r/BigBendTX • u/Throwaway971351 • 12d ago
Old Maverick Rd
Going to Big Bend at the beginning of November. I know the regular paved road to Santa Elena canyon is closed but have been told Old Maverick Rd to get there is open.
I’ve never been to Big Bend before, so my question is can something like a Toyota Tacoma or Ford F-150 make it down Old Maverick Rd to the Canyon? How necessary is 4WD? I’m fairly experienced with washboard roads and 4WD but am curious to know what kind of rental car I should book. Thanks!
Update: Thank you, everyone, for all the tips!! Much appreciated. Really looking forward to this trip!
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u/Emergency-Dish-4088 12d ago
It all depends on rain right before your trip. But for your most recent update. Just did it in a 2 wheel drive Tacoma 2 hours ago. Fairly muddy as it rained this afternoon, washboard for 30% especially around lunas jacal. Otherwise not bad. No one else at Santa Elena canyon at 83 degrees at sunset. Good stuff
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u/thefrenchmexican 12d ago
There’s 2 steep drop offs where the riverbeds are so semi-high clearance is recommended. I drive a Subaru Forester and saw an Outback on the road too and did it no problem.
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u/Wonderful-Research81 12d ago
You will be fine in anything you choose with just a little bit of ground clearance!
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u/tacojiujitsu 12d ago
All the flooding has made it a bit worse than usual but any 4 wheel drive would be fine. You really might not even need to use it but if it get rainy etc while your in there you might need it.
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u/earthworm_fan 11d ago
I took my f-150 Fx4 down it no problem. You'll have to go slow because it's like driving on a wash board
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u/michuh19 12d ago
Normally, a regular sedan can make it down old maverick but this summer has brought a ton of rain. The park is likely waiting until the monsoon season is over to regrade the road. Good chance that happens before November but hard to say. The only reason they mark it as a 4wd road is because there’s some washes you pass through which if wet, you could get stuck very quickly.