planomateo
Member
Just got a roof top tent and wanted to give it a quick test at Big Bend National Park. My first time at the park and will definitely be back soon, lots of todo's on the list including some of the big hikes (20 hour+ round trips). Took us about 10 hours to get to Big Bend from our house with 5-6 stops (groceries, gas, shopping).
Very limited cell phone reception around the park, free wifi in 2-3 areas, there is public shower near Rio Grande Village ($2 in quarters for 5 mins to get mostly cold water).
Due to camp spots being first come first serve (very few can be reserved), we ended up spending the night outside the park (near Terlingua) the first night then getting a spot in Rio Grande Village for the next 2 nights. There are 3 different campgrounds, (Rio Grande Village, Cottonwood and Chisos Basin) and a bunch of primitive remote camping sites that require some off-roading to access. You don't need a 4wd vehicle, but it certainly helps in some spots.
Setting up the roof top tent is easy, takes about 5 mins or so (notice the script A beanie). I'm 6'4" so that will give you an idea of how tall the tent is..
Tent is ready
There is an abandoned mercury mine off the beaten path, about 30 miles of off-road travel required (easy trails).
An old car with the mine in the background.
The mine
Near Rio Grande Village is the border (Rio Grande is the natural border between the US and Mexico), there are a few cool things to see. Border town just across the river Boquillas, Hot Springs (literally on the side of the Rio Grande River).
View of the Rio Grande.
These were all over the place, easily had 3" spikes on them.
The Window from up near Chisos Lodge. We didn't have time to hike down to the Window, definitely will next time we're here.
Overall, really cool trip. If you enjoy getting outdoors, I would recommend this.
Very limited cell phone reception around the park, free wifi in 2-3 areas, there is public shower near Rio Grande Village ($2 in quarters for 5 mins to get mostly cold water).
Due to camp spots being first come first serve (very few can be reserved), we ended up spending the night outside the park (near Terlingua) the first night then getting a spot in Rio Grande Village for the next 2 nights. There are 3 different campgrounds, (Rio Grande Village, Cottonwood and Chisos Basin) and a bunch of primitive remote camping sites that require some off-roading to access. You don't need a 4wd vehicle, but it certainly helps in some spots.
Setting up the roof top tent is easy, takes about 5 mins or so (notice the script A beanie). I'm 6'4" so that will give you an idea of how tall the tent is..
Tent is ready
There is an abandoned mercury mine off the beaten path, about 30 miles of off-road travel required (easy trails).
An old car with the mine in the background.
The mine
Near Rio Grande Village is the border (Rio Grande is the natural border between the US and Mexico), there are a few cool things to see. Border town just across the river Boquillas, Hot Springs (literally on the side of the Rio Grande River).
View of the Rio Grande.
These were all over the place, easily had 3" spikes on them.
The Window from up near Chisos Lodge. We didn't have time to hike down to the Window, definitely will next time we're here.
Overall, really cool trip. If you enjoy getting outdoors, I would recommend this.
