Enjoy mountains, canyons, the Rio Grande, hoodoos weathered volcanic ash formations, mesas, desert, creeks, and a narrow rock fissure.
El Camino del Rio, the River Road, leads through canyons and mountains as it follows the Rio Grande. The 1.5-hour, 51-mile travel goes from Lajitas to Presidio on Route 170. If you make the trip in the summer, be warned that it is extremely hot. The highway is steep and has poor shoulders. Begin the journey east of Lajitas at the Barton Warnock Environmental Education Center. Here, you can get information on the 420 sq. mile Big Bend Ranch State Natural Area that surrounds the River Road.
Lajitas was established in 1915 as an Army post to safeguard settlers from Pancho Villa. Drive west on Route 170 out of Lajitas. Several miles out, the road swings Read more . . .
Drive south out of Fort Stockton via U.S. 385 to get a long stare at the real Texas. West Texas armadillos and tumbleweeds crossing the highway for a couple of hours will get you warmed up for the amazing scenery ahead. There is natural beauty unlike any other in the somewhat barren landmass that lies between Big Bend and Fort Stockton National Park, but Big Bend country is the best.