Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive Part 2 - Big Bend National Park

In this post, we continue to explore the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive from Castolon to the end of the road at Santa Elena Canyon. As a reminder, Ross Maxwell was the first superintendent of Big Bend National Park, serving from 1944 through 1952. He laid out the route of the 31-mile long road that is now named in his honor to showcase the geological features on the west side of the park. We visited in September 2021.

Castolon

In May 2019, embers from a fire in Mexico jumped the Rio Grande and landed in the Castolon Historic District. Over 13 days, about 950 acres burned on both sides of the river. The historic barracks, which housed the La Harmonia Store and the Visitor Center, and the latrine building both suffered extensive damage. In the couple of years since the fire, a temporary restroom unit has been installed. The store and the visitor center now operate out of other buildings that were saved. The visitor center was still closed for the summer season during our September 2021 visit, but the passport stamp was available at the store.

Remaining walls of the barracks

Magdalena House undergoing restoration

Remains of an old irrigation pump

Cerro Castellan

The store is currently in the former officers quarters

Alvino House: the oldest intact adobe structure in the park

Rio Grande floodplain and Sierra Ponce (Santa Elena) mesa

River Access

A very short side-road leads down to a boat ramp to the Rio Grande. Paved parking is available for one handicap placarded vehicle and 17 others. The boat ramp has paved parking for three vehicles with boat trailers. Two picnic shelters and a vault toilet round out the facilities.

Boat ramp

Quite the dropoff into the Rio Grande

View upstrem

View downstream

The lush green vegetation quickly reverts to desert plants just feet from the river

Santa Elena Canyon Overlook

Another short side road leads to paved parking for fifteen vehicles. A small shelter provides some relief from the elements as one peers into the dark depths of the canyon.

Small shelter and interpretive sign

Santa Elena Canyon

A closer view

An entry fee of $30 per vehicle, $25 per motorcycle, or $15 per person is valid for seven consecutive days at Big Bend National Park. Other fee payment options include the America the Beautiful - National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands passes including the Annual Pass ($80), Senior Pass ($80 for a lifetime), Access Pass (free with a documented disability), and Military Annual Pass (free for active-duty personnel). Also available is a Big Bend National Park Annual Park Pass for $55.

The Big Bend National Park website is https://www.nps.gov/bibe/index.htm.