This past long weekend we made another trip out to Big Bend Ranch State Park. This time we camped one night at the Papalote Llano campsite, located about 5 miles south of the Sauceda Ranger Station. We spent a second night at at the nearby Papalote Llano Nuevo campsite, then traveled on to Guale. All three campsites are nice and private, but are very different from each other.
Papalote Llano Campsite
The dirt road to Papalote Llano campsite normally doesn’t require a four wheel drive vehicle, only one with high clearance. Most stock SUV’s can make it to both the campsites here. There are just a couple sandy spots where careful driving is necessary.
This is a walk-in campsite located near a windmill and water trough. The campsite can be accessed through a small gate, down a short trail that leads to a covered sun shelter, table and fire it. It was nice and peaceful here, and we enjoyed watching a few old longhorn cattle come up to the water trough in the evenings. It is fairly close to the Javelin road, so you may see a few vehicles go by. The only downside was that we couldn’t drive our truck (with rooftop tent) closer to the site, but still we enjoyed staying here.
Papalote Llano Nuevo Campsite
Located about a 3/4 mile east of the Papalote Llano campsite is Papalote Llano Nuevo, which is more of a drive-up type site. Like the other site, it has a nice cedar framed sun shelter, fire ring and picnic table. You can’t see the other site from here, and there are no other campsites nearby. This one offers more privacy than the first site, and the small hill to the east offers a wind break. We definitely liked this one better than the first! From up on the small hill there’s a nice view looking west, toward Panther Mountain.
You can learn more about these campsites, along with others by visiting the Big Bend Ranch State Park website. Please note that both of these sites require you to have your own toilet system. No burying waste or “cat holing” is allowed here.
Below: The main reason we drive so far to camp at Big Bend Ranch State Park – dark night skies – great for star photography. BBRSP is an International Dark Sky Park, where outdoor lighting is kept to a minimum to prevent light pollution.
See our post on Chorro Vista campsite if you’re looking for a more challenging 4×4 trail to explore.
