We recently camped at Black Gap Wildlife Management Area, which is possibly Texas’ most remote public land where camping is allowed. If you’ve ever imagined having a time machine and traveling back to when the west was still wild, being out at Black Gap WMA is about as close as you’ll ever get to that.
With the most remote and unpopulated part of both Texas and Mexico all around you, this 115,000 acre wilderness is just the kind of place we like to travel to.
Where is Black Gap Wildlife Management Area?
Black Gap WMA is located northeast of Big Bend National Park in west Texas, with part of the reserve abutting the national park on one side, and Mexico and large private ranches on the other sides. To get to the headquarters, where you must check in upon arrival, take US-385 55 miles south from Marathon to FM-2627 and travel approximately 18 miles until you see the large entrance sign on the right hand side.
Things to Do at Black Gap WMA
Black Gap Wildlife Management area was set aside for wildlife conservation and hunting as its primary purpose. Camping, along with fishing, hiking, horseback riding and biking are allowed, however visitors must know the park frequently closes for special hunts. Hunting may occur here any time of year, and visitors are required to wear blaze orange clothing and headgear at all times.
From the TPWD website: “All persons on public hunting lands (state, national forests, and grasslands) during daylight hours when hunting with firearms is permitted must wear at least 400 square inches of hunter orange material with orange headgear, and at least 144 square inches appearing on both chest and back.” Since small game hunting is allowed all year, this means every person must comply with these requirements when visiting Black Gap WMA.
Campsites in Black Gap WMA
There 26 hunting campsites and 25 fishing campsites in Black Gap WMA. Not all these are accessible year round – check with the game warden first! As per the TPWD website “Access is restricted to Maravillas and Horse Canyons, Rio Grande and the headquarters campsite from March 1 to August 31”.
This Place Is Not Not For Everyone
If you’re in any way opposed to hunting, or squeamish about seeing hunters carrying or cleaning game, Black Gap WMA is not the place for you. You may hear the occasional gunshot during your stay, although during ours never even saw another human being besides the game warden.
There’s no cell phone reception here, no bathrooms (except one at the headquarters campsite), no water and dangerous animals, including rattlesnakes, mountain lions, bears and plenty of thorns. The nearest hospital is over 3 hours away, so just be aware that if you are snake-bit or any other health concerns that require immediate attention, the odds are not in your favor here.
You must pack out everything you bring, including human waste, or face steep penalties. The area along the Rio Grande River is part of the federally managed Wild and Scenic Rivers area and under a special set of rules, which you can learn more about by visiting the Big Bend National Park Website. Most of the fishing campsites along the Rio Grande have basic outhouses, however don’t count on these being in “park like” condition.
Don’t Trust The Signs
When traveling in Black Gap Wildlife Management Area be sure to have a good mapping app such as Gaia GPS, along with a paper map. Signage is often confusing, as in the photo below, with this sign directing vistors to hunting camps 10-12 and 23, not the fishing camps with similar numbers. The road to the right goes to fishing camps 3-25
Dark Night Skies
Black Gap WMA is recognized by the International Dark Sky Association as a Dark Sky Sanctuary, and Texas Parks and Wildlife has made efforts to limit outside lighting to preserve the darkness of the night skies here.
When Can You Visit Black Gap WMA?
According to the TPWD’s website, “General visitation is allowed only during March 1 – August 31 and is restricted to roads (Horse and Maravillas Canyons) accessing the Rio Grande Corridor.” The website also states that the WMA is “open year round”, which seems ambiguous, but apparently that means open to hunters and anglers engaged in those activities. Visitors must possess either a Texas public hunting permit, or a limited use permit to visit the WMA, as well as a Texas fishing license if you choose to fish in the Rio Grande.
Be aware that this is not a park, it is a hunting area and you should always call the ranger’s office before traveling here at (432) 376-2216 just in case the area has been closed for a special hunt. Campsites are available on a “first come-first served” basis, so be sure to have a backup plan, as this is a really long way to drive and not have a place to stay.
See the Texas Parks and Wildlife’s Black Gap WMA page for more info about this rugged, remote and beautiful place. Note that all visitors must fill out a registration card with their Texas limited public use or hunting permit number, tear off half to take with them, then deposit that part of the form in the drop off box upon exiting the WMA.
Just “Down The Road” at La Linda – The Bridge to Nowhere
About 15 miles down FM-2627 you’ll come to the ghost town of La Linda and the abandoned Gerstacker bridge, which was a US border crossing up until 1997, when it was shut down to prevent illegal smuggling. Dow Chemical built the bridge in the 1960’s to transport fluorspar from mines in Mexico to the US. Several efforts have been made by both the US and Mexico to reopen the bridge, but to no avail.
