Drive to Big Bend National Park

Date	Distance	Time	Elevation Gain	Average Moving Time	Year to Date Miles
3/26/2025	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	94.7 miles

We had a 6-hour drive from El Paso to Cottonwood Campground in Big Bend. It was 95 degrees when we arrived, so no one was up for hiking. We settled in at our campsite and went for a drive to see some overlooks. There is a chance of heavy rain tonight, and signs say that the grassy areas in the campground are prone to flooding. Our campsite has a bearbox to protect our food not from bears, but from the other animals that wander through the campground such as horses, donkeys, cows, and javelinas. 

We took a walk to the Rio Grande and were able to cross into Mexico. This is my first time in Mexico! There were several cows on both sides of the river. We learned later that the cows come from ranches in Mexico.  

We are drinking tons of water. Most of the park has no cell access, but I was able to use satellite messaging on my phone to contact Glen. The visitor centers have weak Wifi, so you'll always see people hanging out there with their phones. There are a handful of small stores, usually next to the visitor centers, but they don't sell much food (however the ice cream they sell was a lifesaver).

I was concerned about being too cold in my tent at night (in the desert, nighttime temps drop a lot!), but I was actually sweating. This campground has no showers.

One of the visitor centers, near our campground.

Cows on the Mexico side.

Made it to Mexico, with dry feet

First time in Mexico

Ocotillo

Back at the visitor center

Home for the night.