Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive

Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive runs down the west side of the Chisos Mountains toward the Rio Grande. It leaves the main park road at Santa Elena Junction and heads south past Sam Nail Ranch, where an old windmill still pumps water and draws birds, and the Homer Wilson Ranch overlook, above the headquarters of what was one of the region's largest ranches.

Then come the big views. Sotol Vista looks out over the whole western side of the park, with Santa Elena Canyon in the distance. The spur to the Lower Burro Mesa Pouroff leads to a dry waterfall in a hidden box canyon, and the Mule Ears Viewpoint looks across to the twin peaks of the same name. Farther on, toward the river, is Tuff Canyon, cut deep and narrow into soft volcanic ash.

It ends at Castolon, which began as a cavalry camp in the early 1900s and later became the headquarters of the La Harmonia Company. The road on past Cottonwood Campground to Santa Elena Canyon is closed for now.