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0 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Other

Nice write up, but your map is incorrect. The road from Study Butte to Presidio is labeled at 117, it should be 170. I was there 12/4/2010 and have a few tips. Once away from the bigger towns of Alpine and Marfa ... gas is available in Study Butte and Presidio. Plan accordingly. There is a bank with an ATM in Study Butte. Bring cash, this area hasn't quite caught up with the digital age. Be sure to visit the Study Butte store, its a step back in time. And they have premium gas for those who need it. The Starlight Theatre in Terlingua doesn't open until 5pm. The ghost town cafe in Terlingua serves up a decent burger. Presidio is a bigger town than I expected. Plenty of services and 24 hour gas.

0 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Cruiser

Spend a night at the motorcycle-friendly Prude Guest Ranch just outside of Ft. Davis, have dinner at the Black Bear Lodge in the Ft. Davis State Park almost across the road from the ranch before going up to McDonald Observatory for a tour of the night skies using a number of telescopes on Tuesday & Saturday evenings. When touring the old fort at Ft. Davis, be sure to sit on the porch of the Commander's House during the fort-wide presentation of "Retreat". I would suggest you NOT go into Ojinaga Mexico- you might come back without a motorcycle unless you want to pay a substantial bribe to the border guards (theirs, not ours). The ride up "Panther Hill" between Terlingua (site of the World Chili Cookoff) and Presidio is a sight you'll never forget. Terlingua was at one time the largest cinnibar mine in the country (that's the ore they get mercury from). The ghost town of Shafter is worth a stop - at one time it was "The richest hole in the world", a huge silver mine going over a thousand feet deep. Visit the cemetery there where there are hundreds of miners buried, and a great historical montage. A very historical town. Overall, an unbelievably good ride that I've made many times. HINT: Take at least three times the water you think you'll need! YOU'RE IN THE VERY HOT DESERT!!!! General rule: If you're not urinating frequently, you're not drinking enough fluids. I lived there for years - believe it! Drink a lot of water.

2 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Sport - Touring

Highway 118 out of Big Bend NP was one of the single best rides this summer during a 6200 mile trip. The road has a 75 mph speed limit outside of the NP and almost no traffic. It is characterized by a mix of long, open stretches and curves that tighten down as low as 20 mph max safe as it winds around and over mesas. It was a sport-tourer's dream to dive into these curves at 75-80 mph while not violating the law. Of course, the scenery was dramatic and worth the ride alone. The only minor inconvenience was having to stop at an immigration checkpoint. Again though, with no traffic, we had the opportunity to shoot the breeze for a bit with Border Patrol before moving on. Great ride!

0 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Cruiser

This route between Presidio and Terlingua is, hands down, the most scenic route in all of Texas. It literally beats the hell out of the "twisted sisters." The route runs through the Big Bend State Park, not the National Park, which is important for two reasons: 1), it's free, whereas the national park charges $25 to get in, and 2) it's much, much, much, much better than the scenic route through the national park.

Some said route 118 is the best road in Texas. Actually, Route 118 has about 20 miles that are really very good, and the rest is flat nothin', useless long boring straight runs that aren't good for anything other than maybe finding out what your bike's top speed is. But that northmost 20 miles, boy, that's phenomenal. The southern leg is only useful in getting you to the 170 between Lajitas and Presidio. Oh, and while in Presidio, stop and take a picture with the submarine conn tower.

Seriously, I just did a whole trip through southwest Texas, including the 16 from Medina to the Three Sisters, then on through Big Bend national park and then the 170 through the state park, and hands down the 170 was the highlight of the trip. Next time I go, I'm gonna ride it through, and then turn around and ride it back, because the scenery is different depending on which way you're facing, and it's totally worth the distance to see it.

0 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Cruiser

This really is a great ride including staying in the park, camping out under the stars. Also you can ride to Van Horn and turn North to Carlsbad Caverns to make it an even greater journey

0 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

This route is great from scenery alone. The roads are pretty good too. While in the Fort Davis area be sure to visit the Mcdonald Observatory 16 miles north of Fort Daivs. A great side trip that's worth the time.

0 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

118 is the best ride I've ever been on!

126 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Cruiser

The ride was well worth it even though it takes a serious effort to get there. Some of the write ups include going on up to Candelaria and some show returning to Marfa out of Ruidosa but this is a gravel road. The best part is from Terlingua to Ojinaga. I would not waist my time going to Candelaria. The run from Alpine to Terlingua at sunrise showed the desert at its best.

79 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Cruiser

All around great run, tons of fun in Terlingua. Majestic beauty throughout ride, especially on 170, mountainous cliff parallel the river. Lots of tight blind curves steep ascends and descends. After finishing FM 170 in Presidio TX, we rewarded ourselves with an amazing Mexican Food meal at "The Bean"! . Returning to Ft Davis via Highway 67 make sure you stop off a Shafter, a really cool ghost town.

17 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Adventure Touring

If you're that close, make sure you see Santa Elena Canyon while you're in the area.

0 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Cruiser

I give this part of my trip a rating of 4,but the scenery is a 5.
I actually did this route backwards, started in Alpine went to Ft Davis then south thru Marfa to Presidio.All of those roads where in very good shape,little traffic and wonderful scenery.
The river road it seems got washed out in places awhile back.They have done a good job of patching but i found lots of loose gravel on the road and in the curves so I made sure to keep my speed down to 45/50 mph..
Had a late lunch in Terlingua which is a really cool place,then it was up 118 back to Alpine..HWY 118 is a very cool road good pavement and road one can open the throttle and blow out cobwebs
Still a most wonderful and epic trip for me and I would recommend it to anyone.
This all took place on Feb 14 2014 and the weather was great,highs in the mid 80s and lows in the 50s

0 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Cruiser

This route is gorgeous. If you start in alpine and are looking for a hotel try the Holland Hotel in downtown Alpine. You can't miss it. They have really clean nice rooms, great people that work there, you get discounts at restaurants and other places in alpine, and they have probably the cheapest rates in alpine without giving up the quality of the rooms. They also are pet friendly, which is rare out here. It's also a historic hotel, so it has a lot of history that any of the workers can tell you about. If you need a stop in Terilingua go to the Terilingua Ghosttown and there is a little restaurant called the starlight theater. On weekends they have live music or comedy or skits going on while you enjoy a nice meal. There's also a hotel next to it (although you wouldn't know it was one) that is gorgeous. Rooms are great, and priced well. Go to the convience store next to the startlight theater and talk to the people there about the rooms. And when you wake up and walk outside the first time you'll marvel at the view (it sits on top of a hill there, you can see for miles!) After that take the rest of the route through to presidio and stop at El Patio for some good mexican food. The scenery on that route is amazing. There are even places that you can pull into the river and stand on land sticking out of it, depending on the tide. It's by far the best place to go riding. But once you leave terilingua you better make sure you have a full gas tank because there isn't anything between there and presidio.b I After that take your trip to fort davis and enjoy the McDonalds observatory there. After that go where ever you want, that's where I ended my trip when I took it!

2 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Cruiser

Just a good scenic ride. Will go back.

0 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Cruiser

Just got back from a round trip ride from Dallas to Big Bend area. Incredible scenery, I'm a native Texan and never thought anyplace in Texas could be this stunning.

The ride on FM 170 from Terlingua/Lajitas to Presidio hugging the Rio Grande was the absolute highlight of the trip. This road has everything - scenic beauty, hills, curves, hills with curves, straightaways, and scenic turnoffs.

We only saw 2 other people on the road - one motorcyclist and one car coming the other direction. This is remote, so if anything breaks down - you're going to wait.

Do watch out for animals - we say javelinas and wild turkeys on the roadway. Also, there are low water crossings, so if it's been raining recently, there is probably gravel washed across the road.

Be careful and enjoy this ride, it's great!

43 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Sport - Touring

Did this ride just last week and I gave it 5 stars but I'd like to put an asterisk on that. The drive from Presidio to Lajitas along 170 is one of the prettiest, most fun roads I have ever been down anywhere. That section of road should be rated at a 7 or 8.

0 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Sport

I feel a bit odd writing this review because I didn't actually visit this area on my cycle. I came to the Big Bend to go river rafting. That river road was breathtaking however. Few people make it this far south because the Big Bend isn't really close to any major population centers. I've heard that the Big Bend National Park is one of the least visited in the nation. That's a real shame. There's a shockingly austere natural beauty here that you won't find anywhere else. You'll need a geologist to explain all the different colors on the landscape. By the way, the river rafting was well worth the trip even though the Rio Grande water level wasn't much above a trickle. Spectacular cliff walls that I'll never forget. We camped on the Mexican side overnight if you can believe that!

In my opinion, this is the most scenic motorcycling area of Texas. You should not pass up the chance to visit here if you can.

34 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Cruiser

Tex 170 between Presidio and Terlingua running along the Rio Grande is spectacular, especially starting about 25 miles outside of Presidio. Hwy 118 has a few nice spots between Terlingua and Fort Davis but it is mainly flat. BUT Hwy 118 on the other side of Fort Davis is fantastic. Then Hwy 117 is even better. From Fort Davis go 20 miles North on 118 and then turn around and make a horseshoe on Hwy 117 for about 25 miles. Both roads are awesome coming and going. Don't forget to stop at the snake farm in Fort Davis. Lots of videos on Youtube under Texas Outdoors and Motorcycle Roads.

60 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

Be sure to checkout Fandango Dom Rock on Hwy.170 between Presidio and Lajitas. It's well worth seeing this precipice featured in Kevin Costner and Jud nelson's cult classic and 1st film. Use Google maps to find it.

60 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

They are close enough that you should consider adding the Fort Davis Loop (Google it) to this route. The El Cosmico Campground and the El Paisano Hotel in Marfa, the Gage Hotel and the Marathon Motel and RV PArk in Marathon, and the Eldorado Hotel in Terlingua offer exceptional accommodations. The Fandango Dom Rock is well worth finding on Hwy 170 between Presidio and Lajitas. (see Google maps) See my website detailing my Big Bend Road trip for photos and tons of side trip ideas and weblinks (like the popular free nightly star watching parties at the Marathon Motel & RV Park). The website includes the 3 Twisted Sisters, Bandera, and Del Rio. https://ridebigbend.tumblr.com

14 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Cruiser

Big Bend is very pretty. However, the rest of the ride is meh. High elevation for Texas. It was COLD when I did it. I bet it would had been more enjoyable in the summer. Oh well. Decent ride though.

130 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

Beautiful ride along the Rio Grand. Sweeping curves and very little traffic.

10 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

Lunch at “Water Stop” in Marfa——-Food was FANTASTIC!!

188 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Cruiser

Great ride. I try to do it at least a couple times a year. If you know where to look, there is a lot to do as well.

23 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

Lots of elevation and twisties. Lots of great scenery and geologic forms. Desolate area, make sure you gas up, take water and food.

30 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

We rode this route last year. Love the twisties along the Rio from Terlingua to Presidio. Great fun with blind curves that have the bottom drop out.

61 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

Very enjoyable ride. Spent the night in Alpine at the Hampton Inn, which had a designated motorcycle shed.

100 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

The River Road in my opinion is one of the most beautiful roads in America! Following alongside the Rio Grand river there are many beautiful sights to see and its a very nice road to ride! Worth the trip to get there! Should be on your bucket list!

5 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

My wife and rode down to Terlingua, TX from Pittsburgh this past September, 5,500 miles R/T, mostly back roads and I must say, FM 170 from Terlingua to Presidio, TX ranks in my Top 3 after Rt 12 Utah and Million Dollar HWY CO. The scenery is outstanding, the road is in great shape, the rest areas are desolate yet inviting. Great breakfast in Presidio at The Bean. I'm a Diner freak and this is a good one. I'm used to smooth roads so it takes some getting used to the rough surface compound they use in TX.

47 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Cruiser

Great scenery, fun curves. be sure to make a stop in Terlingua.

39 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Sport

Rode this in April 2016 and had a blast. Road through Big Bend Natl Park and then back along the river to Presidio and then on to Candelaria. Nice roads and lots of twisties and elevation changes in the first half. Fun ride but there is nothing between Terlingua and Presidio. The road ends in Candelaria and its really not worth the ride. From Presidio either go back and ride it again to Terlingua or head north to Marfa.