Terlingua Ghost Town to Study Butte Mining District Circuit

This loop connects three of the Big Bend region’s most significant mercury mining ghost towns via the same rough tracks that hauled cinnabar ore to processing plants in the early 1900s. Starting from Terlingua’s famous cemetery, you’ll follow old FM 170 spur roads through Study Butte’s collapsed mine shafts and rusted equipment, then push deeper into the desert on unmarked ranch roads that lead to the completely abandoned settlement of Lajitas Viejo. The toughest section climbs through Christmas Mountain’s volcanic rubble, where sharp rocks and steep grades have claimed more than a few oil pans.

This is moderate but unforgiving desert driving that demands rock sliders and skid plates. Summer temperatures hit 110°F regularly, making spring and fall the only sensible seasons. Bring extra water, spare tires, and a GPS — cell service is nonexistent and the maze of mining roads can confuse even locals. What you get is authentic ghost town exploration without the tourist crowds, plus some of the most dramatic desert scenery in Texas, all within sight of Mexico’s Sierra del Carmen mountains.