Me, the wife, and the dog are planning a vacation around thanksgiving. We are thinking of heading south, from colorado, and are wondering what some good areas are for riding that have free dispersed camping, we have an rv. Am not sure what toys we are bringing. For sure will bring the tiger1050 but am not sure if it is worth it too bring the polaris rzr. Would like to have a few destination in mind so am not planning on spending the whole time in one spot. The wife doesnt like heat so winter time in the only time we have to explore down south. If anyone has some suggestions that could keep a person entertained for a day or two that would be great. Am trying to work up a rout this week. Like I said would prefer free camping but cheap camping with power would be ok too. Thanks in advance.
The amount of public land where the Polaris would be fun is very limited down here so the Tiger is probably your best bet. I assume you're planning on the Big Bend area? A lot of the dirt out there can be ran on big bikes from what I've seen. For example the road to Juniper Canyon is for high clearance vehicles and seems like it would be easy on a Tiger. The route up Juniper is a GREAT day hike where you can really see the overlapping of ecosystems. Unfortunately to reach the old ranch house and Fresno Creek it's an overnight yo-yo hike across the Dodson (for most people). That's really neat too if you're up for it and leaves from the same trail head as Juniper Canyon. Neither of these areas can really be accessed easily unless you're hiking the big Outer Mountain Loop or are can get to the remote trail head via SUV or bike.
At this point there isnt much of a destination. Was looking at getting a map of the texas hill country that butler came out with but other than that I dont know much about the area. Am thinking central texas, maybe Louisiana, never been there. Oklahoma will likely not be very warm. Maybe southern new mexico or arizona. Someplace warm and not completely flat. Now that I have cleared that up. Looking to leave the afternoon of the 16th and be back the 25th. So have about nine days. Would like to not spend the whole time driving so am looking at within a couple days drive from denver. If there was enough riding in an area to stay for a few days that would be great. We generally ride around 300 miles a day at most. wife gets grumpy. Maybe someone has some rides planned for that week, pavement or easy gravel. 2-up on jeep roads isnt much fun and ground clearance is a little low. At this point we are just spitballing, should have started looking earlier but I wasnt sure I could get the time off until now. Thanks.
If you are bringing the rzr you should be looking for ATV parks. Texas Hill Country could keep you entertained for a few days on the Tiger with some nice TX State Parks and Privately owned RV resorts in the area to park your RV.
There are a couple of off road parks in Arkansas that are fun on a side-by-side, Superlift OHV in Hot Springs, and Wolf Pen in Mena. There is also excellent street and dirt riding in both areas.
Your Butler map will show you. Basically anything West of Austin and north towards Glen Rose and all points in between. You will find that Texas is not flat, like you Colorado'ans think it is. Is is also not COLD like your state this time of year. ALso, head to Big Bend for some of the best our Great State has to offer. We welcome outsiders here. Not like Colorado.haha????
If you want to see the Hill Country pick a park: Garner, South Llano River... http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/hill_country/ Reserve on line to make sure you can get a spot. These parks can sell out at the darndest times. http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/business/park_reservations/web/ Leave the Polaris at home and bring the Tiger. Pleanty of riding, maybe the Three Twisted Sisters or the Devil's Backbone. There is lots to see so it is easy to try and do to much. Enjoy your trip... m
I've spent many vacations exploring the hill country and it never gets old. Good state parks for hiking too. Enchanted Rock and Lost Maples are my favorites. If I had a bike like a Tiger I could spend many more vacations exploring new stuff.
If you buy the Butler Map of the TX hill country and visited, I think you would be quite surprised and very pleased.
Here's a route for the RV... http://goo.gl/maps/CNSii Base out of Carlsbad, and ride the Tiger to the Caverns, Guadalupe Mnts, and McKittrick Canyon. Move Base to Big Bend, and ride the River Road to Presidio and explore the park. Move Base to Leakey, and ride the best parts of the Hill Country. Millions of alternatives... enjoy. NFE
I kid about texas being flat, I grew up in eastern montana and western north dakota, I know flat. Not kidding about outsiders. Personally dont think colorado is all its made out to be. I actually like dirt, not tons of it in the colorado mountains, riding rocks gets old fast. I havent got the map yet, have to find a local place to get it.
Long drive but worth the effort. Motorcycle trails, clear rivers great scenery and sky. Do research, trust me http://www.nps.gov/bibe/index.htm
Heres a vid pulled from YouTube, its on road but there are several off roads to enjoy too. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2PBHeSJ32U&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Now if you could just make me some reservations I would be all done. We stayed at a little dune area around carlsbad once, it was only 10 bucks a night I think. Was looking into the llano state park, looks like a nice place to camp, not stacked like chordwood with some trees around. Will have to do more research this weekend and see if I can get it tied down. Thanks a lot everyone, you have been a huge help. Keep the suggestions coming.
Check out Cannonshot's Big Bend thread... none better... http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=769973 NFE
Got the map. Is there any free dispersed camping around kerrville or fredericksburg, just in case the state parks dont work out. Dog does not do real well in populated areas, barks a lot. Those areas seem to be well centered. Has anyone ever been to the llano state park?
Llano State Park is very nice. I really like Garner State Park. There is a private RV Park right across the river from Garner State Park. Great area. Great Roads to explore. You will like that area alot. Enjoy. Should have no problem finding a place this time of year. Also lots of nice RV Parks around Kerrville. TX. Along Hwy. 39 around Hunt,Tx also nice places. That is also a great riding road along the River.
I was actually looking at either llano or garner. Looked into some of the parks around kerrville, most of them stack you so close to the other rv.s that you are practically connected. We are used to dispersed camping in colorado where you cant hardly see anyone else. I just hope we can keep the mutt quiet so we dont get kicked out.