Texas Roadtrip: Visiting the Remote Big Bend Ranch State Park
Explore Texas’ largest and most remote state park, Big Bend Ranch. This complete travel guide features everything you need to know before you go, including things to do, when to visit, what to bring & much more.
You’ve probably heard of Big Bend National Park, but did you know there is also a State Park?! Big Bend Ranch State Park is Texas’ largest and most remote state park located right next door to the popular Big Bend National Park. The park sits along the U.S / Mexico border in Southwest Texas with over 200 miles of multiuse trails, 70 miles of 4x4 off roading, and 23 miles of the Rio Grande River. There is definitely no shortage of outdoor activities to enjoy.
We spent a season working right next door to Big Bend Ranch State Park and we got to say it’s incredible. Whether you have just one day or a couple days to spare, Big Bend Ranch State Park is a great place to visit.
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Looking for more Big Bend National Park? Visit our Complete Guides to the top sights & hikes in the park.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
About Big Bend Ranch
Getting to Big Bend Ranch
When to Visit
What to Bring
Amenities Nearby
Things to Do
ABOUT BIG BEND RANCH
Big Bend Ranch is a 311,000 acre State Park located along the Rio Grande River in Southwest Texas. It was established in 1988 and is the largest & most remote state park in all of Texas. The park is known for the 23 mile stretch of the Rio Grande on the U.S / Mexico Border and features 238 miles of multi-use trails, primitive camping, unbelievable night sky viewing, as well as diversity of plants and animals. The park is separated into two areas, River District & Interior District. The most accessible area of the park is along park road FM 170 between the East and West entrances.
ENTRANCE FEE
$5 per person 13 years & older during the months of October through April.
You can also use a Texas State Parks Pass to enter for free. Reservations can be made online.
PET POLICY
Pets must be leashed at all times and no longer than 6 feet in length. They are allowed on the Closed Canyon Trail, Hoodoos Trail, and 1/4 mile from campsites & roads. Never leave them unattended and always pick up their waste.
GETTING TO BIG BEND RANCH
Big Bend Ranch is located off park road FM 170 in Southwest Texas, next to the popular Big Bend National Park. The parks remote location make it one of the least visited most challenging parks to get to.
The most accessible airport is El Paso International. The park also has a private airstrip that you can fly into. It’s recommended that if you are flying in from out of state that you fly into El Paso and drive the rest of the way.
Presidio - 7 minutes or 3.5 miles
Big Bend National Park - 20 minutes or 18 miles
Alpine - 1.5 hours or 90 miles
El Paso - 4 hours or 257 miles
San Antonio - 7 hours or 470 miles
WHEN TO VISIT
Big Bend Ranch State Park is open year round providing a variety of ways to experience the park. The busiest months are October to April for its ideal hiking and camping weather.
SPRING & SUMMER
Most ranger programs run Spring through Fall and include Nature Detectives, Airstrip Astronomy, Junior Ranger Programs as well as online updates about the parks current conditions. April through September bring EXTREME heat with temperatures exceeding 100 degrees by late afternoon. The trails provide no shade and are prone to flash floods during summer thunderstorms. If planning a visit during this time, bring plenty of water and avoid hiking in the afternoon.
FALL & WINTER
October through April are the most ideal time to visit Big Bend Ranch. Average highs are in the 60s/70s with lows hanging out in the 30’s. Snow will occasionally fall providing a rare experience in the dry desert.
During the month of February the Chihuahuan Bike Fest brings hundreds of mountain bikers for 3 days of guided trail rides. The 54 mile Fresno / Sauceda loop has been designated as an “Epic” ride by the Mountain Bicycling Association.
WHAT TO BRING
Plenty of Water
Big Bend Ranch State Park is high desert which means hot and dry especially in the summer. Be sure to pack extra water and stay hydrated while exploring. We love using our insulated bottles to have ice cold water for the whole day.
Hiking Shoes
While there are many easy paths to explore in Big Bend Ranch there are a few trails that are rocky, sandy, and steep. To have the most comfortable experience on the trails we recommend wearing a proper hiking shoe or boot to provide traction and support.
Sun Protectant
There is no shade on any trails in the park so it’s best to bring your favorite sunscreen and wear sun protectant clothing when exploring.
Hiking Sticks
These have been a LIFE SAVER. Hiking sticks are so helpful in giving you extra support as you climb up steep trails as well as coming down steep trails. They provide extra stability and we no longer hike without them.
First Aid Kit
It’s never a bad idea to carry a small first aid kit while hiking in Big Bend Ranch State Park. Cell service doesn’t really exist in the park so it’s good to be prepared in case of an emergency.
Lunch / Snacks
It is highly recommended to pick a lunch and snacks when visiting Big Bend Ranch. There aren’t many food options in the park, so it’s a good idea to pack a good lunch and plenty of snacks.
AMENITIES NEARBY
IN THE PARK
BARTON WARNOCK VISITOR CENTER
Open year round and a great place to start your adventure on the East side of Big Bend Ranch State Park. Load up on info, pick up a park map, and get exploring. Here you can also find restrooms, gift shop, museum exhibit, and permits for backcountry, camping, and river adventures.
FORT LEATON VISITOR CENTER
Open year round and a great place to start your adventure on the West side of Big Bend Ranch State Park. Load up on info, pick up a park map, and get exploring. Here you can also find restrooms, gift shop, museum exhibit, and permits for backcountry, camping, and river adventures.
SAUCEDA RANGER STATION
Open 9 a.m to 5 p.m everyday and features 27 miles of dirt road and the only way in or out of the interior of the park. Also available the the Sauceda Bunkhouse, a former hunting lodge built in the 1960s. Cell signal is minimal.
TOWNS NEARBY
PRESIDIO
A city on the border U.S / Mexico border, known as the Gateway to Big Bend Ranch State Park. The park road FM 170 from Presidio to Lajitas was designated by National Geographic as one of the most scenic drives in North America.
LAJITAS
A destination golf resort offering lodging, restaurant, saloon, spa, RV park, as well as a variety of outdoor activities. We spent a season working here and it was incredible!
Check out our post, Living & Working in Big Bend National Park.
TERLINGUA / STUDY BUTTE
An old mining town located 15 minutes from the Barton Warnock Visitor Center offering a variety of lodging, river tours, and rv parks. A few popular places to pick up food are the Cottonwood General Store, Starlight Cafe, High Sierra Bar & Grill, DB’s Rustic Iron BBQ, Taqueria el Milagro and Espresso Y Poco Mas.
ALPINE
A charming mountain town located 1.5 hours from Big Bend Ranch State Park. It’s home to the Sul Ross State University, a variety of art galleries, and plenty of colorful art murals that can be found around town.
MARFA
A small desert town located 1 hour from Fort Leaton Visitor Center. It’s known for its minimalist art with a variety of unique art installments found around the town.
Tour the 10 Hidden Gems in West Texas Worth Visiting with our mini travel guide.
THINGS TO DO
SCENIC DRIVE
Take one of the most beautiful drives in Texas on the scenic Camino Del Rio road also known as FM 170. This road travels along the Rio Grande River between Lajitas & Presidio with many places to stop and enjoy the incredible views.
HOODOOS TRAIL
Distance: 1.2 Miles | Difficulty: Easy | Elevation Gain: 101 FT. | Time: 30 Minutes | Dog Friendly
Check out the cool sandstone formations called Hoodoos and dip your toes in the Rio Grande River on the Hoodoos Trail. This is one of the few dog friendly trails in the state park and is a great way to explore the towering mountains that border the U.S and Mexico. It’s located off FM 170 about 45 minutes from Lajitas.
CLOSED CANYON TRAIL
Distance: 1.4 Miles | Difficulty: Easy | Elevation Gain: 114 FT. | Time: 30 Minutes | Dog Friendly
Explore one of Texas’s slot canyons on this short trail family friendly trail. Located right off the scenic road between Lajitas and Presidio, this one of the parks most popular trails.
CONTRABANDO MOVIE SET
Visit “La Casita” an original adobe structure used as a movie set for films such as Roy Clark’s “Uphill All The Way” and John Sayle’s “Lone Star”, “Dead Man’s Walk”, and “Streets of Laredo”. The movie set was built in 1985 and is the only remaining standing structure from the original set.
CAMP OVERNIGHT
Enjoy the solitude and beautiful vistas at an overnight campsite in Big Bend Ranch State Park. Chose from a drive in, hike in, or equestrian site. Prices range from $12 to $16 per night. Either way you’re sure to experience the wonder of Big Bend Ranch State Park.
Reservations can be made online.
EXPLORE THE TRAILS
Big Bend Ranch State Park has over 200 miles of multiuse trails to explore. This is a great way to experience the area’s rare and beautiful plant life by foot, horseback, or bike. Our two favorite are Closed Canyon and Hoodoos in the River District.
Always carry a map and check with park rangers for current conditions of the trails.
TAKE A RIVER TRIP DOWN THE RIO GRANDE
Float between two countries on the Rio Grande River. For experienced rafters you can obtain a permit at the either visitor center. For less experienced adventurers we recommend going with a local outfitter such as Far Flung or Big Bend River Tours.
4X4 TOURING
Experience the solitude of Big Bend Ranch on the parks 70 miles of unmaintained dirt roads for truly unique experience. High clearance 4 wheel drive vehicle is required.
For more info on guided 4x4 drives check out the Roads to Nowhere Guide.
Let us know about your experience in Big Bend Ranch State Park in the comments below!
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HEY THERE!
WE’RE MIKE & DEANDRA.
Two adventure seekers traveling the U.S in our 37 FT. travel trailer with our two companions, Griffin & Lucy. We share our life on the road and travel guides to our favorite destinations.
This post contains affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site at no additional cost to you.
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