SH 223 begins at the westbound roadway of US 67 and US 90 along a one-way street Holland Ave. on Alpine's west side.

the route proceeds along Harrison St. and intersects the eastbound roadway of US 67 and US 90 along another one-way street Ave. E one block north.

The route continues north along Harrison St. passing directly in front of the main campus of Sul Ross State University.

Beyond the university, the route passes along the base of Hancock Hill and through a residential neighborhood with off campus apartments and hillside homes.

[7] The route then passes Kokernot Lodge, a conference and recreational center belonging to SRSU that includes the Theatre of the Big Bend's outdoor amphitheater.