Hop In Your Car And Take El Camino Del Rio For An Incredible 50-Mile Scenic Drive In Texas
Exploring the vast West Texas desert in its entirely could take a lifetime, so luckily, there are several scenic drives that traverse the desolate terrain. One such route is El Camino del Rio, a 50-mile stretch of roadway that showcases the mystique of our state’s most forgotten lands as you’ve never seen before.
Meandering alongside the Rio Grande, El Camino del Rio spans just under 50 miles of remote desert terrain. Much of the road is located within Big Bend Ranch State Park.
Also known as "River Road," the drive connects Lajitas and Presidio via State Highway 170.
This desolate roadway is among the most scenic routes in Texas, boasting panoramic vistas far as the eye can see. You'll climb mountains, cross arroyos, and descend into valleys, all the while surrounded by lofty canyon walls.
River Road is narrow and has few shoulders, so drive slowly and with extreme caution. Many fatal accidents have occurred over the years.
Perhaps the most defining feature of El Camino del Rio is "Big Hill." One of the steepest stretches of highway in Texas, it'll have you feeling on top of the world.
To the east, the majestic Chisos Mountains extend for 75 miles. Looking westward, you'll enjoy views of Colorado Canyon and mountain ranges that roll on deep into Mexico.
Incredible diversity in both plant and wildlife, as well as geological formations, means varying scenery all along the road. From over 300 bird species to four different plant habitats to ancient volcanic ash, there's a little bit of everything.
As you drive, keep an eye out for any animals that may have stumbled on to the road!
As the seasons change, so too does the flora along River Road. Blooms of all different colors line the highway year-round, ensuring no two trips are alike.
This particular photo was taken during the fall. We're definitely getting autumn vibes from these bright yellow flowers!
Scenic pullovers, like the Teepee Rio Grande Overlook, offer travelers a place to stop and take in the scenery. It's hard to safely appreciate the otherworldly surroundings in their entirety from behind the wheel, so this is your chance to stop and smell the roses.
You can also visit the Barton Warnock Center in Lajitas for information and interpretive literature!
Your adventure comes to an end in Presidio, a former Spanish mission town. From here, continue onto the Davis Mountains Scenic Loop or head towards the eclectic town of Marfa rumored to harbor ghostly lights.
Have you ever taken this scenic drive? If so, we’d love to hear all about your experience! Let us know, and check out our previous article for another bucket-list-worthy scenic drive in Texas.
Address: Big Bend Ranch State Park, 21800 FM170, Terlingua, TX 79852, USA
Katie Lawrence is a Southeast Texas native who graduated 18th in her high school class with a GPA of 4.25. She attended college in the Houston area and changed her major twice (psychology, computer science, and finally criminal justice) before taking a leap of faith and dropping out to pursue a career in freelance writing.
Today, Katie writes for the Texas and Arizona pages of OnlyInYourState.com and has never been more passionate about a job before. Outside of work, you can likely find her curled up on the sofa with a hot cup of coffee, watching a crime TV show or scary movie.
