Big Bend Ranch State Park

In April, we visited Big Bend Ranch State Park. My husband and I stopped at the Barton Warnock Visitor’s Center, where they sell daily passes to the state park plus Big Bend National Park. Both are huge parks and are popular places to visit, even on weekdays, like the day we arrived. We didn’t stop by the office within the park; the trip required driving 27 miles on a dirt road with a suggested speed limit of 25 mph.

 

The visitor’s center had a lovely desert garden that was 2.5 acres; we enjoyed the stroll around it and took pictures before moving on. The tree on the right is a Parkinsonia aculeata.

In 1988 the state of Texas acquired the Big Bend Ranch, which covers over 300,000 acres. It was purchased from Robert O. Anderson, who became the largest private land owner in the United States in 1969 when he bought the property and begin running it as the Diamond A Cattle Company. He partnered with Walter Mitchell when it became a hunting preserve (in the 1980’s). The park operated on a limited basis in 1991. In 2007, it fully opened to the public as Big Bend Ranch State Park.

The city of Lajitas is located along the park road. We drove six-tenths of a mile going from city signs at both ends of the little town. Another thing that caught my interest was a sign I saw a few times; it warned motorists of “loose livestock”. There are cattle farms inside the park and the owners are allowed ‘free range’ grazing in the park. Due to this policy, cattle could wander in front of vehicles. Some are Longhorns but we didn’t see any cattle.

 This would be an excellent park for serious hikers or for those who enjoy horseback riding. There are miles and miles of trails to be explored within the borders of Big Bend State Park. We walked down the Hoodoos Trail–one of the shorter trails. It was a rugged trail, 2.1 miles in length, with beautiful views for picture taking. Due to animals like bear and mountain lions one might run into, the park visitor needs to be aware of what’s around them. I read instructions on a park sign regarding what to do if a bear came near. They suggested making yourself as tall as possible and yelling. A person who turns and runs (which seems like the natural reaction) appears to be easy prey to the bears. And bears can run faster than people.

 

 

 

I also read instructions about taking along a minimum of a gallon of water when hiking. That seemed like a common recommendation in state parks with long walking trails.


 

Above is a photo taken from the trail and below is the Rio Grande.

My usual trash pick up was along the Voodoo trail; I found very little during the hike.

I waded in the Rio Grande River while in the park and knew that Mexico was on the other side of the river (the water was chilly in April).

We saw signs advertising kayaking and rafting in the Rio Grande: summer pastimes. Long distance mountain bikers would find a paradise for peddling around FM 170, the main park road. And, individuals who like roughing it while camping would find a wonderful park for tent camping. Although I’m sure summers in this desert climate are tough on the tent campers.

 

 

 

 

 

If you’re a person who enjoys hiking and stargazing this is the park for you. The Big Bend area is one of the best places in the United States for seeing the night sky clearly. El Solitario, the park newspaper, had an article about junior high school children spending 3 nights and 4 days on a school sponsored park trip. Obviously the park staff is welcoming of unique adventures for young folks who enjoy outdoor trips, too. I left with too many adventures unexplored, as usual.