Big Bend National Park Info Needed

[Gary]

I'm strongly considering taking a more southern route either to or from the Gathering of the Fools Run this year and taking in a cruise through Big Bend NP. Seems to be one of those places to be checked off The List. 

I'd definitely appreciate any feedback, must do's or don't's, etc from anyone that's been or know's. Thanks.

Here's just a handful of pic's I ran across:






Thanks! 

[Serk]

If possible, cut down to Presidio, then take the River Road to the park (FM170 I believe). The road follow all the twists and turns of the Rio Grande and is a BLAST.

Taking this route will also put you through Terlingua, so you can pay homage to Hotglue and Flamingobabe's very first date while you're in the area.

Standard disclaimer - This is a border area in the midst of what is unofficially a border war, so be very careful.

There's a restauraunt on top of a mountain run by the park service. The food is okay, but the view is awesome, be sure to have dinner there!



For lodging, we go out of the park and up to Marathon, there's a place called the Marathon Motel. Reasonable prices, very friendly staff, bike friendly, and it's little 2 room cabins. Very nice place.





Nice views at the motel too!



Other thoughts off the top of my head:

The speed limit in the park is low, and a federal offense, but you're there to see the scenery anyway, right?

Bring food/water on your bike (Especially water) and bring warm clothes. Spring time it can still get right cold in there, or you could hit triple digits, pack for either.

Bring something so you could temporarily take care of a flat, the nearest bike place that has a tire for Valkyries can be a happy hike away (I had to limp it to Kerrville, stopping every 20 miles or so and using my portable air pump to pump the tire back up.)

Also, supposedly there will be an unmanned (?!?!?!) border crossing opened up in the park by this spring, so if you wanna hop over to Mexico in a theoretically touristy safe area, bring your passport.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/12/11/us-proposes-unmanned-border-entry-with-mexico/

[laserpat]

Big Bend is awesome. Pay attention to gas stops as it's far between stations. Alpine is a cool town. The Indian Lodge in the Davis mountains is a good place to stay and the mysterious Marfa lights are worth seeing. Eat at the Starlght in Terlingua if you can.

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

I agree with Serk about the river road it's a hoot. As you enter Terlingua the star theather  cafe is a good place to eat. Also there is The La Kiva bar and grill in the koa camp grounds that is worth a visit to. You can enter the park on highway 118 and exit on to other road which will take you back to Marathon. From there it's only 10 to 11 hours to Hotglues.

[R J]

Just don't pass up a chance to get gas.    Don't ask how I know this as I ain't talkin.

[Gary]

Cool, thanks to all that responded.

How is that Hwy 90 heading east out of Marathon. Is that good to go at least toward San Antone or would it be better to connect to I-10?

That Indian Lodge looks like it could make for a good stop for an overnighter since these days I try to minimize my night driving.

The Marathon Motel being a good possible stop for the next night if I make a day of cruising BB.

That River Road that runs along the border, the one map I pulled up referenced it as a Primitive Road for 4WD, High Clearance vehicles, etc.? Maybe it was an old map.  ???

Nice pic's by the way Serk, I hope I can reciprocate.

[NCGhostrider]

Big Bend is a great area to ride in.  The River Road is really scenic.  Fill up with gas when you can, and watch your speed in the park.  The stretch heading north towards Marathon is long, and you can get heavy handed...the park speed is slow, just wait till you get out of the park!!

There is some beautiful riding around Fort Davis, and of course head towards Marfa and the lights (need to do some timing to get a chance to see them). 

Its been a while since I have been thru there, but have been contemplating doing another trip thru there.

There is a trip report on my site, it is a few years old, but there are a few pics, if you are interested. 
http://www.fenter.com


Ride Safe

Craig

NcGhostrider
99 I/S

[Serk]

I'm sorry, I shoulda specified, when you're talking about Big Bend there are two roads known as "The River Road." One of them is indeed a 4x4 dirt trail, the other is the paved road I was referring to that goes to Presidio. The paved road I was referring to, I just looked it up, and looks like it's called 170.

Few pics taken along 170 from Big Bend to Presidio:

(The shore behind me is Mexico)







The years the spousal unit and I do Big Bend, we do the opposite of what you're describing. We go straight from Dallas to HotGlue's, then Sunday morning after the BBQ we take I-10 west outta Houston to San Antonio, switch to highway 90 west outta San Antonio to Marathon.

I know it's been mentioned, but let me reiterate. If you see a gas station, get gas. There's a stretch from Del Rio to I believe Sanderson that's around 110-115 miles of no service. And also keep in mind, these are roads where you can see for many many miles, so the urge to move the Valkyrie into speeds that are... not... fuel efficient... is very high. I haven't run out yet, but I've coasted into the gas station on fumes more than once.

After a day or two of playing around in Big Bend we'll mosey north eastwards towards I-10 to Kerrville, then stay the night in Kerrville, getting up the next day and doing the three twisted sisters outside Kerrville (If you're in the area, I highly recommend 'em! Take 16 south outta Kerrville to Medina, then take RR 337 west from Medina to Camp Wood, RR 335 north out of Camp Wood to highway 41, 41 back east to RR 336, take RR 336 south to Leakey, then decide where you want to go from there. You won't regret those roads! They're a blast!)

[Gary]

There is a trip report on my site, it is a few years old, but there are a few pics, if you are interested. 
http://www.fenter.com

Just read through and enjoyed your ride report. Funny how they seem to hit home on many of the experiences. On a seperate note, my dad was from Wichita Falls, not sure any family is still in the area though.

I got a kick out of not wanting to fork out the $2.00 price per gallon in Marathon. I recall being on the Pacific Coast at Big Sur, just starting to fill up not noticing the $ per gallon. The attendant calls out and chuckles "that's $10.00". I chuckled too until I noticed he wasn't joking.    I believe it was running just under $4.00 per and this was back in 2003. I left it at the $10.00 for less than 3 gallons and moved on to the next town. The ride was great though. 

Here's a shot from that trip from the Big Sur area just before that rapage, and of the Tourer I had just picked up in San Jose.


Thanks for sharing your trip and feedback.

We've got snow today... 

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

Bought gas in Campwood a couple of years ago for 4.13 for regular and was damn glad to get it. Big Bend did have a station at one of the camp grounds but not sure anymore. Terlingua and Study Butte have some stations but they have banker hours.

[NCGhostrider]

Just read through and enjoyed your ride report. Funny how they seem to hit home on many of the experiences. On a seperate note, my dad was from Wichita Falls, not sure any family is still in the area though.

I got a kick out of not wanting to fork out the $2.00 price per gallon in Marathon. I recall being on the Pacific Coast at Big Sur, just starting to fill up not noticing the $ per gallon. The attendant calls out and chuckles "that's $10.00". I chuckled too until I noticed he wasn't joking.    I believe it was running just under $4.00 per and this was back in 2003. I left it at the $10.00 for less than 3 gallons and moved on to the next town. The ride was great though. 

Here's a shot from that trip from the Big Sur area just before that rapage, and of the Tourer I had just picked up in San Jose.


Thanks for sharing your trip and feedback.

We've got snow today... 

The 2.00 gas definately dates things a bit!  At the time it seemed really extreme, looking back, even an hour after I passed it up, I didn't think it so extreme.  Fortunately, the interstate I was riding then got great gas mileage, the one I ride now would have stranded me.

Beautiful shot, makes me want to ride out to the West Coast, about the farthest I make it is Arizona!

No snow here, but we have cooled off today.

I haven't posted a report in a while, my ex wife likes to use them against me in court.  Seems that riding a motorcycle is very expensive and she uses it as an excuse to raise my child support or even gouge me for extra expenses.   I will update again in a couple of years!   

Craig

NcGhostrider
99 I/S

[Gary]

The years the spousal unit and I do Big Bend, we do the opposite of what you're describing. We go straight from Dallas to HotGlue's, then Sunday morning after the BBQ we take I-10 west outta Houston to San Antonio, switch to highway 90 west outta San Antonio to Marathon.

After a day or two of playing around in Big Bend we'll mosey north eastwards towards I-10 to Kerrville, then stay the night in Kerrville, getting up the next day and doing the three twisted sisters outside Kerrville (If you're in the area, I highly recommend 'em! Take 16 south outta Kerrville to Medina, then take RR 337 west from Medina to Camp Wood, RR 335 north out of Camp Wood to highway 41, 41 back east to RR 336, take RR 336 south to Leakey, then decide where you want to go from there. You won't regret those roads! They're a blast!)

Thanks Serk, that answers a few of my questions. Haven't been around the Hill Country/Kerrville for some time, if I make the Big Bend run after GOTF's I just may try to take that in then.

Trying to remember where The Country Inn restaurant is located? The official site of the first He-man Steak Eating Contest; a title proudly earned by the then VSG member Rainman, with Tattoo coming in a close second if memory serves me. I had at least a couple hearty meals with the VSG there back in the day.