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FridayNovember202009



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Big Bend to show off new amenities at Nov. 14 fiesta
11/8/2009 6:21 PM
By: Texas Parks & Wildlife

Big Bend Ranch State Park recently acquired 7,000 acres.  
Getting folks out to Big Bend Ranch State Park is the goal behind the park's Nov. 14 fiesta.

The day offers park tours, hikes, guided mountain bike and horseback rides, as well as various demonstrations from desert survival to basic camping, so folks can take advantage of the 50 new campsites in remote areas.

"For Big Bend and for all of West Texas, you have to kind of make the commitment to make the pilgrimage out here. I think there's a segment of society that this is kind of what they're looking for. The urban area can only offer you so much, and now it's time to go see what's out in an unspoiled rural area," Marfa newspaper editor Robert Halpern said.
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Big Bend State Park

News 8's Paul Brown has more on a fiesta worth driving for.



Right now visitors can enter the ranch off Farm Road 170 near Presidio.

Each new campsite comes with a fire ring, picnic table and a place to put your tent. Group sites and equestrian campsites are available too.

Other amenities include restrooms at some group sites, new signage and furniture at the Sauceda Headquarters and a new gift store.
 

"I love it. It's a great improvement. It's just much bigger and open spaces and brighter. I'm very happy with the makeover," Cindy Steinbeck, with the park, said.

Two-wheel drive vehicles can get to the ranch headquarters and some campsites, but don't expect to get there fast.

"Part of the experience of visiting Big Bend Ranch State Park which makes it different from Big Bend National Park or a lot of other places is you just got to slow down when you come here. I mean you just got to," State Parks Regional Director Mike Hill said.

Go slow enough and you might see some of the wildlife in West Texas along with some unique vegetation and ancient Native-American rock art.

"You get your own private piece of the Chihuahuan Desert," Hill said. "So once you get out there and get unpacked and get your camp set up, you've got your little corner of 300,000 acres to go explore and play in."



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Troubled Waters
News 8's Jenna Hiller explored the troubled waters in Central Texas and traveled down the Colorado River in search of information. Click on the links to watch, read and interact.

Part 1: Regional cooperation drying out
Part 2: Texas rice farmer takes on water wars
Part 3: Security of supply saturates perception
Part 4: Bad news travels near and far
Part 5: Bad news travels near and far

Where does your water come from?

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For News 8's continuing coverage of the Fort Hood mass shootings visit our Fort Hood Shooting section, watch video from reporters in the field and press conferences with officials, and view our photo galleries: The Day Of The Shootings | The Memorial | The Victims
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