit it, and cans of fix a flat, air inflater, etc.

Totally different geography than Big Bend National park.  Welcome change. 

 

[SHANEA]

Click here for a very good map of BBRSP.  It's on pages 6..7.  Of course, you will need to rotate it.   

It's not a topo, but does give a good feel for the area.

[badknees]

Is there a topo map of the BBRSP area on line somewhere?
  Bill

Try one of these

http://www.tnris.state.tx.us/datadownload/download.jsp

http://www.gpsvisualizer.com/

[SA Bill]

Thanks everyone!   
I'm seriously leaning toward a Davis Mts/BBRSP trip next spring.

Do I need to make reservations at BBRSP? If I want to get the Papaltito Colorado site as Shane suggests, do I need to reserve it? I'd be there first week of April so it's past spring break. I'll probably base camp in the campground (near the showers!) and do day stuff as it strikes my fancy.

Do the camp sites have any shade/shelters?

I tried to find something like a Trails Illustrated  map of BBRSP to purchase ahead of time but didn't find anything. Is there such an animal? How about a guide to the park; book or pamphlet?

I'm getting excited about having a new adventure next year!
  Thanks for the help!
    Bill

[SHANEA]

SA BILL, there really isn't any place to base camp near the showers.  From Papaltto colorado, it's just a reasonably short drive to the ranch house for the showers.

Reservations?  I suppose if TPWD and Reserve America get there new system installed by then.  It's probably going to look exactly as the same as the old...     Unless something changes, you could never reserve at BBRSP through the online portal.  Heck, you really probably don't need a reservation, but as I say that a troop of boyscouts is planning on descending there.  Heck, I'd call the park and make reservations - I like a sure thing.  100:1 you are virtually the only person there.  Shade / tables / fire ring, not a clue.  Old days, no.  New days, not a clue - ask when you call.  HOPEFULLY I'll be out there "very soon" and can report back.

Maps, so much has opened up at BBRSP recently with all the new trails, campsites, etc. I'm sure no one has anything out there yet.

I bet Lawrence Parent  is feverishly trying to be the first on the market with a new trails illustrated book for BBRSP.

[SA Bill]

Hi Shane!
Understood about the showers...I just meant I wasn't going to try to be way out away from them. From the map it does look like a short drive from PC over to the showers.

Understood about the reservations. I'll probably call the park next month and see what they say.

The shade issue is definitely an....issue. It sure is nice to know that there is some place to get out of the sun in the afternoon. I guess I could get one of those portable shade canopies to take along but that's one more thing to fuss with. I'll ask about shade when I call.

I'm sure you're right about LP! If you get out there before the end of March, let me know what you find.
  Thanks!
    Bill

[Al]

Bill, what we do for shade when hanging in the camp, is sit or nap on the shady side of the truck.  It does create a bit of a hardship in the sense that every few hours one must get up and move one's chair as the sun goes across the sky.  But then such is life in the desert . . .

Al

[SHANEA]

Ah, you are not going to have time to worry about shade.  You are going to be in the truck checking everything out.  There is so much to see - and that was before they opened it up!  What, this isn't a vacation of rest and relaxation.  The whole point of a vacation is to wear yourself out!   

[Wisconsin]

Hi

You guys are talking about my favorite place ever.  I just talked to David at the Warnock Center last week.  The maintenance guys from Warnock will be working on shade ramadas, a total of 65.  Not sure when they are going to start them, as the guys have a couple of signs to finish before they start the ramadas.

April should be a great time for pictures, the cactus and wild flowers should be blooming and if there has been some decent rain, they will be gorgeous, does anyone know if there has been rain?  It was in the 80's when I talked to David.

Safe Hiking

[01ACRViper]

Bill, what we do for shade when hanging in the camp, is sit or nap on the shady side of the truck.  It does create a bit of a hardship in the sense that every few hours one must get up and move one's chair as the sun goes across the sky.  But then such is life in the desert . . .

Al

[Al]

This technique works best this time of year, near the winter solstice . . . otherwise the shade, she is not so readily available.

Al

[presidio]

Now, it's time for Presidio to chime in and indicate as tax payers we have already paid for the land and the right to be on the land and we shouldn't have to pay to use our parks and our showers.   
{just josing you Presidio - ringing your chime in good humor!}   

You rang?

Absolutely, you have paid for the land and you should be able to use it without being robbed at the boundary for permission to enter.

However, I don't have any issue with paying 'reasonable' fees to use capital improvements like showers and campgrounds (on that note, $14 a night for an NPS site is unreasonable considering what they provide). If a shower is available, I use it, but I prefer not having to camp in campgrounds and being charged a fee for a backcountry campsite is ridiculous. Of course only the NPS and probably the state parks do that. USFS and BLM have no fees for backcountry camping.

But, installing facilities solely for the purpose of charging fees? Nope. This is what happens under the 'recreation access tax' program...agencies start installing facilities no one asked for in order to then be able to charge a fee.

[Ay Chihuahua!]

The maintenance guys from Warnock will be working on shade ramadas, a total of 65.  Not sure when they are going to start them, as the guys have a couple of signs to finish before they start the ramadas.

Now I can't find it, but the other day I saw a trip log from a lady who visited the park over Thanksgiving.  One of her pictures she posted was of a BBRSP campground.  It had a shade ramada.