Sam Nail Ranch, Texas, United States

4.0 (78 reviews) Spent Ranking #19 in Big Bend National Park Hiking Trails

Quick shady walk

We stopped at the pullout here and took a quick walk through the Sam Nail Ranch area. We especially liked the shady sections of the trail near an old (but still running) windmill that waters the pecan trees. This was a nice diversion and a good way to stretch our legs during a day with a lot of scenic driving. We spent about 20 minutes going around the loop trail.

Address

Ross Maxwell Road, Texas, United States.

Website

http://www.nps.gov/bibe/planyourvisit/ross-maxwell-scenic-drive.htm

Current local date and time now

Tuesday, May 14, 2024, 3:47

User Ratings

4.0 based on (78 reviews)

Excellent
40%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
19%
Poor
3%
Terrible
0%

Reviews

  • 3Previa1994 5:00 PM Apr 27, 2018
    Short and easy trail with some history
    We stopped here on the last of our three days in Big Bend National Park. The sign on the road is not quite well displayed, and it is easy to drive past this stop. Also, the parallel parking next on the side of the road is limited. This is a short and easy trail but on rocky surface. Kind of hard to imagine how the Nail family could have made a go of ranching in this desert area. But they did find water as could be seen from the wind mill driven well which was still pumping water when we visited. Not much wayside information is posted along the trail. I would say this not a high priority trail to do in Big Bend, but a good trail to loosen legs.
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  • 4Annelise R 5:00 PM Jan 12, 2017
    Abandoned ranch in Big Bend
    Seeing the abandoned ranch and two trees they planted next to their (now non-existent) house in the desert, I find it hard to understand how anyone could think the Chihuahuan Desert would be a nice place to raise a family. These people must have been crazy!

See also