Best and Worst primitive roadside campsites?

[Lemming_of_the_BDA]

Nugent Mtn #1 and #2 are side by side sites. Suited for a large party or someone with horses. Not a lot of shelter there. Plus, it's pretty close to the main road. Lot's of traffic. Don't much care for it, but that's just me.

It is a decent spot if you're towing a small trailer, though.

[Roy]

Driven by it a number of times;  it's on the south side of the mountain, good views to the south and west.  Right on Glenn Springs road;  traffic looked like a problem to me.

My favorite is La Noria #2.  Off the road a ways;  a short walk takes you to the bluffs over Tornillo Creek.   Near the old cemetery so don't camp there if the ghosties bother you.

[SHANEA]

Near the old cemetery so don't camp there if the ghosties bother you.

Is there "remains" of a cemetary still there?  We last camped @ La Noria #1 and  really liked it.  Liked the hill behind our site for observations - were closer to the stars too.  Stars were much brighter up on the hill than down below. :lol:

Think we are going to try and use #2 next time as it is the end of the road, don't have to climb the hill to see the basin, and has more room for swinging a trailer.  Of course, #1 does offer somewhat of a wind break. 8)

[Roy]

It can be windy on the bluffs, especially if you've got a NW wind coming down the creek bed.  Lots of dust.  Never tried to do any stargazing there;  the view across Tornillo Creek and the Chisos with a full moon is outstanding.
The little trail from the site to the creek goes right past the cemetery and some old foundations, etc.

[JeffB]

Nugent is nothing too spectacular.  Very similar to the first Pine Canyon sites but it is closer to the main road.  Its flat and open and the sites are kind of close together with a common parking area.  Great night sky from that site due to the unobstructed view to the south.  No shade in the morning & hard to dig a hole anywhere nearby.

I wouldn't recommend it unless the Pine Canyon sites are full or your vehicle has trouble getting deep into the unimproved roads.  The road gets much worse after you pass Nugent #1&2.

[JeffB]

My favorite is the last Paint Gap.  The road is not too difficult for my Ford Ranger and the hills and valleys give a closed-in feel.  In the morning the bird calls really echo down in the "saddle".  No shade though.  And the sunset is obscured because you are down in the saddle between hills.

No traffic whatsoever since you are at the far end of the primitive road.

[01ACRViper]

how are the Glenn Springs sites? i'm going with a group of 7 friends that haven't been to BB before, and i want to get away from the basin campground. I've driven by the sites a number of times on my way to the ET trail, but have yet to stop. each time there wsa water in the creek, which is always nice :) for the second night i've narrowed it down to there or Rice Tanks, and PC for the last night.

[Lemming_of_the_BDA]

how are the Glenn Springs sites? i'm going with a group of 7 friends that haven't been to BB before, and i want to get away from the basin campground. I've driven by the sites a number of times on my way to the ET trail, but have yet to stop. each time there wsa water in the creek, which is always nice :) for the second night i've narrowed it down to there or Rice Tanks, and PC for the last night.

I prefer Glenn Springs 1. It has a secluded feel, and is large enough for your guests. Don't care for GS 2 at all. It's like camping in a parking lot.

FWIW, the Black Gap Road warnings are a little over stated. GS 1 is at the bottom of a small hill, just off the main road. It's not like you have to go 4X4 for miles and miles. My only concern would be if a storm was coming. Might be tough to cross the creek and climb the hill.

[01ACRViper]

how are the Glenn Springs sites? i'm going with a group of 7 friends that haven't been to BB before, and i want to get away from the basin campground. I've driven by the sites a number of times on my way to the ET trail, but have yet to stop. each time there wsa water in the creek, which is always nice :) for the second night i've narrowed it down to there or Rice Tanks, and PC for the last night.

I prefer Glenn Springs 1. It has a secluded feel, and is large enough for your guests. Don't care for GS 2 at all. It's like camping in a parking lot.

FWIW, the Black Gap Road warnings are a little over stated. GS 1 is at the bottom of a small hill, just off the main road. It's not like you have to go 4X4 for miles and miles. My only concern would be if a storm was coming. Might be tough to cross the creek and climb the hill.

thanks for the info, i'll try to get that site. yeah, i think most ratings on the roads in BB are overrated; for safety i guess. i've yet to need 4 wheel drive in all my trips out there :)

[chisos_muse]

Hey Roy, I can't really make out what your Avatar pic is? :?  Weren't you a raven before I left for my trip? :)

[EdB]

Just discovered this site - about a month too late. I went to Big Bend for a week late February, and it would have been great to have some of the info on here before then. I guess I'll have to go back.

Anyway, I camped 4 nights at 4 different roadside sites. My rankings, from favorite to least favorite are:
1) Nugent #1
2) Grapevine #4
3) Glenn Springs #2
4) Terlingua Abajo #4

I camped by myself, hiked by myself, and drove around by myself for the first 4 days I was there, moving every night to a new spot. Nugent was my last road site, and it was a nice change - the fact that there was the occasional truck going by reassured me that I wasn't completely isolated.  Plus, it had great views for sunrise/sunset. If you're looking to get away from everything for a couple days, this spot wouldn't be good. For me, at that time, it was perfect. It probably wouldn't have been so nice if someone was occupying the other site next to it, but I got lucky.
 
Grapevine was almost at the end of the road (#5 was just beyond it). It was far enough away from #5, but I could still hear the people talking (ableit quietly).

GS was, as described earlier, like camping in a parking lot. #1 looked better. It had decent views for sunrise/sunset, but that's about it.

TA was just a mistake. I wanted somewhere close to Santa Elena canyon so I could get up and not have to drive too far for sunrise photos. The campsite was pretty barren, views were blah. I would've been better off at Cottonwood, which is where I stayed a few nights later.

[randell]

Just discovered this site - about a month too late. I went to Big Bend for a week late February, and it would have been great to have some of the info on here before then. I guess I'll have to go back.

Anyway, I camped 4 nights at 4 different roadside sites. My rankings, from favorite to least favorite are:
1) Nugent #1
2) Grapevine #4
3) Glenn Springs #2
4) Terlingua Abajo #4

I camped by myself, hiked by myself, and drove around by myself for the first 4 days I was there, moving every night to a new spot. Nugent was my last road site, and it was a nice change - the fact that there was the occasional truck going by reassured me that I wasn't completely isolated.  Plus, it had great views for sunrise/sunset. If you're looking to get away from everything for a couple days, this spot wouldn't be good. For me, at that time, it was perfect. It probably wouldn't have been so nice if someone was occupying the other site next to it, but I got lucky.
 
Grapevine was almost at the end of the road (#5 was just beyond it). It was far enough away from #5, but I could still hear the people talking (ableit quietly).

GS was, as described earlier, like camping in a parking lot. #1 looked better. It had decent views for sunrise/sunset, but that's about it.

TA was just a mistake. I wanted somewhere close to Santa Elena canyon so I could get up and not have to drive too far for sunrise photos. The campsite was pretty barren, views were blah. I would've been better off at Cottonwood, which is where I stayed a few nights later.

Welcome!  Nice to have you on board.  Might we see some of these "sunrise photos" you speak of?

[Doc Savage]

Our favorites are:

Glen Springs (not sure the number, it's the one just off Black Gap road down next to the stream). Excellent secluded location. People could drive right by and never know you were there. Not a bad hike up to the ruins. Lots of wildlife around at night. Just hope you don't mind the "night sounds".

Elephant Tusk. You are literally in the middle of nowhere there. Completely secluded (unless someone is driving on the road as you are right on the side of the road).

Robert

[Roy]

Welcome, Doc.  With those credentials, you ought to talk to Homerboy;  was trying to find his original post about his group's trip in Mexico near Boquillas but couldn't find it;  maybe someone else can locate the thread.  He's from Piedras Negras;  had some great photos from south of the river.

[Doc Savage]

Welcome, Doc.  With those credentials, you ought to talk to Homerboy;  was trying to find his original post about his group's trip in Mexico near Boquillas but couldn't find it;  maybe someone else can locate the thread.  He's from Piedras Negras;  had some great photos from south of the river.

Found the thread. many of the pics were missing but the ones left were cool. I'll have to pass that on to our International VP, we have clubs from New Zeland, Australia, South Africia, and Canada in United.

Robert