Hey Guys,
My father and I are headed to Big Bend next week for 5 days and are looking for suggestions on routes/things to see. We are staying in the Indian Lodge at Ft Davis, and have planned to make three loops...the Davis Mountains and the two large loops down through the state park and national park.
Any suggestions for cool stops and places to eat along these roads? I think we have the observatory, marfa lights, both Big Bend parks, Davis Mountains SP on our agenda so far.
Regards,
Davy
1. From Study Butte drive east on 118 into park. Go approx. 7 miles and turn right on Ross Maxwell Hwy towards Castolon. Approx. 23 miles to historic Castolon store. Another 7 miles to Santa Elena Canyon overlook. There is the 14 mile Maverick Road (dirt) that returns to Maverick entrance station making a complete loop. It is rideable on a road bike, but is dusty and slow. Or return via Castolon and Ross Maxwell Hwy.
2. Enter park through Maverick entrance (west end), and ride approximately 48 miles to Rio Grande Village. This ride winds east through the park passing turn-offs to Castolon and the Basin. You will pass Panther Junction Visitor Center about 25 miles from the entrance. You will pass the turn off to Historic Langford Hot Springs(1/2 mile dirt road and ¼ mile hike), ride through the only tunnel in West Texas, over look Boquillas, Mexico, and reach river level.
3. From Panther Junction Visitor Center ride north on Hwy 385 towards Marathon. A beautiful open desert drive passing the Dagger Flats Road (dirt), Dog Canyon trail, and many dry creek crossings (approx. 28 miles one way).
4. River Road Scenic Ride- Deemed “The Most Beautiful Ride in Texas”. This is a must for all riders. This is a spectacular ride along the Rio Grande River and Colorado Canyon, Fresno Ranch and through parts of Big Bend State Park. It has classic windy curves (careful, they come on fast), western movie sets, and West Texas geology ending at Presidio, Texas.
This can be done as a one-way to Presidio, or loop through Marfa and Alpine and back.
5. Panther Junction to La Linda- A wonderful desert ride outside the north end of Big Bend National Park. Exit the park on the north end at Persimmon Gap Entrance. Approximately 2 miles turn right (east). This classic desert hwy will take you to Stillwell store and museum, and on to La Linda where it dead ends (approx. 25 mi.) at an old bridge crossing to Mexico. An interesting abandoned mine lies on the distant hills and the Blue Sky Café is sometimes open for a cool drink.
6. Balmorhea-An excellent ride through an exceptional canyon heading northeast out of Fort Davis towards I-10.
7. Study Butte to Alpine- Good return ride back to civilization on Hwy 118 through classic West Texas desert country.
Speed limit in Big Bend National Park is 45 mph and is ENFORCED- Guess I will never be visiting Big Bend. I can't ride that slow. Just can't do it.
