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| The end of the Lost Mine Trail is totally worth the hike |
Welcome to The Long Weekend. Our segment dedicated to those great DFW weekends when you have a little more time on your hands and you want to just get away for awhile. This Long Weekend trip takes us to the Big Bend region of Texas.
Big Bend is the region of West Texas along the border with Mexico, just north of the large bend in the Rio Grande. It’s that first big bump along the Southern border of Texas that you see when looking at a map. It’s sparsely populated, dry, rocky, filled with mountains and is just absolutely beautiful.
If you have never taken a trip to Big Bend, just know that there is too much to do in a single day, weekend or week. But, no matter how much time you spend there, it will have a life altering affect.
We must prepare!!
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A road trip to Big Bend from the Metroplex will take around 10 hours assuming you stop for a meal somewhere along the way. You can totally make the trip and find lodging in the area without ever going off-road. But, many of the camping options in the Big Bend region are located down narrow dirt roads. Your typical crossover or SUV will have no problems with these routes, but you should definitely plan for extra gas and tire repair/replacement, just in case. More rugged hiking trails will require a 4×4 to traverse. So, be sure to plan your routes here. Mobile phone service is non-existent in some areas. So, be prepared!
There are very few places to purchase groceries or supplies, unless you stop at the general store in Terlingua or the gas station inside Big Bend National Park. So, bring a cooler and pack several meals and snacks for the duration of your trip. We’ll put a recommended packing list at the bottom of this post.
So many places to stay!
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You will need to decide what your level of camping comfort is before embarking on your journey. If you are into setting up a tent, or want to pull your RV into the National Park, you will find that you may need to make reservations for certain camp sites. Other sites at the National Park are first come, first serve. Just show up, check in and claim a site.
If you are more into glamping, there are many options outside of the National Park, including hotels and quirky campsites. For our trip, we chose Tin Valley Retro Rentals. It’s about 40 minutes away from the National Park and the town of Terlingua, so you do have to factor in your daily drives to and from your activities. But, the campsite itself offers some hiking and stargazing with a little touch of civilization. You have access to cold showers, port-a-potties and spotty WiFi. But the various campsites are the real charm.
For the minimalist, there are bare-bones sites where you can set up a tent and still have access to a fire pit and a port-a-potty. You can stay in an A-Frame for a little more protection from the elements. But the real fun is when you choose to stay in a bus, Airstream, camper or a boat! Yes, a boat. Not only that, but the boat site is clothing optional, if you truly want to get your nature on.
What to do, what to do
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We opted for the Cozy Cactus camper, pictured above and thoroughly enjoyed it. We also took our trip in December, so the daytime temperatures hovered in the upper 60’s to low 70’s, while the evenings dropped into the low 40’s to upper 30’s. You will want to check the temperatures in the region before you take your trip, so that you can plan your attire as well as your activities in advance. For instance, staying inside a metal box on wheels in the heat of a Texas Summer, is not recommended. No matter how cute it is.
Holiday’s like Spring Break, Thanksgiving and even Christmas can be busy times for the Big Bend region. But what’s amazing about this place, is that this version of “busy” is nothing like visiting other major tourist attractions. Big Bend National Park gets approximately 440,091 visitors per year, compared to Yellowstone National Park at 4 million or The Grand Canyon at 5 million. You can’t beat that!
But, you will still want to plan your trip ahead of time. We recommend a river tour with Big Bend River Tours. They offer half-day, full-day, two-day or even trips that can last up to two-weeks riding down the Rio Grande river. For our long weekend, we embarked on a half-day trip and it was amazing! If you can include a river-tour on your visit, definitely fit one in. It is well worth it and it will create memories that will last a lifetime.
Terlingua Ghost Town
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If being on a river or hiking a mountain aren’t completely your thing, a visit to Terlingua Ghost Town is in order. Now, being in a ghost town is not like being in the Metroplex. You will have about 10 places to choose to dine at and quite honestly, none of them compare to what we have here. But, it is a step up from the pork and beans that you have back at your campsite. So, splurge a little and visit the Starlight Theatre, for some live music, local eats and some cocktails. You can sit on The Porch and enjoy an amazing sunset and count the dogs that apparently can’t read the signs that say “No Dogs on Porch.” There’s even a wonderful gift shop where you can pick up some awesome souvenirs.
Terlingua also offers a more civilized lodging alternative at the Holiday Hotel. So, if roughing it is not your style, then know that you can stay in a place with “flushy toilets” as the locals call them, and walk down to the nearby coffee shop for an espresso and pastries.
Big Bend National Park
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Many think that the whole area in Big Bend is the National Park. But, it’s not. The area is host to a number of small towns like Terlingua, Alpine, Presidio, Marathon and Marfa. All of which have their own charm and amazing things to do and see. There is even Big Bend Ranch State Park which many claim is a destination to rival the nearby big brother of Big Bend National Park. But, it’s no secret that most visitors are here to see the national park. And, it has plenty to offer. As stated earlier, there is no way to do everything in the park in a single day or weekend. But, here are some of the highlights that you should try to see.
Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive
The Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive is a thirty-mile road that will take you to the Castolon Historic District and the Santa Elena Canyon (a must see). There are many amazing stops along the way, and it is perfect for those who aren’t looking to do anything too rugged.
Primitive Dirt Roads
If you are looking to do some off-roading, check out the numerous backcountry roads. While true off road driving is prohibited within the National Park, these primitive roads do require a 4×4 and will take you to places that the vast majority of visitors will never see.
Boquillas, Mexico
Big Bend National Park offers one of the safest ways to visit Mexico. At the Boquillas Crossing Port of Entry, you can take a “ferry” into a small Mexican town and enjoy some shopping and dining and authentic Mexican culture. You will be required to bring proper documentation including a U.S. Passport or Passport Card, or a valid birth certificate for those under the age of 16.
Hot Springs
There are many hot springs hidden throughout Big Bend, but on the far East Side of the national park you will find the Hot Springs Historic District which offers many historical areas to explore, as well as a hiking trail and an opportunity to relax in the 105° F natural spring waters.
Hiking
And, no trip to this area would be complete without a hike. Big Bend National Park offers Desert Hikes, River Hikes and Mountain Hikes.
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We opted for the Lost Mine Trail. This is one of the most popular trails in the national park, primarily because of its proximity to the Chisos Mountain Lodge. The trail is rated moderate and takes several hours to complete. Despite it being well marked, maintained and laid out, there is an inherent degree of difficulty to this trail. It is 4.8 miles round trip, but there is an overall elevation change of 1,099 feet. This means that you may get winded. You may want to turn around and give up. You may want to curse the gods and the fact that your city-life never trained you for this. But, it is worth it. In fact, “it is worth it” is the one thing that you hear from everyone passing you on their trip downhill. And it is, it truly is. Just make sure you prepare well. Bring plenty of water and some trail mix to keep you going.
Getting back to Nature
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By the completion of this Long Weekend, far removed from your WiFi and the hustle and bustle of city life, you will start to debate whether or not you want to go back and be stuck in traffic. Perhaps you could give it all up and live the simpler life like these wonderful locals do here in Big Bend. Maybe, it’s worth watching the sunrise and the sunset over the mountains, and to actually be able to see the stars in the sky. Not just the ones with blinking red lights heading into the various DFW airports.
And, that’s kinda the point. We all need that reminder every now and again. So, get up and get out there. Explore and enjoy your Long Weekend.
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A packing list
Here are some suggested items to bring on your trip:
Food
- Beef Jerky
- Dried Fruit
- Peanut Butter/Jelly/Bread
- S’mores – Graham Crackers, Marshmallows, Chocolate
- Trail Mix
- Hot Dogs – hot dogs, mustard, ketchup, buns
- Hamburgers – hamburger, buns, cheese
- Breakfast Sausage
- Pancake Mix
- Water
- Sports Drinks
- Snacks
- Paper Plates
- Paper Towels
- Utensils
- Food Storage
- Picnic Blanket
- Environmentally Friendly Dish Soap
- Sponge
Survival/Comfort
- Starter Logs
- Chairs
- Toilet Paper and Wipes
- Hand Sanitizer
- Totes
- First Aid Kits
- Flashlights
- Lanterns
- Knife
- Sleeping Bag
- Pillows
- Trash Bags
- Cards/Games
- Waterproof phone pouch
- Glow Sticks
- Cooler
- Gas container
- Propane for Heaters or Cooktops
Clothing
- Clothing
- Underwear
- Jackets
- Hoodies
- Long Johns
- Clothes Pins
- Towels
- Backpacks
- Socks
- Hiking Shoes
- Shower Shoes
- Hiking Boots
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