Campers

[nyj]

Any ideas on really primitive/secluded camping with fires allowed? Looking to hike in a good distance and set up camp wherever. Considering Big Bend, but don't really want to make the 7 hour drive.

[RX8er]

Where are you located?

[C-dub]

The only place I've done that is up in the Rio Grande/ San Juan National Forest area in Colorado. Beautiful country, but further than Big Bend and depending on when you plan on going it is Colorado. The last time I went I carried and so far I haven't owned a handgun with more than a 15 round magazine capacity.

BTW, what you are describing is backpacking, not camping.

[nyj]

I'm in Austin. Willing to drive 5ish hours for a REALLY good spot.

Colorado would be amazing, but yeah, that's a bit far for a weekend trip.

[Wodathunkit]

Padre Island National Sea Shore, park your car at the end of the road and start hiking.

[nyj]

Padre Island National Sea Shore, park your car at the end of the road and start hiking.

That looks like a blast! I'm going the weekend right before spring break starts, or the weekend at the end of spring break, so Padre might not work this time around. Will have to do that sometime, though. Thanks for the recommendation.

[C-dub]

I'm in Austin. Willing to drive 5ish hours for a REALLY good spot.

Colorado would be amazing, but yeah, that's a bit far for a weekend trip.

It is really amazing. We went up from the trail head for 6 days and hiked something like 35 miles on 4 of the days. Two spots we stayed for two nights to get one full day of fishing. Altitude ranged from about 9,300 feet at the trail head to about 12,000 at the highest point we went. My daughter wants to go and I would love to take her when she's old enough for that kind of trip.

[RottenApple]

I absolutely love Palo Duro Canyon. Spent a week out there with 4 other men from synagogue a few years ago. Best Shabbat I've ever had.

[strider67]

http://www.palodurocanyon.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

"Back-Packing Sites
Back-pack camping is permitted only in the area south of the turn-around. You must hike into the area for at least 30 minutes. Water is only available at the trailhead. Fires are not permitted, although stoves with containerized fuel are permitted. You must carry out all that you carry in. Pets are permitted but must be kept on leash at all times.
FEE: $ 12.00 per 4 persons."

This is for Palo Duro Canyon State Park. No fires, but could fit the bill. We went there last Spring on a baseball trip watching our son. Hiked around out there for a day...pretty cool.

[strider67]

I absolutely love Palo Duro Canyon. Spent a week out there with 4 other men from synagogue a few years ago. Best Shabbat I've ever had.

Dog-gone! You beat me to it!

[nyj]

Palo is further than Big Bend for me...thanks though.

[baldeagle]

How about Lost Maples State Natural Area? Two and one half hours from Austin.

[RX8er]

How about Lost Maples State Natural Area? Two and one half hours from Austin.

That is a great park. I went there in the fall a hundred years ago. Very pretty.

[nyj]

How about Lost Maples State Natural Area? Two and one half hours from Austin.

Was at the top of my list, but no fires and there are no open spots for the next couple of weeks. Bummer.

I may be stuck to going to big bend.

[RottenApple]

http://www.palodurocanyon.com/

"Back-Packing Sites
Back-pack camping is permitted only in the area south of the turn-around. You must hike into the area for at least 30 minutes. Water is only available at the trailhead. Fires are not permitted, although stoves with containerized fuel are permitted. You must carry out all that you carry in. Pets are permitted but must be kept on leash at all times.
FEE: $ 12.00 per 4 persons."

This is for Palo Duro Canyon State Park. No fires, but could fit the bill. We went there last Spring on a baseball trip watching our son. Hiked around out there for a day...pretty cool.

Wow. That's new. We had built a rock "fireplace" and were within the rules at the time. Wonder when they implemented that.