Big Bend National Park - Backcountry Road Conditions (U.S. National Park Service)

Sharon Collyer

Washout on the Old Ore Road, 2005

Big Bend's primitive road system provides unparalleled opportunities to explore the desert environment at your own pace. However, road conditions are highly variable. Some sections of these roads are smooth and easily traveled, while many others traverse bedrock and are extremely rough. You should be experienced with dirt road driving before attempting Big Bend's unpaved roads due to the variability of conditions.

Always inquire at a visitor center regarding updated road conditions before heading out, and be prepared for any contingency. Weather conditions (such as heavy, or any, rain) may cause road conditions to deteriorate.

The Big Bend National Park Daily Report always includes updated information on road conditions and closures.

STANDARD ROAD CONDITIONS: Excluding the summer monsoon season or after large rain events*
	ALL VEHICLES*	HIGH- CLEARANCE	4X4 ONLY**	NOTES
Dagger Flat	XXX			Bumpy but ok for cars; very sandy near end of rd.
Grapevine Hills	XXX			Usually passable for all vehicles to trailhead
Hot Springs	XXX			Narrow road; no RVs, Trailers or wide vehicles
Old Maverick		XXX		Rough; often impassable after heavy rains.
Croton Springs	XXX			Slippery mud after any rain
Paint Gap	XXX	XXX		High-clearance past PG 3 campsite
Old Ore Road		XXX	Recommended	High-clearance vehicles only
Glenn Springs		XXX		High-clearance vehicles only
Pine Canyon		XXX		High-clearance vehicles only; rough, rocky, & slow
Juniper Canyon		XXX		High-clearance vehicles only; rough, rocky, & slow
River Road East		XXX		High-clearance vehicles only
River Road West		XXX		High-clearance vehicles only
Black Gap Road			XXX	4x4 required! never maintained
North Rosillos Rd		XXX		Deep ruts and sand; little-traveled

* Typically between July 1 and Sept 30 the park experiences monsoon rains which can drop several inches of rain in a very short time. This creates flash floods and roads will wash out. The above road conditions do not apply during monsoon season. Check DAILY at a visitor center for road conditions during monsoon season. Roads that may under normal conditions be acceptable for all vehicles may be washed out or have deep sand and require high clearance, 4-wheel drive, or they may even be closed. Big Bend is not a good place to test your skills or your vehicle's capabilities due to remoteness, extreme environment, and the expense (over $1000) for emergency vehicle extractions.

** Please note that All Wheel Drive is not the same as 4-wheel drive. If the park requires 4-wheel drive on a specific road, your vehicle must have true 4-wheel drive.

Off road vehicle (ORV) use is prohibited

Remember: all vehicles must be street legal and stay on established roadways.

No "off-road" vehicles allowed. All vehicles must be street-legal.

Dirt Road Definitions

All Vehicles

These are maintained gravel roads where a standard 2WD drive passenger vehicle is able to travel at low speeds, on long, dry straight-of-ways, without losing control due to wash boarding, ruts, or dips. In hilly areas or in curves, the safe speeds may be significantly lower.

High Clearance

These are primitive roads where a high clearance 2WD vehicle is able to travel safely at low speeds on long dry straight-of-ways, without losing control due to wash boarding, ruts, or dips. All high clearance 2WD roads may be rocky with areas or soft gravel or sand that makes travel unsafe for sedans or RVs.

Four-Wheel-Drive (4x4) Roads

These are primitive roads where a high clearance 4WD vehicle, in four-wheel- drive, driven by a driver experienced in 4WD drive techniques, can drive the road without getting stuck. All 4WD roads may be rocky, with deep sand or gravel and steep hills.