Big Bend National Park primitive dirt roads · Primitive dirt roads in Big Bend National Park
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Primitive dirt roads in Big Bend National Park
Primitive dirt roads in Big Bend National Park
For true adventure, driving the more remote and less maintained "primitive" dirt roads are the way to go ? with the right vehicle and preparation. These roads are rough, bumpy, sandy, rocky, or worse and require a high-clearance vehicle; sometimes four-wheel drive (4WD) is also required (and is always optimal). Like the Improved Roads, weather can significantly degrade their condition, sometimes making them impassable for any vehicle; always be sure to ask about road conditions first.
Black Gap Road (8.5 mi / 14 km one-way). Driving Black Gap Road really is an adventure unto itself; this road is totally unmaintained and crosses extremely rugged country (and is scenic to boot). Not only is a 4WD vehicle mandatory, but 4WD experience is also necessary. Black Gap Road connects Glenn Spring Road, about 7 mi (11 km) from its north entrance or 8.5 mi (14 km) from its south entrance, to the River Road East, about 21 mi (34 km) from its entrance near Rio Grande Village. A backcountry campsite is found along the way.
Glenn Springs Road (16 mi / 26 km one-way). This road winds its way between the Chisos and Chilicotal Mountains to the ruins of the small village of Glenn Springs, abandoned around 1920 and still home to crumbling adobes and other structures. The north end of the road intersects with TX-118 about 4.5 mi (7 km) east of Panther Junction (just west of the Dugout Wells turn-off) and ends at the River Road, 9.6 mi (15 km) from its eastern terminus near Rio Grande Village. Glenn Springs Road also serves as a connector to several other roads, including the 4 mi (6 km) long Pine Canyon Road which ends at the Pine Canyon trail-head (the turn-off lies 2.3 mi / 4 km from the TX-118 northern start point) and the 5.3 mi (8 km) long Juniper Canyon Road which leads to the Dodson and Juniper Canyon trail-heads (4.5 mi / 7 km south of the Pine Canyon Road turn-off; 4WD required). Several backcountry campsites are along the way as well.
Old Ore Road (26 mi / 42 km one-way). A long, scenic road that provides close-up views of the hills and mountains to the east and was once a mining transport route. Several backcountry campsites and trail-heads lie along the way, including the Ernst Tinaja Trail near the southern terminus. The north end of Old Ore Road begins at the Dagger Flat Auto Trail about 2 mi (3 km) from its entrance and heads southward before ending at TX-118 near Rio Grande Village. A 4WD vehicle is recommended; allow a half-day or more.
The River Road (51 mi / 82 km one-way). An epically long road that spans the remote southern portion of the park, generally (sometimes only vaguely) following the course of the Rio Grande. For some Big Bend adventurers, driving the length of the road is a rite of passage. Along the way are many side roads, backcountry campsites, trail-heads to some of the park's most isolated areas (including the Mariscal Canyon Trail), and sections of the park most visitors never see. The east end of the River Road lies off of TX-118 near Rio Grande Village, just west of the Hot Springs Road turn-off, while the west end of the River Road intersects with at the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive near Tuff Canyon, about 2.5 mi (4 km) east of Castolon (both turn-offs are marked). About 20 mi (32 km) west from the eastern terminus you can find the ruins of Mariscal Mine and the surrounding village, abandoned in the 1940's and an important producer of the nation's supply of mercury. The western portion is less traveled and more rugged; allow at least a day to travel the entire length.
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Big Bend National Park Travel Guide from Wikitravel. Many thanks to all Wikitravel contributors. Text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0, images are available under various licenses, see each image for details.