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Big Bend Ranch State Park is a desert wonderland along the Rio Grande in Texas.
Introduction to Big Bend Ranch State Park
Big Bend Ranch is the largest state park in Texas. Its 311,000 acres includes the Colorado Canyon and 23 miles (37 kilometers) of frontage along the Rio Grande. The park is made up of a series of cattle ranches and sits adjacent to Big Bend National Park. The nearest towns are Presidio to the west and Lajitas and Terlingua to the east.
The park was established in 1988. It’s rich in desert flora and fauna. The plants are mostly desert vegetation, while animals include the grey fox, coyote, kangaroo rat, mule deer, desert cottontail, and more. Rare animals are the cougar, bobcat, peregrine falcon, and golden eagle, among others. There’s also a herd of feral donkeys that likely originated in Mexico or from one of the ranches in the park.
We didn’t originally plan to visit Big Bend Ranch State Park, but were impressed by the scenery as we drove through on our way to Big Bend National Park.
Visiting Big Bend Ranch State Park
Big Bend Ranch is open daily throughout the year. The entrance fee is US$5 per day for visitors age 13+ and free for kids under 13 (as of March 2025). There are 238 miles of trails and 70 miles of unmaintained dirt roads. Popular activities include hiking, backpacking, horseback riding, rafting, mountain biking, camping, and stargazing. Check the official website for more information.
Farm to Market Road 170
Our only experience at the park was driving on the main road running through it, Farm to Market Road 170 (FM 170). The road has spectacular views running through mountainous terrain, with sharp curves and steep grades. I definitely plan to return one day to fully experience what Big Bend Ranch has to offer.
