Permian Basin Historical Oil Field Traverse
Industrial heritage across America's oil heartland
The Permian Basin Historical Oil Field Traverse cuts across the heart of America’s most productive oil region, following ranch roads, caliche lease roads, and historical survey lines that connect forgotten boom towns with still-active drilling operations. The route threads through the Spraberry Trend between Midland and Big Spring, passing abandoned derricks, salt water disposal sites, and ghost communities like Stanton Lake where oil fortunes were made and lost. Technical challenges come from deep sand washes near Colorado City and sudden weather changes that turn caliche roads into skating rinks.
High-clearance vehicles recommended for lease road sections, though standard pickup trucks handle most of the route in dry conditions. Avoid during and immediately after rain — West Texas caliche becomes impassable when wet. Spring and fall offer the best conditions, avoiding summer heat that can exceed 105°F and winter ice storms. This is active industrial territory requiring awareness of heavy truck traffic and pipeline markers. Fuel and water readily available in Midland, Big Spring, or Colorado City. The experience provides a raw look at American energy infrastructure and the boom-bust cycles that built modern Texas.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Easy |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Features | Historic |
| Length (miles) | 67 mi / 107.8 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 2850 ft |
| Best season | October-April |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock high-clearance vehicle |
| Nearest town | Midland, Texas |
| Land manager | Private landowners and Bureau of Land Management |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | Good |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | No |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner handle this trail without modifications?
Yes. The trail is rated easy on dirt surface with only 800 feet of elevation gain across 67 miles. A stock high-clearance truck or SUV is all you need — no lift or lockers required.
When should I avoid this trail?
May through September gets brutally hot in West Texas — triple digits are common and the flat terrain offers zero shade. Stick to October through April when temperatures are manageable and the dirt roads hold up better after rain.
Do I need permits to drive this route?
Sections cross both BLM land and private oil field property. Stay on established roads, respect posted no-trespassing signs around active well sites, and don't assume BLM access extends onto adjacent private leases — it doesn't.
What's the hardest part of this trail actually like?
There isn't a technical crux — this is a scenic drive, not a rock crawl. The challenge is navigation through a patchwork of oil field service roads that aren't always well-marked, so a downloaded offline map is more useful here than a skid plate.
How far is the nearest gas station from the trail, and should I carry extra fuel?
Midland is your primary fuel stop before heading out. At 67 miles of remote dirt road with no services along the route, carrying an extra 5-10 gallons is smart — oil field roads can add mileage fast when you're exploring spur roads to old derrick sites.
Trail track
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