My wife and I will be in the Alpine area in about 10 days. Has anyone been to the state park? If so, is it worth seeing? Anything in particular to focus on there?
Post Reply
1 of 1
Big Bend Ranch State Park
1,990 Views |
12 Replies |
Last: 2 yr ago by wildcat08
IIRC that is a very rural and isolated park with little infrastructure and gravel roads. It is not a prototypical state park.
You might consider Fort Davis State Park. It's 30 minutes or so from Alpine. McDonald's Observatory is maybe 20 minutes further and both are developed. Lajitas Resort is near Big Bend State Park.
Have y'all spent time out there before?
https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/davis-mountains
Have y'all spent time out there before?
https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/davis-mountains
We went a couple of years ago with my parents (50's) and my kids (under 10). The closed canyon trail was a really easy little hike, pretty short, but super cool. It's all we really did. There's not a ton of stuff out there… and it's like 2+ hrs from Alpine down to that part of the park.
Edit: double post
I've been to the Ft. Davis park, but it has been a few years.jja79 said:
You might consider Fort Davis State Park. It's 30 minutes or so from Alpine. McDonald's Observatory is maybe 20 minutes further and both are developed. Lajitas Resort is near Big Bend State Park.
Have y'all spent time out there before?
https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/davis-mountains
It may also be worth checking with the Nature Concervancy of Texas....they control the park just north of Davis Mountains State Park.
A few days per year they allow access and you can hike Mount Livermore.
I believe there are some lower trails there as well that are open year round without access restrictions.
And eat at Blue Mountain next door to Hotel Limpia....it's the best meal in town
A few days per year they allow access and you can hike Mount Livermore.
I believe there are some lower trails there as well that are open year round without access restrictions.
And eat at Blue Mountain next door to Hotel Limpia....it's the best meal in town
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Thanks. I checked the menu at Blue Mountain. It does look good!AgRyan04 said:
It may also be worth checking with the Nature Concervancy of Texas....they control the park just north of Davis Mountains State Park.
A few days per year they allow access and you can hike Mount Livermore.
I believe there are some lower trails there as well that are open year round without access restrictions.
And eat at Blue Mountain next door to Hotel Limpia....it's the best meal in town
I grew up in that country and good places to eat were never an attraction. The desert SW is underappreciated.
Just got back.
Hit several different places. Closed canyon, hoodoos, and went to Fort Leaton which we really enjoyed. Also rode a horse to the top of a mesa with Lajitas stables. Floated the rio in a canoe with wild adventure outfitters.
Will hit more trails next time. It is a huge park that is not crowded. My type of place. We barely scratched the surface.
Hit several different places. Closed canyon, hoodoos, and went to Fort Leaton which we really enjoyed. Also rode a horse to the top of a mesa with Lajitas stables. Floated the rio in a canoe with wild adventure outfitters.
Will hit more trails next time. It is a huge park that is not crowded. My type of place. We barely scratched the surface.
glad you enjoyed. i kind of laughed at the post above that said "there's not much out there." Maybe they meant in the way of businesses/infrastructure? Because there's A LOT in that park, and like you said, its not crowded b/c everyone goes to the national park.Tumble Weed said:
Just got back.
Hit several different places. Closed canyon, hoodoos, and went to Fort Leaton which we really enjoyed. Also rode a horse to the top of a mesa with Lajitas stables. Floated the rio in a canoe with wild adventure outfitters.
Will hit more trails next time. It is a huge park that is not crowded. My type of place. We barely scratched the surface.
AggieOO said:glad you enjoyed. i kind of laughed at the post above that said "there's not much out there." Maybe they meant in the way of businesses/infrastructure? Because there's A LOT in that park, and like you said, its not crowded b/c everyone goes to the national park.Tumble Weed said:
Just got back.
Hit several different places. Closed canyon, hoodoos, and went to Fort Leaton which we really enjoyed. Also rode a horse to the top of a mesa with Lajitas stables. Floated the rio in a canoe with wild adventure outfitters.
Will hit more trails next time. It is a huge park that is not crowded. My type of place. We barely scratched the surface.
I agree with you. I was told that the park is bigger than all the other state parks combined. I could spend a week there and not be able to hike all the trails.
It isn't a stroll down a sidewalk. It is Texas in its wild and uncivilized glory.
I took it as you reference, meaning not much infrastructure, and prepare accordingly.AggieOO said:glad you enjoyed. i kind of laughed at the post above that said "there's not much out there." Maybe they meant in the way of businesses/infrastructure? Because there's A LOT in that park, and like you said, its not crowded b/c everyone goes to the national park.Tumble Weed said:
Just got back.
Hit several different places. Closed canyon, hoodoos, and went to Fort Leaton which we really enjoyed. Also rode a horse to the top of a mesa with Lajitas stables. Floated the rio in a canoe with wild adventure outfitters.
Will hit more trails next time. It is a huge park that is not crowded. My type of place. We barely scratched the surface.
Featured Stories
See All
35:23
13h ago
3.7k
15:01
13h ago
2.6k
A&M remains committed to identity vs. high-scoring Georgia
by Olin Buchanan
Scouting Report: Texas A&M at Georgia
by Tom Schuberth
Keys to the Game: Texas A&M at Georgia
by Luke Evangelist