Big Bend Ranch SP
Fort Leaton NHS
The Southwest - Texas
Entrance fees and opening hours
- 5$/person - Admission is also valid for Fort Leaton NHS.
- Not covered by the Anual Pass*
- Open 24h all year round.
*The Anual Pass is so to speak the "flat rate" for all Parks managed by the National Park Service. The pass costs a one-time fee of $80 and can be purchased at the entrance to each National Park, National Monument, etc. The pass is valid for 13 months.
Our visits: So far 1 visit in March 2018
Big Bend Ranch SP
Description: Big Bend Ranch SP is located east of the city of Presidio and is the largest state park in Texas. The park itself is located north of Highway 170, and there are a few dirt roads to explore the park. We limited ourselves to Highway 170 during our March 2018 visit. The highway forms the southern boundary of the park and passes right by the Rio Grande most of the time.
Our rating: The road through the park was very varied. It leads constantly up and down and the views over the river to Mexico have pleased us very well. On the way to Big Bend NP we can definitely recommend a short visit here.
Hoodoos and Balanced Rock Trail
Description: The Hoodoos and Balanced Rock Trail is located just off Highway 170, a good 25mi east of the town of Presidio. You can hike a total of about 1.1mi loop, but you don't need to in order to see the hoodoos. In fact, they are all directly below the road. They are well visible above the Rio Grande. The trail to them is short and easy to hike.
Our rating: Not necessarily the most spectacular hoodoos we've seen so far, but it's a nice little stop to stretch your legs for once on the drive along the Rio Grande.
Movie Set
Description: The buildings on this movie set were built in 1985 for the movie Uphill All The Way . Since then, they have served as sets for 9 movies. The most famous of the movies was probably Streets of Loredo. You can find the buildings just off Highway 170, about 34 miles east of Presidio.
Our rating: A nice little stop on the way along the Rio Grande. The special thing is not only the movie set, but also the location right on the border with Mexico. The place is worth a little break.
Fort Leaton NHS
Description: Fort Leaton, which can be visited today, is a reconstructed fort that once served as a trading post on the Chihuahua Trail. It was named after its first owner, Benjamin Leaton. The latter purchased the land in 1848 and traded here until 1884. The site was permanently occupied until 1920. After extensive reconstruction work, it has been open to the public since 1973.
Our rating: We liked the fort very much. It was fun to walk through the rooms and imagine what life might have been like here in the 19th century. We also really like adobe style facilities because they always provide great photo opportunities. We can definitely recommend a stop here.
