Big Bend National Park, TX route- TX 170 specifically

[Shisa-01]

We are leaving for Big Bend Feb 20th from Ohio through Missouri, OK, North Texas and then south at Wichita Falls, TX. The route has us finishing the trip on TX 118 out of Alpine and TX 170 at Study Butte into Lajitas. A previous post said, "Be Advised: Big rigs should avoid TX 170 as there are switchbacks, etc." I'm wondering just how bad this is - can someone define "big rig"? We have a 30ft FW - pulling with F250. I don't think there is any other way to get to Lajitas so this may be a deal breaker for us! Thank you for any insight you can provide!

*** Just discovered the reference of caution was for TX 170 WEST of Lajitas to Presidio - not east towards Study Butte. But I am still curious about anyone who has travelled from Alpine to Lajitas more recently. How is the road?

 

[traveldawg]

Your rig is not a "Big Rig". At least not in my opinion. I don't really consider mine big either. I usually think of folks over 40' getting as big but reserve big for the 43' + behemoths.

And I'm not sure where you saw ""Be Advised: Big rigs should avoid TX 170 as there are switchbacks, etc."" But I've been to Big Bend along TX118 and drove TX170 westward a bit to Presidio, TX and don't recall switch backs. Driving to Study Butte (Terlingua area) doesn't have any switch back or even sharp turns as I recall.

Now I am curious, I'll have to look for the "previous post" to see what folks are saying about TX 170.

 

[Shisa-01]

Your rig is not a "Big Rig". At least not in my opinion. I don't really consider mine big either. I usually think of folks over 40' getting as big but reserve big for the 43' + behemoths.

And I'm not sure where you saw ""Be Advised: Big rigs should avoid TX 170 as there are switchbacks, etc."" But I've been to Big Bend along TX118 and drove TX170 westward a bit to Presidio, TX and don't recall switch backs. Driving to Study Butte (Terlingua area) doesn't have any switch back or even sharp turns as I recall.

Now I am curious, I'll have to look for the "previous post" to see what folks are saying about TX 170.

The post that advised caution is in this forum titled "Big Bend National Park Southwest Texas". But I learned after I posted my original post that he is referring to TX 170 WEST of Lajitas. Thank you for your post!

 

[txloser]

We made that drive last spring with my Solitude. Piece of cake. It gets a little steep for a moment, but nothing that’ll be tough in a 30-40’ trailer.

Your biggest concern will be wind across west Texas. It gets sporty. Here’s a photo I took up at 20ish thousand feet a few weeks back illustrating west Texas wind. That’s all dust.

 

[Shisa-01]

We made that drive last spring with my Solitude. Piece of cake. It gets a little twisty, but nothing that’ll be tough in a 30-40’ trailer.

Thank you!

 

[DougW9876]

There are a couple of places between Study Butte and Lajitas that will give you a bit of a pucker factor if you are not ready for them. There are small hills but they crown over quite sharply and drop quite steeply, to the point you can’t see the road in front of the pickup for a short ways. Not dangerous or anything, just a bit unsettling if your are not ready for them. When we were there a few years ago there was also a ford of a creek but they have markers to tell you if the water is deep so you might want to keep that in mind if it happens to rain when you are in the area. West of Lajitas toward Presidio there are a couple of places that they are quite sharp and in the turns, narrow roads and short steep hills as well. I did not take the pickup and momentum 5th wheel we had at the time west of Lajitas, it just didn’t seem like a good idea (we had driven it on the motorcycle).

 

[Shisa-01]

We made that drive last spring with my Solitude. Piece of cake. It gets a little steep for a moment, but nothing that’ll be tough in a 30-40’ trailer.

Your biggest concern will be wind across west Texas. It gets sporty. Here’s a photo I took up at 20ish thousand feet a few weeks back illustrating west Texas wind. That’s all dust.

Yes! We have made the trip across West Texas before pulling our RV. The wind was so bad that we sucked down a full tank of gas in 1/3 the mileage! GPS directed us to a gas station that no longer existed! We barely limped into another gas station and learned our lesson - always fill up BEFORE you need it when in West Texas!

 

[Steven@147]

The post that advised caution is in this forum titled "Big Bend National Park Southwest Texas". But I learned after I posted my original post that he is referring to TX 170 WEST of Lajitas. Thank you for your post!

That post was probably from us back in 2023. You'll be fine with your rig. Going down through Alpine is the way to go. Take plenty of supplies with you or fill up in Alpine before you get to Lajitas, not much there.
We traveled from Lajitas to Predisio on 170 without our rig and posted a YouTube on our drive. It is listed as National Geographic one of the most scenic drives in America. Really no switch backs but some tight curves and real "humps" like someone posted. There are a few places with somewhat sharp blind curves and sometimes big rocks sticking out from the cliffs, if you meet someone crowding the center line on one of those curves it could be a little scary. There are some steep grades 10-15 % for very short stretches some while on a curve.

We really liked Big Bend National and Big Bend State Park, plan to go back some day. We stayed at Maverick Ranch and now is their height of the tourist season. I think you'll love it, we did!

 

[txloser]

I agree Big Bend is awesome. Doesn’t even feel like Texas. I wish I was going this year. That was our first long trip with the Solitude last March.

Ride the boat across to Mexico for lunch. If nothing else just for the novelty of it.

 

[CedarCreekWoody]

Just curious guys. I've not been to Big Bend in over 50 years. My memory says that at that time there was only a dirt jeep trail west of Lajitas that was very iffy at best. Is that now FM170 which you are discussing? If so, what a change! It has to be scenic!

 

[DougW9876]

I think so, 170 pretty much follows the river up to presidio and beyond. It is a paved road, just barely 2 lanes.

 

[CedarCreekWoody]

I think so, 170 pretty much follows the river up to presidio and beyond. It is a paved road, just barely 2 lanes.

That sounds like the old road. That has to be a scenic drive! I need to make a return trip.

 

[Shisa-01]

That post was probably from us back in 2023. You'll be fine with your rig. Going down through Alpine is the way to go. Take plenty of supplies with you or fill up in Alpine before you get to Lajitas, not much there.
We traveled from Lajitas to Predisio on 170 without our rig and posted a YouTube on our drive. It is listed as National Geographic one of the most scenic drives in America. Really no switch backs but some tight curves and real "humps" like someone posted. There are a few places with somewhat sharp blind curves and sometimes big rocks sticking out from the cliffs, if you meet someone crowding the center line on one of those curves it could be a little scary. There are some steep grades 10-15 % for very short stretches some while on a curve.

We really liked Big Bend National and Big Bend State Park, plan to go back some day. We stayed at Maverick Ranch and now is their height of the tourist season. I think you'll love it, we did!

Thank you for your post - great video!

 

[CedarCreekWoody]

Just curious guys. I've not been to Big Bend in over 50 years. My memory says that at that time there was only a dirt jeep trail west of Lajitas that was very iffy at best. Is that now FM170 which you are discussing? If so, what a change! It has to be scenic!

Upon review of Google maps it appears that the jeep trails I recalled are still only jeep trails. These would be east of Lajitas and not something to be taken lightly. Sorry.

 

[Robert58]

There are a couple of places between Study Butte and Lajitas that will give you a bit of a pucker factor if you are not ready for them. There are small hills but they crown over quite sharply and drop quite steeply, to the point you can’t see the road in front of the pickup for a short ways. Not dangerous or anything, just a bit unsettling if your are not ready for them. When we were there a few years ago there was also a ford of a creek but they have markers to tell you if the water is deep so you might want to keep that in mind if it happens to rain when you are in the area. West of Lajitas toward Presidio there are a couple of places that they are quite sharp and in the turns, narrow roads and short steep hills as well. I did not take the pickup and momentum 5th wheel we had at the time west of Lajitas, it just didn’t seem like a good idea (we had driven it on the motorcycle).

My experience as well on the road from Lajitas to Study Butte/Terlingua. It's the small hills, with blind crowns. Stay on your side of the road and you will be okay. None of the hills are long. The road to the west of Lajitas is even worse in that regard. I've pulled our fifth wheel to Study Butte (stayed at Paisano RV Resort which was a good experience and very close to the west entrance to Big Bend) from Alpine and departed via 385. No issues either way.

 

[Jwalthall]

We are leaving for Big Bend Feb 20th from Ohio through Missouri, OK, North Texas and then south at Wichita Falls, TX. The route has us finishing the trip on TX 118 out of Alpine and TX 170 at Study Butte into Lajitas. A previous post said, "Be Advised: Big rigs should avoid TX 170 as there are switchbacks, etc." I'm wondering just how bad this is - can someone define "big rig"? We have a 30ft FW - pulling with F250. I don't think there is any other way to get to Lajitas so this may be a deal breaker for us! Thank you for any insight you can provide!

*** Just discovered the reference of caution was for TX 170 WEST of Lajitas to Presidio - not east towards Study Butte. But I am still curious about anyone who has travelled from Alpine to Lajitas more recently. How is the road?

They are talking about the road between Presidio and Lajitas along the Rio Grande. I would avoid it if possible but it is really not a problem for a 30' rig. There is absolutely no problem from Balmoray to Ft Davis, Alpine, to Lajitas....which is likely the way you are routed. This is a good time of the year to visit! Remember that Alpine is at an elevation of about 4500' and consequently cool. There is a great park at Alpine called the Lost Alaskan...we have stayed there many times.

 

[Longshhm]

We are leaving for Big Bend Feb 20th from Ohio through Missouri, OK, North Texas and then south at Wichita Falls, TX. The route has us finishing the trip on TX 118 out of Alpine and TX 170 at Study Butte into Lajitas. A previous post said, "Be Advised: Big rigs should avoid TX 170 as there are switchbacks, etc." I'm wondering just how bad this is - can someone define "big rig"? We have a 30ft FW - pulling with F250. I don't think there is any other way to get to Lajitas so this may be a deal breaker for us! Thank you for any insight you can provide!

*** Just discovered the reference of caution was for TX 170 WEST of Lajitas to Presidio - not east towards Study Butte. But I am still curious about anyone who has travelled from Alpine to Lajitas more recently. How is the road?

We were there last week. We stayed at Study Butte, but drove to Lajitas and beyond on TX170. You will be fine towing to Lajitas; just be aware of the comments about the blind and steep hills - you will encounter both. We drove on past Lajitas to the state park; you can tow this far as well. DO NOT tow past the state park; there is bridge construction on 170 just past the state park. It’s one lane with concrete barriers on both sides, and I doubt anything 8’ wide will fit through there. I held my breath going through it in my SRW Ram. It’s more narrow than the Eye of the Needle on the Needles Hwy near Custer, SD.

 

[EasyRider2019]

We are leaving for Big Bend Feb 20th from Ohio through Missouri, OK, North Texas and then south at Wichita Falls, TX. The route has us finishing the trip on TX 118 out of Alpine and TX 170 at Study Butte into Lajitas. A previous post said, "Be Advised: Big rigs should avoid TX 170 as there are switchbacks, etc." I'm wondering just how bad this is - can someone define "big rig"? We have a 30ft FW - pulling with F250. I don't think there is any other way to get to Lajitas so this may be a deal breaker for us! Thank you for any insight you can provide!

*** Just discovered the reference of caution was for TX 170 WEST of Lajitas to Presidio - not east towards Study Butte. But I am still curious about anyone who has travelled from Alpine to Lajitas more recently. How is the road?

We traveled to Big Bend NP last May in or 44' GD Momentum 397TH. We stayed in Terlingua at Roadrunner Travelers RV Park. Nice location, albeit desolate desert mountains, with easy access to the park. The trip down on 118 was fine. We took the truck to Presidio on 170. Beautiful drive with changes in mountain terrain but I don't remember anywhere along the route that would be a problem for you.

 

[jeririgged223]

We are leaving for Big Bend Feb 20th from Ohio through Missouri, OK, North Texas and then south at Wichita Falls, TX. The route has us finishing the trip on TX 118 out of Alpine and TX 170 at Study Butte into Lajitas. A previous post said, "Be Advised: Big rigs should avoid TX 170 as there are switchbacks, etc." I'm wondering just how bad this is - can someone define "big rig"? We have a 30ft FW - pulling with F250. I don't think there is any other way to get to Lajitas so this may be a deal breaker for us! Thank you for any insight you can provide!

*** Just discovered the reference of caution was for TX 170 WEST of Lajitas to Presidio - not east towards Study Butte. But I am still curious about anyone who has travelled from Alpine to Lajitas more recently. How is the road?

I call baloney on both. We've taken our 43 foot GD 376TH pulled by my F350 on both roads, especially 118 many, many times. They are 2 lanes but nothing that we couldn't go highway speed on. Both are beautiful drives. 170 is the same way, 2 lanes and would be a little slower but is every bit doable with my F350 and GD 376TH toyhauler. We've stayed in Terlingua, The Rio Grande RV park near the Boquillas crossing and done so on several occassions. It's an annual trek for us. South Padre, the border route to Del Rio, Big Bend, Alpine, home to central Texas and the Hill Country north of Austin.

 

[Longshhm]

I call baloney on both. We've taken our 43 foot GD 376TH pulled by my F350 on both roads, especially 118 many, many times. They are 2 lanes but nothing that we couldn't go highway speed on. Both are beautiful drives. 170 is the same way, 2 lanes and would be a little slower but is every bit doable with my F350 and GD 376TH toyhauler. We've stayed in Terlingua, The Rio Grande RV park near the Boquillas crossing and done so on several occassions. It's an annual trek for us. South Padre, the border route to Del Rio, Big Bend, Alpine, home to central Texas and the Hill Country north of Austin.

. Okay. Look, champ, I was there last week. Hwy 118 is fine, no problems; never said there were. That’s the way we went in and out. If you want to use the main road through the park, through Panther Junction, it’s fine. If you want to travel TX-170 past Lajitas, as far as the Big Bend Ranch State Park, it’s fine; that part of the road is not a problem. However, if you go past the state park on 170, be forewarned that there is new bridge construction underway at the Contraband Day Use and Movie Set location. It is down to one very narrow lane, with portable traffic lights at each end of the construction zone. There’s even a sign at the state park Visitors Center warning travelers not to take RVs any farther.
I take great offense at you calling “baloney” on something that I told the OP I saw with my own eyes LAST WEEK. I’m glad you make this an annual trek; it truly is worth the trip from anywhere. And your part of the country is beautiful; we loved the Hill Country when we spent several weeks there. But if you haven’t been to Lajitas and the surrounding area in the past 2 weeks…