Date:         Sun, 4 Dec 2011 19:51:03 -0700
Reply-To:     Richard A Jones <Jones@COLORADO.EDU>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Richard A Jones <Jones@COLORADO.EDU>
Subject:      Re: Oil recommendations simplified--morphed to camping/Big Bend
Comments: To: mcneely4@COX.NET
In-Reply-To:  <201112042356.AOO77076@Colorado.EDU>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

> In Big Bend National Park that has meant a few times that I've
> had to stay in the RVs allowed campgrounds rather than the better
> ones.  Ah, for the days when there were not so many of us, and we
> could just drive down to our favorite spot on a whim, and find it
> available.  Or, going to Big Bend National Park, drive all day,
> then sleep in the parking lot at Panther Junction after pulling
> in at 11:00 p.m.  Next day, pick up the back country permit.
> Nowadays, no overnighting allowed in the parking lot.

Little known secret.  Well, now out on the web....
Near Rio Grande Village on the River Road are the Gravel Pit
campspots--4 of them--primitive.  You can get there no problem
in a 2wd. Probably nobody else there.  You do need a backcountry
permit.  $10.  Or you should have a permit.  Rio Grande Village
rangers have recommended it when the campground is full, as an
overflow.  Don't tell.

> Of course, I don't usually want to go into the most popular
> campgrounds, those with full hook-ups, allow generators, and so on.

My rule:  if there are generators, it's not camping.

Richard