Not Geocaching in Big Bend But Keeping the Spirit Alive

This was one of those trips that was technically supposed to fit on a geocaching blog, but we somehow managed to go to Big Bend for 11 days without actually finding a geocache.

We had geocaches downloaded. We had plenty of time. We had plenty of opportunities. We just never actually stopped to find one.

Instead, the focus of the trip was night skies and offroading, and honestly, I loved this trip. I would do almost the entire thing again exactly the same way.

We spent a lot of time exploring Big Bend National Park and Big Bend Ranch State Park, including quite a few roads that definitely require a vehicle capable of handling them. We did a 4x4 tour, drove Old Ore Road, River Road, Glenn Springs Road, and a bunch of other back roads. Old Ore Road was probably my favorite, although really I loved all of the offroading.

We also crossed the Rio Grande into Mexico at Boquillas, did some rifle shooting, explored Terlingua and Marfa, and spent a ridiculous amount of time looking at the sky. We had several nights of stargazing, including a star party at McDonald Observatory.

We did have to work part of the trip, but even that wasnice. We worked remotely from our dome, with a pretty fantastic view as our office.

The one thing that did not make the favorite-things list was the Chinati Foundation. I didn't get it. At all. We also happened to be in the area at a time when there was a lot of discussion about plans for border barriers through or near Big Bend's public lands. After spending this much time driving through the parks and seeing how beautiful and wild this area is, the idea of putting a huge fence through parts of it is pretty depressing. The plans have changed several times, but the whole thing is worth following if you care about the future of the area. The Texas Tribune has a good overview of the current Big Bend border-barrier plans.

And then there was the tire.

On the way to Marfa, we punctured a tire on Pinto Canyon Road. It wasn't exactly part of the itinerary, but I suppose an offroading trip needs at least one reminder that you're actually offroading. I would make one change if we did the trip again: I wish we'd had the tires I have now back then.

Despite the tire, the questionable art, and the complete lack of actual geocaching, this was one of my favorite trips. The scenery was incredible, the offroading was a blast, crossing into Mexico was a fun experience, and the night skies were exactly what we had gone looking for.

So, no finds to report.

But we had the geocaching spirit. We explored, took the roads less traveled, stopped at interesting places, and spent a lot of time outside wondering what was around the next bend.

I'll take that as a pretty good geocaching-adjacent trip.

Big Bend Ranch State Park: Our Review & Ratings

Park: Big Bend Ranch State Park, Texas
Visited: April 24, 2026
Reviewers: Judy and Evan
Official website: https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/big-bend-ranch

About the Park

Big Bend Ranch State Park is the largest state park in Texas, covering a vast stretch of rugged desert landscape along the Rio Grande in far West Texas. The park features dramatic mountains, deep canyons, desert wildlife, historic ranching sites, and some spectacular scenic drives. Visitors can hike, mountain bike, paddle the Rio Grande, ride horses, camp under remarkably dark skies, or explore the park's rugged backcountry roads in a high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicle. It's a place where the scenery is the main attraction, but how much you can explore depends on your time, equipment, and willingness to venture off the beaten path.

Our Visit

Big Bend Ranch State Park was one of those places where we immediately wished we had scheduled more time. We visited in late April 2026 and spent a couple of hours driving along the southern part of the park, making frequent stops to take in the scenery. Even from the main road, the views were outstanding. The Rio Grande, rugged mountains, and rolling desert hills made the drive worthwhile all by themselves.

We had a great time exploring the area, but we barely scratched the surface of what the park has to offer. The park is enormous, and our limited time meant choosing between seeing the highlights along the road and venturing farther into the backcountry.

One of our favorite parts was simply the drive along the river. There were plenty of places to pull over, look around, and appreciate the landscape. We also spoke with a park ranger, who recommended checking out some caves in the rock walls. Naturally, we took that suggestion and ventured down a dirt road to investigate. The caves were neat, and getting to them added a little adventure to the day.

We also took a short hike down a trail to get a better view of the landscape. The walk wasn't particularly long, although the return trip involved climbing back uphill. The view made it worthwhile, and it left us wanting to explore more of the park's trails when we had more time and cooler weather.

Wildlife sightings were limited. We saw a horse alongside the road, but otherwise didn't encounter much. We stayed mostly on the main paved road, so that wasn't entirely surprising. Big Bend Ranch has plenty of natural habitat, and the park is home to a wide variety of birds and other wildlife, but we didn't see enough to make wildlife viewing a major highlight of our visit.

Geocaching was another missed opportunity. Somehow, I didn't think about caching during this trip, even though it would have been an excellent place to explore with a GPS in hand. We certainly had enough time to stop and look around, so forgetting about it was a bit frustrating in retrospect. Geocaching is definitely going on the list for our next visit.

Off-Roading: A Reason to Come Back

The off-roading was one of the biggest reasons we wanted to visit Big Bend Ranch State Park, and it was also the activity we were least equipped to pursue fully on this trip.

At the time, our vehicle didn't have the clearance or the second spare tire that the park recommends for many of its backcountry roads. We knew those limitations would restrict what we could do, so we stuck to a small amount of off-roading near the main road. Even that short excursion was enjoyable, and it gave us a taste of what the park has to offer.

Since then, we've upgraded our Land Cruiser, and we're much better prepared to tackle some of the more challenging routes. Evan particularly enjoyed the off-road driving, and we both agreed that returning with the proper equipment would open up a lot more of the park.

There is an important catch, though. These aren't necessarily groomed recreational trails. Many of the park's backcountry roads are rough, unmaintained routes that require a suitable high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicle, appropriate recovery equipment, and careful preparation. Evan learned firsthand why the park's recommendation to carry two spare tires deserves attention: we blew a tire on the way out of the park.

That's not the sort of souvenir most people are hoping to bring home.

We were also disappointed that some of the park's interior remains difficult to access without a serious four-wheel-drive setup. A few more well-maintained routes would make additional areas accessible to a wider range of visitors. Still, the ruggedness is part of what makes Big Bend Ranch appealing to off-road enthusiasts, and we understand that improving access everywhere isn't necessarily the goal.

We left with a much longer wish list of trails to explore. Our next visit will need considerably more time, and the right equipment will be coming along.

What Could Have Been Better?

Our biggest disappointment was that we didn't allow enough time to explore the park properly. We knew in advance that our vehicle limited our options, but seeing the landscape in person made us want to do much more than we had planned.

We also visited toward the end of the season that we would recommend for comfortable outdoor activities. April was manageable, but summer temperatures in this part of Texas can become dangerously hot. We'd prefer to return during cooler weather, when hiking and spending longer periods outside would be more enjoyable.

The park's remoteness is both a strength and a limitation. You get a tremendous amount of space, quiet, and scenery, but you also need to be self-sufficient. Fuel isn't available inside the park, facilities are limited in many areas, and a vehicle problem on an isolated road can become a serious inconvenience.

Judy also left with some sadness about the possibility of a wall being built through the landscape. We don't know what the future holds for the places we visited, but it was hard not to think about how changes to the border could affect the character of this remote region.

Even with those concerns, neither of us came away feeling that the visit had been a waste. Quite the opposite. We simply found ourselves wishing we'd had another day or two, a more capable vehicle at the time, and a little more energy to explore.

Practical Tips for Visiting

Bring much more water than you think you'll need. This is the desert, and the heat can become dangerous quickly. Carry plenty of water even if you only plan to make a few short stops or take an easy hike.

Fill your fuel tank before entering the park. There is no fuel available inside the park. Plan your fuel stops ahead of time, especially if you intend to explore the backcountry.

Know your vehicle's limitations. The main scenic road is a good way to experience the park without a specialized vehicle, but many interior roads require high clearance and four-wheel drive. Check the official park maps and road descriptions before setting out.

Carry appropriate recovery and tire equipment. For backcountry driving, take the park's recommendations seriously. A full-size spare, a second spare, recovery gear, and the knowledge to use them can make a significant difference if something goes wrong.

Plan for limited facilities. Don't expect extensive infrastructure throughout the park. Backcountry camping is primitive, and visitors need to be prepared to bring supplies in and pack their waste and trash out.

Visit during cooler weather when possible. Late fall through spring is generally a better time for extended outdoor activities than the height of summer. Regardless of the season, protect yourself from the sun and check conditions before heading out.

Allow more time than we did. A couple of hours can provide a worthwhile scenic drive, but serious exploration deserves at least a full day. If you want to hike, explore backcountry roads, camp, and see more of the park, plan for several days.

Our Ratings

We used a five-point scale for activities: 1 = Poor, 2 = Fair, 3 = Good, 4 = Very Good, and 5 = Excellent. Shared activity ratings are averages of the ratings provided by the reviewers who were able to assess each activity. Activities we didn't try or couldn't fairly evaluate are marked accordingly.

Category	Our Rating	Notes
Scenery & Beauty	5/5	Excellent views of the Rio Grande, mountains, and rolling desert landscape.
Hiking & Trails	3/5	Our short hike was worthwhile, but we didn't explore enough trails to give the park a thorough assessment.
Wildlife & Nature	2.5/5	We saw limited wildlife during our visit, although the park offers much more habitat than we experienced.
Geocaching	Not rated	We didn't go geocaching, despite having the opportunity.
Water Recreation	Not rated	We didn't try river activities.
Off-Roading & Driving	4/5	The scenic drive was excellent, and our limited off-roading was enjoyable. We want to return with more time and equipment.
History & Points of Interest	2/5	We saw a few interesting features, including caves, but didn't explore the park's historical attractions in depth.
Camping & Facilities	2/5	The remote, primitive nature of the park offers solitude, but visitors need to be comfortable with limited infrastructure.
Biking	Not rated	We didn't bike during our visit.

Individual Overall Ratings

Judy: Would Definitely Return 🖒

The scenery and caves made a strong impression on me. I was disappointed that we didn't have enough time or the right vehicle to explore more, but that gives us a very good reason to return. I'd love to spend several days here, try more of the backcountry roads, and remember to go geocaching this time.

Evan: Good for a Specific Interest 🖒

Big Bend Ranch State Park is particularly appealing to someone who enjoys rugged scenery, remote destinations, and off-road driving. The main road alone makes the visit worthwhile, but the limited infrastructure and demanding backcountry roads mean it isn't necessarily a park for everyone. For people who enjoy that kind of adventure, it's a place worth exploring.

Final Thoughts

Big Bend Ranch State Park left us with two very different impressions: we were thoroughly impressed by what we saw, and we were very aware of how much we missed.

The scenic drive along the Rio Grande was beautiful, the caves were worth investigating, and even our short off-road excursion was enough to convince us that we need to return. The park rewards visitors who come prepared, allow plenty of time, and understand that exploring its more remote areas requires the right equipment and a healthy respect for the desert.

Our next visit will need to be longer, cooler, and better equipped. We'll bring the upgraded Land Cruiser, plenty of water, two spare tires, and a geocaching plan. With several days to explore, we hope to experience more of the backcountry and discover what lies beyond the stretch of road we saw this time.

For now, Big Bend Ranch State Park earns top marks from us for scenery, with a promise to return for more adventure.

Big Bend National Park: Our Review & Ratings

We visited Big Bend National Park in April 2026 and spent several days exploring the park and surrounding area. We wanted to see the scenery, do some hiking, explore the back roads in our 4x4, and fit in a few historical stops along the way. We also had plans for kayaking and the hot springs, but the weather had other ideas.

Big Bend turned out to be a great place for the way we like to travel. There's plenty to see from the road, interesting history to stumble across, and some excellent off-roading. I was also still recovering from cancer treatment, so we needed to keep our hikes relatively short. Fortunately, that didn't stop us from having a good visit.

Our Visit

The Scenery and Short Hikes

Big Bend is a huge park, and the landscape changes quite a bit as you explore. There are mountains, desert, the Rio Grande, and miles of open country. We spent a lot of time stopping to take in the views, which was easy to do because there was often something interesting just around the next bend.

I thought the scenery was excellent. Evan liked it, too, although he wouldn't necessarily put it at the top of his list of most beautiful parks. That's one of those differences in opinion that doesn't really need resolving. We both enjoyed the landscape, even if we ranked it a little differently.

Because of my health at the time, we stuck to shorter hikes rather than taking on anything particularly strenuous. We visited Santa Elena Canyon, one of the park's best-known features, and stopped at an old homestead and a windmill. The historic structures added some variety to the day, and we didn't feel that we had to hike for miles to enjoy the park.

We also had some lovely views of the mountains beneath a sky full of sun and clouds. Big Bend has plenty of dramatic scenery, but I enjoyed the quieter views just as much. Sometimes the best part of a stop was simply standing there for a few minutes and looking around.

Old Ore Road and Off-Roading

Off-roading was one of the highlights of our visit. We enjoy exploring in our four-wheel-drive vehicle, and Big Bend gives us a chance to get beyond the paved roads and see more of the landscape.

Old Ore Road was a favorite for both of us. It was an enjoyable challenge and gave us a different perspective on the park. We also drove River Road, which was another highlight. The combination of remote roads, changing terrain, and scenery made these drives well worth the time.

You don't need a 4x4 to enjoy Big Bend, but having one opens up additional opportunities. The primitive roads aren't suitable for every vehicle, and conditions can change, so it's important to check current road information and know what your vehicle can handle. For us, exploring these roads was a big part of what made the trip special.

Wildlife and Desert Plants

We saw birds of prey, roadrunners, horses, donkeys, and fish. We also noticed desert plants such as ocotillo and prickly pear.

I enjoyed seeing the variety of wildlife and plants, although Evan had hoped to see more animals. Wildlife sightings can be unpredictable, especially in a large desert environment, so I wouldn't plan a trip around expecting to see a particular animal. We were happy with what we found, even if it wasn't an endless parade of wildlife.

History and the Boquillas Crossing

Big Bend isn't just about scenery. We came across historic structures and other reminders of the people who have lived and worked in this region. The old homestead and windmill were interesting stops, and we enjoyed seeing these pieces of history as we explored.

We also crossed the Rio Grande into Mexico at the Boquillas Port of Entry and visited Boquillas del Carmen. It was a memorable part of the trip, and the people we encountered were welcoming. Crossing the border added something different to our park visit, rather than simply giving us another trail or overlook to check off the list.

The Terlingua area has its own history and character, too. We spotted the Terlingua Abajo roadside sign while exploring the area. It's the kind of detail I like to photograph along the way, even when it isn't the main reason for a stop.

If you plan to visit Boquillas, check the port's operating schedule and current crossing requirements before you go. You'll need the appropriate identification and must follow the official border procedures.

The Night Sky

The night sky was another highlight. Big Bend is known for its dark skies, and we enjoyed getting outside after dark to look at the stars.

After a day of driving and exploring, stargazing was a nice change of pace. It didn't require a long hike or much planning, just a clear enough sky and some time away from artificial lights. If you enjoy astronomy, bring binoculars or a telescope if you have room, and give yourself an evening to enjoy the view.

What We Didn't Get To Do

We had hoped to visit the hot springs and go kayaking on the Rio Grande, but neither worked out.

The wind made kayaking a poor choice, particularly given my physical limitations at the time. Rain and the resulting conditions also interfered with our hot springs plans. We stopped by, but we didn't get to enjoy a soak.

I was disappointed to miss both activities, but we had plenty to do without them. They're good reasons to plan another visit.

Favorite Things

My favorite part of the trip was off-roading, particularly Old Ore Road. I enjoyed the driving, the scenery, and the chance to explore a part of the park that felt different from the main tourist routes.

Evan's favorites were also Old Ore Road and River Road. He enjoyed the driving opportunities and the variety of terrain. We both liked the night sky and the Boquillas crossing, too.

We had slightly different opinions about the scenery and wildlife, but we agreed that Big Bend offered plenty to enjoy. Even with my hiking limited, we were able to explore a lot of the park and have a satisfying trip.

Things to Know Before Visiting

Give yourself enough time. Big Bend is a large, remote park. You can see some of the main sights in a day or two, but you'll need longer if you want to hike, explore the primitive roads, visit historic sites, cross into Mexico, and spend time stargazing.

Plan around the weather. April worked for much of our visit, but wind and rain affected our plans. Summer heat can be intense, too. Check current forecasts, park alerts, and road conditions before setting out, especially if you're planning a river activity or a drive on a remote road.

Plan your fuel stops. Services are limited in this part of Texas, and distances can be substantial. Don't assume you'll find fuel or supplies exactly when you need them. Plan ahead and fill up when practical.

Choose your roads carefully. The paved roads are great for sightseeing, but primitive roads such as Old Ore Road require an appropriate high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicle. Check conditions before leaving, carry suitable safety and recovery equipment, and don't take on a route beyond your experience or vehicle's capabilities.

You don't have to hike long distances. We kept our hikes short and still enjoyed the park. Scenic drives, overlooks, historical features, and wildlife viewing offer plenty of ways to explore without committing to a long trail.

Check the details for crossing into Mexico. The Boquillas crossing has specific operating hours and border requirements. Verify current information before your visit so you don't arrive only to find that your plans need adjusting.

Consider your accommodation options. We stayed in domes outside the park and enjoyed the experience. Staying outside the park can work well, but factor in the driving time when planning your days.

Our Ratings

We use a five-point scale: 1 = Poor, 2 = Below Average, 3 = Average, 4 = Good, and 5 = Excellent.

Category	Judy	Evan	Average
Scenery	5/5	4/5	4.5/5
Hiking	3/5	4/5	3.5/5
Wildlife	4/5	3/5	3.5/5
Off-roading	5/5	5/5	5.0/5
History and historic features	4/5	4/5	4.0/5
Facilities	3/5	Not rated	3.0/5

We didn't complete our planned kayaking trip or visit the hot springs as intended, so those activities aren't rated. Our facilities rating reflects the facilities we used, not a full assessment of camping options.

Judy's overall impression: I'd definitely return. I loved the scenery and the off-roading, and there was plenty to enjoy even with my hiking limited. I'd like another chance to kayak and visit the hot springs.

Evan's overall impression: Evan would return, too. The off-roading was a major highlight, and he enjoyed the park's landscape, history, and dark skies.

Official Park Information

For current information, visit the official National Park Service website for Big Bend National Park.

Big Bend National Park is in far West Texas along the Rio Grande, which forms part of the international boundary with Mexico. The park protects a large area of the Chihuahuan Desert, the Chisos Mountains, river canyons, and a variety of desert and mountain habitats. Visitors can hike, take scenic drives, explore historic sites, watch wildlife, camp, and enjoy river activities when conditions permit. The park is also recognized for its exceptionally dark night skies, making it a good destination for stargazing. Because it is remote and includes a range of terrain, visitors should plan ahead for fuel, supplies, weather, and road conditions.

Final Thoughts

Big Bend is worth visiting if you enjoy scenic drives, history, stargazing, and exploring places that feel a long way from a city. It's especially appealing if you have a suitable 4x4 and want to explore some of the park's more remote roads.

We spent several days exploring and still had things left on our list. Old Ore Road would be enough to bring me back, and next time I'd like to add kayaking and the hot springs if the weather cooperates.

Big Bend isn't a park you have to experience entirely on foot. That worked out well for me on this trip, and it gave us plenty of reasons to return.

Easter Geocaching

Donnie and Angela planned a surprise-ish Easter trip for us so we could see my nephew and meet his new girlfriend. We decided to make a weekend of it and spent some time together around Bob Sandlin State Park.

This was my first trip with Donnie and Angela since chemo and surgery, and I was still doing immunotherapy, so I definitely wasn't back to 100% energy yet. Luckily, this was a pretty chill weekend, with some time together, a short hike, and plenty of relaxing.

Of course, we also had to find a couple of geocaches while we were at the park.

We found The Jaws of the Grave, which was a quick little park-and-grab. We also found Wood Duck, which gave us a reason to get out and explore a little more of the park.

A short hike, some geocaching, time with friends and family, and a pretty low-key Easter weekend was exactly what I needed.