The road makes an ascent of 400 feet (120 m) from Hoover's Valley and then goes through Longhorn Caverns State Park before ending at US 281 south of Burnet.

The CCC constructed the first several miles in the mid-1930s to provide visitor access from US 281 to the newly renovated Longhorn Cavern State Park.

Works Progress Administration workers extended the road west of the park headquarters in the early 1940s.

Large live oak and other trees were preserved by the CCC during road work, as indicated by historic plans and sketches.

The CCC designed and installed additional plantings of native species at three locations along the roadway; the entrance portals, Longhorn Cavern, and Parking Overlook B.