throet Posted September 12, 2018 Share Posted September 12, 2018 (edited) https://goo.gl/maps/7yy9AGgZT8n https://www.mtbproject.com/directory/8010385/big-bend-ranch-state-park Edited September 12, 2018 by throet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Tip Posted September 13, 2018 Share Posted September 13, 2018 The area is "meh" in regards to the riding. A lot of it is just gravel grinding. BUT, the scenery more than makes up for that fact, so it is indeed a great location. Maybe my perception of the area is skewed, to the positive, by how much fun I had at the two Desert Fests I went to. But I think it would be worth the drive for anyone. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrunkyDrewster Posted September 19, 2018 Share Posted September 19, 2018 Easter egg. Hidden not far off the road into El Soltitario is the Solitario Bar. On privately owned property but still within the parks boundary, the bar is a hidden oasis for weary travelers. More of a re-supply spot for through hikers and bikepackers, but still worth trying to find if you are out there. Usually stocked with a few libations and drinking water, kitchen pantry items, outhouse, picnic table in the SHADE, firewood and fire pit. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ATXZJ Posted September 21, 2018 Share Posted September 21, 2018 On 9/13/2018 at 7:43 AM, The Tip said: The area is "meh" in regards to the riding. A lot of it is just gravel grinding. BUT, the scenery more than makes up for that fact, so it is indeed a great location. This was our experience as well. For us, it was just cool to get off the grid and go ride. Most of the trails like fresno were really basic singletrack with some steep, punchy climbs and a smattering of soft sand to keep the heart rates up. Don't forget to check out the abandoned quicksilver mine when your out there. Lajitas was a lot more fun to ride than the state park area plus had a cool canyon section towards the back end. We had good weather as we stayed around the xmas break and dodged all the heat. TV, internet, chaos and traffic were replaced with eclectic people & places, vast expanses and holy sh*t, beautiful starry nights. We also took a drive up to the basin and were blown away by the amount of tree growth and especially the aspen trees growing this far south. Definitely recommend for a much needed getaway. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jessica Posted October 1, 2018 Share Posted October 1, 2018 There is lots to see, and I dig how remote it is. The Fresno Divide, Dome and Flatirons are all worthwhile. It's fun and fast. Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albert Posted October 1, 2018 Share Posted October 1, 2018 Another Texas destination I've never been to, even though I've lived in Austin 20 years. Maybe I can fix that next spring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ridenfool Posted October 1, 2018 Share Posted October 1, 2018 7 hours ago, Albert said: Another Texas destination I've never been to, even though I've lived in Austin 20 years. Maybe I can fix that next spring. Austin Mountain Biking's first annual "Fajitas in Lajitas" event? 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big_papa_nuts Posted December 27, 2018 Share Posted December 27, 2018 This is a tough one. The best campsites are in the interior of the park near the Sauceda ranger station, the the best trails are on the south east side. So if you're just going to ride for a day or two you have to deal with crappy campsites (pro tip, number 15 at Grassy Banks is a nice site), but if going for longer stay near the Sauceda station (showers, drinking water, camp store) and ride mostly Jeep roads. The west Contrabando trail system in my favorite, but the east trails are good too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ridenfool Posted December 27, 2018 Share Posted December 27, 2018 Optionally, visitors can get a room or camp outside the park in Study Butte, Terlingua, or Lajitas. Then buy the state park pass at the Barton Warnock Center and start their BBRSP rides from the trail head there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seths Pool Posted December 27, 2018 Share Posted December 27, 2018 (edited) 5 hours ago, Big_papa_nuts said: This is a tough one. The best campsites are in the interior of the park near the Sauceda ranger station, the the best trails are on the south east side. So if you're just going to ride for a day or two you have to deal with crappy campsites (pro tip, number 15 at Grassy Banks is a nice site), but if going for longer stay near the Sauceda station (showers, drinking water, camp store) and ride mostly Jeep roads. The west Contrabando trail system in my favorite, but the east trails are good too. just got back from big bend state park like two Mondays ago 🙂 I have repeatedly stayed at the west contrabando trailhead campsite. of course I would like to check out other camp sites, but have been happy to stay at contrabando the last two years. the contrabando trail, dome trail, and fresno divide (going downhill) have been my favorite trails there so far. as others have stated, yes the riding isnt very gnarly or technical, but the whole package of trails, scenery, remoteness, and overall vibe of terlingua and that area just equates to a great time and tons of fun and great memories! I recommend big bend ranch state park to anyone. beginners to bonafide shredders 🙂 Edited December 27, 2018 by Seths Pool 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
June Bug Posted December 29, 2018 Share Posted December 29, 2018 The other nice thing about BBRSP is that it's rideable in the rain or right after a rain. The main trails just don't seem to be affected by rain. This is nice because storms come through in the winter, when we're usually there. This isn't true of the Airport ("Lajitas") Trails outside of the state park, which get pretty sticky and muddy in some areas when it rains. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
circuitbreaker Posted March 12, 2019 Share Posted March 12, 2019 i'm looking for a 3-4 hour ride that's accessible from Terlingua. Any recommendations? I will be renting from Desert Sport. i'd love to do the epic. but i'm not going to have enough time this trip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ridenfool Posted March 12, 2019 Share Posted March 12, 2019 If you can get to the Barton Warnock Center on the way from Terlingua to Lajitas you'll have several choices. Airport trails with loops, and BBRSP trailhead for out and back with some side trails to loop on. State Park pass is available there as well. MTBProject and TrailForks might help narrow down the logistics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seths Pool Posted March 12, 2019 Share Posted March 12, 2019 15 hours ago, circuitbreaker said: i'm looking for a 3-4 hour ride that's accessible from Terlingua. Any recommendations? I will be renting from Desert Sport. i'd love to do the epic. but i'm not going to have enough time this trip. start at the west contrabando trailhead, ride the main trail to the dome loop, ride the entire dome loop until you circle back around to the Fresno divide trail and ride Fresno divide all the way back down to the west contrabando trailhead west contrabando> main trail> dome loop> all the way around dome loop > Fresno divide trail as a 3.5 mile descent back to the parking lot at west contrabando trailhead 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrunkyDrewster Posted March 12, 2019 Share Posted March 12, 2019 Just ask the guys at Desert Sports. They will have best suggestions for you. 4 hours into BBRSP from Barton Warnock gives you enough time to cover most of the Contrabando and Dome trails. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barry Posted March 13, 2019 Share Posted March 13, 2019 17 hours ago, Seths Pool said: west contrabando> main trail> dome loop> all the way around dome loop > Fresno divide trail as a 3.5 mile descent back to the parking lot at west contrabando trailhead This is the correct answer. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
circuitbreaker Posted March 25, 2019 Share Posted March 25, 2019 had a great ride, thanks for the tips. https://www.strava.com/activities/2227141637 we stayed in a tepee at terlingua basecamp, which was an amazing experience and very close to desert sports. Already looking forward to going back and riding all the airport loops and the epic. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bestbike85 Posted April 16, 2019 Share Posted April 16, 2019 On 3/25/2019 at 12:06 AM, circuitbreaker said: had a great ride, thanks for the tips. https://www.strava.com/activities/2227141637 we stayed in a tepee at terlingua basecamp, which was an amazing experience and very close to desert sports. Already looking forward to going back and riding all the airport loops and the epic. How was that loop on a hard tail? Im going to Lajitas next month and debating which bike the bring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
circuitbreaker Posted April 17, 2019 Share Posted April 17, 2019 hardtail was great except for Fresno Divide. i wanted to bomb down that trail, but i had to keep things in check. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
June Bug Posted May 9, 2019 Share Posted May 9, 2019 (edited) From bikepacking.com: Bike packing loop in the national park, utilizing The River Road and 4-wheel drive roads. RIVER ROAD RAMBLE (BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK) Stats: 4 days, 168 miles, 90% unpaved, 100% rideable, 7,626' cumulative climbing; difficulty rating is 5 on a scale of 1 to 10. Edited May 9, 2019 by June Bug 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bestbike85 Posted May 26, 2019 Share Posted May 26, 2019 Was here last weekend. Since we headed into the park both days at 9-9:30am, I was limited on time. Ended up doing all the Lajitas trails first and second day. Something like 1-2-3 on day 1. 3-4-5 on day 2. I decided not to go do the dome loop simply because I had 2 flats when I woke up on day 2. So I installed tubes, and had no more to bring on the ride with me. To play it safe I stuck with going back to lajitas trails because of its proximity to hike out if needed. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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