Driving the southern border

larrie · 03-20-2018, 10:35 PM

Am picking up my van from Agile on Monday April 16th and need to be in Douglas by the Friday the 20th. Am planning on taking the scenic route along the US side of the Mexico border.

From Agile will head south along CA94 to Potrero and then east to Boulavard then south and east on Old Highway 80 to Calexico on CA98. Then on to Yuma and and across the Barry Goldwater Bombing Range via El Camino Del Diablo to Organ Pipe Catus National Monument. From there it will be a mix of pavement and forest services roads through the Coronado National Forest. The route is as close to the Mexican border as anyone can drive.

I figure this is a three to four day trip. Anyone interested in tagging along? Would love to have some company.

John and Dana · 03-24-2018, 04:07 PM

Larrie,

Sounds like a great trip. We just got back from the SW last week. If you get as far as Texas Big Bend (National Park and State Park) are pure SMB heaven. The State Park is almost deserted with lots of great options for back country camping. We did River Road through the National Park and even though all of the campgrounds were full the back country camping was almost completely empty.

Have Fun,
John

86Scotty · 03-25-2018, 07:30 AM

I almost got to Big Bend recently. It's most definitely on my radar these days.

Have fun Larrie!

Twoxentrix · 03-25-2018, 05:19 PM

Big Bend is truly unique, and if time permits you wouldn't be disappointed with one of the multi-day raft trips - Most scenic time to go is spring.

larrie · 03-25-2018, 06:24 PM

I was hoping to get to Big Bend on this trip. Just do not have the time. Will need to plan a different trip.

John and Dana · 03-28-2018, 10:15 PM

We just got back from Big Bend and I can tell you you won't be disappointed. Make sure to include Big Bend Ranch State Park which is next to the National Park. The NP was really busy and I had to wait in line for 30 minutes at the park office to register for campsites. Luckily everyone was trying to get into the campgrounds and all of the back country sites we were interested in were open. By contrast the State Park was almost completely empty. There are 23 miles of dirt road just to reach the camp office which keeps the big RV away. They have lost of backcountry campsites only accessible by high clearance 4x4. If anyone is planning a trip feel free to reach out to me.

Cheers,
John

Pschitt · 03-31-2018, 01:27 PM

I totaly agree, Big Bend Ranch State Park is worth the detour. Spent several days there hiking and enjoying canyons, water pockets and really remote wild places.

BrianW · 03-31-2018, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by larrie

I figure this is a three to four day trip. Anyone interested in tagging along? Would love to have some company.

That close to the border I’m sure you’ll have plenty of constant company from US Border Patrol!

I wonder if it’s possible to register with them or something so you don’t get stopped repeatedly...

Pschitt · 04-02-2018, 05:45 AM

Have been in both Big Bend NP and Big Bend Ranch SP for about three weeks and haven't seen any border patrol. Further west it wasn't the same, with one or two control almost every day.

larrie · 04-02-2018, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrianW

That close to the border I’m sure you’ll have plenty of constant company from US Border Patrol!

I wonder if it’s possible to register with them or something so you don’t get stopped repeatedly...

From what I have read they do stop you. Once they figure out you are harmless they do not stop you any more. Will see.

To drive the El Camino del Diablo you need to register at either the marine air base at the west end or the Cabeza Prieta wildlife refuge on the east end. Once you are in Organ Pipe you are on state and forest service roads.