Ep. 119: Big Bend National Park | Texas RV travel camping
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- Опубліковано 30 чер 2024
- In this episode of Grand Adventure we're deep in the Chihuahuan Desert, the second largest desert in North America. We're right on the Mexican border, on the banks of the Rio Grande River in the Big Bend area of beautiful West Texas. This is part 1 of our two-part series from the Big Bend.
We're visiting Big Bend National Park. This National Park is massive, encompassing 801,000 acres, the largest protected area of Chihuahuan Desert topography and ecology in the United States. It includes approximately 118 miles of America's national boundary with Mexico along the Rio Grande, designated a wild and scenic river. We'll see Boquillas Canyon, the Boquillas Port of Entry river crossing to Mexico, the Hot Springs Historic Area, Panther Junction, the Chisos Mountains and Chisos Basin, and the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive. We'll show you the National Park's Rio Grande Village Campground, Chisos Basin Campground and Cottonwood Campground, as well as Maverick Ranch RV Park at Lajitas Golf Resort in the tiny riverside hamlet of Lajitas, where we're staying ourselves.
Filmed: September 21-25, 2019
FOR MORE INFORMATION
* Big Bend National Park www.nps.gov/bibe
* Maverick Ranch RV Park www.lajitasgolfresort.com/def...
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ABOUT US
Welcome to Grand Adventure, a UA-cam channel that focuses on RV-centric outdoor activities including not only of course camping, but also mountain biking, hiking, kayaking, skiing and more, always filmed in stunning 4K.
We're based in Salt Lake City, Utah, and invite you to come along as we travel all around the western U.S. My wife Patricia and I, and dog Zoe are avid boondockers, so you'll seldom find us in RV parks or even dry campgrounds. Instead, we're usually camped in some of the most remote and beautiful spots that you could ever pull a travel trailer into. And unlike most other RV channels on UA-cam, we're not RV dealers or full-timers -- we're "long-timers" who tend to hit the road for weeks or months at a time, while maintaining a sticks-and-bricks home in Utah.
We'll provide beautiful travel videos, as well as some tips and insight on trip planning, and equipping and maintaining your RV to make your next adventure a grand one indeed! So, subscribe to make sure that you catch every episode, and remember...life is nothing but a Grand Adventure!
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#RV #travel #texas #camping #bigbend #nationalpark #nationalparks #lajitas #westtexas
![National Park & Federal Land Passes Explained [Changes for 2023]](/img/n.gif)
Going back to Big Bend next April for my 6th visit in 40 years. Every time I return I discover something new. Absolutely my favorite place on Earth. Welcome to Texas!
Thank you so much for the warm welcome, Brian! We're finding everything about Texas to be warm, quite literally. LOL!
Off to Big Bend in 2024 when we get back from Australia. First thing to do is check out Marc's Grand Adventure. Fabulous resource. Every time. 👍
Thank you Leigh! Safe travels back from Taz, and enjoy Big Bend. We absolutely loved that part of West Texas.
That was a lovely commercial. Thank you so much!
Big Bend is one of our favorites! Loved the Hot Springs!
We wish that those hot springs weren't flooded out during our visit.
@@GrandAdventure 😳 oh no! That is too bad...
@@OurNationalAdventure that just gives us one more reason to return.
Absolutely! Its such a huge park to explore and we were surprised by the diversity of the environment in that part of Texas.
That was just outstanding ,, very good job..
Thank you Arch!
Big Bend is such a cool Park
We couldn't agree more.
I like seeing the photos of the places you've been and getting a better flavor of the places I will want to see someday! Thank you for taking the time and for doing such a good job of it.
You folks are very kind, thank you very much!
Beautiful. Thank you for the fine video and photographs.
So excited to go next week
Enjoy, it's one of our favorite national parks.
I have wanted to visit Big Bend NP.....thanks for the virtual visit.
You're most welcome Kenneth! Thanks for coming along. It's truly right up there with our favorite National Parks, and it's well worthy of your visit.
Thank you so much for bringing sharing the beauty of the land with us. I'm so grateful.
And we're so grateful for you, Suzane -- thank you!
I certainly hope you're getting a just reward for your excellent efforts. Yet again another thumbs up episode with in depth info. (I can't imagine what provokes a thumbs down unless possibly in this case somebody just doesn't like Texas.) I don't remember how I happened across Grand Adventure but I will soon spend some time going through your vids one by one and taking some notes. You provide a variety of interesting and valuable info with great videos and, probably an odd compliment but pleasing, not dorky, background music. Kudos to you.
Thank you so much, Joel! No matter how you found us, we're happy that you did.
You prolly dont give a damn but does anyone know of a way to log back into an Instagram account?
I was stupid lost my account password. I would love any tricks you can offer me!
@Watson Elijah instablaster ;)
@Jaden Jayson Thanks for your reply. I got to the site through google and im waiting for the hacking stuff atm.
I see it takes a while so I will get back to you later with my results.
@Jaden Jayson It worked and I finally got access to my account again. Im so happy:D
Thanks so much, you saved my ass :D
Thank you again for your wonderful Adventure in this beautiful land we call home.
Thank you Frances! We truly loved our time in the Big Bend area and can't wait to return some day.
I was trying to remember the caves at Boquillas Canyon (in the cliff). We visited the spot where the caves are this last New Years and was I surprised to see that all the sand was gone, there used to be a sand dune that went all the way up to the largest cave. People would climb up there look in the cave and run down the dune, that rock that sticks up at the bottom all you could see was about a foot of it.
No kidding, Jeff. Seems a bit odd, doesn't it?
@@GrandAdventure I would kid with the locals that the cave was a bandit from the Arthur, Larry McMurtry book (I can't think of the name), but the bandit was Jose Garza (I think) where he says the towns name.
Thank you for this great detailed review of Big Bend!! Great information and beautiful area!
Thank you! And it is indeed spectacular.
Thanks for the information of state parks costly camping...
Very Beautiful and good PR for Big Bend
Thank you, Ike!
Big Bend is definitely on my bucket list, thanks for sharing!!
And thank *you* for watching, Tim!
I've lived in South Texas (Laredo) for 13 years and have never been here. But after watching this video, that will change soon. Thanks for opening my eyes to this great area.
Oh my Mike, you must. Big Bend is an absolute gem, and so wholly underutilized too. Come to think of it, that may be what makes the place so extra special. It's only a few hours away for you, so take that opportunity.
Great video! Can’t wait for next week!
Thanks so much, James!
Marc. Thank you for another outstanding trip.
Thank you so much as always, Helen!
Beautiful 💜
Just gorgeous! We are only able to get away in late spring through the summer months, but this one is on our list now for sure! Love your channel. It’s one of our favorites!
Thank you! With your required time period, start here as early in that period as you can before the heat gets brutal.
Thanks Marc 👍😊 I’ve added it to my bucket list 🚌🎬🎥🎶😎🌎 thanks for sharing and safe travels
Thank you, and same to you as always, Tom!
Holy guacamole, that's a beautiful area. Just added to the bucket list. Fabulous presentation. Thanks again.
Thank you as always, Spell Madam!
Very much enjoyed watching. Thanks for the information surrounding your trip.
Thanks so much, Mark!
Mark! Again, super job! Thank you! Texas has three 'sky-islands' and my favorites are the Chisos of Bend Bend and the Davis Mountains. And you pick a great time of the year to see that area. The Chihuahuan Desert of that area become very colorful just after monsoonal rains. It seems that the seasons are out of order there.- Winter, Summer, Spring, and then Fall. The hottest months are May and June. Then it cools as the rain begin. It doesn't take much rain to cool the area and make Spring color. I hope you get by the Davis Mountains. Maybe that's your next featured area. Again, Super job!
Thanks so much, JK! We weren't able to hit the Davis Mountains on this pass, only see them from a distance, but that just gives us a reason to return to West Texas.
My husband is a HUGE fan. He has learned so very much from you. We are now RV ing. Wish we could meet you.
Hope to see you out there Mary, thank you so much!
Cool. We were in site 83 in March. Love that area!!
I must admit that I've never really had a desire to visit Big Bend NP. That is until I saw this video. The national park and surrounding area is definitely on my bucket list now.
Guido, I love music that you use on your videos. You and I have the same tastes. And your video talents are superb.
We'll readily admit that it was videos from other UA-camrs like @WanderlandTravelers that convinced us to visit Big Bend. It's not on a lot of people's radar, which is a good thing. You're very kind in your comments, and for that we thank you very much.
again, nice shots.
Thank you!
Big Bend is one place I hope to visit this Winter. Thanks for the park info!
You're most welcome, Chris!
I love the way you show the place full of information thanks
Thank you Hector! We appreciate your feedback.
Missed the premiere but watching now. Well done video and information again, WOW what a place. Didn't know there was that much in elevation change. On my short list to visit soon, looking forward to part two.
Many thanks!!! :)
Tina
Thank you so very much, Tina!
Great video Mark, you are getting very good at this! I’ve always driven by Big Bend, but you’ve convinced me to put in on my winter stop list.
You won't regret it, we promise.
Just beautiful. I'm embarrassed we have never been there right in our own state. It's on the list now!
Don't miss it, Lori. But go later in fall than we did, or early in spring.
Marfa on the way in! Awesome!! Hey, great job with this video. This is definitely a different way of camping for you since you don’t frequent RV parks. It looks like you found a great one in such a nice setting, and for good reason. That pool looks so inviting. Nice views and info about Big Bend. Can’t wait to see next week!
Thanks guys! Yeah, we're usually boondocking but when we're on the road "part-time full-time" we usually go into an RV park every 10 days or so to dump/fill and do laundry, anyway. So this wasn't entirely foreign to us, and as we said we had a wonderful stay. Appreciate you!
Beautiful country, excellent video as always.
Thank *you* as always, William!
Missed the premier due to a short camping trip. Big Bend is on our horizon for January now! Thanks so much, Marc!
Thank you, Mark! Hope your trip was a good one.
Welcome to Texas, y'all!
Glad to be here, Michael - thank you!
Nice video. Awesome scenery and I really enjoyed it. Thank you.
Thank you very much!
Being a solo traveler I think this would be great, and peaceful.
It's definitely both, Bob.
Can't wait to visit this myself... THANKS for the video!
Looking forward to you joining us tonight, Cain!
@@GrandAdventure "Be there or be square!" :)
Marc. Another fine video. We were there two years ago and drove all the roads from Santa Elena Canyon to Boquiilos. It’s truly beautiful in its desert diversity, plant life, and shear vastness of open space. On a personal note,we just returned to our home in the Texas Hill Country from spending 5 weeks in southern Colorado and northern New Mexico. Your response to my question some time ago as to whether my wife who is in a wheelchair could see any of the cliff dwellings in Mesa Verde from a distance was spot on. You said she could and she did. We might not have gone there were it not for your kind response. Thanks again. Enjoy your time on the beaches and with RV Texas Y’all. And, Welcome to Texas.
I'm so happy that your wife got to experience Mesa Verde, Don! That's absolutely wonderful, for it's such a special place. Thank you for sharing, and we're happy to hear that you had a safe and enjoyable trip.
Big Bend is like my second home. You did a great job of covering the National Park.
We're so happy to hear that, Benjamin -- thank you! We'll be doing our second part tonight (8pm Central is Premiere time
ua-cam.com/video/hV4_-8Lr8GI/v-deo.html
-- hope you'll join us for the Premiere) which will add more stuff around Lajitas, Terlingua Ghost Town, and the River Road through Big Bend Ranch State Park to Presidio.
Woo hoo!! Here and ready *grabs the popcorn*
Thanks so much for attending tonight's Premiere!
Wow lived lived in Tx since I was 10 years old And never knew the Big Bend was so beautiful.
Georgeana, it's positively stunning. You really need to go see for yourself. We'll Premiere our second part of our two-part series from the Big Bend at 8pm Central tonight, focusing on Terlingua Ghost Town, Big Bend Ranch State Park, Presidio, Fort Leaton, some of Maverick Ranch's 27,000-acre property, and more. We hope that you'll join us at ua-cam.com/video/hV4_-8Lr8GI/v-deo.html when we'll all watch together for the first time simultaneously and engage each other in a live chat alongside the video.
I’ll try to be there.
Hi Marc
Thanks for the history lesson.
This area is nicer than I expected and one part reminds me of Devils Tower in WY.
Save travels
Thank you Wayne, and same to you!
I love Big Bend National Park!
So did we, Theresa!
Great episode - thank you. We just visited Terlingua and the video inspired us to go back for more Big Bend magic. SUBSCRIBED!
Welcome aboard, we're thrilled to have you along! Thank you.
Beautiful video👌♥️
Thank you AG!
This is one terrific video. Well put together with good (useful) info. Made want to drop everything and head to Big Bend.
Thank you so much, Richard! We appreciate you watching and your wonderful comment.
Outstanding. I've been there 3 times and really like that park. Sorry to hear the hot springs are flooded. Only 1400+ miles and I can visit some of the places you mentioned that I didn't know about.
Thank you Bill! It sounds like you're plotting #4.
I love this area. I’m planning my 2nd visit there this new year 2020. I’ll be checking out this Maverick RV place. Thanks for the great info. Bertha in Texas.
You betcha, Bertha! We've fallen in love with that area as well, and we'll definitely be back.
Just found you! We’re heading to Big Bend and we sure appreciate this video. Thanks for your great photography and videography coverage. ❤️
Thanks Christine! Part 2 is Premiering right now, come join us!
Great review- thanks for sharing
Thank you Ed! Glad that you enjoyed it.
Beautiful! The Texas most Texans don’t know about. Been there a few times. I plan on visiting again.
And well you should. We loved our time there last fall, and we'll most definitely be back some day.
Great content as usual! Keep up the great work!
Thank you as always, Sam!
Another great view of a place I've never been. As always a ton of information in your videos. I'm sure you've been to the Guadalupes above El Paso that's as far south as I ever got in Texas back in '75. I was a kid and we were a big group being led by some suspect adults. One of the kids in our group had family down in El Paso that he swore would let us camp in their house, but our trip leaders insisted we tent camp in the Guadalupe campground, coldest night the whole trip steady 25 mph winds. I guess ultimately they were right because it remains one my most vivid memories from that trip. Organ Pipe National Monument in S. Arizona was another memorable place but I think only survivable in winter and early spring. Keep making these videos I'll keep watching.
Keep watching them and we'll keep making them, Timothy! We haven't been to the Guadalupes, yet. We were supposed to stop there and Carlsbad Caverns en route to Texas, but it was simply too damned hot. We're therefore working to re-route our return to Utah to hit those two spots at the end of October.
Nice to see the RV park--we are staying there for a week later this month.
Happy to give you the preview.
Great video, and I had forgotten how nice Big Bend is. And to think the first time I camped there was in 1961 on a family vacation. We had a 1959 Mercury Park Lane towing a 13-foot Mobile Scout trailer. There were no fancy campgrounds in those days. I think the last time I was out that way was in the late 1990s on a hunting trip.
Aah, what great memories! Sounds like you're due for a return.
So glad yall are loving west Texas. It is beautiful! My favorite is the area around Davis Mountains with Balmorhea Springs. Too bad the water was so high on the Rio Grande. I bet it wasn't too safe to pull down the kayak. Padre Island Nat'l Seashore next? My RV is still in the shop after a long trip to Red River, NM tore back the roof abit. It's still under warranty, thankfully. Will just have to be patient, but maybe Big Bend for Thanksgiving. I really hope you get to enjoy some Tex-Mex food in San Antonio! Safe travels yall!!
We're on SPI this week, PINS next. Nope, there was no way I was putting a flat water boat in that river. 😉 Bummer about the roof, but thank God for the warranty! And you're guaranteed we'll be sampling the cuisine. We tried to eat at the tacqueria in Terlingua Ghost Town, but apparently at this time of year they approach their opening schedule rather casually.
Good video!
This year we were supposed to travel from SC to Fredericksburg in the hill country of Texas then travel to Big Bend and who knows from there. Covid 19 cancelled all of that. Maybe in September we can take that trip. Looks like a must see. I also pull my camper with a Tundra.
Hopefully you'll still get that chance to take that trip, Danny. At the moment there's no reason that you can't. Texas is open for business, as are all of the states that we're presently traveling through. At the moment we're in Missouri, heading for Tennessee just on your western doorstep. Sure, it requires a few minor adjustments to your travel practices but they're truly insignificant. As long as you stay west of the Mississippi River, east of California and south of Kentucky you're good.
Just made reservations in September for a week in Fredericksburg then down to Maverick RV for 6 days.
Another great video you guys. We went to Big Bend back in 2017 and also filmed a video. Loved the region as well as our sty in Alpine Texas.
Robert, feel free to drop a link to your vid in the reply. We'd love to see it.
@@GrandAdventure for some reason, my phone won't let me..just click on my name and hit videos. I really hope that you do check out my channel. If you like the content, well,you know what to do.safe travels to you guys. When I can't be on the road it's nice to travel along with you...Really like it when you visit our amazing national sites.i was litteraly just watching your recent clip from white sands(I also have a clip from there) when I saw your message. Take care!
Thought I was watching a National Geographic video... Seriously, great job!! Just subbed. Thx
We're thrilled to have you along for the ride, Petra -- thank you so much.
Excellent channel! Your videography is very professional!!!!!!!!!
You're much too kind, thank you.
Found y’all’s channel through RV Texas y’all. Great video
Thank you, Georgeana! We appreciate you being here. Part 2 from Big Bend will Premiere at 8pm Central time tonight.
Back in the 1970's I was sitting in front of that stone bathhouse sketching it. Who should come walking up the trail but a former housemate from Missouri! By the way, I think it was only $2.00 to get a man to ferry you across the river back then. We also did a river trip from Far Flung Adventures out of Lajitas.
Can't wait to go back! Thanks for the detailed and up to date info.
It sure is a small world sometimes, Debra, isn't it?
Great video; Sandy and I enjoyed meeting you and Patricia as our neighbors at Maverick Ranch. Looking forward to part II. Learned more facts and info from your video than the whole 2 weeks we were there. P.S. made it home okay with our rescue driver👍😊
Hey Dave!! So happy to hear from you. Thrilled that you made it home OK, and we're very much looking forward to the next time our paths cross. Yours and Sandy's friendship was part of what made our stay at Maverick Ranch so enjoyable. And our own PS: We skipped stopping at Carrizo Springs and towed the whole way to SPI this past Saturday. Whew! That was a long drive.
Oh WOW! You guys are the ultimate road warriors 😳 that was a LONG haul.
@@capconserv around 13 hours. When we rolled through Carizzo Springs around 4pm or so, it was too damned hot to overnight at the Pilot or the Wally World so we kept plugging on. Once the temperature on the truck finally stopped dropping, we were only around 2 hours from SPI so we just kept on truckin'.
Great video. I visited Big Bend in February 2019, but did not get to see all of it. On my list for future visit.
We, too, have many things we'd like to go back for.
Welcome to my native state. Although I haven't been there in 42 years. LOL!
Retirement at the end of the year means "Road Trip".
Best wishes for that retirement, and happy trails!
Planning on visiting Utah next summer.
You'll love it, we're sure! If we can help with the trip planning, let us know. In the meantime we've got a playlist of our 36 Utah episodes here: ua-cam.com/video/lzFt5S3rn4U/v-deo.html
Just realized you have a 'Zoey' too! Our Zoey turns 15 this month and is a chocolate lab-husky cross. We are heading for Texas in February, so this video was very helpful. Thanks!
Thank you so much, and happy to hear that! Wow, 15...Zoey has certainly been your dedicated companion.
Grand Adventure She really has been. She has spent her whole life going on adventures with us🐶We own a trapline in northern BC with a remote cabin we spend our falls and springs at. Zoey has run many miles on the trails there behind ATV and skidoo. She’s swum across the lakes, chased many, many squirrels and loved each moment. Our last trip out with her from the cabin, she had to get a ride on the ATV, draped across my lap, as the 12 miles trail was too much for her. She is very dedicated, loving and gentle. We love her tons♥️
@@HoneyandMe that's a wonderful recap that only a true dog lover could fully appreciate.
So want to visit Big Bend
You won't regret it, Mike.
You made a nice video keep up the good work for 2019 :-)
Thank you so much!
Just spent a week at Maverick Ranch RV Park in Lajitas based on your recommendation. Great national and state parks there.
Excellent, Lynd! So happy that it worked out for you. We came away duly impressed by the Big Bend area.
That video helped me warm up.. It's 28 degrees here in Banff Alberta... Sorry i missed chat..
It's 81.6ºF as I type this on SPI.
I had no desire to visit Texas. I had been in and out of it for work and drove across it once. However your video changed my mind. Super cool scenery!
Another great video - I enjoyed watching it! Nice work Marc. Thank you.
Thank you as always! We've been blown away by Texas this trip. Right now we're boondocking right on the sand of the Gulf Beach within Padre Island National Seashore -- 65 miles of pristine, undisturbed barrier island. Just drive down the beach until you find a spot to camp, then panic as the high tide reaches the tires of your rig. LOL!
😳😳
@@laughingram7287 hey, it's all just part of the Grand Adventure!
@@laughingram7287 and to top it off they just issued a coastal flood advisory. We'll be fine, but we're gonna get wet this afternoon.
So how much did you say your kayak will tow?
Pat here: thanks for the look at Maverick. We’ve looked at the place on Campendium and now you’ve sold us. Thanks for the video!
You're most welcome, Pat!
maverick ranch sucks..we stayed in 40 rv parks during our last 15 state, 11k mile trip. it earned the award of 2nd worst park for that trip....and..be prepared to be hosed for everything. we will be back down but not there..
@@GrandAdventure Snapshot. We had difficulty with reservation, after several calls that went to voice mail, was able to connect with park. Looking for a week but that was not possible, 5 nights were available so we took it. Did not receive email confirmation. Arrived at park, went to our slot and began to set up in site when informed by another guest that we were in his site. Yes.. we had both been assigned the same number. Back to office, guest was agreeable to change sites. Site did not have cable as promised. Asked again for a confirmation e-mail. None received. Went to rent jeep at property owned by park for weekend to explore only to discover our reservation was for 4 nights. Someone mentioned to us that there was a big sports event happening and we had been "bumped". Not all activities are available so check before you go as well, example dining under the stars. In terms of value for money there are better options in Terlingua. Website not clear that you have access to the resort as well, the bar, jeep rentals, horseback riding are all within walking distance but they are not all in same location. Staff is dense and management indifferent. Food / cocktails mediocre at best but carry a high price tag. Our trip took us through 29 states (15 unique) and 11K miles. 40 RV parks / state parks. 2nd worse for us. We loved the area but there are better places to park.
@@yzgrassy we agree that the reservation process needs to be streamlined (hello? online reservations, anyone?) but other than that, we experienced nothing like you did. We did bring the reservation process up with management. We found the staff to be very accommodating, and we got exactly what we booked (and the confirmation email, although it took a day or two to show up). We didn't partake in resort dining or resort activities, although we tried like hell to dine at the tacqueria in Terlingua Ghost Town, only to find that businesses in the area are rather lackadaisical about opening hours at this time of year.
Nice job
Thank you, Dave!
Thanks Marc. Nice review. I would like to see you review this during the winter months as well.
It is very dramatic looking in the mountainous region. Almost like something in Central America.
Gord
Thanks Gord! During the winter months, however, ski season is calling. Folks will have to pry our cold, dead hands from our skis. 😉
@@GrandAdventureThanks Marc. Understood... I realize that in much of the winter not many parks and places are very hospitable. But a short week or two break down south out of three or four winter months in Utah, might be nice. Plus, it would give you the opportunity to feed your UA-cam channel. Just a thought.
Gord
@@gorrdd winter is definitely the Big Bend region's busy period. Maverick Ranch is fairly full from late December through February. It would be an exceptional winter getaway for a Utahn.
@@GrandAdventure Yeah... you would have to plan ahead. I live in Fort Worth and still haven't gotten down to Big Bend. So I am most interested in doing that as soon as I fully retire. Winters aren't bad here in DFW... but they are beautiful on the Rio. No rain, no hot, and no humidity.
Gord
I really like your videos. Thanks for the effort. I'm also enjoying the time factor. In that you keep your videos in around 20 minutes is perfect. I have clicked on some that are an hour long and truthfully, thats too much. So I have subscribed and look forward to many more videos and maybe we'll bump into each other on the road someday.
Thank you so much for your feedback, Don, as well as the subscription! We truly try to get it right -- sometimes we pull it off, sometimes we could do better. But it's always a learning experience. Hope to see you out there!
Very pleasant and informative channel! Great job!
Thanks so much, Ron!
Your welcome! In about two years, I’m planning to hit the road fulltime part of the year and I’m happy to have found your channel. Thanks!
@@ronsouther and we're thrilled that you've found us. Enjoy your planning, it'll be here before you know it.
Grand Adventure I lived fulltime in an RV for about 3 years in my Class A then in a 5th wheel after I separated from my ex-. It was my intentional entry into full time living but I wasn’t traveling, just staying in a really nice resort here. I sold both rigs and planning my sort of semi-retirement of hitting the road. I have a home business to take with me and we’re looking at getting a used Palazzo 33.5 and towing my Chevy Volt on a simply dolly. The Volt will be a source of electricity boondocking as I can hook an inverter to the 12v battery, which is kept topped off by the high voltage battery. I’ll have 1000w continuous that way when needed. Once my second wife’s youngest is off to college then we will take the fall and winter to shop for the rig (2016 probably) and hope to be driving by late spring.
@@ronsouther you really do have this all planned out, and of course it's a completely different experience while traveling. This trip is our first actually working from the rig, and we've already found even that to be very different -- we're used to moving when we want to and seldom stay anywhere for a full week, so moving on weekends and working M-F changes everything. Also, that's a very interesting solution using the Volt, we'd never really thought about that.
In Texas we call it The Rio Grade Mud.
That's apropos.
Spring break is the best time but most crowded. I hope you check out Terlingua, the Starlight and the Taqueria La Milagro. Also Marfa is awesome. You have to check out the Chianti Foundation and Donald Judd’s work.
Duke, you'll see a few of those spots in this week's Part 2. 😉
Grand Adventure We can’t wait to see it. We love your channel!
@@dukefleshman4936 and we love having you here, thank you.
Never had a real desire to visit Big Bend NP until I watched your vid. Not sure it'll make my bucket list but the scenery you captured did exceed my expectations. BTW, I was looking for some intro music in the UA-cam Audio Library for a video I'm working on about my August trip to Colorado and stumbled across your theme music. Guess I'll have to keep looking :-)
LOL! We found out too late that we're not the only RV channel using that theme music, either. One of these days we'll update our intro/outro, but for now it works for us. We did that intro early on in the life of GA, and since then we've moved to Soundstripe for our soundtrack needs.
I’m calling first dibs on it when you change/update 😜
We visited Big Bend when the river was lower and we were able to take a dip in the hot springs along the river. We saw two rattlesnakes along the path to the hot tub so watch out. You can view prehistoric drawings on the rocks above the hot springs trail.
Yes, we included one petroglyph panel in the video. And we're jealous that you got to enjoy the springs!
What time of year were you there? When is best time to avoid crowds and still have good weather? We’re planning a RV trip next year. Love your video.
Thank you Earl! We were there in October; however, we don't feel adequately qualified to answer your question about the best time of year to visit. I'd consult a table of monthly temperature averages in the area via a Google search and base my decision on what I'd see there.
Thanksgiving ❤
Perfect timing.
Beautiful footage! A vast area.....Whats cooking at the campsite?
Besides us? LOL As Utahns we're used to the heat, but no longer accustomed to the humidity that monsoon season brings to the West Texas desert.
good
Thank you!
Really nice video. Are side by side atv’s allowed in Big Bend ? I have a 35’ class A. Would the Maverick park be the only one I could use ? I’ll bet there is some good Mexican food over the boarder. Thanks for showing us around ! 👍✌️🇺🇸
Thank you! OHV use is not permitted inside the park, but on the opposite side of Maverick Ranch is Big Bend Ranch State Park, a large relatively undeveloped tract of park land with similar scenery that does have OHV trails. You'd fit in just about any of the local RV parks, just not within nearly all of the National Park campsites.
Have not been there, hope to make it there soon. Do any of the RV parks on the grounds accommodate a 35 ft 5th wheel? Would love to stay on the grounds. But need water and power!
This National Park is definitely worthy of your visit! The only campground within the National Park that can accommodate you with hookups is the RV portion of the Rio Grande Village campground.
Was the rio grande village and gift shop re opened / rebuilt? I was there with friends in May the day that it all burned we were hiking Santa Elena Canyon and when we returned to our hotel in terlingua we could see the smoke coming from the fire.
That fire was actually at Castolon, not Rio Grande Village. However, to answer your question Castolon remains closed to visitors following the fire.
That bridge… can RVs fit under?
I'm trying to remember, but I'm not quite sure which bridge you're referring to. Can you give me a time stamp in the video?
It took me nine hours to get there, and that's coming from Dallas.
It took us over 23 hours coming from Salt Lake City. ;)
Great job? What time is the low season and what type of camera do you use?
Thanks JoHanna! Low season in the Big Bend is everything late spring through early fall. We've assembled all of our videography and photography gear here: www.amazon.com/shop/GrandAdventure?listId=29P8DKMLOCJAX
I go to the C.A.S.I. Chili Cook Off in Terlingua,Tx
That's got to be a blast.
Awesome! Mark, what time of year is best to visit Big Bend?
In our opinion, winter for the weather and late fall/early spring for the crowds. Summer would be brutal.
@@GrandAdventure thank you!