Day Trip 2

Always take water—we recommend at least one gallon per person and check your gas gauge! If you are low on either go back to Study Butte and fill up. From Terlingua House head west on River Road (TX 170). About 4 miles down the road you will find Badlands Fossils on the right. If Ken is in, he will be busy cataloging or assembling dinosaur bones he has excavated from the area. Be sure to look for him both coming and going as Ken, like many residents of the area, wear several hats. About 10 miles down the road is the Barton Warnock Visitor Center (BWVC) and Lajitas (both open daily). If it is in the morning I suggest you stop at BWVC and leave Lajitas for the trip back.

At this point you will begin the best part of the River Road, about 10 to 15 miles of the best road in Texas. Be sure to drive as far as the stop overlooking the river. You won’t miss it. If you would like to continue up the River Road, you can drive past Redford, TX and turn right to go into Big Bend Ranch State Park (this turnoff is not marked). If you make this trip up to Sauceda and Big Bend Ranch State Park, you need to have a permit from BWVC or you can go on to Fort Leaton and buy a permit there and get directions and the combination to the gate. The drive up to Sauceda is a great drive, but it is all on gravel roads. Note that there is no food/refreshments provided in the park area, it is very primitive. If you don’t want to drive up to Sauceda you might consider going on to Presidio, cross the International Bridge and go over to Ojinaga, Mexico (OJ)—bring your passport. If you go to OJ, you might consider driving another 25 miles to see a fantastic view of Peguis Canyon on the Chihuahua City highway (no permits necessary).