Grapevine Hills Road

Total Miles 7.7
Technical Rating
3 Easy
Best Time Winter
Trail Type Full-Width Road
Accessible By
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Trail Overview

Grapevine Hills Road is an out-and-back route providing access to five campsites, and the famous Balanced Rock at Big Bend National Park. It starts as a mostly washboarded, wide gravel road. Contents change to a narrower trail, looser materials, chunkier rocks, and washouts as the trail progresses. At mile six you will find the Grapevine Hills trailhead, which accesses Balanced Rock. From mile six onward, high-clearance vehicles are required due to more off-camber access, and larger washouts. You will come to campsite 1 first; a single-vehicle site. Sites 2 and 3 are combined spaces suitable for larger groups. Sites 4 and 5 are past the required high clearance portion. They are near each other in a cul-de-sac style turnaround; can be single or group use. This route offers prime views of the Chihuahuan Desert, plateaus, flora, and fauna. Inclement weather can change the nature of this trail drastically. Please observe the weather while in use.

Photos of Grapevine Hills Road

Difficulty

Large washouts and ruts towards the end of the trail. Minor off-camber and rocks present.

Technical Rating

3

Status Reports

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Brandon G
May 11, 2025
Open
Well maintained gravel road for 3/4 of the road to where the trail head is for hikers; saw a hyundai elantra parked at the trail head. The last 1/4 is less maintained but could still be done with a normal clearance 2wd car. This should probably be rated as a 1/10 as it is much easier than other 3/10 trails in the park like Old Ore Road or Black Gap Road which were considerably more difficult.
Michael Keefe
Feb 17, 2025
Open
Rough dirt road, high clearance vehicle highly recommended. Did not need 4X4 and we camped at GH-4 last campsite. Not much of view as it sits lower than GH-3 but GH-3 seems to be used as turnaround for folks just out exploring. I’d hate to camp there and have vehicle dust kicked up each time someone did a turn around. Warm during day but cooler at tonight during these dates.
Cameron Coffey
Oct 13, 2024
Open
Gravel road that is more “maintained” towards the beginning. Gets rougher with more dips and larger rocks as you go back but still pretty basic. Just aired down and cruised in four high. This trail gets you to the trailhead for Balanced Rock.
Arthur M
Apr 24, 2024
Open
Mostly a dirt road, somewhat maintained. Lots of rocks and a full small ruts. Pretty easy for our high clearance 4x4 Sprinter.

Grapevine Hills Road Trail can be accessed by the following ride types:

  • High Clearance
  • Full Width

Grapevine Hills Road Map

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