COTTONWOOD CG, Big Bend NP, TX

Cottonwood CG,  Big Bend NP 

RUN BY:    Nat’l Park Service

LOCATION:   29.137144  -103.523068

Last Visited:  12/16/2018

UTILITIES:  None

COST:  $14

DISCOUNTS:  50% with Senior card 

OUR RATING (1-5):  Category I. Score 4. 

NOTES:  This lovely campground is right on the Rio Grande but you can’t see the river from any of the sites.  By the gate there is a place open to the river. One time we met a big black cow from Mexico. It took one look at us and waded back to Mexico.  There is a canyon on this side of the park that is worth seeing. When you go looking for water in the campground you will find a sign on all of the taps saying that the water is not potable. Don’t panic. The only potable water is at a building near the entrance. Even the hosts have to go there for their water.  (I apologize. I didn't take a picture of the campground.) 

Environment:  Desert.

Amenities: None

Dump:  None

Public Water: Yes  (see notes) 

Toilets: Yes

Showers:  No

Laundry:  No

Phone Service: None 

Nearest Propane: Study, TX  - a good 40 miles

Location:  Starting from Alpine, TX, take Texas-118 south to the park where the road becomes Panther Junction Rd. Turn south (right) on Ross Maxwell Scenic Dr. to Castolon.  The campground is just past the Castolon Visitor Center.   You can also enter from Marathon. From Marathon, TX turn south on US-385.  At Panther Junction (Park HQ) turn right and go to Ross Maxwell Scenic Dr to Castolon where you will turn south (left).

Proximity to shopping:  You are a good 80-100 miles from any serious shopping. There is a camp store at Castolon Visitor Center.  No gas here. You must go about 40 miles to Study. 

Camping Population:  Eclectic. Typical national park. We met some really nice people and exchanged contact info and information.

Sites:   Very nice. Good sized and level.

=======================================================================

RATING KEY:    category - score 

Categories:  I - established campgrounds where one might spend a vacation or several days

                    II -  boondocking, dry camping where there are no designated sites and no amenities but one might choose to stay for more than a night.

                    III - over-night areas 

You must remember that we are scoring 1 thru 5 according to things which are important to us: the environment, cost, amenities, location, safety, camping population, site, phone service 

* There are people who are not full-timers and van-dwellers by choice. We try hard not to be demeaning or assume that they are bad people but sadly, as you find in the poorer parts of a city, there seems to be more crime. Many call these people van-dwellers. That isn’t really accurate even though they do often live in vans. We know quite a few van-dwellers who have good incomes, are full-timers by choice and prefer a van to other types of vehicles. To try to show some respect for people who have a difficult lot in life, I’m calling them ‘residential campers’.  It is only when you get a high proportion of residential campers in an area that you find an increase in petty theft, etc.  

GOVERNOR'S LANDING, Amistad Nat'l Rec, TX

Governor's Landing, 

Amistad Nat'l Rec, TX

RUN BY:  Nat’l Park Service

LOCATION:   29.478791 -101.027626

Last Visited: 12/12/2018

UTILITIES:  None

COST:  $14

DISCOUNTS:  50% with Senior card 

OUR RATING (1-5):  Category I.  Score 3+

NOTES:  This campground is right off US-90 and sits on a point above Amistad Reservoir. Just south of you is Mexico. Amistad is a US-Mexican cooperative. We had a panoramic view. When you are in this part of the Texas you want to be sure you have plenty of fuel. Gas stations are few and far between.  We avoid traveling on Interstates so there were only a handful of places between Del Rio and Big Bend.

Environment: Amistad is at the intersection of the Tamaulipan Shrubland, influenced by the Gulf of Mexico, The Chihuahuan Desert to the west and the Edward Plateau of which the Texas hill country, by San Antonio, is a part.  

Amenities:  None

Dump: Yes

Public Water: Yes 

Toilets: Yes

Showers:  No

Laundry:  No

Phone Service: poor Verizon 

Nearest Propane: (sorry. No idea)

Location:  Just off US-90 west of Lake View, Texas. Turn south on Texas-349 and almost immediately turn right. If you cross railroad tracks you’ve gone too far. Follow this road. It will go under US-90. The campground will then be right in front of you.  Go straight. DO NOT TURN LEFT.  The loop is a bit tight but, truck & trailer, we’re about 46 ft long and had no trouble.

Proximity to shopping: Lake View might have some basics.  Del Rio is probably the closest to do any serious shopping.

Camping Population: unknown. We were alone. 

Sites: Tight but nice.  We had a great view.

========================================================================

RATING KEY:    category - score 

Categories:  I - established campgrounds where one might spend a vacation or several days

                    II -  boondocking, dry camping where there are no designated sites and no amenities but one might choose to stay for more than a night.

                    III - over-night areas 

You must remember that we are scoring 1 thru 5 according to things which are important to us: the environment, cost, amenities, location, safety, camping population, site, phone service 

RIO GRANDE VILLAGE CG, Big Bend, TX

Rio Grande Village, Big Bend NP  

RUN BY:    Nat’l Park Service

LOCATION:   29.181584  -102.955291

Last Visited: 12/15/2018

UTILITIES:  None

COST:  $14

DISCOUNTS:  50% with Senior card

OUR RATING (1-5):  Category I.  Score 4

NOTES:  Unless you want to spend $35/night to camp in a parking lot, you want to make sure you go to the Rio Grande Village Campground, which is run by the park, and not the Rio Grande Village RV Campground, which is a commercial RV park.  You might want to check to see that there are first-come sites. I understand that there are times when you need reservations. The camp store is closed in the summer. There is fuel at the Rio Grande Village and Panther Junction but the Rio Grande Village fuel is not available when the store is closed. The next closest fuel is Study, TX a good 40 miles away. The area is very interesting. Be sure to take the trail to Boquillas canyon and say “hi” to Jesus who will sing a song for you. Give him a tip, he’s a nice man, but don’t tell anyone you saw him. You’ll know why when you meet him.

Environment:  Desert.  Campground among cottonwood and shrub plants indigenous to marshland by the Rio Grande River.

Amenities:  None

Dump:  Yes

Public Water:  Yes

Toilets: Yes

Showers:  No

Laundry:  At the camp store down the road.

Phone Service:  None

Nearest Propane: Study, TX about 40 miles away.

Location: From Marathon, TX turn south on US-385.  At Panther Junction (Park HQ), turn left and follow Park-12 to Rio Grande Village 20 miles away.  Go past the camp store a short distance to the campground.

Proximity to shopping:  The camp store has basics. A community of any size is about 100 miles away.

Camping Population:   Typical national park. Quite varied.

Sites: Nice size and most seem level.

=======================================================================

RATING KEY:    category - score 

Categories:  I - established campgrounds where one might spend a vacation or several days

                    II -  boondocking, dry camping where there are no designated sites and no amenities but one might choose to stay for more than a night.

                    III - over-night areas 

You must remember that we are scoring 1 thru 5 according to things which are important to us: the environment, cost, amenities, location, safety, camping population, site, phone service 

* There are people who are not full-timers and van-dwellers by choice. We try hard not to be demeaning or assume that they are bad people but sadly, as you find in the poorer parts of a city, there seems to be more crime. Many call these people van-dwellers. That isn’t really accurate even though they do often live in vans. We know quite a few van-dwellers who have good incomes, are full-timers by choice and prefer a van to other types of vehicles. To try to show some respect for people who have a difficult lot in life, I’m calling them ‘residential campers’.  It is only when you get a high proportion of residential campers in an area that you find an increase in petty theft, etc.  

GRASSY BEND, Big Bend Ranch SP, TX

Grassy Bend, Big Bend Ranch State Park

RUN BY:    State of Texas

LOCATION:   29.281512   -103.886344

UTILITIES:  None

COST:  $14/night plus Park Admission

DISCOUNTS:  none

Last Visited:  12/19/2018

OUR RATING (1-5):

NOTES:  There is nothing here except a great view.  We are less than 40 yards from the Rio Grande, and therefore Mexico. We can’t actually see the river because of vegetation, but we still enjoyed the spot. Rather pricy for nothing but a composting toilet. Nearest gas is Lajitas. 

Environment:  Desert.  Creosote, Palo Verde, Mesquite and a wide variety of desert vegetation.

Amenities:  None

Dump:  No

Public Water:  No

Toilets:  composting

Showers:  No

Laundry:  No

Phone Service:  None 

Nearest Propane: Study, TX (east)

Location:  On Texas FM170 near the east entrance to Big Bend Ranch State Park. Just off the road.

Proximity to shopping: Presidio is about 40 miles west.

Camping Population:  We were the only ones when we visited. Since you have to register at one of the park visitor centers, I would suspect your typical state park clientele.

Sites:  Some have a sun shade. Not particular well defined. 

=======================================================================

RATING KEY:    category - score 

Categories:  I - established campgrounds where one might spend a vacation or several days

                    II -  boondocking, dry camping where there are no designated sites and no amenities but

one might choose to stay for more than a night.

                    III - over-night areas 

You must remember that we are scoring 1 thru 5 according to things which are important to us: the environment, cost, amenities, location, safety, camping population, site, phone service 

* There are people who are not full-timers and van-dwellers by choice. We try hard not to be demeaning or assume that they are bad people but sadly, as you find in the poorer parts of a city, there seems to be more crime. Many call these people van-dwellers. That isn’t really accurate even though they do often live in vans. We know quite a few van-dwellers who have good incomes, are full-timers by choice and prefer a van to other types of vehicles. To try to show some respect for people who have a difficult lot in life, I’m calling them ‘residential campers’.  It is only when you get a high proportion of residential campers in an area that you find an increase in petty theft, etc.  

LAKE LIMESTONE, Marquez, TX

Lake Limestone, Marquez, TX 

RUN BY:   Corp of Engineers

LOCATION:  31.338871   -96.309586

Last Visit:  12/01/2018

UTILITIES:  None

COST:  Free

DISCOUNTS:  N/A

OUR RATING (1-5):  Category I.  Score 3+

NOTES:  COE always do a great job on campgrounds. This one is no different.  The campground is a wooded area on Lake Limestone in sight of the dam with a beautiful view.  We had along visit with the ranger. She said that during its season – warm weather – it is crowded especially with people fishing. There are playgrounds.

Environment:  Wooded campground in northeastern Texas.

Amenities:  None

Dump:  No

Public Water:  Yes 

Toilets:  Yes

Showers:  No

Laundry:  No

Phone Service:  Poor Verizon 

Nearest Propane: none nearby. 

Location:  From US-79 north of Marquez turn left (northwest) on Road 1146.  Follow 1146 to the crossroad intersection of 1146, 1469 (right) and 373(left).  Turn left on 373 (Lake Rd. I think) and follow this road to Rd 366 – Park Rd.  (Do not turn into Lakewood Dr.) The campground will be on your right.  It is easier to use the GPS if you have the capability.

Proximity to shopping:  Neither Jewett nor Marquez are very close but would have basics. 

Camping Population:   Mostly locals and fisherers.

Sites:  Some identified sites and some dispersed.

=======================================================================

RATING KEY:    category - score 

Categories:  I - established campgrounds where one might spend a vacation or several days

                    II -  boondocking, dry camping where there are no designated sites and no amenities but

                               one might choose to stay for more than a night.

                    III - over-night areas 

You must remember that we are scoring 1 thru 5 according to things which are important to us: the environment, cost, amenities, location, safety, camping population, site, phone service 

* There are people who are not full-timers and van-dwellers by choice. We try hard not to be demeaning or assume that they are bad people but sadly, as you find in the poorer parts of a city, there seems to be more crime. Many call these people van-dwellers. That isn’t really accurate even though they do often live in vans. We know quite a few van-dwellers who have good incomes, are full-timers by choice and prefer a van to other types of vehicles. To try to show some respect for people who have a difficult lot in life, I’m calling them ‘residential campers’.  It is only when you get a high proportion of residential campers in an area that you find an increase in petty theft, etc.   

POTTER'S CREEK COE, Cayon Lake, TX

Potter's Creek COE, 
Canyon Lake, TX

RUN BY:   Corp of Engineers

LOCATION:  29.906358   -98.261230

Last Visited:  12/3/2018

UTILITIES:  Electric and Water

COST:  $21

DISCOUNTS:  50% with Senior card

OUR RATING (1-5):  Category I.  Score 4

NOTES:   We arrived to spend a couple days with friends two days before they closed the campground for hunting season.  Lots of deer roaming through the campground.  It is in a lovely grove of Live Oak surrounded by the scrubby landscape of the Texas hill country with lots of Juniper.

Environment:   Live Oak grove in the Texas hill country

Amenities:  None

Dump:  Yes

Public Water:  Yes

Toilets: Yes

Showers:  No

Laundry:  No

Phone Service: adequate Verizon 

Nearest Propane:

Location: 

Proximity to shopping:

Camping Population:  varied. 

Sites:  Nice. Roomy.

=======================================================================

RATING KEY:    category - score 

Categories:  I - established campgrounds where one might spend a vacation or several days

                    II -  boondocking, dry camping where there are no designated sites and no amenities but

                               one might choose to stay for more than a night.

                    III - over-night areas 

You must remember that we are scoring 1 thru 5 according to things which are important to us: the environment, cost, amenities, location, safety, camping population, site, phone service 

* There are people who are not full-timers and van-dwellers by choice. We try hard not to be demeaning or assume that they are bad people but sadly, as you find in the poorer parts of a city, there seems to be more crime. Many call these people van-dwellers. That isn’t really accurate even though they do often live in vans. We know quite a few van-dwellers who have good incomes, are full-timers by choice and prefer a van to other types of vehicles. To try to show some respect for people who have a difficult lot in life, I’m calling them ‘residential campers’.  It is only when you get a high proportion of residential campers in an area that you find an increase in petty theft, etc.  

MALAQUITE CG, Padre Island NP, TX

Malaquite CG, Padre Island, TX

RUN BY:   Nat’l Park Service

LOCATION:  27.431719   -97.295382

UTILITIES:  None

COST:  $14

DISCOUNTS:  50% with Senior card 

OUR RATING (1-5):  Category I.  Score 2+

NOTES:  We were going to camp on the beach but when we pulled up and the water almost to the truck we chickened out and went to this campground. It is protected by dunes.  Met a lot of nice people.

Environment:  Beach

Amenities:  None

Dump:  Yes

Public Water: Yes 

Toilets: Yes

Showers:  Yes (cold)

Laundry:  No

Phone Service: No 

Nearest Propane:  South Texas Trolling Motors, 9705 S Padre Island Dr, Corpus Christi, TX 

Location:  Pick up Texas-358 in Corpus Christi.  Follow 358 east. It becomes John F Kennedy Memorial Causeway which becomes Park-22 when you get on the island.  When you see the Visitor Center approaching watch to your left (east, ocean side). The turn is marked.

Proximity to shopping:  Padre Island has everything you might need.

Camping Population:  very mixed.  People from everywhere.

Sites:  Like a parking lot.

=======================================================================

RATING KEY:    category - score 

Categories:  I - established campgrounds where one might spend a vacation or several days

                    II -  boondocking, dry camping where there are no designated sites and no amenities but

                               one might choose to stay for more than a night.

                    III - over-night areas 

You must remember that we are scoring 1 thru 5 according to things which are important to us: the environment, cost, amenities, location, safety, camping population, site, phone service 

* There are people who are not full-timers and van-dwellers by choice. We try hard not to be demeaning or assume that they are bad people but sadly, as you find in the poorer parts of a city, there seems to be more crime. Many call these people van-dwellers. That isn’t really accurate even though they do often live in vans. We know quite a few van-dwellers who have good incomes, are full-timers by choice and prefer a van to other types of vehicles. To try to show some respect for people who have a difficult lot in life, I’m calling them ‘residential campers’.  It is only when you get a high proportion of residential campers in an area that you find an increase in petty theft, etc.