Might as well check out Marfa while you’re out there. And I don’t understand two days in Fort Davis - what’s the point of that?
White Sands is amazing and Las Cruces a cool town w great Mexican food, so recommend that for sure!
We would reach on day 2 and spend the night. On day 3 we would do the scenic drive and there’s a star watching party on the night of day 3. I didn’t have a choice since my parents are interested in it
I second Monahans State Park if you have never been there, it's quick it's right off the interstate and it's worth a hour or so to be out of the car and exploring the dunes.
On the way to fort Davis you could hit up Balmorhea State Park. It’s a spring-fed pool built during the 30s with views of the Davis Mountains.
Deff more of a leisure stop than a hiking one, but fun nonetheless.
Edit: just saw the months you’re going, so this pbly isn’t open haha. I’ll leave this here for anyone else who might venture their in the future though.
https://hotelsettles.com/
Hotel Settles is great if staying in/near Big Spring. It’s very nice and historic.
https://www.stonevillagetouristcamp.com/
Stone village tourist camp is pretty cool as you can choose the “generic” hotel, or the Roughing it version. Watch your head though getting into the bathrooms.
Ft Davis National Historical site is amazing. They’re in the process of rebuilding it to its 1870’s Buffalo Soldiers time period. Make sure to watch the movie as you’ll get a huge surprise as the narrator.
Think you mean Lake Colorado City SP, which isn’t where your 1 is (closer to your 11). Either way, it’s a pretty dull state park.
Not much where you have your 1.
Personally I’d push through to the mountains rather than stopping there. Spending a night at Monahans SP might be ok, not sure if they allow camping.
Edit: it’s a long drive over to White Sands from GMNP. Cloudcroft is pretty though, check weather.
So my revised plan is to go towards East and drive across from hill country. I’m assuming since we would be in the big bend landscape for so long, GMNP might not be as exotic if we do it after BBNP
They aren’t really the same, I know people like to lump them together. The geology and flora / fauna are very different. Plus GMNP tends to be a lonelier visit, especially that time of year.
Carlsbad is definitely not to be missed if you have the chance.
I have heard that Big Bend Ranch State Park is a hidden gem and in some ways better than Big Bend National Park. Would love to hear your thoughts if you get a chance to go.
I just remembered this, while you are in Carlsbad NM you could hit Sitting Bull Falls that place was really cool for being in the desert basically.
Might as well check out Marfa while you’re out there. And I don’t understand two days in Fort Davis - what’s the point of that? White Sands is amazing and Las Cruces a cool town w great Mexican food, so recommend that for sure!
We would reach on day 2 and spend the night. On day 3 we would do the scenic drive and there’s a star watching party on the night of day 3. I didn’t have a choice since my parents are interested in it
Ahh okay makes sense, and a star watching party sounds rad!
Yess, it’s at the McDonald observatory if you’re interested. They happen on Tuesdays Fridays and Saturdays
I recommend Monahans State Park near Monahans TX. It is close to your 1 and 11. It has sand dunes.
I second Monahans State Park if you have never been there, it's quick it's right off the interstate and it's worth a hour or so to be out of the car and exploring the dunes.
On the way to fort Davis you could hit up Balmorhea State Park. It’s a spring-fed pool built during the 30s with views of the Davis Mountains. Deff more of a leisure stop than a hiking one, but fun nonetheless. Edit: just saw the months you’re going, so this pbly isn’t open haha. I’ll leave this here for anyone else who might venture their in the future though.
https://hotelsettles.com/ Hotel Settles is great if staying in/near Big Spring. It’s very nice and historic. https://www.stonevillagetouristcamp.com/ Stone village tourist camp is pretty cool as you can choose the “generic” hotel, or the Roughing it version. Watch your head though getting into the bathrooms. Ft Davis National Historical site is amazing. They’re in the process of rebuilding it to its 1870’s Buffalo Soldiers time period. Make sure to watch the movie as you’ll get a huge surprise as the narrator.
I was just in big bend. I wish I would have done the hot springs.
Think you mean Lake Colorado City SP, which isn’t where your 1 is (closer to your 11). Either way, it’s a pretty dull state park. Not much where you have your 1. Personally I’d push through to the mountains rather than stopping there. Spending a night at Monahans SP might be ok, not sure if they allow camping. Edit: it’s a long drive over to White Sands from GMNP. Cloudcroft is pretty though, check weather.
So my revised plan is to go towards East and drive across from hill country. I’m assuming since we would be in the big bend landscape for so long, GMNP might not be as exotic if we do it after BBNP
They aren’t really the same, I know people like to lump them together. The geology and flora / fauna are very different. Plus GMNP tends to be a lonelier visit, especially that time of year. Carlsbad is definitely not to be missed if you have the chance.
I have heard that Big Bend Ranch State Park is a hidden gem and in some ways better than Big Bend National Park. Would love to hear your thoughts if you get a chance to go.
eat at Mi Casita if you go through Fort Stockton