Big Bend National Park - Rio Grande Village November 9th

Our last long drive into the national park this morning, departing at 8:30 am. We covered a bunch of the same ground until we passed the turnoff to Chinos Canyon and then it's "new road" (to which we always do a high five) to the Rio Grande Village. This is the only place in the park with hookups for RV's and boy do you have to drive a long way to get there, over an hour from the park's southern entrance near us. It basically turned into a big parking lot with a small store. This is run privately from the park. The park's campsite is nearby with no services but 1/2 the sites you're allowed to run your generator and the other half you're not. I couldn't get a reservation here for the time I wanted and I am so glad we stayed outside the park with such hot temperatures so we can run A/C and staying here at Paisano RV Park you are central to any direction you wanted to drive.

I have to say the drive to this end of the park is pretty boring compared to all the other roads we've been on.  Not many pictures on the way there.

On the way we went through a tunnel by the Hotspring spur road. The trail down to the river is currently closed due to the washouts last August.

We drove through the village, pretty small, little store, fuel and the camping on pavement. lol

NO THANKYOU

Although the park also offers boondocking areas, they also require permits and seem to be away from any areas of sightseeing.

Down at the end is a picnic site and trail entrance for the Hot Spring Canyon. We went down to the river for a few pictures. It seems they pump their water with this contraption. There were some goods displayed on the ground at two of the lookouts to be purchased that came from Boquillas, Mexico. These one can purchase and are also sanctioned by the park. Anywhere else it's off-limits and could be confiscated from you.

We headed to the boat ramp to have a look and saw a bunch of park staff loading up a bunch of canoes. Must have been the end of their run.

As we were leaving the campground/boat launch area we saw a Javelina wandering along the grass.

Back in the car to go to Boquillas Overlook towards the town in Mexico. There are some goods from the town on display for purchase at this overlook which is sanctioned by the park.

Next we went to the Boquillas Canyon trailhead and Ray took a quick hike up the hill to see what he could see. Being 80F out I stayed in the car with a cold cloth on my neck. Too hot for this kid. Ray said there was a guy on horseback at the top peddling of small amount of goods. He heard a park staff volunteer tell him if a warden showed up he would confiscate the goods. He got on his horse and drifted off 100' and returned when the volunteers moved off. 

We took a short drive into the Boquillas Crossing to check it out, but decided we really did not want to actually have to wait in the hot sun or walk to and from the town so gave it a pass. Here are some google pictures showing Boquillas Del Carmen.

You can go through customs and get ferried across in a rowboat for a price and then either walk the 1/2 mile into town or make arrangements to be driven by car or mule. :) On the way back you have to clear US customs again. We may have done it if  it was a little cooler outside and we were with another couple, safety in numbers.

There are acres and acres of Ocotillo at the end of the drive before the park boundary. They are all greening up getting ready to flower.

After this it was time to head home. We stopped only for a couple more pictures and then it was off to DB's Rustic Iron BBQ near the Terlingua Ghost Town. 

I have to say, Ray too, that this is the best barbeque we've ever eaten in all our travels. Delicious. 

Another fabulous day. Hot once we got back at 86F. I stayed inside and did laundry. :)