Driving through the Chihuahuan Desert, splitting the Black Hills on one side and the imposing Cienega Mountains on the other, you can't help but feel you are in a remote part of the world. Casa Piedra is the warm-up where you can let your stress slip away before venturing into the wild and remote portions of Big Bend Ranch State Park, or allow your mind to unwind from the thrilling adventures you just had in the park. Take the time - enjoy the views - and venture down Casa Piedra!
The hardest part of the trail that you
cannot bypass - you have to drive it.
Optional
1 -
EASY
The hardest part of the trail that is
purely optional - you can bypass it.
Dirt and/or rocky road. Potential rocks and/or tree stumps less than 5" tall and/or vertical ledges less than 5" tall and/or near vertical ledges or waterfalls less than 6" inches. Good tire placement likely. Can be steep, but with good traction.Read More about our Rating System
Casa Piedra is a maintained county road that starts from Highway 170 and travels north into a residential area north of Big Bend Ranch State Park. Anticipate gravel, dust, and some washboard areas. Suitable for any type of street-legal vehicle.
1. Trailhead (0
mi)
From the pavement, there is a small area to pull over and air down. It is recommended to air down to travel the bumpy and washboard portions of not only this road but within the park.
2. Rio Bravo Ranch - Bend Right (1.7
mi)
Rio Bravo Ranch has a home and four campsites available to rent.
3. State Park Boundary (3.41
mi)
No signage indicates that this is the boundary, but it is. There are great views to the west and southwest of the Bofecillos Mountains and Big Bend Ranch State Park. To the south are views of the Sierra La Santa Cruz Mountains.
4. Scenic (4.6
mi)
Here are more views of the surrounding Chihuahuan Desert and into Big Bend Ranch State Park to the east.
5. Bofecillos Road - Turn Left (6.06
mi)
Turn left/west here to reach the northwest portion of the park, or turn right/east to reach the main entrance of the park and the Main Park Road.
6. Scenic (8.46
mi)
After passing Bofecillos Road, the views really start to open up, and the road becomes more scenic.
7. Scenic (9.76
mi)
There aren't many places to pull off the side of the road for photo opportunities to soak in the beauty, but the good news is, this road is not well-traveled.
8. State Park Boundary (12.79
mi)
Casa Piedra moves in and out of private property. This section is within the Park.
Black Hills Road is much more rough and adventurous than Casa Piedra. Taking Black Hills Road south will connect to Botella Road where you can then circle back north to Casa Piedra, or drive south to the Main Park Road Entrance.
10. West Casa Piedra Trailhead to Chupadero de Tomas Hernandez Trailhead (14.63
mi)
The trail will end at this intersection. We stop this road well before it ends simply for the fact any further is immaterial from the trail guides related to Big Bend Ranch State Park.
Not allowed
There is no camping along Casa Piedra Road. The nearest designated camp locations within Big Bend Ranch State Park are Lower Alamito and Vista de Bofecillos.
Starting Point
Presido, Texas
Take FM 170 east, approximately 7.8 miles from the center of Presidio. The trailhead will be on the north side of the road.
4 - stars for a county road through private land! I was expecting much less, but this road provided amazing scenery and access to other trails within the park.
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From the Community
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John-Paul Clark
Mapping Crew - Texas
I began my off-road adventures as a "Toyota guy", then later crossed the dark side when I bought a 2016 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon. I went nuts traveling the country, wheeling in numerous states and especially loved the heavy/moderate trails in Texas, Utah and especially the Rubicon Trail. I then transitioned to a 2019 Rubicon, then a 2021 Diesel Rubicon. Through those years my preferences refined to where I found I especially loved the desert in the Big Bend region, and focused my efforts documenting therein. These days I'm in a 2022 392 XR and loving every minute of it!
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