Trail Overview

River Road East is a route spanning the length of the southern half of Big Bend National Park from Talley Road east to Park Route 12. It is the access route for several campsites and popular points of interest such as Black Gap Road and the Mariscal Mine. It is primarily loose rock, with washboards, and dry creek crossings throughout. Ample views of the Chisos Mountains, plateaus, and desert flora such as ocotillo and creosote. A high-clearance vehicle is strongly recommended. Inclement weather and flash flooding can drastically change the nature of this trail. Please monitor weather forecasts when in use.

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Difficulty

Loose, rocky terrain with washout crossings frequent.

Technical Rating

Hans Kanns

May 11, 2026

Open

Easy, some washboard, needed 45min

Yusef Feghhi

Apr 12, 2026

Open

Hunter Albrecht

Mar 23, 2026

Open

Two sandpits. One is pretty deep and up a slight hill. I had to pull someone out of that one.

CP Texas

Mar 21, 2026

Open

Entrance from the east has a sand pit with a bypass to the left not long after you enter. Otherwise not a challenging trail. Nice and diverse scenery.

Loliz-Aileen Manriquez

Dec 17, 2025

Open

Matt M

Oct 20, 2025

Open

A mostly smooth sand/gravel rd, you'll get complacent and start going faster than you should and then hit some bumps in a wash and all you stuff with go flying. Keep your speeds down, there are several blind curves/hills and bumpy sections after smooth straight-aways. Do note that River Rd east is closed past the intersection with Glenn Springs RD - check the Big Bend National Park website for updates, the closure was an alert on the website.

Ben Huggins

Sep 07, 2024

Open

Earlier reports said it was closed, but not as of 7 Sept. A bit dusty and you could see where earlier remains had washed over the road toward the Rio Grande. But all good on this day.

Will Clem

Jul 24, 2024

Open

Brian Bownds

Dec 28, 2023

Open

Easy trail in Big Bend NP.