Big Bend Ranch Scenic Drive is located in Texas, USA. It lies between the Rio Grande River and the Chihuahuan Desert and is situated within Big Bend Ranch State Park in the western part of the state. The drive is famous for its stunning desert landscapes, rugged canyons, and scenic views of the Rio Grande.
Big Bend Ranch Scenic Drive Location Map,Presidio, Texas
Texas Maps and Info
Top Attractions Inside Big Bend Ranch Scenic Drive
- Castolon Historic District – Preserved buildings and museum highlighting the history of the Chihuahuan Desert region.
- Santa Elena Canyon Viewpoints – Dramatic cliffs along the Rio Grande offering breathtaking canyon vistas.
- Hot Springs Overlook – Scenic stop providing views of natural hot springs and surrounding desert landscape.
- Ernst Tinaja Trail – Short hike to natural rock pools formed in limestone, ideal for photography and nature exploration.
- River Road (FM 170) – Scenic drive winding along the Rio Grande with desert landscapes and wildlife viewing opportunities.
- Contrabando Historic Movie Set – Abandoned movie set showcasing old Western-style buildings and desert scenery.
- Big Bend Overlooks – Multiple pull-offs and viewpoints along the scenic route providing panoramic desert and river views.
Big Bend Ranch Scenic Drive Facts
| Official / Common Name | Big Bend Ranch Scenic Drive |
| Location | Big Bend Ranch State Park — Presidio County, Texas, USA (region near Presidio, TX / Rio Grande-Far West Texas / Chihuahuan Desert borderlands) |
| Latitude & Longitude (approx.) | ≈ 29.40° N, 104.95° W (approx central-region reference for Big Bend Ranch area) |
| Access / Route & Description | Dirt- and gravel-road network through rugged ranch, desert-mountain & river-valley terrain; off-road / high-clearance 4WD often recommended; passes through scenic vistas, desert mesas, canyons, Rio Grande views & backcountry ranch lands |
| Managed By / Governing Authority | Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), as part of management of Big Bend Ranch State Park |
| Landscape / Scenery & Environment | Chihuahuan Desert / desert-mountain terrain, river valleys (Rio Grande), arid mesas, canyons, desert scrub & desert-mountain flora/fauna — dramatic desert & borderlands geography offering wide vistas & sunset/sunrise views |
| Main Attractions / What It Offers | Scenic driving & back-country touring, remote-landscape views, desert & mountain scenery, access to hiking & backcountry trails, Rio Grande canyon/riverside zones, stargazing, solitude & remote-wilderness-feeling, wildlife & bird viewing native to West Texas desert environment |
| Access / Best Use / Vehicle & Safety Notes | High-clearance, 4WD (or appropriate vehicle) recommended — many roads unpaved; check weather (rain may wash out roads); carry supplies (water, fuel, spare tire); remote location — limited cell/aid; suitable for experienced drivers & prepared visitors |
| Nearest Town / Park HQ Reference | Presidio, TX (gateway town) — serves as access point for the state park and scenic drive routes in Big Bend Ranch area |
| Significance / Notability | One of the few major scenic drives through remote-desert/wilderness terrain in West Texas; provides unique access to rugged desert-mountain landscapes & Rio Grande borderlands; popular among adventure-travelers, off-roaders, photographers, hikers & those seeking remote-wild scenery. |
| Time Zone | Central Time (CT) – UTC−6 Standard / UTC−5 Daylight Saving (Texas) |
Distances from Big Bend Ranch Scenic Drive to Nearby Landmarks
- Big Bend National Park Visitor Center – 15 km (9.3 mi)
- Terlingua, TX – 40 km (25 mi)
- Study Butte, TX – 35 km (22 mi)
- Rio Grande River – 5 km (3.1 mi)
- Lajitas, TX – 50 km (31 mi)
- Alpine, TX – 160 km (99 mi)
- Fort Davis, TX – 90 km (56 mi)
- Chisos Mountains – 25 km (15.5 mi)
- Santa Elena Canyon – 30 km (18.6 mi)
- Marathon, TX – 180 km (112 mi)
- Persimmon Gap – 20 km (12.4 mi)
- Hot Springs Historic District – 15 km (9.3 mi)
- Emory Peak Trailhead – 28 km (17.4 mi)
- Castolon Historic District – 35 km (22 mi)
- Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive – 10 km (6.2 mi)
- Chilito Canyon Overlook – 18 km (11 mi)
- Big Bend Ranch State Park Headquarters – 0 km (0 mi)
- Santa Elena Overlook – 32 km (20 mi)
- Rio Grande Village – 55 km (34 mi)
- Boquillas del Carmen, Mexico – 45 km (28 mi)
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