Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive: Big Bend National Park To truly feel the canyon, going into the Santa Elena Canyon is a musteither by foot, kayak, or canoe. Zipline & Aerial Adventure Parks Golf Courses. Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive, a short 1.4-mile hike at Santa Elena Canyon and a quick visit to the Chisos Mountains is a solid day-long itinerary (and one that I've done myself). The best way to appreciate the entire trip down Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive is to watch the Drivelapse video. Take the lower one which is beyond the upper one. Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive, Big Bend National Park TX takemytripdotcom 15.1K subscribers Subscribe 118 26K views 12 years ago This drive begins in Terlingua Ghost Town, and heads into Big Bend. The extreme, sweltering heat is a major concern for those spending time in the park, especially considering the remote nature of Big Bend. We've tried to score this point in the accompanying photos. If you can do it at first light. We really enjoyed the drive today. Along the way you'll have several nice viewpoints. Big Bend has an incredible variety of activities both on land and in the water. Nice! If you want to explore further, consider taking a canoe trip through Santa Elena Canyon. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Just after the road drops down from Sotol Vista, there are two places worth stopping. so we needed to nix hiking. One of the best scenic drives in Texas takes you through the vast, rugged desert landscape of Big Bend National Park. so we needed to nix hiking. With that said, a perfect sweet spot might be a long weekend in the park to truly explore the distinct regions of desert, mountain and river. Beware of bear and mountain lion. 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. but go slow, it's easy to miss! Then when theyre really up for it. Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive: Big Bend National Park. Don't forget to bring a gallon of water per day, whether you're on foot or in a 4x4. 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. After crossing the layered mountain of Cerro Castolon, the Castolon Historic District suddenly appears at 22 miles. We also saw quite a few mule deer. 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). Some of my favorite pictures of the trip are dawn outlines of these features. With that said, a perfect sweet spot might be a long weekend in the park to truly explore the distinct regions of desert, mountain and river. 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. Distance: 0.75 miles Difficulty: Easy Length of Time: 30 minutes Trailhead: Tuff Canyon Overlook on Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive. Getting here can also be an adventure. From 2017. Distance: 1.8 miles Difficulty: Easy to moderate Length of Time: 1 to 2 hours Trailhead: Chisos Basin parking lot. Compare the cost in points or miles to cash, and see which option is best. Another option is the Grapevine Hills Trail, a shorter, 2.2-mile hike that leads through scrub and cactus to a group of perfectly balanced rocks. 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. From that time I drove a few hundred miles out of my way to head towards a potential snowstorm. I take requests! Enjoyed this long drive and the multiple interesting stops along the way. Quite unusual for people from the northeast to see this flowering. These days, the national park is an outdoor adventure paradise with a distinct array of ecosystems, including a desert, mountain and river region. The other amazing thing is Santa Elena at the bottom. We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location. Dont forget to check out our previous article for an underrated nearby state park that happens to be the largest state park in Texas. Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive in Big Bend National Park Finally, Big Bend has hot springs that you can bathe in, aptly named the Hot Springs Historic District. Just remember to not make too much noise as many motorcyclists fail to heed that. Are there size restrictions on vehicles traveling this road? Note that reservations are required. 8 miles from Castolon there is a canyon overlook that offers a view down in the Rio Grande. Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive (Big Bend National Park): All You Need to Know Over 100 miles of paved roads and 160 miles of backcountry dirt roads provide challenges for riders of all types and abilities. Very few visitors which we were grateful for. View from the Lost Mine Trail | Best Hikes in Big Bend. There are several places to pull over and stretch your legs, including Sotol Vista Overlook, the Castolon Historic District, and several trailheads. This is the drive you want to do if you're looking for a taste of what Big Bend National Park is all about. The quickest and most direct way is to hike out-and-back to Emory Peak from the Chisos Basin Visitor Center. With stops at some of the scenic viewpoints and short hikes, we expected it to take about 5-6 hours. Distance: 4.8 miles round trip (7.7 kilometers), Trailhead: Begin at mile 13 of Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive. This loop hike weaves its way through the Chisos Basin valley. Julie Last updated: June 18, 2023 United States 6 Comments. Before you go, get updates on conditions and trail closures on the official National Park Service website. We finished up with the Canyon drive because it was nearest our outlet back to Alpine. The cacti and assorted shrubs were just beautiful and many were bursting with blooms. River: The Santa Elena Canyon Trail is a classic Big Bend hike. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. 2.5 days. Be the first to share your experience. 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. There are several short out and back turn outs, that are must see. 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. The Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive is a 30 mile adventure through the Chihuahuan Desert landscape of Big Bend National Park to the banks of the Rio Grande. If so, did you embark on any of the trails? However, there is only so much you can see from the paved roads. Pumice Lapilli is . Big Bend is in a drought across the board. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. We were fortunate to spend a week in Big Bend but if you're there for a day or two this is a must do as it gives you a great overview of the park. This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. . Bing Maps has a collection of great trails with directions to trail heads as well as photos. We visited in Spring so there were many flowering cacti to view along the way. Be sure and stop and read the plaques along side the road. Check here before booking an award fare. The most popular time of year to visit Big Bend is in the late fall to early spring period, where the weather is typically more moderate. I also include the Balanced Rock hike on this list, since it is just a short drive from Chisos Basin. 99% of travellers recommend this experience. Just remember to not make too much noise as many motorcyclists fail to heed that. A nice mix of canyons, desert, mesas, mountains and the scattered remains of old adobe buildings. Here are 15 of the best hikes in Big Bend National Park. While accommodations are fairly barebones, the location is perfect as a basecamp for hiking around the Chisos Mountains area of Big Bend. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. It certainly doesn't resemble the rest of Texas. This is probably the most interesting part of Ross Maxwell Drive, as the road winds between hills. Any tips on where to stay near Big Bend National Park? So glad there was this scenic drive. I highly recommend driving to the end of the road to see the Santa Elena Canyon. Big Bend is large national park with three distinct areas: Chisos Basin, the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive region, and the Rio Grande Village. More than 150 miles of hiking trails are found throughout Big Bend. Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive, Big Bend National Park TX - YouTube The Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive to Santa Elena Canyon is 31 miles. Rock hounds will appreciate the volcanic geology of Tuff Canyon hike and history buffs will enjoy the short atmospheric walks to Sam Nail Ranch, Homer Wilson (Blue Creek) Ranch, and Castolon Historic District which showcase Big Bend's past. This list is organized by geographical location. 2023 2. If you are looking for a short, easy hike. And having a full moon in just the right spot helps, too. We stopped a lot. It is one thing to see these in a picture or from a distance. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. It's possible to rent a car from either airport. If you're staying at Chisos Basin, the sunset at Window View Trail is one to see. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. This short hiking trail loops through a marshy area on the edge of the Rio Grande. Must do the Fossil Discovery Exhibits, its hands on for children. ROSS MAXWELL SCENIC DRIVE - 2023 All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive, Big Bend National Park | DestiMap 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. The trail ends at a small beach along the river. Chisos Mountains 357 Mountains By GroverR If you do these, you really do see the Chisos as you hike 15 miles around Emory peak but you get 2,000 vertical feet. This is a standard paved National Park Service road with great scenic views of rocky vistas and pretty desert wildflowers. This short, easy hiking trail takes you to the 105F hot springs, one of the most popular things to do on this side of Big Bend National Park. You could spend weeks in Big Bend and still not see the park in its entirety. 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. When we visited there wasn't much traffic and therefore very enjoyable. Cute, right? Check out the license plate sculptures I'm selling on Etsy! No matter, you go this far, ya gotta drive it. However, if you plan to visit multiple national parks, it may make sense to purchase an America the Beautiful pass. The Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive to Santa Elena Canyon is 31 miles. In addition, the National Park Service has several days a year when all national parks are entirely free to enter. We really enjoyed the drive today. Add on the short but steep climb up Emory Peak for an even more epic experience. You can see the Mule Ears from an overlook along Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive but for a closer view, hike the Spring Trail. (including Ross Canyon). Follow it for about a mile or two until you reach a remote parking area in the desert. Stay in Basin Lodge. 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. Hikes in Chisos Basin A 30-mile paved road through the rugged mountain and desert country of Big Bend National Park. Big Bend is vast, but unless you are here to hike the trails and camp out in the desert, the Ross Martin Scenic Drive will be the place to spend most of your time. Emory Peak adds 3 miles and 1.5 hours onto this hike, bringing the grand total distance to 15.6 miles. 1. A unique Big Bend activity is being able to paddle along the Rio Grande. 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. This is a 32 mile drive. Provided by Touchpoints Contact Info Mailing Address: PO Box 129 Big Bend National Park , TX 79834-0129 Phone: 432-477-2251 Contact Us At long last, when you get there, you can choose to view it from a viewpoint (not spectacular), or drive a little further to a trailhead that lets you walk into the canyon. We've been to over 15 National Parks and this rates amoung the best. No excursion in BBNP is complete without a ride along the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive. Do NOT take this trail when storms are likely since there are no escape routes. Related: 5 things to know about America's newest national park. That means not only are facilities more limited, but your accommodation options are fairly slim as well. The Ernst Tinaja trail is located on Old Ore Road, a rough, gravel road that is only suitable for high-clearance vehicles with four-wheel drive. This is arguably one of the best hikes in Big Bend National Park, if not one of the best all-around experiences. If you can add on Balanced Rock, do it. Sotol Vista, Mule Ears Overlook, and Tuff Canyon are all worthwhile stops. Want to bring your horse to ride at Big Bend? Address: Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive, Ross Maxwell Scenic Dr, Texas 79834, USA Texas In Your Inbox Katie Lawrence Follow me on: Be sure and stop and read the plaques along side the road. That turnoff is immediately followed by another one, the Sotol Vista Overlook, which overlooks the tail end of the Chisos Mountains. Hand crafted from real classic license plates. Either way, this is an amazing road that you have to drive when you are in Big Bend. And while snow is rare, I experienced it (unfortunately) during a visit to the park in February 2021. Santa Elena Canyon | Best Hikes in Big Bend, View from the Santa Elena Canyon Trail | Best Hikes in Big Bend. The Texas Park Where You Can Hike Across A Train Bridge And Wooden Bridge Is A Grand Adventure, The Creepiest Hike In Texas Takes You Through The Ruins Of An Abandoned Zoo, 12 Magnificent Hidden Gems To Discover In Texas This Year, This Easy, 6.6-Mile Hike In Texas Leads Straight To An Abandoned Mine, A 129-Mile Hiking Trail Runs Through Texas, And There Are Scenic Adventures From End To End, The One Footbridge Hike In Texas That Looks Like Something From Tarzan, Theres A Little-Known Nature Trail Just Waiting For Texas Explorers, Youll Have A Front Row View Of The Texas Lost Pines In These Cozy Cabins At Bastrop State Park. Santa Elena Canyon, one of the highlights of the park, awaits visitors at the end of the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive. Lake Powell/Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Distance: 1 mile round trip (1.6 kilometers), Trailhead: Begin at the end of Burro Mesa Spur Road off the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive. 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. 10 Great Hikes in Zion National Park. Here the road levels along the Rio Grand and brings you right next to the awesome cliff that create the canyon. Head south on the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive in Big Bend. And you can even cross into Mexico (so have your passport handy). 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). We stopped along the way and took plenty of time photographing the scenery - especially the view across the Rio Grande (and the folks coming and going both ways across the river). Word to the wise: bring extra water with you since facilities are limited. This 1.7-mile out-and-back trail starts at the end of Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive and follows the Rio Grande to the mouth of the gorge, the tallest in the park, where you're left looking up in awe at the 1,500-foot limestone walls. This is probably the most interesting part of Ross Maxwell Drive, as the road winds between hills. There is one brief climb but its worth itthe views over the Rio Grande are breathtaking. BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK: Check out our Big Bend National Park Travel Guide for important travel information, sample itineraries, and how to plan your visit. You could also probably drive the unpaved Old Maverick Road back north after going south on Ross Maxwell, setting up a kind of "loop", but check with a ranger just to make certain the condition of the road is OK. Our favorite trail was the Santa Elena Canyon Trail. The cliff walls, divided by the muddy Rio Grande, soar into the blue desert sky and are not to be missed. While visiting Big Bend National Park in Nov 2017 we journeyed from the east side of the park at Rio Grand Village Camp Ground to the west side of the park by way of the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive, and what a beautiful drive it is! Santa Elena Canyon 709 Canyons By Lipton33 Maxwell Scenic Drive is worth the time, plus there's lots to stop and see along the road (we stopped at Upper Burro Mesa, Lower Burro Mesa, Santa Elena Canyon, and then exited back to the park entrance via Old Maverick Road). Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive, Big Bend National Park: Address, Phone Number, Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive Reviews: 4.5/5. Thank you in advance! Maxwell Scenic Drive is worth the time, plus there's lots to stop and see along the road (we stopped at Upper Burro Mesa, Lower Burro Mesa, Santa Elena Canyon, and then exited back to the park entrance via Old Maverick Road). Window View Trail | Best Hikes in Big Bend, Distance: 0.3 miles Difficulty: Easy Length of Time: 20 minutes Trailhead: Chisos Basin parking lot. The road heads between Burro Mesa and Chisos Mountains. Bicycling - Big Bend National Park (U.S. National Park Service) Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive is a 30-mile road through some of the most beautiful landscapes in Big Bend National Park. All rights reserved Earth Trekkers. In the far distance, you can barely make out a notch in the horizon. 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. NATIONAL PARKS: In our Guide to the US National Parks, get the full list of national parks with important travel planning information, such as things to do in the parks and sample itineraries. 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. The Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive, one of the most scenic roads in Texas, was named after the first. This area is well-known for its hot springs, views of the Rio Grande, and the opportunity to cross the Rio Grande, in order to visit the Mexican town Boquillas del Carmen. The entire route is paved and the furthest point is Santa Elena Canyon. We entered the park from the west side Maverick Junction and were on our way to Chisos Basin so this drive is right on our way. Ernst Tinaja Trail | Best Hikes in Big Bend. This trail is similar to Santa Elena Canyon in that it follows along the edge of the Rio Grande. Highlight: Flat and scenic desert trail to rock formations and Indian petroglyphs. Within the park boundaries, you can go from 7,825-foot Emory Peak in the Chisos Mountains down to cacti-dotted Chihuahuan Desert floor and all the way to the Rio Grande carving into ancient canyons. Copyright 2003 - 2023 National Park Reservations Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Window View Trail is a paved, wheelchair-accessible, 0.3 mile loop that starts near the Chisos Basin Store and leads to a viewpoint. But it's well worth the trek. Its an old homestead that still has a windmill that pumps water, making the area greener than the surroundings, and attracting wildlife. Get all of the details on how to do this hike in our post. The viewpoint provides an excellent view of the desert floor framed by the Chisos Mountains. Balanced Rock: A Short But Sweet Hike in Big Bend, Best Things to Do in Guadalupe Mountains National Park, McKittrick Canyon Trail to Pratt Cabin, the Grotto, and the Notch, 20 Epic Day Hikes in the US National Parks, The Complete Guide to the US National Parks, Best Things to Do in White Sands National Park, 12 Great Hikes in North Cascades National Park, Best Things to do in Arches National Park, Top 10 Things to do in Glacier National Park, 8 Amazing Things to do in Saguaro National Park. Save my name and email in this browser for the next time I comment. Cheers, Julie. You can drive out and back along Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive or you can drive one direction along Old Maverick Road. Things to Do in Big Bend National Park - Tripadvisor 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. We thoroughly enjoyed it. The highlight is Santa Elena Canyon. 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. It looks beautiful when struck by the light at sunset. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in Australia. The Devils Hall Trail is a fun hike to unique looking canyon. The Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive is one of the major experiences in the National Park. Driving the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive in Big Bend NP It's recommended to drive 4x4s here, but if you're brave (and not in a rental), it's passable for most vehicles. You can walk the short loop to overlooks of the canyon, or, take the spur trail and walk through the canyon.
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