Well, we are sort of planning a trip to Big Bend National Park (TX) during the four-day weekend I get for "spring break" next weekend. Some friends of my boyfriend's had planned to go, so I think we will be joining them (though the latest is that they were thinking of backing out, so it may just be us). It is a 10 hour drive, so hopefully we will be able to leave wednesday night and get most of the way, maybe stay in a motel, then arrive early thurs. Still waiting on the word from the others involved to see if they were planning on car camping or doing any backpacking. I am pretty excited, I have heard it is an amazing place! I know we will have to carry lots of water. I think we are going to have to kind of play it by ear based on what sites are available when we get there - I imagine spring break is a busy time. Has anyone else been to Big Bend and have any experience to share?

Yup, been there over 40 times since 1974. It will be crowded for Spring Break. My suggestion would be to drive all afternoon, get there after midnight, sleep in the car at Persimmon Gap or Panther Junction, and secure your car camping sites when the ranger station opens up. Candilla, Nugent Mountain are both good sites, secluded, but close to a main road. The Basin is where the nicest, and most popular, hikes will be and you can get there early as well. The South Rim Loop Trail is a good first overnighter. Yes, bring lots of water.
You'll want to visit the hot springs area, especially in the evening. Santa Elena Canyon is nice too. They may have the border opened back up by now, so you might be able to head over to Boquillas for some fun. It's a huge place and I'll be happy to answer any questions you might have.

Thanks, Dryer. We are going during spring break so we're afraid all the sites will be full, and are preparing to have to do zone camping. Should be interesting! We are planning to drive most of the night and perhaps stay at a motel a few hours away, then get up early to arrive at the ranger station when it opens. Most people will already be in the park for spring break though by the time we arrive on thursday... or perhaps some of them will be leaving by then?

I'm just bummed that I wont be able to use my hammock (unless we get lucky and get a spot in the Chisos)! Back to the hard ground..

You might get lucky on a Thursday if you get there early enough i.e, station opening time. The closest hotel to the park on your side of it is the Gage Hotel, a bit pricey but very nice, in Marathon. There is a ton of camping at the Stillwell campgrounds just outside the Persimmon Gap park entrance. It's big, inexpensive, dusty, but still useful. Rio Grande Village (in the park) has plenty of camping too. It's busy there because of the store and showers but it's also a large campsite area.
We ALWAYS, Spring Break, holidays, or not, try and get there at station opening time to secure our favorite remote camp sites. Bring your hammock, it's also likely you'll get a site on Thursday up on the SR Loop, but you must check in at the Basin ranger station. Sometimes, if you get the right person, other stations will call the basin and secure a site but don't count on it, ask anyway. Watch out for ranger "Bill" (middle aged, beard) at the Rio Grande station. He'll ask you if you have 4WD on your car. If you say no, he'll make up all sorts of "rules" and not issue you a back country camping pass. We were there in November and heard all sorts of "bill" stories, including our own. The park has no 4WD rules, only recommendations. Know your car's limits.