oh, really? i figured the crowds would kind of die after time changes. in that case, i might try to get out before then. we'll see. thanks for the info.
Big Bend
- Thread starter Hunterlee
- Start date
JEMP1003
New member
It's the temperature that drives it, I was there for spring break this year and all the campsites were full even the dispersed ones.
There is a big group that is going down there on Thanksgiving (Texas Overland on Facebook), they'll be staying at Rancho Topanga in Terlingua and they'll be doing trips to both the State and National parks.
OutdoorsFanatic83
New member
Your best bet
is to take one of the backcountry spots, passes are just $12. Terlingua Abajo has some pretty sweet backcountry camping spots where you can drive right up to the spot, and have all your gear in your vehicle (don't have to hump it all in).
is to take one of the backcountry spots, passes are just $12. Terlingua Abajo has some pretty sweet backcountry camping spots where you can drive right up to the spot, and have all your gear in your vehicle (don't have to hump it all in).
3rdCoast Runner
New member
Love going to Big Bend. Wife and I go every year. When we got the 4Runner, the first place we thought of was there. Love it.
mc813
New member
I went for Christmas in 2015 and had no problems on River road (did east and west) with the stock tires, YMMV.
BillLee
New member
Thats the plan, i'm waiting for the 2017. Not sure when i can place an order on them yet.
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B33R_Runner
New member
I made my first visit to Big Bend back in March. I tend to over-research ahead of trips, and I became fond of Big Bend before I had ever even stepped foot in the park. I was so amped-up going in that I was sure my expectations wouldn't be met. Thankfully, they were, though.
Big Bend is mysterious and vast. It feels bleak, but reality is that it's teeming with wildlife. The varied landscapes are incredible. Excuse the hyperbole, but I felt like I was on a different planet as I drove into the park from the north on 385. I'll never forget it.
No, it is not necessarily an offroader's dream, as the technical aspects aren't too challenging. This is an offroad escape, nothing more. But it is remote, and the backroads offer the wonderful, adventurous feeling of driving on roads that not many others have driven.
A few days on one trip is not enough time to experience the entire park. I feel like I barely scratched the surface, and I hope to go back many times in the future. Please try to make a visit at least once. You can blame me if you feel like it wasn't worth your time.
(Background: I'm in a stock, "high" mileage '03 SR5 4WD. Tires are stock-sized [that's 265/65/17 for 4th gens] Michelin LTX M/S2 highway tires. Also, I know this is the 5th gen forum, but I'm hoping for a pass since Big Bend isn't generation-specific. :cowboy
This is Black Gap, approaching from the east (i.e. going up):
This is Black Gap, view from the west (i.e. looking down):
Big Bend is mysterious and vast. It feels bleak, but reality is that it's teeming with wildlife. The varied landscapes are incredible. Excuse the hyperbole, but I felt like I was on a different planet as I drove into the park from the north on 385. I'll never forget it.
No, it is not necessarily an offroader's dream, as the technical aspects aren't too challenging. This is an offroad escape, nothing more. But it is remote, and the backroads offer the wonderful, adventurous feeling of driving on roads that not many others have driven.
A few days on one trip is not enough time to experience the entire park. I feel like I barely scratched the surface, and I hope to go back many times in the future. Please try to make a visit at least once. You can blame me if you feel like it wasn't worth your time.
(Background: I'm in a stock, "high" mileage '03 SR5 4WD. Tires are stock-sized [that's 265/65/17 for 4th gens] Michelin LTX M/S2 highway tires. Also, I know this is the 5th gen forum, but I'm hoping for a pass since Big Bend isn't generation-specific. :cowboy
This is Black Gap, approaching from the east (i.e. going up):
This is Black Gap, view from the west (i.e. looking down):
About the only downsides to such a magnificent park are:
1. Proximity to Mexico (although in and of itself isn't a bad thing, but there's a reason why they have a permanently manned border control post right outside the park)
2. Inability to carry firearms into the park (for self defense against point 1, not for hunting)
3. Inability to bring a drone into the park for some amazing aerial shots.
1. Proximity to Mexico (although in and of itself isn't a bad thing, but there's a reason why they have a permanently manned border control post right outside the park)
2. Inability to carry firearms into the park (for self defense against point 1, not for hunting)
3. Inability to bring a drone into the park for some amazing aerial shots.
Sled Driver
New member
You can carry a firearm into Big Bend NP (and SP, for that matter), you just cannot discharge it. Now, if it does come to that I'd rather be judged by 12 than carried by 6.
https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/management/upload/Firearms-in-IMRparks2-2010.pdf
Not to mention the fact that if you're going to be on the border with Mexico, BB is probably a pretty safe place to be. Mules and Coyotes generally want to avoid people, which the park is full of.
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B33R_Runner
New member
Though I didn't actually compile this before heading to Big Bend, here's what my incomplete "List of Things to be Concerned About" might have been, in order of most concerning to least concerning:
1. Am I going to get a flat tire?
2. Are we prepared for large temperature swings?
3. Are we going to run out of water?
4. Are we going to run out of food?
5. Are we going to run out of gas?
6. Are we going to get lost?
.
.
.
44. Are we going to encounter a rattlesnake?
59. Are we going to encounter a bear?
83. Are we going to encounter a mountain lion?
.
.
.
125. Are we going to have fun?
126. Is my 4Runner going to fail me?
127. Are we going to encounter a hostile illegal immigrant?
128. Do I need a firearm to defend myself against said immigrant?
Obviously, I'm poking fun, but your #1 and #2 downsides would be the least of my concerns when visiting Big Bend. Just my opinion. Illegal crossings in the park are possible, of course, but I can't imagine a worse place to cross. Among other things, they're contending with hundreds of miles of harsh desert and little to no resources.
Weirdly, I've never worried about most of what you just listed after being there, but again, I stuck to the main roads and didn't camp in the park. I'm sure if camping was my goal, I'd take into consideration several of those items and give them due attention.
Before you believe that the 'desert keeps them out', you should take a look at Arizona and California first. Most if not all the crossing points are desert and they seem to make it over just fine in a lot of cases.
Although there's a massive cliff on the other side of the border for a lot of the park boundaries which could deter most illegals, that doesn't mean some desperate foreigner wouldn't capitalize on the naive to take what they have, especially if it's off road capable.
Anyway, I don't mean to devolve this into an argument over illegals. Like everything on your list, it should be taken into consideration, even if a remote possibility.
Before you believe that the 'desert keeps them out', you should take a look at Arizona and California first. Most if not all the crossing points are desert and they seem to make it over just fine in a lot of cases.
Although there's a massive cliff on the other side of the border for a lot of the park boundaries which could deter most illegals, that doesn't mean some desperate foreigner wouldn't capitalize on the naive to take what they have, especially if it's off road capable.
Anyway, I don't mean to devolve this into an argument over illegals. Like everything on your list, it should be taken into consideration, even if a remote possibility.
B33R_Runner
New member
I hear ya, and fair points. I just don't want anyone who has never been to Big Bend get the impression that illegals are actively running around raiding campsites or something (even though you didn't say that specifically), and that ends up being the reason they don't go. It is good to see that you can carry within the park borders in case you do in fact need protection. :cheers:
MRM69
New member
Just so everyone knows, it is legal to carry firearms in National parks (State parks are up to the individual State):
"Congress approved a new law allowing loaded firearms in national parks starting Feb. 22, 2010. That means people can openly carry legal handguns, rifles, shotguns and other firearms and also may carry concealed guns as allowed by state statute.Feb 22, 2010"
https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/management/upload/Firearms-in-IMRparks2-2010.pdf
"Congress approved a new law allowing loaded firearms in national parks starting Feb. 22, 2010. That means people can openly carry legal handguns, rifles, shotguns and other firearms and also may carry concealed guns as allowed by state statute.Feb 22, 2010"
https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/management/upload/Firearms-in-IMRparks2-2010.pdf
jameshouse99
New member
Looks really fun! I'm from Houston and just recently acquired the 17 pro. Some of my friends and I are planning on hitting up big bend soon. Maybe we could meet up for that if you're down. Where in Texas are you from?
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B33R_Runner
New member
Be prepared for plenty of desert pinstriping on your nice cement paint. You will scratch things up while on Big Bend's backroads.
Hunterlee
New member
Yea it was awesome out there!
Congrats on pro, that color looks really good!
And yea man I'm always up for meeting fellow 4Runner owners. I'm here in the Heights area in Houston.
srsrogerissrs
Member
I've seen you cruising down i10 before, the rack + lift is hard to miss. I'm also in the heights area too!
