Pinto Canyon Road is a scenic HIGH-CLEARANCE vehicle route from Marfa, TX to Ruidosa, TX. You can Google for pics and more info. It's darn pretty, and there's some especially scenic bits. It is definitely an adventure.
Marfa to Ruidosa will take about 2.25 hours (53 miles, but 2/3 on dirt.). Perhaps earlier if you want to return the same way. After dark, you might prefer returning to Marfa through Presidio on easy, paved roads (FM170 to 67N.)
Important practical advice (I've driven it!)
If you're doing this for the first time, I recommend the road down rather than up.
Leave with plenty of daylight (about 3 hours or more.)
Anything other than a HIGH-CLEARANCE vehicle is potentially asking for trouble. Attempting it in a low-clearance vehicle is just stupid.
AWD/4WD drive is highly recommended if coming up it. Caution is recommended for front-wheel drive even going down (sandbags in the back of your truck might be advisable.)
From the center of Marfa, take 90W. A little bit before the western edge of town, you'll see Hoover St. Make a left onto Hoover, which turns into FM2810.
The FM2810 portion of the route is paved for a good while heading southwest out of Marfa. After awhile, it will turn into a private road with a marked (open) gate. Pinto Canyon Road crosses private ranchland (but is open to public access with rules such as no hunting) and is a DIRT road. It is very steep and rocky in places, although there are not a lot of ruts. It is fairly well traveled.
In the rainy season, there may be flooding in some dips/crossings.
Know when and how to yield to traffic on this (often steep) dirt road. Some stretches are only one car width.
Once you hit the dirt section you'll average about 20 mph depending on your driving skill. You'll be on dirt for maybe 70-90 minutes.
Wave to any cars you pass. Most folk here are friendly and like knowing that you are, too. You will pass other cars, but not many.
There is no cell reception on Pinto Canyon, no gas, and no AAA. The nearest town is a long way away, and I've no idea IF they'd come get you or when. For any serious issue (beyond a flat) odds are you'd be hitching a ride and leaving your vehicle behind for a good while. So start with plenty of gas and a vehicle in good working order. Ruidosa has no services, and your next gas is Presidio (left at Ruidosa.). Ruidosa to Presidio is paved.
BONUS Local Flavor tip:
Chinati Hot Springs is 6 miles off Pinto Canyon Road a little while before Ruidosa (more slow-moving dirt road.) You can also get to CHS by going from Marfa to Presidio to Ruidosa (67S to FM170W - all paved highway - and then do only 7 miles of dirt road.) CHS requires reservations for both day and overnight use, so call ahead. You must also bring in anything you wish to eat; they have a common kitchen. High clearance also recommended for either route to CHS. read more