Thank you in advance! To view it on your phone or computer, open Google Maps, click the menu button, go to Your Places, click Maps, and you will see this map on your list. The Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive in the Western Region of Big Bend National Park is a photographer and hiker's paradise with its many scenic overlooks and miles of rolling desert and wide, open sky. The view of west side of the Chisos Mountains near sunset is a beautiful sight. The hike to Emory Peak zig-zags up the face of the mountain, and only when you reach the peak do you get the full, 360 view of Big Bend National Park. Option #2, a full day adventure, is to hike the South Rim Trail and add on the detour to Emory Peak. There are several short out and back turn outs, that are must see. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. (including Ross Canyon). We finished up by about 5 p.m. and had seen what we wanted to see. Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more. That turnoff is immediately followed by another one, the Sotol Vista Overlook, which overlooks the tail end of the Chisos Mountains. Best of Big Bend: 10 Great Things to Do in Big Bend National Park There is one brief climb but its worth itthe views over the Rio Grande are breathtaking. If you have limited time in the park and can only choose a few trails, More Information about Big Bend National Park & Texas, Read all of our articles about Texas in our. Only the Chisos Basin Rd has length restrictions. Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive, Big Bend National Park | DestiMap Yellowstone Itinerary: Ideas for 1 to 5 Days, Best of Big Bend: 10 Great Things to Do in Big Bend National Park, How to Hike the Ernst Tinaja Trail in Big Bend National Park, 3 Days in Big Bend National Park: The Perfect Itinerary, How to Hike the South Rim Trail in Big Bend National Park. Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the authors alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. The Mule Ears are a unique rock formation that looks like, you guessed it, mule ears. This short hiking trail loops through a marshy area on the edge of the Rio Grande. There is so much to see in all directions. 30 miles (48km) A trip along the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive highlights the geologic splendor Big Bend is famous for, and offers many scenic overlooks and exhibits along the way. Temperatures hit 103 the day we were there. There arent very many of them but they are all quite long, and since this is a big park, youll be doing a lot of driving, back and forth, between wherever you stay (Terlingua, Chisos Basin, or farther afield in towns like Marathon, Alpine, or Marfa) and whatever it is you want to see. This super easy stroll offers views of Tuff Canyon. Opinions expressed here are the authors alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Mule Ears is still quite a long distance away, but if you have a zoom lens, you can still get a nice picture of them. Loved it!!! Cheers, Julie. We've tried to score this point in the accompanying photos. Interesting, short hikes can be found at all major vantage points along the drive. If you can add on Balanced Rock, do it. Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive | Big Bend National Park - YouTube Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive The Lost Mine Trail is one of the most popular hikes in the park. Only the Chisos Basin Rd has length restrictions. Therefore, if you're planning a longer stay, it might make sense to have a high clearance 4x4 vehicle. In this guide, learn how to plan a trip around the world. If you want a quick taste of all of Big Bend National Park from primarily the comfort of your vehicle, your best bet would be the 30-mile Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive. You drive this on your way to Castalon (where there is a store - not too well stocked, but can find snacks and drinks and a helpful cashier). During all that driving, the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive is bound to become one of your favorites. It looks beautiful when struck by the light at sunset. Most of the hike is an unexciting, steady uphill walk, with occasional views across the Chisos Mountains. The cacti and assorted shrubs were just beautiful and many were bursting with blooms. It's a win-win. Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive - 10 Essential Stops to Make However, there is only so much you can see from the paved roads. The road is not terrible, but be careful. We arrived early around 9:30 am . One of the best scenic drives in Texas takes you through the vast, rugged desert landscape of Big Bend National Park. Also the Willowtree Campground has end of the road has a grocery store and restrooms. Take the lower one which is beyond the upper one. We visited the Big Bend NP on a Tuesday in April and did 3 scenic drives (limited by a non-4WD car): The Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive is a 30 mile (48k) long, paved road on the west side of the park that was designed to connect many of the best geological and historical features of Big Bend National Park and is a must do for any visitor to the park. However, as my friend said when drove along the river "Dang" because here you did not simply see the cliffs, you could feel them lording over you. Hand crafted from real classic license plates. However, both day-use and overnight boating trips require a permit. We spent the day in Big Bend and drove every paved road in the park. Another option for extending your hike, is to head northwest 1.5 miles from the chimneys to the huge cottonwood tree that marks Red Ass Spring. Our website uses cookies. Paved Roads - Big Bend National Park (U.S. National Park Service) The grey or dark brown colored low-lying hills, the V-shaped back side of the Window, and the Casa Grande are the important features in the first few miles. And saving the best for last where the blacktop ends: the spectacular Santa Elena Canyon. 8 Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive Photo by Loik Marras on Unsplash A highway winds through the breathtaking Big Bend National Park in Texas Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive Texas - Bing Maps This road will give you a little more of a "remote" kind of feeling, even in this place where most places feel very, very remote.. We spent most of the day on this drive. We did this drive on Saturday, October 30 and did 3 trails (Santa Elena Canyon, Tuff Canyon and Lower Burro Mesa Pour Off). This is at no extra cost to you.Disclaimer: Our videos are for entertainment purposes only. In other words, the park is basically a hiker's paradise. The fall and spring periods are fairly pleasant, with average highs in the 80s and lows in the 50s and 60s. This results in an enjoyable 7-mile hike if you can arrange transportation on the opposite end. The photo looks north, giving you a look at most of those first six miles. The exhibits along the road are informative. At over 800,000 acres, Big Bend is larger than iconic parks such as Yosemite and Joshua Tree. Big Bend may, at times, feel like you're visiting another planet. and Arches. GUADALUPE MOUNTAINS: Read our article Best Things to Do in Guadalupe Mountains National Park for a full list of things to do, plus important information and helpful tips to plan your visit here. Was that really just a couple of weeks ago? Here are 15 of the best hikes in Big Bend National Park. We've been to over 15 National Parks and this rates amoung the best. It is about three miles to Castolon from there. A few miles further, another side road leads to a viewpoint of Mule Ears, a double-peaked mountain that tops out at 3,881 feet (1193 meters). Thinking a lot about Zion this time of year. Given the hours it usually takes to drive to Big Bend in the first place, it may seem counterintuitive to encourage more time behind the wheel. So glad there was this scenic drive. Which Ones Will Be Your Favorite? . Thank you JulieWe are heading that way tomorrow for 3 nights in TerliguaGreat information. Note: All hiking distances are round trip. 3 Days in Big Bend National Park: The Perfect Itinerary Ever look at a map of Nevada and wonder what youd find, all the way up in the northwestern corner? The Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive twists around for 30 miles (48km) skirting the Chisos Mountains and the town of Castolon until it arrives at the cliffs of the stunning Santa Elena Canyon, a must-see landmark for all visitors to Big Bend. About Big Bend National Park: 6 ways the classic road trip has changed and stayed the same, 5 things to know about America's newest national park, free national park access awarded to those students, The 19 national parks every traveler needs to see at least once, few lodging and bed-and-breakfast style options, 9 things I learned in my first 6 months RVing full-time, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Rio Grande Village Campground (100 sites), Rio Grande Village RV Park (25 sites with full hook-ups), Castolon Visitor Center (open seasonally November 13 through April 30), Persimmon Gap Visitor Center (open seasonally November 5 through April 30), Rio Grande Village Visitor Center (open seasonally November 5 through April 30). I did have the chance to drive this down and back to see Santa Elena at dawn. The Tuff Canyon at 20th mile presents a gaping view of the Blue Creek valley from three different vista points. On the opposite end of the spectrum, if you only have a day or so, you can still get a taste of what Big Bend has to offer. Here the road levels along the Rio Grand and brings you right next to the awesome cliff that create the canyon. Quite unusual for people from the northeast to see this flowering. Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive - Big Bend National Park (U.S. National Park Return the way you came. At TPG, he wrote a broad array of stories ranging from in-depth features and reports to trending travel news as it related to loyalty, card benefits and consumer behavior. Some of my favorite pictures of the trip are dawn outlines of these features. It's a quick and easy stop to get another perspective on the canyon, though you can certainly skip it if your time is limited. I take requests! Are there size restrictions on vehicles traveling this road? Drive from the Chisos Mountains to Santa Elena Canyon down this Drive and take in two of the highlights of Big Bend National Park. The flyer from Big Ben says Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive takes 7 hours but one reviewer said they did three drives in one day. This pretty like hike wanders through a large canyon, ending at the base of a giant cliff. (including Ross Canyon). The area is named for "Tuff", which is a rock composed of hardened ash. Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive starts at Panther Junction Road and ends at the beautiful Santa Elena Canyon. LEARN MORE: How to Hike the Ernst Tinaja Trail, Distance: 1.6 miles Total Ascent: 195 feet Difficulty: Easy to Ernst Tinaja, moderate to challenging if you continue past Ernst Tinaja to go rock scrambling Length of Time: 1 to 1.5 hours Trailhead: Old Ore Road. Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive (Big Bend National Park) - All You Need to For just $80, you'll have access to the entire U.S. national park system for a full year. Cute, right? Emory Peak is the highest peak in the Chisos Mountains and Big Bend National Park. You can walk the short loop to overlooks of the canyon, or, take the spur trail and walk through the canyon. Highlight: Stunning Santa Elena Canyon - Sheer rock faces rising up 1200 feet out of glassy water. Distance: 3.8 miles round trip (6.1 kilometers), Trailhead: Begin at the Mule Ears Overlook parking area which can be found at mile 15 of Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive. Yes it is and enjoy it! Driving is the name of the game in Big Bend. ROAD TRIP IDEA: Learn how to combine Guadalupe Mountains, White Sands, Carlsbad Caverns, and Big Bend National Park in our 10 day Texas Mexico Road Trip Itinerary. The Window itself is a V-shaped canyon that overlooks the desert into Mexico and offers stunning panoramic views, especially at sunset. Highlight: Flat and scenic desert trail to rock formations and Indian petroglyphs. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. I will be driving in from Midland on Monday-need tour information for Monday tues wed and lodging for 3 days. Sotol Vista, Mule Ears Overlook, and Tuff Canyon are all worthwhile stops. Distance: 2.2 miles Total Ascent: 311 feet Difficulty: Easy to moderate Length of Time: 1 to 2 hours Trailhead: Grapevine Spring Road, LEARN MORE: Balanced Rock: A Short But Sweet Hike in Big Bend. Outside of work, you can likely find her curled up on the sofa with a hot cup of coffee, watching a crime TV show or scary movie. Desert: The Chimneys Trail is a 4.8-mile round trip moderate hike that's known for, well, its "chimneys." For two hikes that are a little longer hikes - take plenty of water - consider going to the Burro Mesa Pouroff, both the bottom and the top - on a trip to the top of the pouroff my friend and I believe we heard and were followed by a mountain lion! This drive will amaze and astonish. But it's well worth the trek. She attended college in the Houston area and changed her major twice (psychology, computer science, and finally criminal justice) before taking a leap of faith and dropping out to pursue a career in freelance writing. We didn't see any water even at the Rio Grande Overlook. 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Distance: 3.8 miles Difficulty: Moderate Length of Time: 2 to 3 hours Trailhead: Mule Ears Overlook parking lot. We saw a minivan and a standard car on this road and they were doing just fine, but they had to take things very slowly. Santa Elena Canyon & The Rio Grande by subarcticmike http://www.flickr.com/photos/31856336@N03/ Some rights reserved. Either way, this is an amazing road that you have to drive when you are in Big Bend. Be sure to stop and enjoy the views at Mule Ears Overlook, Sotol Vista Overlook, and Tuff Canyon along the way. Have you done this adventure? Katie Lawrence is a Southeast Texas native who graduated 18th in her high school class with a GPA of 4.25. The first stop on Ross Maxwell Drive heading north from Santa Elena Cayon is a scenic viewpoint of the canyon. The Outbound works best with JavaScript enabled. Related: The 19 national parks every traveler needs to see at least once. Sotal Vista and the Mule Ears views are nice. By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Oh my goodness what a special part of the world. Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page. Note: This road is suitable for standard cars, however, an SUV or a vehicle with high ground clearance is ideal. This drive is amazing and if you like the great outdoors then you will be in for a treat. Getting here can also be an adventure. At the northwest corner of Big Bend, approximately 20 miles from the Maverick Junction park entrance, is the four-star Lajitas Golf Resort and Spa. Once there, vendors sell goods and you can even pay to ride a burro. Big Bend - Texas Monthly In fact, the park is often best visited in the winter, with an average high temperature in January of 61 degrees Fahrenheit and a low around 38. Nice! The highlight is Santa Elena Canyon. Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive is a worthwhile adventure in and of itself but its also lined with hiking trails, so you can just park and set off on your way. Bing Maps has a collection of great trails with directions to trail heads as well as photos. This is from last week. A former mining community around the turn-of-the-last-century, it was the site of the first famous championship chili cook-off in 1967. However, the road from the Chisos to Santa Elena is a highlight, the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive. Hello. These days, the national park is an outdoor adventure paradise with a distinct array of ecosystems, including a desert, mountain and river region. There's a really neat old home in the middle that you can stop and visit. In true National Park fashion, all of the historic and geologic features on the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive are illustrated with interpretative signs. It begins at the Castolon/Santa Elena Junction off Park Route 12. We finished up by about 5 p.m. and had seen what we wanted to see. And you can even cross into Mexico (so have your passport handy). The South Rim Trail also joins the list, since its longer distance discourages many hikers. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. March, especially during Spring Break in Texas, is peak season in the park. There are many. It's cable. You won't find a shortage of views on this drive. San Juan Skyway: Coal Bank & Molas Passes. We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location. And if you're camping in Big Bend, developed campgrounds (Rio Grande Village Campground, Chisos Basin Campground and Cottonwood Campground) cost $16 per night per site. When we visited there wasn't much traffic and therefore very enjoyable. It has the least light pollution of any other national park unit in the lower 48 states. If you are visiting Big Bend this drive should be at the top of your list. There are two different ways to do this hike. If you're looking to use points to stay near Big Bend, you're mostly out of luck. So glad there was this scenic drive. Its short, its relatively easy, there is a brief section of rock scrambling that is fun for kids and adults, and it features one of the most unique rock formations in the park. Even if you never got out of your car, this is still one of the best experiences in the park. We finished up with the Canyon drive because it was nearest our outlet back to Alpine. Here are a few choices in each region. However, once at the top, the views really open up. Any tips on where to stay near Big Bend National Park? Dont forget to check out our previous article for an underrated nearby state park that happens to be the largest state park in Texas. But, much to my surprise, I did find one place where my Verizon phone worked along Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive, just south of Sotol Vista. On the northern edge of the Chihuahuan Desert, much of Big Bend's appeal is its relative seclusion. Certainly go all the way down to Santa Elena Canyon and take the short hike to the mouth of the Canyon. It's about 100 miles (or about 90 minutes depending on traffic and weather conditions) in each direction. To get here, you will drive 6.3 miles on a well-maintained gravel road named Grapevine Spring. Just after mile marker 3, you will see signs for the Sam Nail Ranch overlook, and a small opening in the scrub brush will appear on your left. The trail ends at a beautiful view into the Santa Elena Canyon. Western Region: Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive A 30-mile paved road through the rugged mountain and desert country of Big Bend National Park. The Blue Creek Ranch and Sotol Vista Overlooks come into view between 8 and 9 miles, famous for red rock formations and first hint of the Santa Elena Canyon, respectively. Just remember to not make too much noise as many motorcyclists fail to heed that. We really enjoyed the drive today. The muddy Rio Grande flows between, dividing Texas on one side and Mexico on the other. 15 Great Hikes to Do in Big Bend National Park - Earth Trekkers Nice! In the far distance, you can barely make out a notch in the horizon. Within the park itself, camping is a popular choice with four front-country campgrounds (including one full hookup RV campground) and dozens of backpacking and primitive roadside options. This is a great place for wildlife viewing, with the chance to see fish and birds. It took us about three hours. Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive skirts the western slopes of the Chisos Mountains, climbing up to one the park's most outstanding views at Sotol Vista, then winding down to parallel the Rio Grande at Castolon Historic District and winding up at Santa Elena Canyon trailhead, where the pavement ends. If you are lucky you will see a road runner. From this point, you can start several epic hikes in Big Bend. However, as my friend said when drove along the river "Dang" because here you did not simply see the cliffs, you could feel them lording over you. Only camping? Around the 15th mile, the Goat Mountain and the Mule Ears both represent underground volcanic activities millions of years ago. Nestled deep in southwest Texas, this expansive, desolate park extends along the Mexican border for over 100 miles. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Loved it!!! The start (and end) of this hike is the most challenging, with a steep but brief climb up and over a good-sized hill (enjoy the viewits a better view than what you get at the nearby Boquillas Canyon Overlook). My wife and I spent a day and a half at Big Bend Park. Distance: 1 mile Difficulty: Easy Length of Time: 30 minutes, longer to relax in the hot springs Trailhead: Hot Springs parking lot. Finally, Big Bend has hot springs that you can bathe in, aptly named the Hot Springs Historic District. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in Australia. This 14-mile improved dirt road passes along the Terlingua Creek badlands on the west side of the park. We did this during a rain shower but on a sunny day I imagine that the views would be spectacular! The viewpoint provides an excellent view of the desert floor framed by the Chisos Mountains. Word to the wise: bring extra water with you since facilities are limited. River: The Santa Elena Canyon Trail is a classic Big Bend hike. Either way, this is an amazing road that you have to drive when you are in Big Bend. Park at the small parking lot and hike the Grapevine Hills Trail until you get to Balanced Rock. A most scenic drive to an even more scenic trail. Most people dont know that there are 8,000-foot peaks in Texas, but in the exceptionally remote southwest corner of the Lone Star State, Big Bend National Parks Chisos Mountains soar high over the Chihuahuan Desert. This is arguably one of the best hikes in Big Bend National Park, if not one of the best all-around experiences. The Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive is a 30 mile (48k) long, paved road on the west side of the park that was designed to connect many of the best geological and historical features of Big Bend National Park and is a must do for any visitor to the park. The park is a very stark and beautiful terrain, and this drive had lovely vistas as well as a small ghost town. Big Bend National Park Scenic Drives The Castolon Visitor Center is located here. I did have the chance to drive this down and back to see Santa Elena at dawn. Read our. Disclaimer: Some links, codes, or contact information contained either in the description box of my videos or within the videos may be affiliate links, meaning I will make a commission on purchases you make through my link. Tuff Canyon is about twenty miles from the start of Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive. Igneous rock trickled into the surface through older sediment layers and formed bizarre shapes like the two eroded dikes of the Mule Ears. This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. Finally, travelers with a fourth grader (or for 2021, also a fifth-grader) in the family can also get in free to Big Bend by using the free national park access awarded to those students. The Homer Wilson Ranch was built in the early 1900s, and abandoned in 1945. Obviously, there are many, many options when it comes to hikes. A 0.3-mile paved path leads to a viewpoint of the Window, a cut-out in the Chisos mountain range that is one of the best sunset points in the park. Midpoint down the Hwy, the Sotol Vista Overlook has a vault toilet. Bicycling Bicycling Lightly traveled roads and varied terrain make Big Bend a premier bicycling location. Its an old homestead that still has a windmill that pumps water, making the area greener than the surroundings, and attracting wildlife. It's recommended to drive 4x4s here, but if you're brave (and not in a rental), it's passable for most vehicles. Despite being mainly a route for an exciting car adventure, the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive offers many opportunities for a day full of short, fun . It's on the Western side of the park so depending on where you come in from, it will be closer or farther to get to. I highly recommend driving to the end of the road to see the Santa Elena Canyon. We were here in a heat wave (hit 116!) Backcountry campsites require a $10 per night permit. Before you go, get updates on conditions and trail closures on the official National Park Service website. Whether you're visiting for a day or camping at one of the sites in the park, the Window Trail is a hike worth doing, and can be done in just a couple of hours at a leisurely pace. No restrictions on Ross Maxwell. Meanwhile, a Big Bend annual park pass runs $55 and is good for one year from the purchase date. Distance: 0.75 mile Difficulty: Easy Length of Time: 30 minutes Trailhead: Rio Grande Village campground. For more travel news and deals delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our newsletter. Also in this area, watch for Tuff Canyon. We thoroughly enjoyed it. It is an out and back road that begins near the park's Maverick Entrance and has many vista points, scenic pullouts, educational displays, and short hikes. The cacti and assorted shrubs were just beautiful and many were bursting with blooms. Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive 30 miles (48km) A trip along the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive highlights the geologic splendor Big Bend is famous for, and offers many scenic overlooks and exhibits along the way. The route highlights mountain, desert and river regions -- as well as the geologic splendor the park is known for. The volcanic geology of this area - and that of most areas along the road is very interesting. The park has three different types of roads: paved roads, improved dirt roads and primitive dirt roads. We'll run a soft credit check to find special offers, but it wont affect your credit score. Antique cotton gin equipment Castolon Visitor Center We did this drive on Saturday, October 30 and did 3 trails (Santa Elena Canyon, Tuff Canyon and Lower Burro Mesa Pour Off). A selection of motel-style rooms and stone cottages are available, along with a restaurant and general store. There's a really neat old home in the middle that you can stop and visit. The prominent volcanic rock formations are a signature landmark, with Indian rock art marking the base of these high pinnacles. Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive (Big Bend National Park) - All You Need to Seniors aged 62 and up can also purchase a lifetime national park pass for just $80. If you want to leave the crowds behind, your best bets are Ernst Tinaja, Balanced Rock, and Mule Ears Spring Trail. Here, as on the nearby Fort Davis scenic loop, it's the time of day that determines much of what you see. Here are 15 of the best hikes in Big Bend National Park. Yes it is and enjoy it! A pass costs $30 (up to 15 passengers per non-commercial vehicle) and is valid for seven days.
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