Big Bend Scenic Drives: Ross Maxwell, River Road and Which Roads Need a Jeep
Big Bend National Park has more than 100 miles of paved road, and some of the best views in Texas sit right beside it. Beyond the pavement, the park's dirt and primitive roads reach places most visitors never see, but many of them need a high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicle.
This guide covers the best scenic drives in and around Big Bend, what you will see on each one, and which Big Bend roads need a Jeep. We run private Jeep tours out of Terlingua, so this is the practical version.
The best paved scenic drives in Big Bend
The park's paved roads are open to any normal car and are the best place to start.
Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive
If you only do one drive in the park, make it this one. The Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive runs about 30 miles down to the Castolon Historic District and Santa Elena Canyon on the Rio Grande. The best stops along the way:
Sam Nail Ranch: the remains of an old homestead, where a windmill still pumps water and draws birds and other wildlife.
Blue Creek Ranch Overlook: a view down to the old Homer Wilson Ranch, one of the largest in the region before the park was established.
Sotol Vista Overlook: a high viewpoint over the whole western side of the park, with Santa Elena Canyon in the distance.
Lower Burro Mesa Pouroff: a 1.5-mile side road, then a half-mile trail into a box canyon with a high, dry waterfall.
Mule Ears Viewpoint: a view of the Mule Ears Peaks, with a 2-mile trail to a desert spring.
Tuff Canyon: a deep, narrow canyon carved from soft volcanic rock, with two viewing platforms.
Castolon Historic District: established as a cavalry camp in the early 1900s, now home to one of the park's visitor centers.
The drive ends at Santa Elena Canyon, where the Rio Grande has cut a 1,500-foot chasm through solid limestone, with Mexico on one wall and Texas on the other. Give yourself at least half a day so you have time to stop, walk the canyon trail and take it all in.
Good to know: storms can close parts of this road. As of November 2026, the park lists the paved section between Cottonwood Campground and Santa Elena Canyon as closed due to weather. Check the park's alerts and conditions page before you go.
Chisos Basin Road
This road climbs from the desert floor up into the Chisos Mountains, with sharp curves and steep grades of up to 15 percent. The park does not recommend it for trailers longer than 20 feet or RVs over 24 feet. At the top you will find cooler temperatures, a visitor center, trailheads and the park's only lodge, the Chisos Mountains Lodge.
Rio Grande Village and Boquillas Canyon
The road to Rio Grande Village crosses ancient limestone, with wide views across the river, and drops nearly 2,000 feet in about 20 miles. From there, a short spur leads to the Boquillas Canyon trail, which the park calls one of Big Bend's most scenic spots. Rio Grande Village is also one of the park's best areas for bird watching.
River Road (FM 170) outside the park
Known as the Camino del Rio, FM 170 runs west from Lajitas along the Rio Grande toward Presidio, past both entrances to Big Bend Ranch State Park. It is paved and open to any car, and it pairs well with an afternoon in Terlingua.
Improved dirt roads: open to most cars, but some are rough
The park says its improved dirt roads are accessible for most vehicles, but some are rougher than others, and a passing storm can quickly make any of them difficult or impassable.
Dagger Flat Auto Trail: 7 miles one way (14 miles round trip) to a small valley with a forest of giant dagger yuccas. The park says it is typically open to most vehicles.
Old Maverick Road: 14 miles between Maverick Junction, near the west entrance, and Santa Elena Canyon, along the Terlingua Creek badlands and past historic sites like Luna's Jacal. The drive usually takes about an hour, and the park recommends high-clearance and 4x4 vehicles.
Grapevine Hills Road: 6.4 miles to the Grapevine Hills trailhead, where a 2.2-mile round-trip hike leads to Balanced Rock. The park calls the road very rough and says it requires sturdy, high-clearance vehicles.
One thing many visitors miss: many rental car agreements do not allow driving on unpaved roads. If you are in a rental, check your agreement before you leave the pavement.
Which Big Bend roads need a Jeep
The park's primitive roads are unpaved, rough and remote. According to the National Park Service, travel on its primitive dirt roads requires both high clearance and true four-wheel drive. They are not passable for passenger cars, minivans, motorhomes or small crossover SUVs. These are the Big Bend Jeep roads that take you to the quietest parts of the park.
River Road (inside the park)
Not to be confused with FM 170, the park's River Road is a 51-mile primitive route between Rio Grande Village and Castolon, across the remote southern part of the park. The park says to allow a full day to drive it end to end. As of November 2026, River Road West is closed up to Glenn Springs Road due to weather, so check conditions first.
Old Ore Road
Old Ore Road runs 26 miles along the eastern side of the park. In the early 1900s it was used to haul ore from Mexican mines to the railroad station at Marathon. Today it is very rocky and rough, and the park says it requires a high-clearance 4WD vehicle with good tires. Plan on 3 to 4 hours end to end.
Glenn Springs Road
Glenn Springs Road runs along the eastern side of the Chisos Mountains to Glenn Springs, a desert spring where a candelilla wax camp was built in 1914 and raided in 1916. It connects with the River Road, and like the park's other primitive roads, it needs high clearance and four-wheel drive.
Black Gap Road
Black Gap Road is a challenging road that is not maintained, and four-wheel drive is required at all times. As of November 2026, the park has closed it until further notice because of unsafe conditions from the 2025 flash floods.
Rules and tips for driving Big Bend's backcountry
Stay on established roads. Off-road driving is prohibited, and the park notes its effects on the desert can last up to 50 years.
ATVs, UTVs and other off-highway vehicles are not allowed in the park. All vehicles must be street legal.
You need a backcountry permit to camp at a primitive roadside campsite.
Carry plenty of water, a jack and a good spare tire. A breakdown on these isolated roads can become dangerous. The park's backcountry road safety page has more on preparing for these roads.
Check road conditions before you go. A single storm can wash out a road.
Expect no cell service on most backcountry roads, and let someone know your plan.
Big Bend scenic drives FAQ
Can you drive Big Bend in a regular car?
Yes. The park has more than 100 miles of paved road, including the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive and the Chisos Basin Road, and its improved dirt roads are accessible for most vehicles when dry. The primitive dirt roads are different: the park says they require high clearance and true four-wheel drive.
How long is the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive?
About 30 miles one way, ending at Santa Elena Canyon. With stops and the canyon trail, plan on at least half a day.
Can you take an RV or trailer to the Chisos Basin?
The park does not recommend the Chisos Basin Road for trailers longer than 20 feet or RVs over 24 feet, because of its sharp curves and grades of up to 15 percent.
Are ATVs or UTVs allowed in Big Bend?
No. Off-highway vehicles are not allowed in the park, and all vehicles must be street legal.
Explore the backcountry without the risk
If you want to see Big Bend beyond the pavement but do not have a 4x4, or would rather not risk your own vehicle on these roads, a guided tour is the easiest way to do it.
All Lucky Sun tours are private, so only your party is on board, and our Jeeps are enclosed and temperature controlled. Our half day tour covers two ecosystems and about 10 different stops. Our full day tour reaches all three of the park's ecosystems or heads to a custom backcountry location, which makes it a great option for return visitors. Your guide handles the driving and fills in the history, wildlife and local lore along the way.
Still deciding when to come? Read our guide to the best time to visit Big Bend, or check our tour FAQ. When you are ready, see our tours or book your tour.
About Lucky Sun Jeep Tours
Lucky Sun Jeep Tours runs private, guided Jeep tours of Big Bend National Park from Terlingua, Texas. The company was founded in February 2021 by Adam, who has been exploring the park for 31 years, including a 21-day trek down the Rio Grande. Every tour is private, in an enclosed, temperature-controlled Jeep, with a guide who covers the area's history, ecosystems, wildlife and local lore. Questions about the roads or your trip? Get in touch.
Park facts in this guide come from the National Park Service's official Big Bend National Park website, including its scenic drives, road and alerts pages, checked November 2026.
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