We'll be leaving the Cottonwood Campground (elev. 2134') and heading towards our Grapevine Hills Campsite (elev. 3930') which should give us a little relief from the 90°F temperatures we've recorded the last couple of days.
Cottonwood Campground was down low along the Rio Grande River and tucked into a protected valley with lots of trees and river reeds to shield us from the high winds. During our 4-day visit the highest wind recorded at our campsite was 31MPH.
Now we're here at Grapevine Hills and while we enjoy the lower temperatures we've lost our protection from the winds. The moment I set up our anemometer (wind measurement device) it instantly recorded a 34MPH gust. The big difference here is we are constantly under a 20-25MPH breeze which makes it difficult to leave any windows open.
It wasn't long before we were pulling into our campsite here at Grapevine Hills. Our site, GH1 is less than 500-yards off the main highway that travels through the park. It is separated from the highway by a tall natural berm, so we can't see, or be seen, from the highway.
There are also four more campsites along the road, so yeah, a lot of traffic goes by each day.
Chisos Mountains Lodge is only 6.5-miles from the main highway, but over that short distance you'll gain 1419' in elevation. So yes, when I say we drove UP into the mountains I mean UP!
Their dining room is open to the public (meaning it's not just for lodge guests) for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Tricia ordered the Chicken Wrap and I had the Cheeseburger with fries.
After lunch we took the time to hike the short .03-mile Window View Trail. It's easy to see why they call it "The Window" as you can see all the way to Mexico from up here.
When we arrived back at the trailhead located behind the Camp Store and Visitor Center I got the strange feeling that we were being watched!
Four young bucks all sighted in the same location, we hardly ever see even one. Judging by their behavior I'm going to say it happens a lot here at this location.
Most everyone is familiar with the three no-hookups campgrounds operated by the National Park Service, Cottonwood, Rio Grande Village and Chisos Basin. There is also the privately managed Chisos Mountains Lodge (with hotel style rooms) and the Rio Grande Village RV Park (with water/electric/sewer hookups).
What most people may not be aware of, or possibly just not interested in, are the 23 Primitive Roadside Campsites that can be reserved in advance at Recreation.gov for a reasonable fee.
If you want an even more remote and primitive camping experience there are another 41 Backcountry Sites that require you to reserve in person the day before, or the day of, the dates you desire to camp at the Visitor Centers. Of course these sites are only accessible with a high-clearance 4-wheel vehicle.
In other words, there's a little something for everbody here at Big Bend National Park.
Would you like to be notified of new blog posts?
