Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive is a thirty mile paved road in Big Bend National Park running north to southwest from its start at Castolon / Santa Elena Junction past the Castolon Historic District to Santa Elena Canyon where it intersects with Old Maverick Road.
Ross Maxwell was the first superintendent of Big Bend National Park. He served from 1944 through 1952, at a time when there were no paved roads, no electricity, and the nearest telephone was 100 miles away. He mapped the route of the road through the west side of the national park that is named in his honor.
Sam Nail Ranch
The remnants of this historic adobe house and the windmill which still pumps are only a short walk from Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive. Sam Nail moved here in the early 1900s (probably between 1909 and 1916) and operated his ranch for nearly 40 years. It is now a popular spot for history buffs and birdwatching.
Homer Wilson Ranch
This was one of the largest ranches in the early twentieth century in the land that would become Big Bend National Park. It was also known as the Blue Creek Ranch. In 1974, it was listed on the national register of historic places.
Homer Wilson Ranch is a popular place in Big Bend National Park with both motorists and backpackers. It is located along Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive and is at the head of the Blue Creek trail for hikers.
Burro Mesa Pouroff
Burro Spring Trail
Mule Ears
The Mule Ears overlook turnoff is located around mile 15 of Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive. The parking area provides a viewpoint for the famous Mule Ears Peaks while the Mule Ears trail is a 3.8 mile roundtrip hike through the foothills of the Chisos Mountains. The area is named for the two large formations which appear as mule ears when an individual stands in front of them in an appropriate spot.
Tuff Canyon
Tuff Canyon provides a window into the past, where an eruption of dark lava flowed 34 million years ago and pyroclastic rocks from a different explosion covered the area about 29 million years ago. There is an overlook into the canyon as well as a one mile out and back hiking trail. Tuff Canyon is about twenty miles from the start of Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive. It is about three miles to Castolon from there.
The area is named for “Tuff”, which is a rock composed of hardened ash. Although the rocks of the area are technically not ash because they are bigger than .1 inches across, the name has stuck. Pumice Lapilli is probably more scientifically correct, according to one website we read.
Blue Creek (which is typically dry) carved the canyon through the soft rock. The Tuff Canyon trail starts on the south side of the pullout and heads down to the canyon floor. Once you hit the cairns marking Blue Creek, make a right. Reverse your path to exit at the conclusion of the hike.
Castolon and Cottonwood Campground
Another three miles from Tuff Canyon and about eight miles before the end of Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive lies Castolon and Cottonwood Campground. Castolon has a visitor center and a store (no gas), as well as historic buildings such as the Alvino House and the La Harmonia store. Cottonwood Campground contains 24 individual camping sites plus a group site located near the Rio Grande.
Santa Elena Canyon
At the end of Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive is a beautiful canyon with 1500 foot walls that can be enjoyed from the overlook, hiking trail or the river.