Roadside Stops along the RIO GRANDE on FM170 | BIG BEND RANCH STATE PARK | Texas

Big Bend Ranch State Park, laying at the southern border of Texas, has a little bit of something for everyone. From movie history to regular history and slot canyons to sweeping views atop canyons, you can't help but want to keep stopping to check out something new.

Big Bend Ranch State Park runs along FM170 in West Texas bordering Mexico. Views of the Rio Grande are in no shortage here.

Today we checked out some stops along the southern edge of the park.

First up was the Contrabando Movie Set where a small adobe structure sits where once stood an old western village. Time destroyed the buildings built for filming, however, one building, named "La Casita" which predates filming, remains. Once you arrive and walk up to it, it is immediately obvious why this location was selected - it is stunning!

Along the way, numerous pull-offs beg you to stop, stretch your legs and take in the views of the Rio Grande Valley. The best and most recommended stop is Big Hill. The view is just as the name implies - atop a large hill looking down and a meandering river and mountains aplenty.

We then hiked Closed Canyon 1.4-mile round trip trail through a slot canyon that divides the Colorado Mesa. Several sections of slicker, polished rock must be traversed, however, with good shoes they should provide no issues. As one continues further into the canyon, the walls get more narrow. Access to the Rio Grande is not possible from the trail.

Finally, we check out a feature known as the hoodoos. There is a short 1.1-mile trail for those wishing to see these geological features up close, as well as an overlook looking down at them. The hoodoos are rock structures standing from the ground - a harder capstone of material on top with a narrower softer material beneath that slowly becomes eroded away over time.


VIDEO FILMED: 05/20/2022

▬▬ R E L A T E D V I D E O S ▬▬
⚪ UBEHEBE CRATER Trail Hike | Death Valley National Park, California -    • UBEHEBE CRATER Trail Hike | Death Val...  
⚪ BOQUILLAS CANYON Trail Hike & Langford HOT SPRINGS | Big Bend National Park, Texas -    • BOQUILLAS CANYON Trail Hike & Langfor...  
⚪ Hiking the Little Wild Horse Canyon & Bell Canyon Loop | San Rafael Swell, Utah -    • Hiking the Little Wild Horse Canyon &...  
⚪ Hiking Lower CATHEDRAL WASH Trail to the Colorado River | Marble Canyon at Lee's Ferry, Arizona -    • Hiking Lower CATHEDRAL WASH Trail to ...  
⚪ Remnants of WEST TEXAS | GHOST TOWNS of Terlingua, Lajitas, Fort Leaton & Shafter -    • Remnants of WEST TEXAS | GHOST TOWNS ...  

▬▬ L O C A T I O N I N F O ▬▬
⚪ Big Bend Ranch State Park - https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/bi...
⚪ Directions to Big Bend Ranch State Park - https://goo.gl/maps/Hw6cSZ85YupKWgK89

▬▬ T I M E S T A M P S ▬▬
00:00 Driving Along the Rio Grande in FM170
05:39 Contrabanda Movie Set
09:11 Driving Back to the Visitor Center
11:00 Back on Track
13:27 The Coolest Picnic Area in Texas
14:12 Big Hill Overlook
18:38 Closed Canyon Trail
23:10 The Hoodoos

▬▬ L I N K S ▬▬
⚪ Gear we use - https://www.amazon.com/shop/thecactus...
⚪ See where we've been - https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mi...
⚪ Music from Epidemic Sound - https://www.epidemicsound.com/referra...

(As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.)

_____________________________________________________________

✅ Find us on Instagram, Twitter & Facebook - @cactusatlas.
✅ Check out our website - https://cactusatlas.com

Welcome to the Cactus Atlas! We are Glenn and Amy and invite you to join us as we visit all sorts of locations across the American West. We tour both natural and man-made attractions.

Our base of operations is in the Phoenix, AZ area. We do a lot of hiking and day trips as well as campground reviews and hope that we will be a great resource if you are planning a trip to the American West. We also hope to delight you with our exciting adventures!