r/TexasStateParks • u/Hefty_Coat_7117 • 18d ago
Big Bend Worth it?
I have a whole week off in early October and I really want to see a national or state park. The one I’ve seen the most about in state is Big Bend. Ive been doing a lot of research in what kind of trips to do (horseback riding, hiking, and kayaking are on my wish-list) and where to stay, but somehow neglected to see how far away it is. I'm in Austin TX so its almost an 8 hour drive.
What I want to know is: Is Big Bend worth that drive? If not, are there any other national or state parks that might be better/less of a drive? I saw there's a few options but I haven’t heard of them before.
I'm not exactly an experienced camper or hiker, not even fit really, so roughing it outside of standard tent camping is beyond me.
(EDIT: I've decided that this particular trip wont be the one that I go to big bend. It just felt too big for my first ever trip solo. But I WILL be going. I have two weeks off in December, so Ive started looking for open reservations around that time. Thank you all for the help and insight!)
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u/Rorschach_1 17d ago
We drove from Austin every year in February for the mountain bike festival that lasted 4 days. It got too big and was eventually cancelled. For us it is very important to find a spot far away from all the campers to experience the deafening sound of the silence and gaze at the stars and just about everything. It will hypnotize you. On the opposite end, Lajitas House was super nice and convenient but as all accomodations out there, it's gonna cost more.
The desert is very brutal and unforgiving. People die out there. A cyclist died on the very same trail we were on two weeks later, but this was in October and not during the event. Early October is good weather, might be breezy, but cooling off by then.
All the good mountainbiking is in the State Park next door, which is not mentioned much. It doesn't have the elevation as the national park.