Lost Maples on to Big Bend - Questions

[Beatrice]

It looks like we're around 7-10 hours from Lost Maples SNA (7ish overnight with just gas/bathroom stops. 10ish during the day with food, more restroom stops, etc). I think that's too far to go there, do some hikes and get some pictures, then drive on to Big Bend another 7-10 hours all in the same day.

It looks like Lost Maples only has primitive camp sites. Is this accurate? If so, are there other recommended overnight accommodations? We'd probably be there on a peak weekend. How crowded does it get? We'll be able to go either on our way to Big Bend or back home from Big Bend either one so we could wait to closer to see which would be better timing for the foilage. Are there alternatives to Lost Maples SNA that are noteworthy? A time we need to get any reservations in by if we want to have any hopes of seeing them? I don't know what to ask, so I'm basically asking for a low-down on incorporating Lost Maples into a Big Bend trip.

[BigBendHiker]

It looks like we're around 7-10 hours from Lost Maples SNA (7ish overnight with just gas/bathroom stops. 10ish during the day with food, more restroom stops, etc). I think that's too far to go there, do some hikes and get some pictures, then drive on to Big Bend another 7-10 hours all in the same day.

It looks like Lost Maples only has primitive camp sites. Is this accurate? If so, are there other recommended overnight accommodations? We'd probably be there on a peak weekend. How crowded does it get? We'll be able to go either on our way to Big Bend or back home from Big Bend either one so we could wait to closer to see which would be better timing for the foilage. Are there alternatives to Lost Maples SNA that are noteworthy? A time we need to get any reservations in by if we want to have any hopes of seeing them? I don't know what to ask, so I'm basically asking for a low-down on incorporating Lost Maples into a Big Bend trip.

Lost Maples has both primitive campsites and regular sites with water and electricity.  At the regular campsites, there are showers and bathrooms.  One of the primitive campsites location has a composting toilet (but no water or showers). 

We were there back in Sep 2008 over the weekend and the regular campsites were full.  The primitive sites were still available.  Near peak foliage time, it is wall to wall humanity on the weekends as I understand.  Although, during the week, they say the crowds are not bad at all.

If you go to Lost Maples, be sure to take the hike thru Mystic Canyon.  Very beautiful.


BBH

[SA Bill]

As BBH pointed out, there are developed camp sites with water and electricity.

If it's the fall when you'll be there, it could be very crowded, especially on the weekends. Have reservations if you want a spot on any weekend in October! Check the LM web site for the peak times to see the maples in color. A lot depends on the weather as to whether there will be much to see.

If you're driving that far, with that much further to go after visiting LM, maybe a one day stay in LM would work? Long drive to LM, stay overnight, lazy day of hiking around LM the next day, then the long drive on to BB the following day? LM really is worthy of a full day if you can do it. Of course that will take one day away from BB so it's a tough decision. You can't go wrong either way.

Here's a look from the ridge above the main area of LM. Imagine some color if the conditions are good this fall!
   Bill

[oldfatman]

Also all the LM primitive sites are backpack in.  None are drive up.

[riverrat]

All Lost Maples' W/E sites are back-in sites. It is a small campground and, I would imagine this time of year (summer), not full. Garner State Park is about 35 minutes away and is a much larger park. It is extremely popular in the summer because of the Frio but you might get lucky. Even if you stay at Garner, drive over to Lost maples. You will not be sorry.

If it is in the Fall when you plan to go, both parks are really nice and not nearly as full (unless, as posted above, it is peak foilage time). During the week at LM is not nearly as crowded as the weekends. There is quite a bit of daytraffic during the Fall especially at Thanksgiving.

Whenever you do go, plan on spending at least a couple of days at either park.

You might check into the Parkview RV just across the Frio from Garner. Great place to stay.

http://www.parkviewriversiderv.com/