Posted by Arlon Motsch on April 24, 2014 at 9:25 AM
I like to get out on weekends for a little camping and photography. I live in Midland so try to stay within 5 hrs of home for weekends. I have an old AWD Astro van that is set up as my one man camper and also have a Casita travel trailer for when I want all the amenities of home. Have never tried backpacking but would like to.
Just looking for camping venues, maybe scenic spots other than just State Parks. Looking for suggestions and tips. May meet with others for hikes and such. Hope to retire this year and then get a little further afield. Enjoy landscape, wildlife and macro. Photography is my hobby, I don't sell anything.
Posted by Darren Huski on April 24, 2014 at 10:46 AM
Welcome to CSNP!
You are in luck as there are many options within five or so hours from Midland Texas.
I will start with the best option-Big Bend National Park. About five hours away and I consider it one of the five best parks. Three nice campgrounds there plus an entire network of gravel rough roads with campsites along them. Your van should be fine for the roads. Great hikes here, great park for birds too. There are larger animals too, javelins and coyotes are easy to see- bears and mountain lions are here but tough to photograph. This is a landscape photographers dream. See my website linked below for examples and ideas.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park is also super neat. Great fall color and many hikes.
Carlsbad Caverns is close to the Guads and tripod friendly.
Davis mountains are a little closer than Big Bend and have a neat state park plus the McDonald observatory.
Ruidosa, NM has mountain country. Bosque Del Apache might be a little over five but still close. Ditto White Sands.
Palo Duro Canyon near Amarillo is a closer spot that is neat.
That is just a start but I think there are amazing opportunities for each location for camping and photography.
Feel free to ask any questions and have fun!
Posted by Arlon Motsch on April 24, 2014 at 11:46 AM
I've hit several of the SPs in the area. The place I'm really not visiting and should is Big Bend. I've only been down there a few times. Hopefully I'll start having a little more time on my hands and be able to get there and spend more time in the State and National parks. My van is lifted, rear locker, AWD and has E rated AT/KO with like spares. I think the van is good for the dirt roads in the park, just neeed to get down there!
I drove through Bosque Del Apache once in the off season, It's certainly doable in a 4 day trip. Little far for just a weekend. I've heard of the Muleshoe wildlife refuge but have not been there. It's close enough to visit on a long day trip. Drive time is relative out here. I've driven 2 hrs to Abilene just for lunch... (-:}
While a lot more than 5 hours away, if you ever decide to take a longer trip - try NW AR and the Buffalo River area. I have camped in the back of the truck at Ozark campground right on the river and it is nice. And on sight bathrooms. Many many waterfalls in the spring-most easy to get to-and also lots of flowers for macro. Elk in Boxley Valley in early am and late afternoon. Might see a bear but I doubt it. Beautiful area!
Posted by Arlon Motsch on April 24, 2014 at 3:43 PM
I made a few trips up the Magazine Mountain/Petit Jean area when I was on a temporary assignment in Tulsa. A little out of our weekend range but one of the places we want to revisit when I retire. I hve heard of the Buffalo river area but have no real knowledge of it. I assume there are some full service camping areas as well. Longer trips we will be taking the Casita.. I need to do a little google searching on Buffalo river area.
Posted by Ken Bachman on April 24, 2014 at 8:13 PM
Another area that might be within your range (I'm not real sure where Midland is, panhandle?) is Wichita Mountains of southwest Oklahoma. I've only been there once but would really like to go back. Lots of good hiking possibilties and good landscape photo options. I think Darren has a great write up about that area but I can't find it right now.
Posted by Darren Huski on April 25, 2014 at 12:44 PM
Definitely go to Big Bend. This is one of those parks you will never out grow. I have been visiting it for years and still find new stuff all the time. On my trip last month I found a slot canyon. Not in any guide book and I have never even seen images from it. I will be covering it on my blog starting next month.
Your van will be fine for most of the roads in Big Bend. Give you the ability to go to see most of the neat back road areas. The unpaved river road being a great example. 55 miles long. Take three days and camp for two nights. Remote, dark skies, amazing scenery.
Muleshoe is someplace I hear s neat but have not made I to yet. I think winter would b best f the geese. The Wichita Mountains Men mentions are near Lawton, Oklahoma. Great place on the Great Plains. Nice granite hills, bison, and longhorn. Not near as wild as Big Bend but a good camping and photography destination especially in fall.
Again those areas could keep you busy for many weekends. Good travels to you!
Posted by Arlon Motsch on April 28, 2014 at 10:30 AM
Thanks, I'll have to check those articles.
We did Quartz Mountain in Oklahoma last fall. It was nice but the drought had taken a toll on the area. Big fish kill in lake Altus caused by algal bloom in the stagnating water. It was a nice visit and a lot of interesting photo ops in the local areas.
Discussion
7 repliesJust looking for camping venues, maybe scenic spots other than just State Parks. Looking for suggestions and tips. May meet with others for hikes and such. Hope to retire this year and then get a little further afield. Enjoy landscape, wildlife and macro. Photography is my hobby, I don't sell anything.
You are in luck as there are many options within five or so hours from Midland Texas.
I will start with the best option-Big Bend National Park. About five hours away and I consider it one of the five best parks. Three nice campgrounds there plus an entire network of gravel rough roads with campsites along them. Your van should be fine for the roads. Great hikes here, great park for birds too. There are larger animals too, javelins and coyotes are easy to see- bears and mountain lions are here but tough to photograph. This is a landscape photographers dream. See my website linked below for examples and ideas.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park is also super neat. Great fall color and many hikes.
Carlsbad Caverns is close to the Guads and tripod friendly.
Davis mountains are a little closer than Big Bend and have a neat state park plus the McDonald observatory.
Ruidosa, NM has mountain country. Bosque Del Apache might be a little over five but still close. Ditto White Sands.
Palo Duro Canyon near Amarillo is a closer spot that is neat.
That is just a start but I think there are amazing opportunities for each location for camping and photography.
Feel free to ask any questions and have fun!
I drove through Bosque Del Apache once in the off season, It's certainly doable in a 4 day trip. Little far for just a weekend. I've heard of the Muleshoe wildlife refuge but have not been there. It's close enough to visit on a long day trip. Drive time is relative out here. I've driven 2 hrs to Abilene just for lunch... (-:}
Your van will be fine for most of the roads in Big Bend. Give you the ability to go to see most of the neat back road areas. The unpaved river road being a great example. 55 miles long. Take three days and camp for two nights. Remote, dark skies, amazing scenery.
Muleshoe is someplace I hear s neat but have not made I to yet. I think winter would b best f the geese. The Wichita Mountains Men mentions are near Lawton, Oklahoma. Great place on the Great Plains. Nice granite hills, bison, and longhorn. Not near as wild as Big Bend but a good camping and photography destination especially in fall.
I did an article here a few years back
.
http://www.naturephotographers.net/articles0110/dh0110-1.html
I also have them on both Big Bend and the Guads too.
[URLhttp://www.naturephotographers.net/cgi-bin/search/search.pl?q=huski&showurl=%2Farticles0809%2Fdh0809-1.html[/URL]
Again those areas could keep you busy for many weekends. Good travels to you!
We did Quartz Mountain in Oklahoma last fall. It was nice but the drought had taken a toll on the area. Big fish kill in lake Altus caused by algal bloom in the stagnating water. It was a nice visit and a lot of interesting photo ops in the local areas.