West Texas Road Trip: Presidio to Lajitas

A very scenic section of Highway 170 in west Texas

A scenic west Texas road trip took us well off the beaten path. Although we had an itinerary, it was loose enough that we could change plans – and that’s exactly what we did when we had a closer look at the map.

Instead of rushing to Terlingua, a ghost mining town made famous by discoveries of quick silver (mercury), we meandered down Route 67 to Presidio, a much larger town than the map would suggest, on the US-Mexico border and from there enjoyed a very scenic west Texas road trip traveling through to Big Bend National Park.

 An inauspicious start in Presidio
An inauspicious start in Presidio

A West Texas road trip offers a surprisingly scenic drive

One of the most scenic drives in North America, at least according to National Geographic, is the 50 mile stretch on Highway 170. It starts in Presidio – exactly how I imagined a US – Mexico border town to be – hot, dry, dusty and lacking in civic pride.

But it gets better fast once you leave Presidio. I think its scenic but not as good as National Geographic makes it out to be.

The road itself is Highway 170, or the River Road. It follows the international border, squeezed between the Rio Grande and the hills and mountains of Big Bend Ranch State Park.

It’s winding with plenty of those drops that leave your stomach behind – if you’re going fast enough. Lots of motorcyclists and Porsches were seen, probably because it’s such a fun road to drive.

Note: There are no services between Presidio and Lajitas.

You'll have to appreciate desert scenery to enjoy this part of the west Texas road trip
You’ll have to appreciate desert scenery to enjoy this part of the west Texas road trip
If you speed on these roads you will leave your stomach behind
If you speed on these roads you will leave your stomach behind
Plenty of green along the river and lots of elevation change on this west Texas road trip
Plenty of green along the river and lots of elevation change
A Scenic Drive in West Texas: Presidio to Lajitas
Lots of interesting rock formations to admire

Big Bend Ranch State Park – a great place for a hike

Much of the drive is through Big Bend Ranch State Park, the largest state park in Texas, covering over 300,000 acres.

If the weather is cool then there are a few big hikes to do including the very strenuous 19-mile Rancher Loop that takes you through the heart of the park. It was very hot when we were there (~100°F) so we opted for the short hike up and back on the Closed Canyon Trail.

The hike takes you down a narrow canyon which in places is no wider than your arms when outstretched.

Even in the heat of the day there is some shade so don’t let a hot day keep you from doing this. We stopped when there were big, slippery boulders to climb and figured it was best to turn around.

A Scenic Drive in West Texas: Presidio to Lajitas
Hiking in Closed Canyon – Big Bend Ranch State Park

<3>A western style film set along the highway

The photo you see below is of a western style movie set. It was constructed in 1985 for the filming of the movie Uphill All the Way, starring Roy Clark, Mel Tillis and Burl Ives.

Since then nine more movies have been filmed here including Rio Diablo, Dead Man’s Walk and Streets of Laredo.

Western style movie set in west Texas
Western style movie set
The scenic section of this part of a Texas road trip ends in Lajitas
The scenic section ends in Lajitas but icy cold drinks and beer await

Enjoy this drive. There is haze – a combination of heat, dust and pollution from power plants in Mexico, but it’s still an interesting and very lovely drive. People who love the desert will love this drive.

For further information on travel in Texas visit the state tourism website.

Terlingua in west Texas
Terlingua in west Texas at the southern end of the road is a good place to stay

Further reading on things to do in Texas

  1. South Rim Trail Hike – Big Bend National Park
  2. What to  Do in Big Bend National Park, Texas
  3. 3 Unique West Texas Towns Worth a Visit

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West Texas Road Trip - Presidio to Lajitas via Highway 170

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