Big Bend National Park Old Ore Road
Historic mercury mine route to the Rio Grande
The Old Ore Road cuts a lonely path through Big Bend’s backcountry, following the historic route mercury miners used to haul cinnabar ore from the Mariscal Mine to Terlingua. This 26-mile dirt track winds through classic Chihuahuan Desert terrain—ocotillo forests, limestone ridges, and arroyos that flash flood without warning. The road passes the ruins of Mariscal Mine around mile 14, where rusted machinery and concrete foundations tell the story of a boom-and-bust operation that ran hot in the early 1900s.
This is moderate backcountry driving that demands respect—loose limestone rock, wash crossings, and zero cell service for hours. Any high-clearance vehicle can handle it in dry conditions, but summer heat is brutal and flash floods turn arroyos into death traps during monsoon season. November through March offers the best weather for this route. You’ll earn solitude, killer desert sunsets, and a glimpse of the Rio Grande at road’s end near Mariscal Canyon.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Features | Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 26 mi / 41.8 km |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 2100 ft |
| Best season | November-March |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 2WD |
| Nearest town | Terlingua, TX |
| Land manager | National Park Service |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | nps.gov |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Do I need 4WD to run Old Ore Road, or will high-clearance 2WD get it done?
High-clearance 2WD is the listed minimum and can handle it in dry conditions — a stock Tacoma or 4Runner on all-terrains is fine. After rain the clay sections get greasy and 4WD becomes necessary, so lock it in if there's any moisture in the forecast.
When is Old Ore Road passable and what happens if I go in summer?
November through March is the window — daytime temps are tolerable and monsoon season is over. Summer temps regularly exceed 110°F in the Chihuahuan Desert with zero shade on this route; it's genuinely dangerous, not just uncomfortable.
Do I need a permit to drive Old Ore Road and camp along it?
You need a Big Bend National Park entry pass ($35 per vehicle, valid 7 days) and a free backcountry camping permit from the Panther Junction Visitor Center if you're staying overnight. Permits are required even for dispersed sites along the road — don't skip it, rangers patrol this area.
What's the hardest section of the trail and what makes it technical?
The roughest stretch is in the middle where the road crosses several rocky arroyos with loose rubble and embedded limestone ledges — nothing extreme, but one wrong line can hang up a low-clearance vehicle or spike a sidewall. Go slow, pick your line, and watch for sharp rock edges on the exits.
How much water and fuel do I need to carry for this trail?
There is zero water available on the route — carry at least 1 gallon per person per day plus extra for the radiator if you're running in warmer temps. Fuel up in Terlingua or Study Butte before you start; the nearest gas after that is 70+ miles away and the park has none.
Trail track
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