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The ULTIMATE West Texas Road Trip: Marfa and Big Bend

Last updated on March 11th, 2024

Ready to explore West Texas? This West Texas road trip itinerary includes where to stay, what to do, and where you must eat when in and around Marfa and Big Bend National Park! Although we lived in Texas for 16 years (Kathryn) and 28 years (Adam), neither of us ever made it to Marfa and Big Bend National Park and after going there during our Christmas Road Trip in 2018 (you can see all of the vlogs from our trip here ) we totally regret it!

We spent 3 days exploring West Texas and it completely exceeded our expectations! We enjoyed a slower pace of travel, went on hikes, saw tons of stars at night, were in awe of the mountains, and enjoyed some cool local restaurants. We’re excited to share this West Texas road trip itinerary. It is perfect if you have 3 days in Marfa and Big Bend and want to see the highlights. You could definitely spend more time in West Texas. But if you only have a long weekend or a few days to spare, we’ve gotcha covered! Want to explore more of Texas? Check out our Texas travel guides:

• A Weekend in Austin
• 2 Days in Houston
• 5 Things to do at Guadalupe Mountains National Park
• Hiking to Gorman Falls at Colorado Bend State Park
• Camping at Garner State Park
• Hiking the Lighthouse Trail at Palo Duro Canyon State Park

About Marfa

About big bend national park, when to visit west texas, getting to west texas, where to stay in west texas, west texas road trip itinerary, if you have extra time…, ready to explore west texas.

Marfa is a very small town in the middle of nowhere. It’s surrounded by a dry landscape and with a big arts scene and hip local shops. It has become more popular the last 5-10 years (or maybe it just became more known to us) with the rise of Instagram and as more celebrities, like Beyonce and Matthew McConaughey, visit the area. A couple things to note about Marfa is that things tend to move slower there. This is including the service, so be prepared to wait a bit. Also, not everything is open everyday of the week. We found that most things are open Wednesday/Thursday-weekend. But Mondays and Tuesdays can be rough, making it more of a weekend destination.

Big Bend National Park is 801,163 acres and the 15th largest US National Park. There are so many things that make this park awesome including the fact that it is on the US and Mexico Border (you can get within a stone’s throw of Mexico!) and it is home to 75 species of mammals, including bears (who knew Texas had bears?! Not us!). The landscape is unlike anywhere else in Texas and we were blown away by how beautiful it was. We only spent half a day in the park and were able to see two of the top sights, but we had to rush a bit and didn’t get to see everything, so we thought two days would be more appropriate for this guide to include the spots we went to and the spots we want to visit next time. Together, Marfa and Big Bend National Park make for one epic West Texas road trip!

America the Beautiful Pass:  If you’re a National Park enthusiast with a bucket list of parks to conquer throughout the year, consider snagging the  America the Beautiful Pass . Priced at just $80 for an annual pass, it unlocks access to over 2,000 federal recreation sites, including National Parks.

We visited Marfa and Big Bend at the end of December and it was perfect! The nights are a bit chilly. But the daytime temperatures were in the 60s and we had tons of sunshine, which made it feel warmer. We’d highly recommend visiting in fall and winter months! While spring is also another great time to visit weather-wise, it is the busiest time of the year to visit Big Bend, especially Spring Break, so the crowds may be a bit larger. But thankfully due to the park’s distance from major cities, it’s not as busy as some national parks. If you want to camp at the park during the spring, make sure to book in advance! Similar to most of Texas, West Texas can get very hot in the summer ! With highs in the 90’s (and likely in the 100s on the desert floor), it would be a bit brutal to visit Marfa and Big Bend during this time. There is less tree coverage and you’ll be fully exposed to the sun. The summertime is also when more storms and flash flooding happens. So keep that in mind if you decide to visit in the summer. It can cool things off a bit, but it could also make it more challenging to hike. As we mentioned above, Marfa tends to be closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, so we’d suggest visiting later in the week to make sure that you can get the full experience!

Marfa and Big Bend National Park are both located very close to the US and Mexico border and far from most major cities. The closest large city to either destination is El Paso , which is 194 miles (3 hours) from Marfa and 290 miles (4.5 hours) from Big Bend National Park. But don’t let the trek scare you, it’s worth the drive! If you’re not from Texas and you want to visit, then we suggest flying into El Paso , which has a handful of major airlines and nonstop flights. After landing, you will definitely need to rent a car to get around West Texas.

We stayed in Marfa, TX the entire time and drove the 2.5 hours to Big Bend and 2.5 hours back in one day, but if you plan to do two days in Big Bend like this guide suggests, we recommend staying even closer to Big Bend for part of the trip. We’re including suggestions of where to stay under each day if you want to minimize the amount of driving each day!

Curious how we get FREE flights and hotels? Check out our list of our favorite travel cards that have saved us thousands of dollars!

This 3 day itinerary for Marfa and Big Bend features all of our favorite spots from our trip to West Texas, including the top sights to see, where to eat, the best hikes, and more! If you’re looking for more ideas, then make sure to check out our “if you have extra time” section at the end of this guide!

Day 1: Marfa

• Grab breakfast at Marfa Burrito . This is a Marfa staple and Matthew McConaughey’s favorite spot. However, it’s cash only and you need to order in Spanish, so come prepared! It’s also closed on Sundays .  
• After stuffing your face with a burrito, go to Do Your Thing Coffee or The Sentinel for some caffeine !  
• Drive out to the Prada Marfa store (30 minutes from town), which isn’t a real Prada store, but a cool fake store in the middle of nowhere with actual Prada merchandise inside (although the bags have no bottoms and the shoes are all right footed to deter thieves). This is a must-visit Instagram spot in Marfa.  
• Head back to town and visit one of the art galleries in town. A few popular options are Chinati Foundation , Ballroom Marfa , and Judd Foundation . You can find the full list of options here . If you’re not super artsy and don’t want to pay to see art, then we recommend checking out the free 15 Untitled Works in Concrete at the Chinati Foundation. We just visited this and it was pretty cool!  
• Enjoy lunch at Food Shark , which is a Mediterranean food truck that also has an old school bus you can eat in! It’s only open Wednesday-Saturday and it’s cash only.  
• Spend the rest of the day walking around the shops in downtown Marfa. Some shops that we loved were: Se Vende (a 24/7 vending machine with cool stuff), The Get Go (awesome little grocery store), the Hotel Paisano stores , Cobra Rock Boot Company , Freda , Marfa Brand Soap Factory , Raba Marfa , and Ranch Candy .  
• Visit the  Marfa Courthouse   and get 360 degree views from the top!  
• For dinner , head to Convenience West BBQ (open Friday-Sunday) or Cochineal for something a little nicer.  
• If you want drinks after dinner, then we have heard awesome things about Planet Marfa , a cool outdoor beer garden (not open in the winter).  
• For a true Marfa experience , head to Marfa Lights Viewing Area at dark to try to see the Marfa Mystery Lights ! Some people swear they have seen them, others say that they don’t exist, and there is a bit of a debate of what they actually are, but regardless it’s pretty fun to try to see them. And worst case scenario, you get to see some AMAZING stars!

Where to stay: There are so many cool places to stay in Marfa! Like El Cosmico , which has tipis, trailers, and glamping tents. But if you need more space, want a kitchen, or want a hotel experience, here are a few other options for you:

• The Hotel Paisano
• Option #1 : 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom modern condo
• Option #2 : 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom Adobe house
• Option # 3 : 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom house

Day 2: Big Bend National Park

• Head to Big Bend National Park  bright and early! It’s a 2.5 hour drive to your first stop and you’ll want to beat the crowds!  
• Hike the  Lost Mine Trail , which is a 4.8 mile RT, 1,100 ft elevation gain hike with AMAZING views! We couldn’t believe we were in Texas!  
• After the Lost Mine Trail, head over to  The Window Trail , which is a 5.6 mile RT, ~1,000 ft elevation gain hike. Make sure to  pack a lunch  to enjoy on the hike!   We didn’t get the chance to do this hike, but it’s top of the list for next time! If you’re not up for a long second hike, then you can do  The Window View Trail , which is only 0.3 miles RT.  
• For  dinner , head to Terlingua and eat at  Starlight Theatre , which is a restaurant in an old theater and has live music!

Where to stay: There are a few options for lodging in this area. If you’d like to camp , then you can camp at the Chisos Basin Campground . If you prefer a hotel , you can stay at the Chisos Mountain Lodge or La Posada Milagro (in Terlingua), but our top pick would be renting an VRBO in Terlingua, a small town about 1 hour from the park. Some good VRBO options are:

• VRBO Option #1 : A 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom unit
• VRBO Option #2 : 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom house
• VRBO Option #3 : A 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom cabin
• VRBO Option #4 : A 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom house

Day 3: Big Bend National Park

• Start the day with coffee and breakfast burritos at Espresso….Y Poco Mas .  
• Drive down the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive and stop at different viewpoints along the way!  
• The Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive leads you to your next stop: Santa Elena Canyon ! This is a 1.7 mile hike that takes you to an awesome canyon with the Rio Grande River running through it. But the coolest part is that on one side of the river is Mexico and on the other is the US! You have to cross a river to get to the trail and it can be deep depending on recent rain.  
• Grab a late lunch at DB’s Rustic Iron BBQ in Terlingua! This is a great BBQ stand (closed Mondays and Sundays) and the owner is awesome!  
• Drive back home or to wherever your adventures take you next!

• Buns and Roses (Marfa)
• Cowdog (Alpine)
• Tri La Bite (Alpine)
• Taqueria el Milagro (Terlingua)
• Cedar Coffee Supply (Alpine)
• V6 Coffee Bar (Marathon)
• McDonald Observatory –If you’re in town on a Tuesday, Friday, or Saturday and want to see the stars, head to the McDonald Observatory for their Star Parties. We unfortunately couldn’t go due to the timing of our trip, but it looks amazing!  Make sure to get tickets in advance, as they sell out often. They are also open during the daytime everyday for other activities.
• Hot Springs (Big Bend)–We wish we had time to do this, but it was a bit far from everything else.
• South Rim Trail (Big Bend)–It says that this is 17+ miles and over a 3,600 ft elevation gain, so plan to spend most of the day here!
• Emory Peak Trail (Big Bend)–This 10.5 mile RT hike takes you to the highest point in Big Bend NP!
• Go canoeing or ATVing with Far Flung Outdoor Center

Pin this West Texas road trip guide to help plan your trip to Marfa and Big Bend!

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5 thoughts on “ the ultimate west texas road trip: marfa and big bend ”.

Great guide! I am so happy I got to experience West Texas with y’all! The VBRO we stayed in in Marfa was awesome…spacious and clean! Big Bend was unbelievable and Marfa was adorable!

The VRBO was awesome! The perfect place for Kona to run around too! 🙂 So glad we got to experience it all with you!

Oops…”VRBO” ?

I’d love to see the itinerary for your one-day trip from Marfa to Big Bend. With the little amount of time we’ll have in the area, we’ll probably have to do that too…

Hi Colin! We did Lost Mine, Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive, Santa Elena Canyon, and DB’s Rustic Iron BBQ all in one day!

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Big Bend to Marfa Roadtrip: The Ultimate West Texas Itinerary

August 1, 2023.

Visiting Big Bend National Park and the town of Marfa should be on everyone’s Texas bucket list. This area of west Texas has beautiful nature, quirky art installations and an expansive desert to explore.

The Big Bend region has so much to offer, including floating on the Rio Grande River, hiking in the mountains and camping in the desert. While it is a long drive from Dallas and pretty much all major cities (El Paso is the closest), you will not regret this unique trip.

This article covers a four day itinerary that includes Big Bend and Marfa. If you have more time, consider adding Guadalupe Mountain National Park , White Sands National Park and more spots for an epic two week road trip .

Please make it a priority to Leave No Trace when exploring the outdoors. This includes leaving nothing behind, respecting wildlife, minimizing campfire impacts, respecting those around you, planning ahead and traveling on durable surfaces. For more details, read about the seven principles at lnt.org .

Table of Contents

How to get to big bend national park, when to visit big bend national park, how many days do you need to see big bend, day one - terlingua, ghost town terlingua, tin valley retro rentals, basecamp terlingua, more things to do in big bend, explore big bend ranch state park, drive to marfa and check into el cosmico, visit prada marfa, more things to do in marfa, breakfast in marfa, explore monahans sandhills state park, final thoughts.

Big Bend National Park is one of the most remote National Parks in the United States, which is part of what makes it so special. This means you’ll need to be prepared to do a lot of driving.

I did this road trip from Dallas, which is a 8 hour drive from Big Bend National Park. If you are flying, the closest major city to fly into is El Paso, which is a 4 and a half hour drive. San Antonio could be an option as well, with a 5 and a half hour drive. If you can find an affordable flight to the smaller Midland Airport, it is about a three hour drive to Big Bend National Park.

This region of Texas is blistering hot in the summertime, often reaching over 100 degrees on the desert floor. Despite the heat, my visit in June was tolerable. But if you visit during the summer, make sure to do most of your hiking in the morning. It is recommended to be off the trails by 10AM and the heat is no joke. However, the summer is a great time if you're interested in floating the Rio Grande River!

The spring or fall is the best time of year to visit, with mild and pleasant temperatures. The best months to visit Big Bend are March, April, October and November.

Winters in Big Bend are mostly mild, but temperatures can reach below freezing at night.

Big Bend is a huge park and it takes a long time to get around. Ideally, you would spend at least 3 days to see the main areas of the park. However, this itinerary is based on having very little time in the area, so it only includes one full day in the park. If you're able to spend longer, you should!

Road Trip Route for Marfa and Big Bend (4 Day Itinerary)

After a long drive from wherever you're coming from, begin your trip in Terlingua! This small town is right outside of Big Bend and and offers several hotels, restaurants and tour options.

Don't miss the Terlingua ghost town during your visit!

The Terlingua ghost town is made up of ruins from former mining companies. There is a cemetery, ruins and mining tunnels intermixed with housing, restaurants and shops, making it a bit confusing to distinguish between what is a ghost town and what is a living town.

In the 1800s, cinnabar, a red-mercury sulfide, was found in the area and attracted four mining companies. However, at the beginning of WWII, one of the companies filed for bankruptcy and mining production began to cease, leaving the ghost town ruins you can see today. During the 1960s, people returned as Terlingua was put back on the map by holding the world’s first chili cook off in 1967. The latest estimate of the population of Terlingua is 82.

I thought there would be a bit more of the “Ghost Town” to explore, but it all sort of melds together with businesses and homes. My favorite part was exploring the old Terlingua Cemetery.

Where to Stay Near Big Bend

The town of Terlingua is known for glamping and there are some really unique accomodation options! I stayed at two very different properties that were both memorable.

We stayed at Tin Valley Retro Rentals for our first night of the trip and I cannot recommend this place highly enough. Tin Valley Retro Rentals is a property with several Airbnb listings ranging from airstreams and buses to campgrounds. We stayed inside of the world’s only Spinning Cuddle Bug, which is basically like a campground but instead of sleeping in a tent, you sleep in a converted Volkswagen Beetle. That spins. It sleeps two people and includes a mattress pad to sleep on.

The property includes a port-a-potty and an outdoor shower, but you also have access to an indoor shower and pool at a hotel that is 4 miles away. We absolutely loved staying here and were really impressed with the attention to detail from the hosts. The property also is home to cats, a burro, chicks and pigs. While here, make dinner under the stars and admire the stunning mountain, desert and spectacular night sky views.

Sleeping in a spinning cuddle bug and seeing the most expansive night skies of my life was an experience I’ll never forget.

For the second night of the trip, we stayed inside of a clear bubble at Basecamp Terlingua . This was incredibly special and unique. After seeing this on instagram, we booked it 11 months in advance in order to get a Saturday.

This area of the country is already known for incredible night sky views since it is so far away from any major city, so sleeping in an air conditioned clear dome with the ability to gaze upon the stars is the perfect way to experience it.

Basecamp Terlingua has three bubbles and is in the process of building more. They also have other lodging options, including lotus tents. For the sake of honestly, I will say that we did not feel like the bubble was quite as luxurious as advertised. While it was still really cool to sleep inside, a few things like the wobbly toilet and rocky road weren't exactly what we expected from the price tag.

We had high expectations after waiting so long, and just felt like Tin Valley Retro Rentals had a much higher attention to detail and care put into it. These are just my honest thoughts if you are considering coming here, but I still recommend it for the novelty and experience.

Day Two - Big Bend National Park

How to spend one day in big bend national park.

Wake up as early as you can to make your way to Big Bend National Park . It’s important to note that in the summer, the heat can be very intense and the park rangers recommend that you are off of the trails by 10am. While we certainly weren’t off the trail that early, we made sure to do the longest hike first to beat some of the heat.

For a medium difficulty day hike, I recommend starting in the mountains, at either the Lost Mine Trail (4.2 miles) or the Window Trail (5.2 miles). We did the Lost Pine Trail and it had stunning mountain views intermixed with beautiful desert plants. Be sure to get there early not only because of the heat but because parking is limited at the Lost Mine trail.

I honestly thought the Lost Mine Trail was a perfect hike - the trail was well marked, it had a lot of elevation but wasn’t too bad, and it rewarded you at the top with incredible views. I couldn’t stop taking photos as the entire hike had incredible landscapes to behold.

After hiking the mountains in the morning, buy lunch or eat your packed lunch at the nearby Chisos Basin visitor center or Chisos Mountain Lodge.

In the afternoon, drive to either the Boquillas Canyon trail or the Hot Springs Historic Area . The Hot Springs Historic Area has hot springs that you can soak in, and nearby you can also cross the border into Mexico and visit the town of Boquillas del Carmen.

Unfortunately, both of these things were closed when we were there (Covid-19), so we did the Boquillas Canyon Trail (1.4 miles) and stopped at the Boquillas Canyon Overlook for a great view of Mexico. The Boquillas Canyon trail was a nice, easy hike but because it was such a long drive, I would recommend Santa Elena Canyon instead if you are short on time.

On the Boquillas Canyon Trail and any of the trails near the river, there are items for sale (that you pay for by honor system) by Mexican families. The park service asks you not to buy them, but I felt like it was a good way to support families across the border.

The Santa Elena Canyon is an epic canyon that lines both the Mexico and United States sides of the Rio Grande River. Take the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive to get there for many beautiful viewpoints along the way. Santa Elena Canyon (1.7 miles round trip) is one of the most popular hikes in the park, but it is important to note that you have to cross a river to get inside of the canyon.

The river was slippery and past knee deep, so we opted to skip it so we could go back to Terlingua and check into the bubble. However, if you have time, definitely do this hike because it leads you into a stunning canyon that towers up to 1,500 feet on both sides of the Rio Grande River.

If you have more time in Terlingua and Big Bend, I highly recommend doing a float trip on the Rio Grande river. There are a few companies that run the rafting trips (check out Big Bend River Tours ) and options range from multi-day trips, full days and half days. Depending on the trip, you can float through some beautiful canyons and enjoy the cool water while basking in the hot sun.

Anyone can float/swim/boat in the river as long as they file a permit with the parks office

Day Three - Big Bend Ranch

On your way from Terlingua to Marfa, I highly recommend visiting Big Bend Ranch State Park . This park was not part of our original plan but it was highly recommended by our host at Tin Valley Retro Rentals and we were not disappointed. It has an incredible scenic drive next to the Rio Grande River with several viewpoints to pull off the road. Also, this incredible park was practically empty. I think it gets overshadowed by the National Park but it was definitely worth going to if you have time.

The Closed Canyon Trail is a must-do in the state park; it is a 1.4 mile round trip hike that goes into a slot canyon. We had the canyon practically to ourselves, which made it extra special. The canyon gets more narrow as you go deeper, eventually leading to large drops that you have to scale to get past. You are supposed to turn around once it becomes impassable.

Another quick hike is the Hoodoo Trail , which has a cool balanced rock and takes you right up to the Rio Grande River. Find a picnic spot for lunch and enjoy the peaceful views of Mexico.

The State Park felt so much more remote than the National Park, so be sure to plan ahead and pack your own food and water. Also be prepared for bathrooms to not be readily available.

After the state park, continue west until you arrive in Presidio, where you’ll go north on US-67 towards Marfa.

The city of Marfa is an hour and a half drive from Big Bend National Park and I highly recommend visiting during your trip to Big Bend.

Marfa is both mysterious and magical, known for its minimalist modern art and unexplained lights that can be seen in the distance. It has art galleries, boutiques and a few trendy places to stay; including El Cosmico for a “glamping” experience with clothing-optional dutch tubs or Hotel Saint George for luxury rooms and a beautiful pool.

For a population of less than 2,000, Marfa has a whole lot to offer and is definitely worth spending at least one night in while in the region.

In Marfa, we stayed at El Cosmico , another trendy feeling destination with several unique options to sleep in, including tents and trailers of varying sizes.

We booked a large trailer and had a great experience. It had a large amount of space, a comfy bed and included a nice kitchen space with dishes, a chemex, robes to wear and basically everything you need. The only thing that wasn’t ideal was the outdoor shower, where I had a hard time getting hot water, but they are upfront about the shower while booking. The property also has a bar area and dutch tubs that are clothing optional if that's your thing!

When it comes to what to do in Marfa, the Prada Marfa is arguably the most famous attraction!

Prada Marfa is an artistic installation of a Prada store in the middle of nowhere. It was built in 2005 by artists Elmgreen and Dragset from an adobe-like material, meant to gradually melt into its surroundings. The store is lightly stocked with Prada shoes and purses. Visitor’s locks adorne the fence surrounding the building like a bridge.

I had seen photos of this installation for years so it was exciting to see in person. It is about a 40 minute drive west of Marfa and you definitely can’t leave the area without seeing this unique destination.

This is what Marfa is most known for but there were still very few people there. There was plenty of time to get whatever photos we wanted and marvel at this installation in the middle of the desert.

See the Mysterious Marfa Lights

The Marfa Lights are mysterious lights that shift and move off in the distance, and some travel to Marfa just to catch a glimpse of these unique lights. There is a dedicated viewing area for seeing the lights where people hang out for hours, eat snacks and enjoy the stars and the lights. It was a nice experience and we definitely saw the lights.

To us, they seemed to pretty clearly be coming from headlights on US-67, likely warped by the heat or something. This is worth checking out if you’re in the area, especially during a pandemic when bars are closed.

While I don’t think these lights were caused by aliens, it was fun to relax in the night air, gaze at the stars and enjoy a twizzler and a beer.

If you have more time in Marfa, I highly recommend checking out the Chianti Foundation , a modern art museum founded by Donald Judd with an expansive outdoor area. Also check out The Wrong Store , an art gallery and shop that made the Architectural Digest list of the most beautiful independent stores in America. Finally, a unique place to eat is at Food Shark , a Mediterranean food truck that has seating inside of an old rustic school bus.

Day Four - Marfa and Monahans Sandhills

For breakfast in Marfa, Marfa Burrito is a great choice! They serve gigantic breakfast burritos and everything is homemade. The menu is simple with options like egg & chorizo, bean & cheese or egg & cheese. This hole-in-the-wall local restaurant is a gem right across the street from El Cosmico.

For smoothies, coffee and tea, visit Frama Coffee . They have a large menu with items like hot cocoa, detox juice, dirty chai and more. Frama is connected to a laundromat and has a colorful 'Greetings from Marfa' mural outside, making it a quirky and fun stop.

If you are making the drive from Dallas, I definitely recommend the Monahans Sandhills State Park for a quick stop on the way home. The Sandhills are two hours from Marfa and five and a half hours from Dallas. The park is small but incredibly surprising for being in the middle of Texas and nowhere near a large body of water.

You can spend hours climbing the different sandhills made of perfectly white sand, or rent a sled to slide down the hills. It is a great place to eat a packed lunch, explore and take some fun photos.

The Monahans Sandhills State Park is one of those parks that isn’t worth driving out of your way too, but is an amazing stop if you’re just driving by. We probably only spent about an hour here but still really enjoyed exploring the sand.

If you have more time to road trip around West Texas, combine your trip with a visiting to the Guadalupe Mountains , White Sands National Park and more for an epic two week road trip.

This West Texas road trip may be quick, but it's an action-packed way to enjoy this unique and remote part of the country. I hope this gives you ideas for planning an epic trip to Big Bend and Marfa.

For More Texas Outdoor Travel guides, check out these blogs:

• 12 Day West Texas and New Mexico Itinerary
• The Perfect Amarillo Itinerary
• The Best Hiking in Texas Hill Country
• A Guide to Visiting Enchanted Rock State Park
• A Guide to Caprock Canyons State Park
• The Best Hiking near Dallas, TX

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West Texas Road Trip: Marfa and Big Bend National Park

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The quirky town of Marfa in far west Texas is the perfect detour for travelers looking to connect a Big Bend National Park excursion with other western points of interest, such as Guadalupe Mountains National Park , a New Mexico road trip , or a visit to Las Cruces and White Sands . Whether you decide to stop in Marfa overnight or simply treat it as a brief roadside attraction, it’s worth working into a West Texas road trip itinerary.

Gateways to Big Bend: Marfa, Alpine, or Marathon?

Marfa is one of three gateway towns to Big Bend National Park, the other two being Alpine and Marathon. Marfa is by far the artsiest of the three, and the most prioritized by road trippers.

Depending on your route to Big Bend, you will have to pass through at least one of these towns, and they are your last chance to stock up on supplies and gas before a 1-2 hour drive to the park.

Marfa, Texas is 1 hour 50 minutes from Terlingua or 2 hours from Panther Junction Visitor Center. If your goal is to visit Big Bend Ranch State Park (as opposed to the National Park) via the west entrance from Presidio, that’s a one hour drive from Marfa. Marfa would be the closest of the three towns to the State Park .

In November 2022 I spent the entire month based in Marathon, Texas so that I could work remotely from my truck camper. It was more affordable to car camp there than in Marfa (considering I needed to camp somewhere that also had good enough cell signal to work from) and Marathon is closest to Panther Junction at just a 1 hour drive. On my days off, I’d head into the national park and hike my little heart out. You could arrange something similar by basing yourself in Marfa, although it’s a longer drive. I wrote a Digital Nomad Guide to Big Bend if you’re interested in working remotely from West Texas; this guide also expounds on the town of Marathon. If your trip is part of a larger excursion to Big Bend National Park, check out my list of the Best Day Hikes in Big Bend .

Alpine, Texas is a college town and the largest of the three Big Bend gateway towns. Holland Avenue is busy with folks popping into shops and restaurants; when I was there, they were having an Art Walk event with street vendors and food trucks. This town didn’t give me the same outlaw vibe that Marathon and Marfa have, but it’s still charming. If you are prioritizing visiting Terlingua, of the three gateway towns Alpine would be the closest to Terlingua at 1 hour and 20 minutes.

Marfa, Texas

I first heard about Marfa growing up because of the mysterious Marfa Lights , which glow in the desert distance if you’re parked and watching at the right time. Later I heard about the Prada art installation , a sculptural piece by artists Elmgreen and Dragset curiously situated all alone in the middle of a long stretch of desert highway, now a popular Instagram destination. In more recent years Marfa came into my purview again because of the quirky accommodations at El Cosmico , where I would stay for one night on this particular trip to Big Bend. On the way to El Cosmico coming down US-90 from Van Horn, Prada Marfa greets you first.

Prada Marfa Art Installation

What’s your theory on the message behind the Prada Marfa installation? I imagine it has something to do with consumerism; the juxtaposition of the brand name sat in the middle of wide open space really highlights the ridiculousness of frivolous products in harsher environments. If it was a real store, even though it’s one of the biggest luxury brand names in the world, do you think it would be successful here?

El Cosmico is many things: a tent campsite, a yurt/teepee/safari tent/vintage trailer rental ground, a yoga studio, a gift shop, and a music venue. When I was working for a talent booking agency, we often booked bands to play there as a one-off or for their annual Trans Pecos Festival (the bands got to stay in the yurts). A one night stop here was fun for me, but it would be expensive to stay for any extended amount of time and it isn’t one of my recommended “digital nomad spots” for working remotely.

It is a long, straight drive towards the town of Marfa itself, and when the sun sets the scenery seems to change even less (this is where my desert driving playlist comes in handy). Finally you’ll pull in to El Cosmico, where the vibes do not disappoint. It was exactly the laid back eclectic accommodation I imagined it to be. Funky lights guided me through the dark campsite as I set up my tent. As I slept I heard the distant sound of trains passing, and in the morning dogs barking happily served as roosters. Surprisingly it had been so cold overnight that my eye contacts froze in their case – don’t think Texas can’t get chilly in the winter, especially out west! I ice-picked them out, mountaineer-style. With the sun shining I had a chance to explore and appreciate the colorful yurts, trailers, and hammocks dotting the property. It is also worth going inside to check out the wares, which include books on UFOs and the Wild West, plus cool vintage-style clothing and decorative household items.

To be honest there was not a lot to do at El Cosmico when I was there; there were not many other campers and there was not an event going on at the time. Recently someone asked me if I thought the new increased weekend price of $50/night to car camp was worth it, and I’d have to say no. It’s fun to look around the property and shop in the store, but there’s no reason to pay $50 for a tent site when I’m so used to finding free or cheap campsites via The Dyrt . The weekday price is $30, which is more reasonable.

Marfa City Center

Continue down the road to the Marfa town center where visitors can walk around the main square with its cute pink fire station. I stopped at another venue we used to book shows at called the Lost Horse , and it turns out there is an art installation there too. A bullet-ridden getaway car designed by Bob Wade represents “The Bonnie & Clyde Mobile”. It was meant to be, as I was heading to the Bonnie & Clyde Ambush Site and Museum in a few days time (and I’d already seen the actual death car they were driving during the ambush, which is currently on display at a casino in Primm, Nevada).

Anthony Bourdain visited Marfa on an episode of Parts Unknown called Far West Texas; it’s worth a watch! He sits down with the owner of the Lost Horse Saloon, a grizzled cowboy in an eye patch named Ty Mitchell . He’s also featured in the National Geographic docuseries about Terlingua called Badlands, Texas . *2023 Update: I just saw Ty Mitchell in Killers of the Flower Moon ! Perfect casting. I also learned the Lost Horse Saloon is not currently open , but hopefully you can still see the bullet car out front.

Marfa Ghost Lights

As I left town I pulled over by a rest stop that’s marked as a “Marfa Lights Viewing Area”. It’s nice to know this exists; the prior night I had considered venturing back out after I set up my tent so I could search out a good spot to wait for the lights, but I was told it’s very rare to have good enough timing to actually see them, and I was also confused about where the best viewing spot would be. For anyone thinking about going to see the mystery lights, check out the Marfa Lights Viewing Area about nine miles east of town on US-90 between Marfa and Alpine.

Big Bend National Park

The drive from Marfa to Big Bend National Park is about a two hour stretch through open land that has poor cell reception, so it’s smart to stock up on gas or any last minute items you might need in Alpine, Texas before continuing on. As you reach Big Bend you first pass through Study Butte, which has more services and an unconventional atmosphere.

Study Butte and Terlingua are practically one in the same, but technically you will not drive through Terlingua Ghost Town if you continue straight into the park. I’d highly recommend taking a detour to check out Terlingua at some point during your stay in Big Bend. I wrote more extensively about this outlaw town in my Digital Nomad Guide to Big Bend National Park.

Digital Nomad Guide to Working from Big Bend National Park

Best moderate difficulty day hikes in big bend national park.

On this particular trip (I’ve now been to Big Bend a few times), I arrived during a government shutdown. No campgrounds were open and services and rangers were not available. I would return to Study Butte that night to park at a tent and RV campsite there instead, but not before spending the whole day driving far and wide throughout the playground that is Big Bend National Park. Simply road-tripping through the majestic scenery scratched the itch this time, and inspired me to plan the more extensive Big Bend hiking extravaganza I would embark on a few years later.

What’s your favorite of the three gateway towns to Big Bend National Park between Marfa, Alpine, and Marathon? I like them all for completely different reasons, though none of them top Terlingua. As its been a few years since I visited Marfa, I’d love your take on what the vibe is like there these days. Is it becoming too pretentious, too full of transplants? Or does it still retain a bit of a “weirdo” faction?

Spend Halloween on the Most Haunted Road in Southeast Texas

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21 Comments

I completely get why this trip was in your wish list! There’s so much to see in the States nature-wise, but we always hear about the same 3-4 national parks. It’s cool to learn about a new one for a change! I’m so glad you got to go!

That’s awesome, I never thought about that before, how people from other countries are probably not as familiar with some of the other parks besides Grand Canyon and Yosemite or whatever. So glad I got to show ya something different!

This looks so fun and quirky – I love the skeletons on bikes lol. I don’t know why but I didn’t expect there to be bears that far south!

I was kind of surprised too! I knew about the mountain lions in Texas, but was bummed the bears ended up being a bigger concern that I thought

I’m not sure why, but Texas has always been a place that intrigued me, but as of now, I’ve only managed to make it to DFW on the way to Latin America. Your article has made it even more enticing :o)

Hooray! Yeah TX has a ton of character for sure. Lots of people just think about the cowboy stereotypes, but there’s so much quirk. Maybe living in wide open space gives people a lot of room to think and be creative

This looks like the perfect US road trip! Love the look of the park!

Thanks! Big Bend is like a weird combo between desert and forest, an interesting park for sure

I’ve never been to Texas (except airports), but I love road trips and this one looks amazing! Pinning it to use when we make it out there (hopefully one day soon!).

Yay awesome! If you’re a big road trip fan then I think you’ll find a lot to enjoy in Texas! It’s definitely like a small country, there’s so many towns I haven’t been to yet even though I lived there for 18 years

Lovely photos! Would love to visit Texas, I’ve only been to California, Nevada and Arizona so far – there’s so much to see in the USA!

You can live here your whole life and never see it all! Those three are some of the coolest States though, imo

Texas road trip is one of my favorites! I thoroughly enjoyed reading your post.

This is one of the things I love most about Texas, our quirky small towns. Marfa is definitely different (and being from Texas I’m allowed to say that). Big Bend is a beautiful area though and definitely worth a visit!

Agreed, I’ve surprised myself over the years by actually missing it. I think I could live there again, not in the same town I grew up in but maybe somewhere West or Central

I’ve had Big Bend on my radar for awhile so I’m glad to hear you enjoyed your visit! I would have definitely been worried about the bears and mountain lions too! And the prada exhibit is so random but interesting…love different finds like this on road trips!

I kept asking locals "it’s too late in the year to see bears, right? They’re all hibernating?" looking for some reassurance, but they were all like "oh no, I totally see bears all the time still, go on This Hike or That Hike and you’ll definitely see one", so I was like NOPE. Lol. I hate when paranoia gets in me and I can’t shake it. Apparently there’s now a similar Target store one in Marathon, TX too. Noone knows who did it.

Can’t wait to read about part 2! it seems like you did visit quite a lot during this trip. It is unfortunate though that you ended up not being able to visit all you wanted to, next time hopefully the government will be working when you visit !

Yeah, made me grateful to the parks that stayed open during that time, like Grand Canyon National Park. Really cool for the vendors to pull together to keep it going despite the government not being able to do so themselves.

I did a Deep South road trip this summer. Unfortunately we weren’t able to drive to Texas because the limited time we had, but when reading your blog I regret it so much. I just love drives through stunning landscapes. Also the El Cosmico looks like an incredible place to stay!

It’s hard to cover the full South in one trip; on this one I didn’t get to hit up New Orleans or Memphis or some of the other places I would like to with unlimited time. But thankfully yes, there’s so many strange places in the South, no matter what section you do you’ll come across something interesting! Hope you make it to TX next time!

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Lita of the Pack

US National Parks, Van Life & Travel Tips!

in Road Trips · January 22, 2021

The BEST West Texas Road Trip to Big Bend & Marfa

H ave you ever wanted to get out on the open road and explore beautiful destinations? A West Texas road trip allows you to see remarkable scenery in isolated places! You’ll often feel as if you’re alone while you roam through the towns and walk along the stunning trails!

I have been on countless road trips and I currently live in a van where we travel around the US. This is seriously one of the best trips I have ever been on! You will definitely want to put Big Bend National Park and Marfa on your bucket list ! Read below to find out everything you need to know about taking a road trip through West Texas.

Table of Contents

West Texas Road Trip Details

Best time to go.

The best times to go to West Texas are in the spring and the fall . Then, the weather is mild and the trails are beautiful. If you go in the summer, the heat can be insufferable with temperatures over 100 degrees. On the other hand, you can go in the winter, you just need to layer up and prepare for some snow. We just went in January and the days were very pleasant, but during the nights we had to wear hats and jackets.

3 Day Road Trip Itinerary

If you only have one long weekend to explore, then you should definitely use this itinerary! We did the exact same thing and it is still one of my favorite road trips, after driving thousands of miles around the country. If you leave from Austin, then the drive is 6 1/2 hours. Note that gas stations can be far apart, so make sure to fuel up before you go!

Day 1: Big Bend National Park

First, start your journey exploring Big Bend National Park. This park is known for it’s beautiful natural landscape and its cultural history. The park has varying landscapes that will blow you away.  I have been to over half of the National Parks and this one is in my top five!

You can read a more in depth itinerary to visiting Big Bend here , but here are some things you shouldn’t miss on your trip:

• Boquillas Canyon
• Lost Mine Trail
• Santa Elena Canyon
• Windows Section
• Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive
• Boquillas Hot Springs

Day 2: Big Bend and Terlingua

Today, spend the morning doing a sunrise hike in Big Bend National Park and seeing any of the sights you missed. We chose to do the Santa Elena Canyon , which was so beautiful. If you’d prefer to spend more time in the park, you can go on a longer hike like the South Rim .

After you see the last few sights, you can head to Terlingua Ghost Town. There, you can explore the remnants of the mining town that used to exist.  It’s always eerie to explore ghost towns, but I personally think they’re incredibly unique and fun to explore!

Day 3: Marfa

Spend your last day exploring the adorable town of Marfa. It’s one of the funkiest towns I have ever been in my life. This town is well known for the art installations and art collections around town. It’s one of those small towns that is worth going out of the way f or!

Things to see in Marfa:

• Prada Marfa
• Fort Davis Observatory
• Judd Foundation
• Chinati Foundation  

Where to Stay Near Big Bend

There are many adorable places to stay in West Texas and you can find plenty of unique airbnbs and hotels! Along our drive we saw teepees, small tiny cabins, and glamping tents. If you want to be close to Big Bend, but be in a town then you should stay in Marathon, Alpine, Terlingua, and Marfa. 

Marathon, Texas provides easy access to Big Bend National Park, because the park is only a 40 minute drive from there. But the town is pretty small, with few options for food or stays. We stayed in La Loma del Chivo , which I highly recommend. It had tons of character, the hosts were amazing, and the roof has seats to stargaze. 

Similar to Marathon, Terlingua is a small town outside of Big Bend. It’s known for being a ghost town, because back in the day there were many miners. After World War II, they started to lose money and so they left the town. You can still see those homes today. Terlingua has plenty of unique stays to choose from including bubbles and small tipis. 

This is yet another small town located in West Texas. Stay here if you want to stop in cute shops, drink local drinks, and go on short hikes nearby. It’s right near Marfa, but it will take you 2 hours to get to Big Bend from here. 

Marfa has a great arts scene and is well known for many of its art installations. When you go, you can stop into small shops, art galleries, view the stars, and explore the outdoor sculpture gardens. El Cosmico is the place to stay in Marfa. It’s a unique hotel with funky options like painted trailers, yurts, tipis, and campgrounds.  

Where to Eat

There are very few places to choose from on this trip, but every single time we went out to eat we were impressed! We had delicious barbecue, great coffee, and delectable burritos. So, read below to find the best places in the towns.

• V6 Coffee Bar – A great stop for unique coffee drinks and breakfast foods. 
• Brick Vault Barbecue – We ordered here for takeout and they had amazing food. I highly recommend the Mac and Cheese and the Turkey.
• Espresso y Poco Mas – Another great stop for coffee! When we went, we saw lots of locals stopping for their daily brew. 

• Marfa Burrito – You know it’s good when it’s Matthew McConaughey’s favorite spot. Here, you’ll find amazing homemade burritos. Note that they are only open for breakfast and lunch and are cash only. 
• Do Your Thing – This coffee shop was adorable and had plenty of unique drinks and toasts. We loved everything we got and they have a nice outdoor area to enjoy your drinks. 
• Hotel Saint George – We got amazing pizzas at the Hotel Saint George. You can get a variety of flavors from street corn pizza to duck confit. 
• Convenience West BBQ – This is another fantastic BBQ spot, but you may need to order ahead of time to get the meats you want. 

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January 25, 2021 at 7:22 pm

Beautiful pics — so much sunshine!!

January 28, 2021 at 2:10 am

you bring the sunshine wherever you go!

[…] If you are planning a visit to west Texas, put Marfa on your itinerary! The town is a must-stop on a west Texas road trip. […]

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Texas Weekend Road Trip Itinerary: Marfa, Lajitas, Big Bend, & Terlingua

Growing up in South Alabama, we were always piling in the car to drive to Destin , Orlando, Sandpiper , New Orleans , Atlanta, etc.  We had so many road trip options, and now after living in Dallas for 10 years, we decided it was time to start exploring our state and see what our road trip options were.  This particular road trip was much longer than the ones we were used to, but it was incredible!

THURSDAY EVENING:  

We left after work from Dallas on Thursday and pulled into Odessa, TX around midnight.  There are tons of hotel options, so we booked a hotel along the interstate when we got tired.  This is the boring part of the drive, but we loved the podcast S-Town (we are obsessed) to make the evening speed along.

We woke up early and started our drive again!  We headed to Marfa and were excited to discover this quirky town that we’ve always heard about.  The drive was easy, no traffic, no cars, but make sure you have a full tank of gas!  

Prada Marfa via Gray Malin

I HIGHLY recommend Marfa – it’s a tiny town with no stoplights, but it’s really cool.  We had lunch at Hotel Saint George , and I felt like I was in an upscale New York City hotel.  The food was divine (truffle pasta- yes!) and the people watching was even better.  Everyone in Marfa was incredibly chic and had an air of sophistication.  

If you’re a fan of glamping, be sure to check out our review of El Cosmico Marfa here

OUR WEST TEXAS PACKING LIST

After our lunch we explored downtown Marfa and enjoyed meeting some of the wonderful people who live in this town – keep in mind, the total population is only 1,700 people.  We also stopped by the Chinati Foundation , which is an art exhibit full of Donald Judd art – the man known for shaping Marfa.  Lastly, you can’t visit Marfa without seeing Prada Marfa !  Warning- it’s an extra 30 minutes outside of Marfa, but you have to do it.

El Cosmico (Image via Skift )

What To Do In Marfa: 

• Eat: St George Hotel , Food Shark
• See:  Downtown, Prada Marfa , Ballroom Marfa ,  Chinati Foundation
• Stay: El Cosmico (teepees, yurts, & airstreams!), St George Hotel , Thunderbird
• Wear:  Chic Casual

Click here for our full Marfa city guide

FRIDAY AFTERNOON: 

We left Marfa after exploring and headed to Lajita’s near Big Bend National Park.  This is where the drive became absolutely beautiful!   Within a few hours we arrived at our hotel – Lajita’s Golf Resort .

Evening was approaching so we explored the hotel grounds and sat down to enjoy a cocktail and dinner.  The surroundings are beautiful and the food was great.  The bar has live music every night (which we loved), so we enjoyed the bar while lounging on their comfy couches – so relaxing!  There are many parts of the trip where you won’t have cell services, so plan on getting lots of R&R.

Since this was our main day at Big Bend, we really packed it all in!  Next time we would spend 2 full days here.  We had an 8AM tee time, and there is no doubt my husband counts this as one of his top three favorite golf courses.  The views are stunning, and the course is really fun to play.

We grabbed a quick sandwich after golf and were ready to go hiking!  We hiked Closed Canyon in the Big Bend State Park, which was about 20 minutes west of the hotel.  This was an easy hike, but very unique since you are walking between two huge canyons.   We had so much fun hiking that we decided to see the Big Bend National Park, so we drove to the Chisos Basin and had a glass of wine while we watched the sunset.   It was absolutely perfect!  

We stopped by Terlingua Ghost Town on our way back, which is a tiny town with some cool shops and restaurants.  It’s very hippie and has Colorado vibes – a quirky change from Texas.  Finally, we rounded out the evening by heading back to our hotel for dinner and more live music and margaritas!  

Click here to read our full Terlingua guide !

What To Do In Big Bend

• Eat:  Lajita’s restaurant (delicious breakfast tacos)
• Stay: Lajita’s Golf Resort or camp in the multiple campgrounds
• See: Golfing, Hiking, Terlinga Ghost Town  
• Wear:  Day – active wear.  Night – casual, no heels

Drive back to Dallas

Whether you love a good road trip or are simply looking for a new weekend getaway in Texas, I highly recommend this route!

For other Texas adventures, check out our travel posts below:

Read Our Related Posts:

Marfa City Guide // Terlingua Travel Guide // Monahans Sandhills // El Cosmico Marfa

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Marfa to Big Bend Texas Road Trip

Texas is a huge state, and Texans won’t let you forget it! It’s roughly the same size as France and Switzerland combined. And they say everything in Texas is big. When it comes to a Texas road trip, I’d say this is true: Texans love their big trucks, big speed limits, and big swaths of wide-open land. That said, West Texas often gets ignored because it’s way out there! But for those willing to make the effort to get there, a West Texas road trip is surely one of the best road trips in Texas. I’ve now done variations of this trip twice, both in March, and am itching for a third trip to really do some hiking! (The first trip I got sick, and the second trip I took Bailey, and dogs aren’t allowed on the trails at Big Bend.) So, here are my suggestions for your West Texas road trip itinerary!

This post contains affiliate links. Buying through these links will not cost you extra, but I will earn a small commission.

Planning Your West Texas Road Trip Itinerary

The first thing you need to decide is how and where you will start your road trip through West Texas. When I visited Texas from Chicago, we flew into El Paso, as there were direct flights on American Airlines. Flying into Midland is another option, although you will likely have a connection unless you are coming from Dallas, Phoenix, Houston or Vegas. Either way, you’re still looking at about a 3-hour drive once you land. On my second trip, I drove from Tucson, which took about 8 hours to the starting point of my West Texas road trip.

Guadalupe National Park and Carlsbad Caverns

If you are starting your Texas road trip in El Paso, then heading to the Southeast corner of New Mexico is a great place to get started! We picked up a rental car and drove to Whites City, NM for one night. Not a lot of lodging choices here, so we stayed at a Rodeway Inn – definitely a 1-star kind of place! In Guadalupe National Park we hiked into McKittrick Canyon, which is a 5 mile out and back hike. It was a hot, dry hike, with a small stream crossing and the hike ends at an old cabin. There are a lot of cool desert plants and trees along the way.

Shop Booking.com for hotels near Carlsbad, New Mexico

Carlsbad Caverns National Park is right here, too, so if you haven’t been, it’s definitely worth a visit!

Fort Davis and Davis Mountains State Park

About 3 hours from Whites City or El Paso is the tiny Texas town of Fort Davis. At an elevation of 5,000 feet, Fort Davis is the highest town in Texas, which means a bit of relief from the surrounding desert, plus amazing night skies!

Davis Mountain State Park  is such a gem! The Indian Lodge is an original Civilian Conservation Corps building dating back to the 1930s. If you get a chance to stay here, do it! The rooms are super cute and you can’t beat the setting! The campground is also nice, with great facilities including hot, free showers. Davis Mountains State Park also has several miles of trails for hiking and mountain biking, a birding station, interpretive center, and lookout points along Skyline Drive.

Another good place to stay in Fort Davis is the  Hotel Limpia,  a hotel from 1912 with 31 guest rooms, right on the main street in town. They have 4 large porches, perfect for catching a sunset with a glass of wine. The restaurant, Blue Mountain Bistro, is a good option for grabbing a meal in Fort Davis.

If you are visiting Fort Davis, you have to visit McDonald Observatory . The night skies here are incredible, and a visit to the observatory is the icing on the cake! Every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday night they hold a Star Party where guests get to look through the big telescopes and learn a bit about our solar system. These are very popular, so make sure you make reservations in advance and plan your trip to be in Fort Davis on one of these nights.

Shop Booking.com for Fort Davis hotels

Marfa, Texas

I have not stayed in Marfa yet, but it’s an easy trip from either Fort Davis or Alpine and is an essential part of any West Texas road trip. This tiny Texas town first became famous when James Dean, Rock Hudson, and Elizabeth Taylor filmed Giant here in 1956. You can sleep where they did, at the Hotel Paisano, or enjoy a “Giant” burger at Jett’s Grill (only $17!)

In the 1970s, minimalist artist Donald Judd moved to Marfa from New York City, bought an army base and transformed it with art installations, eventually starting the Chinati Foundation. Marfa has been attracting artists ever since, including Michael Elmgreen and Ingar Dragset who created the Insta-famous Prada Marfa. When I had dinner on the patio at El Paisano, I was surrounded by smoking New Yorkers with designer bags, which was pretty funny for this little dot on the map in the middle of nowhere!

Finally, the Marfa Mystery Lights are another big draw for this area. This mysterious phenomenon has no explanation but has been occurring for at least a century. The town of Marfa has built a viewing platform just outside of town, where tourists flock each night, hoping to get a glimpse of these moving and merging lights on the horizon. Supposedly, the Marfa lights only “show up” every 10 days or so, but I was lucky enough to catch them when I visited. They look like headlights, but they don’t get closer to you. They also blink on and off, merge into one, split into two, etc. If you’re in the area, you have to at least stop by and judge for yourself.

Shop Booking.com for Marfa Hotels

Big Bend National Park

Big Bend National Park  was the real impetus for my first trip to this area, so it’s my number one recommendation for your West Texas road trip. I obviously love National Parks, and this one receives just 400,000 visitors a year. (Yellowstone received twice that amount last August !) Big Bend has three regions, including park facilities in each of these regions.

Rio Grande Village

This area sits at the east end of the park along the Mexican border. There is a nice campground here (with $2 showers!), a border crossing to Boquillas Mexico, and a hot springs hike! A nice hike in this area is Boquillas Canyon, where I was surprised to see you could just walk on over to Mexico. The Mexicans bring small gifts and walking sticks, leaving them on the rocks for tourists to browse, while they watch their “shops” carefully from across the river.

I got a kick out of the canoe just hanging out on the Mexican side. This is the U.S. border and I chuckle at what people probably think about this! The official border crossing is only open a few days a week but involves being ferried across or wading across, then walking into the village of Boquillas, or hiring a donkey to take you the 1/4 mile to town.

Terlingua / Castolon

Castolon is the visitor center at the West side of the park, and where you’ll go to see Santa Elena Canyon. Do not go to Big Bend without visiting Santa Elena Canyon! There is a rustic campground at Castolon, as well as a store and visitor center. For more facilities on this side of the park, the town (and ghost town) of Terlingua is about 30 minutes away and deserves exploration as well.

A great option on this side of the park is to go whitewater rafting on the Rio Grande. Unfortunately, water levels were too low on my first visit, so we settled for a canoe trip instead. We spent the day in Santa Elena Canyon, which is probably in my top 10 most beautiful places.

It was a really fun, very scenic day of quiet paddling. Of course, our guides were great and fixed a delicious lunch on the shores of the river. We went with  Far Flung Outdoor Center – super convenient in Terlingua and excellent guides! (Make sure you pack the proper rafting clothes for a river trip!)

Chisos Basin

In the heart of Big Bend National Park is Chisos Basin, sitting at 5,000 feet in the Chisos Mountains. There is a campground, lodge, visitor center and restaurant here, as well as several trailheads. I highly recommend staying at the  Chisos Mountain Lodge . The room itself is nothing extraordinary – pretty typical of most National Park lodges (very basic and dated) but the location was magnificent, magical! The lodge is more like a motor court, with a couple of chairs outside each room. We had javelina come right up to our room each night, and it was also a great spot for bird watching.  Big Bend NP is a destination for birders, especially in the winter/spring!

The trailhead to the “Window Trail” is just a short walk from the hotel and restaurant.  Unfortunately, we didn’t have the chance to hike past the trailhead, so I have a great reason to travel to Big Bend National Park again!

Shop Booking.com for Big Bend area hotels

Have you been to West Texas? Do you agree that Marfa to Big Bend is one of the best road trips in the USA?

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Those roads and views are amazing! I haven’t explored that part of the US yet, but it’s on my list. Thanks for putting it on the map!

Great road trip itinerary! I’ve driven through Texas, and can agree it seems to go on forever! We’ll be back there this fall for another road trip, and I’ve added Big Bend to our list of stops.. We’re collecting coins from national parks!

Good summary of the area! My parents live in Alpine so I spend a lot of time out there. You’ve done a great job of showing off the highlights.

I have almost this exact road trip on my bucket list right now!

You did so much more on your West Texas trip than I did!! Now I have to go back 🙂

We did a road trip to Big Bend and Marfa last August and it was amazing!! I wrote about our time in Big Bend, the hikes we did and our time in Marfa as well. It’s such a cool place. I’m originally from Texas and didn’t go until last year, at age 33, so you’re not joking that we ignore it. It’s so far but now I’m obsessed! haha

Looks like a great trip! I can’t wait to visit Big Bend and the surrounding area one day.

I want to do this entire trip! Thanks for sharing so many details. I’ve added West Texas to my road trip wish list.

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Marfa to Big Bend Road Trip | A Desert Adventure

We finally decided to check out the artsy southwestern desert town of Marfa, and while we were at it, road tripped to Big Bend National Park. It’s a bit of a detour from everywhere, but we’d say it’s definitely worth it.

Every year we’ve been on the road (three now), we spend a couple months in the dead of winter climbing and soaking up the desert sun in El Paso, Texas. Yes, there is actually more than (delicious) burritos, strip malls, and a great view of Juarez in El Paso. Where we camp is actually just outside the city to the east, near a state park called Hueco Tanks. And every winter, climbers from around the world flock to the mountain of boulders here that were seemingly shaped to be climbed on. But that’s for another blog post. This article is about a different part of the west Texas desert.

So, like I was saying, every year we come down here and spend about two months living basically within a one square mile patch of desert, with the exception of the weekly trip into town to refill on fresh tortillas and other borderland delicacies. There’s not much else around these parts, so there’s not much reason to stray far from the camp and climbing. However, there is one place that we’ve always talked about visiting each year we’ve been down here – Marfa, Texas. This year, we finally broke the mold. We piled into the Tahoe with our road pals Jess and Andy Wickstrom (also Airstream dwellers), their ridiculously adorable Pit-bull, Pickle, and our fluffy lil buddy, Aiko, hitched up our trailer, and took a little road trip within a road to check out Marfa. And while we were at it, we decided to venture even further on down to Big Bend National Park, too.

Marfa to Big Bend Road Trip Part 1: Marfa

Marfa, if you’ve never heard of it, is a tiny town in rural southwest Texas with roots tracing back to the late 1800s, when it served as a water stop for the railroad. And you need water out here. It’s a desolate and unforgiving landscape. The nearest Walmart is over 90 miles away, to put it in perspective. But we didn’t drive four hours into the middle of nowhere to see a town that only has one intersection. The thing that makes Marfa famous, of all things, is its art.

In the early 70s, New York artist, Donald Judd , moved to Marfa. Over three decades, he continued to produce works of art, largely the minimalist sculptural pieces that he is known for, with a focus on more permanent installations. His thought was that out here in the desert, miles away from anything, these works could remain in one place for longer than the typical several-week cycle of gallery exhibitions back in the city. There was no shortage of space for it all, that’s for sure. And so over time, as artists traveled to Marfa to view his works and collaborate on installations, many found a similar appreciation for the serenity of the desert and began setting up their own studios and galleries.

For more desert adventures, check out this white sands national monument adventure session

Our first sign that we were getting close to Marfa was the Prada store on the side of one of the most desolate highways we’ve ever driven. The store is actually about 30 miles outside of Marfa, because apparently Marfa wasn’t remote enough. This isn’t an actual functioning Prada store, but an installation by two Germany-based artist. Something about consumerism and high fashion and nobody around to care about it so does it really even matter? Either way, it makes for a fun photo op.

After about four hours of driving through flat far west Texas nothingness, we were in Marfa. With this influx of art to a traditionally rural farming town, what you end up with is this anomaly where country farmers meet offbeat art types, coexisting in this tiny desert town. There are high-end restaurants and galleries that you’d find in downtown NYC, and then a hundred yards down the street is a feed lot. Pretty wild.

Marfa to Big Bend Pit Stop: El Cosmico in Marfa

One of hippest spots in town is the campground, El Cosmico. Embracing a strong bohemian/southwestern vibe, they offer accommodations in a variety of colorful vintage trailers, towering teepees, and airy canvas tents. Or, like us, you can park your rig in the glamorous dirt parking lot.

On the road to Big Bend from Marfa

Two more of our road/climber friends from Hueco, Johnny and Hannah, came down to join us in Marfa on day two, bringing the pack to six large plus two dogs. After another day doing artsy stuff in Marfa and getting served cold fried chicken from pretentious restaurants (actually just one – Capri, or Crap ri if you will. Don’t go there.), it was time to carry on down to Big Bend. Big Bend has gotta be close to as remote an area as you can find anywhere in this country. Crossing the border here looks like a really not fun thing to try and do. Not that I thought otherwise before, but this is a seriously harsh and vast landscape. If you can cross the Rio Grande, avoid border patrol, and survive crossing miles and miles of the most vicious desert we’ve ever seen, I’d say you deserve to stay.

We rolled into the park late at night, on the way experiencing one of the most stressful two hours of driving ever. We must have seen over 100 deer milling about beside the road, and more than a few were caught in our headlights. It was slow going down deer alley. Eventually we made it, but signs said all campgrounds were full. So we did what we do best and parked in a random pullout and slept there. The stars were insane and it was quite the scene to wake up to in the morning.

The next day we set out to explore Big Bend. We were camped out in the far southeast section of the park, which is super desert-y and dry and brown and deadly hot. But as you travel westwards, the elevation rises, temperatures fall, and more vegetation starts to appear. The highest point is in the heart of the park in the Chisos Mountains, where Emory Peak rises 7,835 feet above sea level. You can drive into Chisos Basin, where you’re surrounded by a ring of four mountain peaks. We walked out to a viewpoint where you can look through “The Window,” which is a notch in the mountains that looks out onto the desert floor thousands of feet below. Johnny also bought a pint of ice cream.

After cooling off in the pleasant temps of the Chisos’ high elevation, we piled back in the car and dropped down to the desert floor again, heading towards Santa Elena Canyon. A little over an hour later and we were standing next to the Rio Grande looking into one of the most impressive sites we’ve ever seen on our travels. If you ever visit Big Bend, this is the number one must see. Massive limestone cliffs flank the Rio Grande, forming the Santa Elena Canyon. It looks like something out of Indiana Jones, where if you hopped in a raft and paddled back you might find untold treasures. We didn’t quite do that, but we did hike back into the canyon, took a bunch of photos, scrambled on boulders, and enjoyed the much needed break from the sun.

Terlingua: a desert ghost town outside Big Bend National Park

That night, we returned to camp and went for a soak under the stars in an amazing natural hot spring built alongside the Rio Grande River. With spring water coming in at 105 degrees, it was a great soooaaaaaaak. We didn’t take any pictures, but we did take bets on who would swim across the Rio into Mexico.

The next morning we began our trek back home through the scenic route, which would take us through the bohemian/western ghost town of Terlingua, and then up through Big Bend Ranch State Park, which is basically an extension of Big Bend to the west. It’s a strange and interesting scene in Terlingua, which appears to be home to people who don’t like seeing other people very often. At the bbq food truck we went to (highly recommended), the owner told us multiple stories murders and bar fights and basically everything you’d expect from a proper wild west ghost town. Apparently in 2014, a local bar owner and his river guide friend were drinking these tall blue drinks called “Mind Erasers,” and things went south. The river guide ended up smashing the bar owner’s head in, and then got away with the murder. I guess the regular rules of law don’t apply out here in Terlingua.

On the drive from Big Bend National Park back to Marfa, definitely take Texas FM-170 through Big Bend State Park

The last leg of our journey through Big Bend Ranch State Park was perhaps the most beautiful. Texas FM-170 weaves and rolls and climbs and falls along the twisty Rio Grande River. There were too many scenic vistas to count and we found ourselves pulling over to snap photos a lot, dragging out the roughly 50 miles the road travels along the river. It’s said that this is one of the most scenic drives in the country, and we’d have to agree with that.

See more of The Foxes Travel Photography

Living on the road full time, it’s actually easy to fall into a routine of just sticking to the areas you’ve been before. But we’ve been making more of an effort to explore beyond our usual hangs this year, and it’s been totally worth it. Feel free to comment with questions on the area or our road trip itinerary. It’s a good one!

 The Foxes are Brandon and Gabi Fox, an adventurous husband and wife wedding and elopement photography team living full-time in their  DIY renovated 1972 Airstream . They are loosely based in the Pacific Northwest, but travel for work and play throughout the western states. Their work is best described as candid photography that captures couples as they are, where they are, blending images of love and natural beauty in the great outdoors.

The Foxes are Brandon and Gabi Fox, an adventurous husband and wife elopement photography team living and traveling in their DIY renovated 1972 Airstream . They are loosely based in the Pacific Northwest, but travel for work and play throughout the western states and beyond. Their elopement photography is award winning and is described as candid photography that captures couples as they are, where they are, blending images of love and natural beauty in the great outdoors. 

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These Terms and Conditions are a legally binding agreement is between you (“Client”) The Foxes Photography, LLC (“Photographer”) (collectively the “Parties”, or in the singular “Party”), for the purpose of Client purchasing a custom photography album from Photographer. This Agreement shall become effective upon the date you complete the checkout process.

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• Fees & Retainer

Client shall commit to a custom album package by signing and returning this Agreement along with the initial payment for album service. Photographer will not begin its custom album services until the Agreement is signed and the album design fee is received. No final album will be printed until the full payment is made. In the event Client fails to remit payment as specified, Photographer shall have the right to immediately terminate this Agreement with no further obligation and retain any monies already paid as liquidated damages. Full payment must be completed by Client within 60 days of this Agreement’s date.

The fees in this Agreement are based on Photographer’s current album pricing at the time of booking. The price list is adjusted periodically, and any changes to custom albums will be charged at the prices in effect at the time.

• Album Design Procedure

The following outline indicates the general procedure of a custom album design. Client understands and agrees to this procedure.

• Photographer will use photos and album specifications to create their first custom album design.
• Photographer will send Client first draft of album design.
• Client will approve or send in revisions to album design.
• Photographer will make edits to album design. Only two rounds of edits are allowed.
• Client will approve final album design.
• Photographer will send in album for printing.
• Album is printed and shipped.
• Client receives final printed album.
• Album Spreads

Albums will include 35 spreads and no less. The definition of a “page” is one side of a spread in an album (for example, a 70-page album contains 35 spreads). If Client requests more than 35 spreads, additional spreads are $50.00 each. 

• Revision Rounds

The first draft will include photos selected by the photographer and will be sent to Client for approval. Client may request modifications to be made. Photographer shall complete modifications and send the second draft of album design to Client. Client may then accept the design or request one more round of modifications. Photographer will complete this second modification request and send the final draft of album to Client. After these two rounds of revisions to the album design, no further revisions are allowed. Any additional revisions are invoiced at a rate of $75.00 per round. All additional revision rounds must be paid before the revision is made by the Photographer. Photographer requires up to 10 days to complete a revision request. Client has 50 days to send Photographer any and all revision requests. Any revisions requested by Client more than 50 days after this Agreement’s date will not be accepted by Photographer.

• Final Approval

Photographer will not place an album order with the album Manufacturer until Client approves the design draft, and the balance is paid on any upgrades or additional spreads. Client agrees to check the final album design very carefully before giving final approval. Once final approval is given, Photographer is not responsible for typos, image defects, duplicate images, or other errors that may have been missed. 

• Parent/Duplicate Albums

Parent/duplicate albums cannot be altered from the original designs. All parent/duplicate albums shall be ordered at the time of final approval of the original album design and will be invoiced and must be paid prior to Photographer sending in album for printing. No parent/duplicate albums are available after the original album ordering phase is complete.

• Album Delivery

Client understands and agrees that Photographer’s album manufacturer (“Manufacturer”) generally takes 6-8 weeks to print and manufacture the album. While every possible precaution is taken and Manufacturer has been selected by Photographer for its superb quality, Photographer assumes no liability for the loss or damage of album while in possession of Manufacturer. 

• Ordering Date

Client shall agree to final album design within 60 days of this Agreement’s date. Any delay by Client in approving final album design will result in termination of this Agreement and no further obligation by Photographer.

• Retouching and Edits

Photographer will use the final edited images delivered to Client to make the album design. Photographer will not re-edit or retouch any images.

Client understands and agrees that once final approval of album design has been given to Photographer, no returns or refunds are allowed whatsoever. In the event Client receives the printed album and sees any manufacturer defects or dislikes the album quality, Photographer will work with Manufacturer to the best of their ability to remedy the situation. Client is responsible for any additional fees associated with returning or reprinting the album.

• Album Archiving

Photographer shall keep a copy of final approved album design for 90 days but does not permanently archive the final album design. Client understands that after 90 days the album design will not be available to order additional copies and a new agreement must be signed to start the process over.

• Photographer Copyright

The final album design by The Foxes Photography, LLC is their property, will remain their property, and are protected by United States Copyright Laws (USC Title 17). Client hereby waives any claims for ownership, income, editorial control, and use of the images and album design. Violations of this federal law will be subject to its civil and criminal penalties.

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Client and Client’s agents agree to acquire the album design and product directly from Photographer through their professional album company. Client and Client’s agents agree not to scan, copy or reproduce the album design in any manner without written permission, including using the custom album design to create other albums. Photographer may seek damages for any illegal reproduction. Client and Client’s agents further agree not to supply the album to any third-parties.

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• Maximum Damages

The sole remedy for any actions or claims by Client shall be limited to a refund, the maximum amount not to exceed the total monies paid by Client under this Agreement.

• Limitation of Liability

If, during the production and/or before the album(s) are delivered to Client, the media has been lost, stolen, or is unusable because of defect, damage, equipment/platform malfunction, processing, or other technical error caused by Photographer or by forces outside the control of Photographer, Client agrees to relieve and hold Photographer harmless and will not impose any additional liability.

In no event shall Photographer be liable under this Agreement to Client or any other third-party for consequential, indirect, incidental, special, exemplary, punitive, or enhanced damages, arising out of, relating to, or in connection with any breach of this Agreement, regardless of (a) whether such damages were foreseeable, (b) whether or not Client was advised of such damages, and (c) the legal or equitable theory (contract, tort, or otherwise) upon which the claim is based.

• Force Majeure 

No Party shall be liable or responsible to the other Party, nor be deemed to have defaulted under or breached this Agreement, for any failure or delay in fulfilling or performing any term of this Agreement (except for any obligations to make payments to the other Party hereunder), when and to the extent such failure or delay is caused by or results from acts beyond the impacted party’s (“Impacted Party”) control that are unforeseen and unpredictable at the time of contracting, including, but not limited to, the following force majeure 

events (“Force Majeure Events”): (a) acts of God; (b) a natural disaster (fires, explosions, earthquakes, hurricane, flooding, storms, explosions, infestations), epidemic, or pandemic; (c) war, invasion, hostilities (whether war is declared or not), terrorist threats or acts, riot or other civil unrest; (d) government order or law; (e) actions, embargoes or blockades in effect on or after the date of this Agreement; (f) action by any governmental authority; (g) national or regional emergency; (h) strikes, labor stoppages or slowdowns or other industrial disturbances; and (i) shortage of adequate power or transportation facilities. The Impacted Party shall give Notice (as defined in Section 27) within 10 days of the Force Majeure Event to the other Party, stating the period of time the occurrence is expected to continue. The Impacted Party shall use diligent efforts to end the failure or delay and ensure the effects of such Force Majeure Event are minimized. The Impacted Party shall resume the performance of its obligations as soon as reasonably practicable after the removal of the cause. In the event that the Impacted Party’s failure or delay remains uncured for a period of 15 days following Notice given by it, the other Party may thereafter terminate this Agreement upon Notice. The Retainer and all other payments made by Client up to the date of Notice of a Force Majeure Event are non-refundable.

• Cancellation of Album Services by Photographer

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• Immediately give notice to Client;
• Issue a refund or credit based on a reasonably accurate percentage of custom album services rendered; and
• Excuse Client of any further performance and/or payment obligations under this Agreement.

Should any sale and/or use tax be imposed on any part of this Agreement, such tax shall be collected from Client and remitted by Photographer. All sales tax will be included on invoices.

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22. Venue and Jurisdiction This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Washington including all matters of construction, validity, performance, and enforcement and without giving effect to the principles of conflict of laws. The Parties agree that any dispute or lawsuit arising out of, or concerning, this Agreement that is not first resolved by arbitration shall be resolved exclusively in a court of competent jurisdiction located in Whatcom County, Washington. The Parties assume responsibility for their own collection costs and legal fees incurred should enforcement of this Agreement become necessary.

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Any and all disputes or disagreements rising between the Parties out of this Agreement upon which an amicable understanding cannot be reached, shall be decided by arbitration in accordance with the procedural rules of the American Arbitration Association. The Parties agree to be bound by the decision of the arbitrator(s). The arbitration proceeding shall take place in Whatcom County, Washington, unless another location is mutually agreed to by the Parties. The cost and expenses of the arbitrators shall be shared equally by the Parties. Each Party shall be responsible for its own costs and expenses in presenting the dispute for arbitration.

• Severability & No Waiver

In the event that any part of this Agreement is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of this Agreement shall remain valid and enforceable. Any failure by one or both Parties to enforce a provision of this Agreement shall not constitute a waiver of any other portion or provision of this Agreement.

This Agreement cannot be transferred or assigned to any third-party by either the Photographer or Client without written consent of all Parties.  

Headings and titles are provided in this Agreement for convenience only and will not be construed as part of this Agreement.

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Road Trip Austin to Marfa

A road trip to the Big Bend Region of Texas is a big adventure. Wide-open spaces, endless beautiful skies, countless wildlife and plant life and, when you hit Marfa , an arts scene that’s bigger than the city itself. There are plenty of great stops and attractions along the way, so load up your vehicle and head west!

When you start out from Central Texas and the tall buildings fade from your rearview mirror, you’re treated to one of the most scenic regions of Texas — the Texas Hill Country . The meandering highways and roads will leave you in awe, but the real fun of this trip begins in and around the town of  Fredericksburg.

Texas wine is one of the state’s best-kept secrets, and the center of the Hill Country wine region is the 290 Wine Trail. Here, you can stop and sample some of the best wineries in Texas , including Becker Vineyards and Hilmy Cellars , among many others.

In the heart of Fredericksburg, you ’ ll find two special museums that are both worthy of a stop. The National Museum of the Pacific War is dedicated to those who served in the Pacific Theater of World War II, and the Pioneer Museum honors the lives of the early German immigrants who settled in this region.

Just a few miles southeast, hidden among the rolling hills and oak trees, sits Luckenbach, TX . There may not be much around, but a dance hall, bar and a stage are more than enough for country music fans who still regularly flock to the site made famous by musicians like Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson.

Once you’ve had your fill of quaint shopping, wine tasting, country music or all of the above, you’ll hit the road again. If you’re looking for a relaxing kayaking spot, pull over in Junction, TX, about halfway on your way to Sonora. The slow-moving Llano river is perfect for some time out of the car.

Sonora, TX, which is another hour west of Junction, offers one of the most beautiful and unique experiences in — and under — Texas. The Caverns of Sonora are a National Natural Landmark that is made up of still-growing helictite formations. Guided tours of the cave leave regularly from the gift shop.

The longest stretch of this road trip takes just under three hours from Sonora to Marathon, TX. The historic Gage Hotel is the perfect stop to relax for a bite and a drink or to stay the night before heading on your way. The hotel was built in 1927, yet offers the height of luxury in the Big Bend Region.

Before you arrive in Marfa, stop in the town of Alpine . It’s at the crossroads between some amazing West Texas destinations — Terlingua and Big Bend National Park to the south and Fort Davis National Historic Site and the McDonald Observatory to the north. But before you continue west to Marfa, hike up Hancock Hill where you can take in some magnificent views of Alpine from The Desk — a Sul Ross State University desk placed there by students in 1981. Be sure to sign the notebook there as well.

Finally, conclude your trip in Marfa , just a half-hour west of Alpine. Marfa’s reputation as an artistic and cultural hub certainly precedes itself. It is known internationally for its contemporary art, with destinations like The Chinati Foundation engaging patrons by connecting art and the desert landscape. You can also explore numerous modern art galleries and museums as you stroll through town. As the sun sets, the mysterious Marfa lights begin to dance in the night, and you can settle into an array of unique lodging options. From boutique hotels and stylish tepees and yurts to RV parks and campgrounds, Marfa has the perfect place to stay for anyone. 

To come this far is an experience in and of itself. The West Texas desert mountains make for an incredible road trip. But should you find yourself with more time to spend in the incredible Big Bend Region of the state, you might kick yourself for not extending your trip and visiting one of the nation’s — and Texas’ — best treasures: Big Bend National Park . Either way, amazing views and exciting adventures await on your trip from Austin to Marfa. So hit the road, and remember to drive friendly, the Texas way. 

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Big Bend and West Texas – Itinerary

April 17, 2019

Big Bend National Park is one of the ten least visited National Parks in the United States.  Not because it’s not worth visiting.  But only because it’s harder than most to reach – but that won’t last much longer.

The park only had about 400,000 visitors last year.  To have visited another park like Arches National Park when they had that same number of visitors, you would need to have visited that park – in 1986!!

However, it is quickly becoming “found” as it has every bit as much to offer as the other top ten parks.  As our guides told us, they are seeing 40% more bookings than the year before.  And we could easily see there being year-long wait times in ten years for excursions like canoeing and staying the night on the Rio Grande in Santa Elena Canyon between 1,500 foot walls on both sides of the border.

Travel Tip #1 – To visit this part of the country, you will likely need to fly in and out of either El Paso, Midland/Odessa (maybe but hard to get flights) or San Antonio/Austin.  El Paso being the shortest drive to the area.

We began our trip in San Antonio and returned to Dallas but the areas below are the ones you may want to consider for seeing the most of this area.

Travel Tip #2 – The people who moved to this area did not move here to have stress or adhere to schedules.  Be prepared to be very flexible on even the best made dining plans.  Restaurants open and close with little warning on a daily basis – with just a paper sign taped to the door “closed today, see you tomorrow.”

This road trip includes exploring unique West Texas towns like Marathon, Alpine, Terlingua, Lajitas, Marfa, Fort Davis and Balmorhea, as well as hiking, canoeing, camping (overnight on the Rio Grande) and scenic drives in Big Bend National Park.  Throw in a “star party” at an observatory, dinner under the stars and a Cowboy Shoot – and you have no trouble filling a week-long trip.

One last note.  There are several movies that are unique to this area – namely Fandango (1985 with Kevin Costner and Judd Nelson) and Giant (1956 with James Dean, Elizabeth Taylor and Rock Hudson).  These are great movies to watch to help prepare for your trip.  And you can even find many of the unique sights with some help – like the “Dom Rock” on the border.

Whichever fits your travels best, we hope these notes, links and maps will help to plan an amazing trip through Big Bend and West Texas.

DAY 1 – Travel to San Antonio – or El Paso

Fly into San Antonio and drive to Marathon (just under six hours) Caverns of Sonora (optional) – Two Hour Tour, if you have time

Eat: San Antonio – Lunch – Alamo Cafe – Tortilla Soup, Queso, Fresh Tortillas with Butter (trust us, try dipping these in the queso) ($) Eat: Marathon – Dinner – 12 Gage Restaurant – Chicken Fried Steak with Jalapeno Gravy, Filet Mignon, Ranch Water (Tequila, Cointreau, Lime Juice, Topo Chico) and Mexican Chocolate Brownie ($$$) Stay: The Gage Hotel ($$)

DAY 2 – Alpine, Lajitas, Terlingua – Exploring, Murals, Resort

Use “Just Ahead” – GPS Phone App – Guide and notes for the region French Grocer – Stop by to stock up on supplies – hiking, snacks, water, beer, wine Gage Gardens – Explore the small but impressive gardens Altuda – Target – Don’t miss this photo-op as you drive from Marathon to Alpine for the world’s smallest Target store Alpine – Find the murals, shop, eat and/or visit the Yankee Stadium of West Texas (Kokernot Field) Big Bend Brewing Company – Have a beer (optional) Visit Terlingua for Dinner

Eat: V6 Coffee Shop – Marathon ($) – Peach Pecan Muffins and Mexican Mocha Latte Eat: Snacks or the original Reata Restaurant – Alpine ($) – West Texas cuisine Eat: Starlight Theater – Terlingua ($) – BBQ (Brisket) Sandwich, Queso, Cold Beer and Music Stay: Lajitas Golf Resort and Spa ($$ – $$$)

DAY 3 – lajitas/big bend – hiking, scenic drive

Early Breakfast at Sunrise Lost Mine Trail – Hiking – 4.8 Mile Hike – Three Hours Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive – Three Hours Chisos Basin Visitor Center and Emory Peak Homer Wilson Ranch Overlook – View Sotol Vista Overlook – View Mule Ears – View Tuff Canyon Trail – Easy one mile hike Cerro Castolon – View Castolon Visitor Center – Snacks, Restroom Santa Elena Canyon – Not needed, if canoeing the next day

Eat: Espresso Y Poco Mas – Terlingua – Breakfast ($) – Breakfast Burrito/Tacos, French Press Coffee Eat: Snacks or Lunch at Chisos Visitor Center ($) Eat: Long Draw Pizza – Terlingua ($) Stay: Lajitas Golf Resort and Spa ($$ – $$$)

DAY 4 – big bend – canoeing rio grande and camping overnight in Santa Elena Canyon

Angell Expeditions – Boomerang Overnight, Two Day Canoe Trip ($$$)

Eat: Lajitas Resort – Breakfast ($) Eat: Lunch and Dinner on the Rio Grande – Included Stay: Rio Grande/Big Bend Camping ($$ – $$$)

DAY 5 – lajitas, big bend – canoeing rio grande

Eat: Lajitas Resort – Breakfast ($) Eat: Breakfast and Lunch on the Rio Grande – Included Eat: Candelilla Cafe – Lajitas Resort ($$) – Jalapeno Mac N Cheese, Prickly Pear Margaritas, Chicken Fried Steak Drinks – Thirsty Goat Saloon – Music ($) Stay: Lajitas Golf Resort and Spa ($$ – $$$)

DAY 6 – lajitas – shooting range, zip line, pool, dinner under the stars

Cowboy Action Shoot ($$$) Visit Lajitas Cemetery, Lajitas General Store, Clay Henry (Mayor of Lajitas) Horseback Riding – Optional ($$$) Zip-Lining – Optional ($$) Relax by Pool Dinner Under the Stars ($$$)

Eat: Lajitas General Store – Lunch ($$) – Sandwiches and Burgers Eat: Dinner Under the Starts ($$$) – Live Music and a Dutch Oven Meal by campfire – Prime Rib Stay: Lajitas Golf Resort and Spa ($$ – $$$)

DAY 7 – Marfa – River Road Drive, Dom Rock, El Cosmico

Drive the scenic River Road from Lajitas to Presidio and then to Marfa Dom Rock – Short hike/stop (be careful) to see the view and rock from the movie, Fandango. Tipi Rest Stop – Tee pee rest area El Cosmico – Shop and see the Airstream and vintage trailer motel

Eat: Lajitas Resort – Breakfast ($) Eat: Jett’s Grill – Hotel Paisano – Dinner ($$) – Chicken Fried Steak with jalapeno gravy, Texas poutine fries (with gravy and green chiles) and Mexican street corn Stay: Colomo – Marfa Airbnb ($$) or Hotel Saint George ($$)

DAY 8 – marfa – chinati foundation, galleries, prada marfa, town

Chinati Foundation – Self Viewing or Tours Donald Judd – 15 Untitled Works in Concrete Donald Judd – 100 Untitled Works in Aluminum Robert Irwin – Dawn to Dusk Drive to/from Prada Marfa – Photos Cemeterio De La Merced – If you are a Fandango Movie fan – Photos El Paisano Hotel – Historic Hotel associated with the filming of Giant Marfa Book Company – Shopping Mano Mercantile – Indigo dipped clothing and more – Shopping Cobra Rock Boot Company – Shopping Communitie – Shopping Wrong Marfa – Shopping Garza Marfa – Home Decor McDonald Observatory – Star Party and Gazing – Must Pre-Book Marfa Lights – Optional

Eat: Marfa Burrito – Breakfast ($) – Primo Burrito (Beans, Potatoes, Onions, Tomatoes, Salsa, Cheese) or Bean and Cheese Burrito; Free Coffee Eat: La Playa, Food Shark or Capri – Lunch ($) Eat: Pizza Foundation – Dinner ($) – Call Ahead! Stay: Colomo – Marfa Airbnb ($$) or Hotel Saint George ($$)

DAY 9 – marfa, fort davis, balmorhea – visit historic fort, swim in spring-fed pool, night out 

Fort Davis – Visit Historic Fort and Optional Hike Balmorhea – Swim in one of the world’s largest spring-fed pools Dinner and Pub Crawl – Cochineal, Planet Marfa, Capri, Al Campo, Bar Nadar, Bar Saint George and finally the Lost Horse Saloon (late night)

Eat: Do Your Thing – Breakfast ($) – Coffee and Avocado, Nutella or Cinnamon on sourdough toast Eat: Fort Davis Drug Store – Lunch ($) – Burgers and Shakes; or Hebert’s Caboose Ice Cream Shop ($) Eat: Cochineal – Dinner ($$$) – Mesquite-grilled Filet Mignon, Herbed Escargots and Bread Pudding with Date Compote Stay: Colomo – Marfa Airbnb ($$) or Hotel Saint George ($$)

DAY 10 – marfa – long drive home

Chata Ortega’s – If you are a Fandango Movie fan – Photos Monahans Sandhills State Park – Sledding on Sand Dunes

Eat: Buns N Roses – Breakfast ($) Eat: Pody’s BBQ – Pecos TX ($) Stay: Hotel Settles – Big Spring, TX ($$) of Your own bed (-)

And for more details on surrounding areas see our destination notes for Marathon and Alpine , Big Bend and Lajitas , Marfa and even west to Carlsbad and Guadalupe .

BIG BEND AND WEST TEXAS – TRIP SUMMARY – LINKS AND REVIEWS

Tripadvisor – things to do.

• Caverns of Sonora – Sonora, Texas
• Gage Gardens – Marathon, Texas
• Big Bend Brewing Company – Alpine, Texas
• Lost Mine Trail – Big Bend National Park, Texas
• Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive – Big Bend National Park, Texas
• Tuff Canyon Trail – Big Bend National Park, Texas
• Angell Expeditions –  Big Bend National Park, Texas
• Santa Elena Canyon – Big Bend National Park, Texas
• El Cosmico – Marfa, Texas
• Chinati Foundation – Marfa, Texas
• McDonald Observatory – Fort Davis, Texas
• Marfa Mystery Lights – Marfa, Texas
• Fort Davis National Historic Site – Fort Davis, Texas
• Monahans Sandhills State Park – Monahans, Texas

YELP – RESTAURANTS

• Alamo Cafe – San Antonio
• 12 Gage Restaurant – Marathon
• V6 Coffee Bar – Marathon
• Reata – Alpine
• Starlight Theatre Restaurant And Saloon – Terlingua
• Espresso Y Poco Mas – Terlingua
• Long Draw Pizza – Terlingua
• Candelilla Cafe And Thirsty Goat Saloon – Lajitas
• Lajitas General Stores – Lajitas
• Jetts Grill – Marfa
• Marfa Burrito – Marfa
• La Playa – Marfa
• Food Shark – Marfa
• Capri – Marfa
• Pizza Foundation – Marfa
• Cochineal – Marfa
• Planet Marfa – Marfa
• Al Campo – Marfa
• Bar Saint George – Marfa
• Lost Horse Saloon – Marfa
• Do Your Thing Coffee – Marfa
• Fort Davis Drugstore And Hotel – Fort Davis
• Heberts Caboose – Fort Davis
• Buns N Roses – Marfa
• Podys Bbq – Pecos

TRIPADVISOR – HOTELS

• Gage Hotel – Marathon, Texas
• Lajitas Golf Resort – Lajitas, Texas
• COLOMO|MARFA™ – Marfa, Texas
• Hotel Saint George – Marfa, Texas
• Hotel Settles – Big Spring, Texas

map – big bend and west texas

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San Antonio to Big Bend National Park Road Trip Itinerary

Embark on a breathtaking road trip from San Antonio to Big Bend, Texas, and discover a world of natural wonders and hidden gems. Your journey begins in the vibrant city of San Antonio, where you’ll soak in the rich culture, historic sites like the Alamo, and indulge in Tex-Mex cuisine.

As you hit the road, the awe-inspiring Big Bend National Park awaits. Located along the Mexican border, this vast desert expanse is amazing to experience. Hike through rugged canyons like Santa Elena, take in stunning vistas from the Chisos Mountains, and explore the mysterious Boquillas Canyon. Witness the mesmerizing Rio Grande River winding through the landscape, creating a natural border.

Terlingua, a nearby ghost town, exudes a quirky charm. Visit the historic cemetery and savor a meal at the iconic Starlight Theatre. Alpine, a quaint town nestled in the Davis Mountains, offers a glimpse of small-town Texas life. Explore the Museum of the Big Bend and take in the scenic views from Hancock Hill.

Marathon’s Gage Hotel is a must-visit, offering rustic luxury and a touch of history. Continue your journey to Marfa, known for its enigmatic Marfa Lights, contemporary art scene, and the iconic Prada Marfa installation. The Big Bend Ranch State Park, a hidden treasure, offers rugged trails, canyon views, and star-studded nights for camping enthusiasts. With each stop, you’ll experience Texas’s diverse landscapes and culture.

San Antonio residents, seize the opportunity for this unforgettable road trip. From desert vistas to small-town charm and artistic intrigue, the San Antonio to Big Bend journey promises an adventure of a lifetime. Pack your bags, hit the road, and create memories that will last a lifetime.

San Antonio to Big Bend Road Trip Planner

How far is Big Bend National Park from San Antonio?

Big Bend National Park is over 400 miles from San Antonio, Texas.

That doesn’t include the drive time to get to and from the park from the entrance.

You can take two routes: Interstate 10 through the Hill Country or US-90 parallel to the border.

Also Read: Romantic weekend getaways near San Antonio, Texas

Both the short I-10 route and the long US-90 route offer amazing views and plenty of opportunity to stop for hikes, picnics, or just to enjoy the scenery.

You can also take the I-10 from San Antonio to Big Bend and US-90 on the return trip.

We have highlighted both routes and road trip pit stops in this guide.

Exact Time & Distance:

I-10 – 5 hrs 49 mins, 413 miles

US-90 – 5 hrs 50 mins, 371 miles

Best time to visit Big Bend National Park

The park is open year-round, but the best time to visit Big Bend National Park is from November to April.

While the weather is slightly cooler, visitors will be able to see some of the most beautiful seasonal changes in the desert!

Big Bend is a great winter destination in Texas.

Avoid coming in July or August during the heat of summer.

Fall and spring are popular due to their mild weather, favorable conditions, and spectacular scenery.

Essential Stops on San Antonio to Big Bend National Park Road Trip via US-90

If you are planning a road trip from San Antonio to Big Bend National Park along the southern route, make sure to stop at the following road trip pit stops:

San Antonio

San Antonio is one of the most popular destinations in Texas for tourists.

Whether you want to see great art, historic buildings, eat tacos, or have a fun nightlife, San Antonio has it all!

Visit the Alamo, take a cruise of the San Antonio Riverwalk , see the museums and other city attractions before heading on the road to Big Bend.

Also Read: Best Restaurants in San Antonio, Texas

Castroville

If you’re looking to stop in a small town before getting onto the highway to go to Big Bend National Park, Castroville is a great stop.

The square in the center of town has always been the heart of the community with a church, visitors center, historic houses as well as shops and restaurants.

There are plenty of things to do while you’re there, including a visit to the Landmark Inn State Historic Site, which was built in the 1850s.

Stop by for lunch or dinner at one of the locally-owned restaurants for delicious food!

Also Read: Best Free Things to do in San Antonio, Texas

Sabinal and Uvalde

Sabinal is a small town on the way to Big Bend National Park.

This area is rich in history and you can still explore a variety of historic buildings, museums, and art galleries.

Uvalde is another great stop that features a variety of attractions including historic buildings, museums, and churches.

Visitors can also enjoy shopping for local crafts or just exploring the historic downtown district.

The rivers in Uvalde County are perfect for river tubing, kayaking , canoeing, and other water recreation.

Del Rio and Lake Amistad

Del Rio is a border town on the Mexico-Texas border.

It features a great nightlife scene, cultural attraction, shopping for goods across the border, as well as some of the best shopping in Texas.

Nearby you will find Lake Amistad, a reservoir on the Rio Grande in Val Verde County, Texas.

Lake Amistad National Recreation Area surrounds the lake and provides camping, picnicking, swimming, fishing, hiking, equestrian use and birding opportunities.

Comstock is a small railroad town with oodles of authentic Texan charm.

Take a walk through forgotten buildings downtown and admire the beautiful Pecos River High Bridge spanning the Pecos River gorge.

Stop by the Seminole Canyon State Park and Historic Site where you can see indigenous cave paintings and archeological ruins on guided tours.

Visitors can also enjoy hiking and biking in the area.

Marathon is a small town in the Big Bend region of Texas, near the Rio Grande.

It is the perfect base for exploring the park.

In town, visitors will find a post office as well as some shops and restaurants.

Marathon is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts with a variety of recreational opportunities including swimming, fishing, hiking, and biking.

There are also a few motels available to make your stay more comfortable.

Big Bend National Park

Take the time to rest at Marathon before heading to Big Bend National Park the next day.

Explore the park and its diverse natural resources by hiking, scenic drives, and camping.

Check out the visitor center and its many exhibits; pick up a map while you are there.

The park has several easy trails for beginners that start near the Visitors Center including the Window Trail and the Valley View Overlook Trail.

Camping at Big Bend National Park is also an amazing experience; you get to see millions of stars come out at night.

Essential Stops on San Antonio to Big Bend National Park Road Trip via I-10

If you are taking the interstate to Big Bend, you will be traveling through the heart of Texas Hill Country.

Or you can take this route on the return road trip to San Antonio.

Here are our favorite stops along the route:

Kerrville, located in the heart of Texas Hill Country, is a popular tourist destination because of its rich history and natural beauty.

In downtown Kerrville , you will find several historic buildings including the City Hall with its clock tower, Schreiner mansion, and the Guthrie building.

Explore the riverfront trails in Louise Hays Park along the banks of the Guadalupe.

Ingram is a small old country town that has plenty of charm and few iconic attractions including the Texas replica of Stonehenge!

You can explore downtown Ingram and admire the historic buildings, antique shops, murals, and art galleries.

Junction is a small, rural town in western Texas. The area around Junction is known for its picturesque scenery.

Downtown Junction has antique shops and historic buildings. For those who are interested in art, there are also mural paintings and galleries in town

Exploring the scenic landscapes surrounding Junction by hiking, biking, or scenic drives.

As you drive through Sonora, take some time to admire the historic buildings including the striking Sutton County Courthouse.

Take a walk down Main Street where you will find shops, restaurants, and museums.

The Caverns of Sonora are a popular tourist destination because of its many features.

Tour the caves and the limestone formations to see natural stalagmites, stalactites, flowstones, and soda straws.

Fort Stockton

Fort Stockton is a scenic town in the Chihuahuan Desert region of far west Texas that you will pass through on your way to Big Bend National Park.

Characterized by wide-open spaces with few trees, this town has plenty to offer visitors.

A popular attraction in Fort Stockton is the Annie Riggs Memorial Museum.

Located in a historic hotel, the museum features historical exhibits from the pioneer era.

Take a photo with the giant roadrunner statue and explore the Historic Fort Stockton and its buildings.

Another notable stop is at the Fort Stockton Cemetery where you can see grave sites from 1879-1960s.

Marathon & Big Bend National Park

After seeing Fort Stockton, head to Marathon and explore Big Bend National Park.

Explore this scenic landscape by hiking or biking on the many trails in Big Bend National Park.

Enjoy birding and wildlife viewing in Big Bend National Park with plenty of desert creatures like black bears, mountain lions, and javelinas roaming about before checking out nearby attractions.

Also Read: Best Road Trips in Texas

Things to see near Big Bend National Park

Big Bend National Park is a popular destination for tourists and visitors in Texas. 

Read on to find out what other attractions there are near Big Bend National Park!

The Terlingua Ghost Town is an abandoned mining settlement with plenty of history to explore.

Visitors can explore the buildings and hear about the Terlingua ghost town era.

Nearby, visitors can also enjoy activities such as camping, hiking, biking, fishing, hunting, and more!

Big Bend Ranch State Park

To explore even more of the dramatic Big Bend scenery including the canyons and rock formations, explore Big Bend Ranch State Park.

Big Bend Ranch State Park is located close to Big Bend National Park on the US-Mexico border.

Spot a variety of wildlife including black bears, mountain lions, and javelinas.

Go hiking or biking in the park to enjoy its panoramic views.

Marfa, a small city near the Trans-Pecos region of West Texas, is considered to be one of the most beautifully remote spots in North America.

The area around Marfa features dramatic limestone cliffs and canyons rising from the flatlands; rugged mountains and rolling hills; lush green valleys and lots of natural diversity; and breathtaking views.

Take a tour of Marfa’s famous art galleries including the Prada desert artwork.

Alpine is a small town in the Big Bend region of Texas.

It attracts plenty of visitors because of its charm and natural beauty.

One of the major attractions in Alpine is the historic downtown.

Here you will find murals, art galleries, souvenir shops, boutiques, and cafes.

History lovers will love the Museum of the Big Bend while hikers will enjoy the views from Hancock Hill.

Fort Davis is a historic town in west Texas on the site of an army post.

It was founded to protect settlers from Comanche and Apache raids.

At Fort Davis, visitors can explore the Fort Davis National Historic Site.

This park interprets the history of the fort and features a courthouse museum.

Davis Mountains State Park

Few miles from the town of Fort Davis is Davis Mountains State Park.

This park features hiking trails, majestic scenery, and plenty of wildlife to go along with it.

The park includes some of Texas’ highest mountains and can be easily explored from the loop drive.

McDonald Observatory

The McDonald Observatory is situated in the Davis Mountains of West Texas, near Fort Davis.

The observatory’s remote location is perfect for studying the night sky.

Visitors can tour the observatory and see the stars and constellations through its telescopes.

Things to remember while planning the San Antonio to Big Bend Drive

Planning for your San Antonio to Big Bend Drive?

There are a few things to remember before you set out.

First, make sure your vehicle is in good working order and that you have enough fuel for the journey.

Plan out the route and the stops that you want to make before you set off so you know what to expect.

Be sure to identify gas stations and food nearby that will be accessible for your stop.

Make sure to pack accordingly with snacks, water, and any other items that might come in handy.

Finally, to avoid driving at night when visibility is low, try to plan your drive in advance and stick to daylight hours.

While planning your Big Bend National Park hiking trip, be sure to pack some snacks and water to last the day, as well as a map of the trails.

It is also recommended that you bring any hiking gear that you might need, as well as items like a small first-aid kit or bug spray.

If you are planning on camping at night in the park, make sure to arrive early enough so that you can set up camp before it gets dark.

We hope you like our post on the San Antonio to Big Bend road trip.

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Texas Road Trip From Austin to Alpine Marfa Big Bend

By: Author Susan Moore

Posted on Last updated: January 12, 2024

I found some cool places to visit during my Texas road trip vacation so I’m going to share with you some of the best of the west TX travel spots.

Living in Austin for over 15 years I took lots of short road trips, mostly day trips or weekend getaways . Since driving from Austin to Alpine takes about 6 hours it’s best to stay for a week or more.

When I began a long-term road trip around the USA and Canada I chose the small Texas town of Alpine as the first stop. Staying for eight days I had time to explore the surrounding towns and I enjoyed it so much I returned to spend another week in Alpine Texas.

A view towards the Window Trail hike at Big Bend National Park

Austin to Alpine Texas Road Trip

The road trip from Austin to Alpine Texas is about 400 miles and takes around 6 hours driving time.

Alpine is a great base to explore west Texas. Marfa , Fort Davis, Marathon, Balmorhea, Big Bend National Park , Big Bend State Park, and Terlingua are all great places to go in Texas. And you can easily get to all of these places from Alpine.

Accommodation in Alpine tends to be more plentiful and less expensive than other nearby towns.

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In This Article:

Alpine Texas Accommodations

Downtown Alpine is perfect for hanging out after a day of scenic drives, hiking, and exploring all the attractions in west Texas.

READ MORE: 52 Best Solo Travel Quotes

Alpine Texas Hotels

The Holland Hotel is the place to stay if you want the ultimate west Texas experience. The historic Holland Hotel is perfectly located in the center of downtown Alpine. You’ll enjoy dining at the onsite Century Bar and Grill. Book a room at the Holland Hotel before they’re sold out.

Hampton Inn Alpine offers one of the top rated lodgings in Alpine. Located a couple of miles west of downtown you’ll find great value at the Hampton Inn Alpine. Check out the reviews and prices here . The hotel features an indoor pool, whirlpool, fitness center, flat-screen TVs in all rooms, and free Wi-Fi. Breakfast available and grab coffee or tea 24/7 in the lobby.

Quarter Circle 7 Hotel is more than a place to stay in Alpine, enjoy the indoor pool or get some pampering with on-site spa services at the Seventh Day Wellness Spa. Check for availability now because Quarter 7 is popular!

Holiday Inn Express and Suites Alpine is conveniently located near Sol Ross University and features free continental breakfast and free Wi-Fi. Find the latest deals on room rates here and book your reservation now.

Still not sure which hotel? Check out more accommodation around Alpine TX and refine your search here .

Greetings From Alpine Texas – downtown mural by Stylle Read

Things to do in Alpine Texas

Food and drink alpine tx.

I loved that I could walk to downtown Alpine from my accommodation located just south of the railroad tracks. Alpine is a small college town with a population of around 6,000 people. Super friendly people.

Harry’s Tinaja, on 412 E Holland, used to be the place to go for a beer or a glass of wine and feel right at home in no time. Alas, Harry passed away in 2022 and hasn’t reopened as of late 2023. 

Some of the eclectic decor at Harry’s Tinaja in Alpine Texas

My favorite place to eat in Alpine is Reata Restaurant located at 203 North Fifth.

I enjoyed everything that I tried at Reata – especially the bacon wrapped shrimp with onion jam and pico de gallo.

The combination of flavors is superb! Never would I have guessed that I would enjoy eating onion jam – trust me on this one – delicious!

Bacon wrapped shrimp with pico de gallo and onion jam – Reata Restaurant Alpine TX

Railroad Blues – Great place for live music in Alpine TX. Address: 504 W Holland

Spicewood (at the Quarter Circle & Hotel) opened in 2019 and became a fast favorite for locals and tourists. The food and service is great!

Century Bar & Grill – Good eats and libations located at the Holland Hotel

Farmer’s Market in Alpine TX

Check out the farmer’s markets if you are in Alpine on a Saturday. I enjoyed chatting with the vendors and other visitors to the market.

I bought a big bag of basil, tomatoes, homemade ginger cookies, apple filled croissant, and a beautiful, colorful knit cap from Cleo, along with a painting from one of her kids. Cleo and I chatted for ages and I felt like I was catching up with an old friend.

Alpine Farmers’ Market

Open from 9 am to 12 pm

105 E Murphy Street (4th St and Murphy St)

Organic tomatoes at the Alpine Farmer’s Market

Museum of the Big Bend – Sul Ross University

In Alpine I visited the Museum of the Big Bend at Sul Ross University on one rainy afternoon. For information on current and upcoming exhibits check out Museum of the Big Bend website here . I enjoyed the Tom Lea retrospective when I visited Alpine.

Events at Sul Ross University

I also attended a play at Sul Ross University Marshall Auditorium. Check the Sul Ross events calendar for upcoming performances.

• Admission to the Museum of the Big Bend is FREE
• Hours are Tues – Sat 9 – 5 and Sunday 1 – 5 (closed Monday)

Everybody’s Gone to the Wedding – by Tom Lea – 1960

Hancock Hill Hike to the Desk

Hike from Sul Ross Campus up to the top of Hancock Hill for a unique hiking experience. A full size metal office desk sits atop the hill with beautiful views. Read about how the desk found its way to a hilltop .

Historic walking tour of downtown Alpine TX

Stroll around town on the historic walking tour – you can get a map from the Alpine Visitor’s Center at 106 N 3rd Street and do your own self-guided tour of historic Alpine.

Alpine Studio is #4 on the Historic Walking Tour in Alpine Texas

Murals in Alpine Texas

Visit some of the art galleries or enjoy some outdoor art – there are several murals around downtown Alpine.

A name you will see on a few of the murals is Stylle Read, and he was working on a new mural called Cattle Drive while I was visiting Alpine.

Poco a Poquito mural by Stylle Read – based on painting by Jesus Helguera

Visit Kokernot Park on the north side of town or Baines Park at Gallego between South 4th and 5th Street

Three mariachis located at Baines Park in Alpine Texas

Day trips from Alpine Texas

Alpine is the perfect home base to explore west Texas. You’ll find some of the best places to visit in Texas and you can do these as day trips from Alpine.

Several of these day trip locations are also some of the best vacation spots in Texas. I recommend trying these out as day trips first, then you can decide which ones to return to for your next Texas vacation spot or as a weekend getaway.

Balmorhea State Park – San Solomon Springs pool

San Solomon Springs swimming pool is 55 miles north of Alpine on Hwy 118 and Hwy 17

By far one of the best places to visit in Texas! Austin has Barton Springs but Balmorhea is better.

First of all it’s the world’s largest spring fed swimming pool. Secondly, the water is warmer by about 6 degrees F (about 3 degrees warmer on the Celsius scale) so it’s more comfortable.

And finally, you have way more space to yourself at San Solomon Springs.

In the 1930’s the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) built Balmorhea State Park and it remains a beautiful oasis in the high desert of Texas.

With 34 campsites available at the park you could plan your Texas vacation around a trip to Balmorhea. You can also rent motel style lodging built by the CCC at Balmorhea.

You can find info about reserving a campground or motel at Balmorhea State Park here .

In early October the days were still quite hot so I took the opportunity to enjoy swimming at Balmorhea San Solomon Springs pool. I daydreamed about swimming in this enormous spring fed swimming pool since my December 2010 road trip to west Texas .

Balmorhea park is definitely worth the one hour drive from Alpine for a dip in the 74 degree pool.

There are other natural springs in Texas but Balmorhea is the best.

Balmorhea State Park is 56 miles north of Alpine on Hwy TX-118 and TX-17

GPS coordinates

Latitude: 30.945036 Longitude: -103.786663

Entrance fee

• $7 age 13 and older
• FREE for ages 12 and under
• $70 annual pass to Texas State Parks

San Solomon Springs swimming pool at Balmorhea State Park – 74 degrees year round

Fort Davis and McDonald Observatory

Fort Davis is 24 miles north of Alpine on Hwy TX-118

Only a 25 minute drive from Alpine TX while McDonald Observatory is another 20 minutes away.

You can visit McDonald Observatory during the daytime and take in a tour or solar viewing. Or visit at night for the Star Party and Twilight program – get all the details at McDonald Observatory website .

I attended a star party back in December but the night sky was cloudy. During my stay I kept checking the forecast for a good night to visit, alas the skies were mostly cloudy in the evenings.

There was a blanket of fog over Alpine on several mornings while I was there, perhaps a side effect of El Niño, I was told fog is uncharacteristic in Alpine.

Star party at McDonald Observatory is still on my list for my next visit to west Texas.

Dome of the Hobby-Eberly telescope at McDonald Observatory

Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center and Botanical Gardens

Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center and Botanical Gardens is 20 miles north of Alpine on Hwy TX-118

Four miles south of Fort Davis on Hwy 118 you can enjoy some hiking, visit the botanical gardens with over 175 species of cacti and succulents on display, learn about mining and minerals at the Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute mining exhibit.

I spent a whole afternoon at the gardens and could easily have stayed the day.

Bring a picnic lunch if you want to spend a day exploring the gardens and hiking trails. Or drive four miles to Fort Davis for lunch.

Stone Village Market is a small grocery store with a great deli and made to order sandwiches. I had a vegetable sandwich – layered with seven different veggies and so delicious!

Cactus in bloom at the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center and Botanical Garden

Terlingua Ghost Town

Terlingua is 84 miles south of Alpine on Hwy TX 118

So far, Terlingua is a place I have only stopped by on my way to or from Big Bend National Park. On this road trip I stopped in Terlingua for lunch at High Sierra Bar & Grill on my way to the park.

The food was good so I returned to the High Sierra in Terlingua again on my way back to Big Bend after enjoying a half-day rafting tour on the Rio Grande.

The vibe at High Sierra Bar & Grill, and in Terlingua in general, is chill and relaxed. I enjoyed great service both times I visited and I took note of the band tearing down their gear on Saturday afternoon – chatting with the bartender I understand there was a good party going on Friday night.

There is definitely a groovy little music scene going on in Terlingua. Perhaps I will make it to the 25th annual Terlingua Music Bash?

Tacos rice and beans at High Sierra Bar & Grill in Terlingua

Marfa Texas

Marfa is 26 miles west of Alpine on Hwy US 90

I loved Marfa Texas the first time I visited, around Christmas time December 2010. I stayed at El Paisano Hotel, where Giant was filmed in 1956.

Staying in the Elizabeth Taylor suite because I wanted to spoil myself a little (I was used to staying in hostels back then) and it was the only room available on short notice during the busy Christmas season.

It was fate.

Marfa is definitely worth a visit and really you need to spend more than a day to get to know a place.

Marfa Texas hotels

105 Lincoln – Located in downtown Marfa, each room includes a kitchen and flat-screen TV plus free Wi-Fi. Hotel 105 Lincoln is pet friendly too. Read the reviews and book your room now!

El Cosmico – Bohemian lodgings with vintage trailers or teepees , really!

Hotel Paisano – Historic hotel where the movie  Giant was filmed. The hotel has 41 rooms, a ballroom, fitness center, restaurant and lounge with courtyard seating. Check availability and rates here.

Hotel Saint George – Modern hotel built in 2016 features 55 rooms and suites. Check out the rates and availability.

Riata Inn – One of the more moderately priced hotels in Marfa, the Riata Inn provides free Wi-Fi and free parking. Pets are allowed. Get the latest rates and deals here.

Tacheles Marfa – An eclectic space at a great location you can read reviews/pricing and book a room

Presidio County Courthouse building in Marfa Texas

Prada Marfa art installation

Don’t look for the Prada Marfa art installation in Marfa because Prada Marfa is not actually in Marfa Texas.

Where is Prada Marfa?

Head west from Marfa on highway 90 for around 33 miles and you can check out the Prada Marfa art installation just past the township of Valentine Texas.

Did you know that Valentine TX is named after the date it was founded? February 14, 1882.

Prada Marfa art installation in Valentine Texas – west of Marfa

Marathon Texas – gateway to Big Bend National Park

Marathon is 30 miles east of Alpine on Hwy US-90

During my first solo road trip to west Texas I stayed at the whimsical Eve’s Garden Organic Bed & Breakfast in Marathon Texas for 3 nights. I was treated like family and invited to their Christmas dinner celebration.

If Eve’s Garden is full then try Gage Hotel in Marathon.

Marathon is located on Hwy 385 around 40 miles north of Big Bend National Park. On my way to Las Cruces New Mexico I stopped in Marathon so I could visit Eve’s Garden to say hello and check out the changes since 2010.

Target Marathon (now demolished)

Not to be outdone by Prada Marfa there was another art installation to visit in West Texas. This one was a mini-Target near Marathon TX – 30 minute drive from Alpine.

What was the address of Target Marathon? Well, there was no official address for the world’s smallest Target store. To get to it from Marathon you would take Hwy 90 west for about 15 miles and it was on the left side of the road.

Target Marathon is no more, it was torn down sometime in 2022 I believe.

Big Bend National Park  – best hiking in Texas

Big Bend National Park is located 72 miles southeast of Alpine on Hwy US-90 and US-385

One of the most beautiful places in Texas is also one of the least visited national parks in the United States. The hiking at Big Bend National Park is superb.

With a variety of hiking options at Big Bend, choose from mountain, river, or desert hikes. Besides hiking there are opportunities for horseback riding, river trips, birdwatching, stargazing, scenic drives, and fishing.

And the absence of city lights makes Big Bend a terrific place to view the Milky Way. No wonder it’s a popular place for family vacations in Texas.

I opted to stay in Big Bend National Park and the only lodging option within Big Bend is the Chisos Mountain Lodge – expensive but great location. If you like to camp there are more options and the best place to check out your options is the National Park Service website .

If Big Bend National Park is full you could drive about 30 minutes to Big Bend Ranch State Park. Call to make camping reservations: (512) 389-8900 or make a camping reservation online – you will need to create an account to make an online reservation.

Tip: Download offline maps of the area from Google Maps before your trip because there is usually no internet access in most of Big Bend National Park.

Big Bend National Park window view is a popular trail and sunset viewing location

Best time to visit Big Bend National Park

When to visit Big Bend National Park for the best weather for hiking I suggest October through March.

Summers get brutally hot in Texas.

I visited Big Bend in October and December and the weather was excellent for hiking during both of my visits. In spring you’ll have a chance to see some amazing wildflowers blooming. Texas bluebonnets had an immensely great year in spring 2019.

December through February the temperatures can get down to freezing so remember to bring hiking clothes for all types of weather. Wear layers.

Wool is your best option for cooler weather. From wool socks to long underwear look for products made of Merino wool – it’s softer not not as itchy as regular wool.

LEARN MORE: Best National Parks to Visit in Winter

Map of Alpine Texas day trips

I put together this reference map for you to get a visual sense and help you plan out your day trips from Alpine. You can visit one attraction or group them together if you like to hop around and do more in one day. Have fun exploring West Texas!

My long-term solo road trip began with beautiful moments revisiting some of my favorite places in Texas. Hopefully you’ve got some great vacation ideas from this article and you’ll get out and enjoy your own Texas getaways soon!

More Articles About Texas Travel

Big Bend National Park – A Solo Road Trip to West Texas

15 Fun Free Things to Do in Austin TX

Mayfield Park – Peacocks and Hiking Trails in Central Austin Texas

Oldest Oak Tree in Texas – The Big Tree – Goose Island State Park

Hiking Enchanted Rock Texas Day Trip from Austin

Hiking Trails in Austin Texas for Bluebonnets Wildflowers

Epic Canada Road Trip Driving Across Country in 6 Days

Explore other destinations for your next solo travel adventure

Richard Apthorpe

Saturday 30th of July 2022

Quick update to this article as at July 30, 2022: Cow Dog is now in Marathon at the Marathon Motel (because Plaine Coffee closed)and Target Marathon has sadly been demolished.

Susan Moore

Richard, Thank you for commenting. That's good news that Cow Dog found a new home, I heard Plaine Coffee closed. I read that Target was demolished but I was hoping it was false info, too bad it got torn down, that was always one of my stops on the way to Alpine from Austin. Thank you for the update. Cheers, Susan

Tuesday 26th of April 2022

These locations are all nice stops, you overlooked The Lajitas Resort and Spa in Lajitas Tx. If resort vacation is not your style. The base camp bubbles are awesome sleeping under the stars. If your eating at High Sierra in Terlinqua you missed out on the jewel of Terlinqua, dinner at the Starlight. Since your in Lajitas, take the Camino del Rio highway to Presidio Tx. One of the most picturesque drives in Texas right along the Rio Grande.

Kirk, Thanks for your comment and suggestions. Resort style vacations are not my thing but will check out Basecamp Bubbles, sounds cool! Starlight isn't open for lunch but High Sierra opens at noon so that's how I made my dining selection. I drove Camino del Rio (Hwy 170) on my first road trip to Big Bend, you're right it's an outstanding drive, and great for a motorcycle trip. I loved it so much I included it in my blog post about most scenic drives in the USA but I need to update this post with more info. I'm headed back to West Texas this fall to explore a bunch more! Cheers, Susan

Cassandra Garcia

Saturday 9th of April 2022

You forgot Building 98 in Marfa on Bonnie Street right in front of the Chinati Foundation. The old Bachelor's Officer Quarters. There are huge rooms of murals painted by German POWs.

Sunday 10th of April 2022

Cassandra Garcia, Thanks for the tip! Adding this to my list of places to see on my TX road trip this fall. Cheers, Susan

Tuesday 2nd of November 2021

Wow. You skipped an entire city with excellent restaurants, inexpensive motels and RV parks with full hookups at half the cost of the tourist traps in Marfa, Lajitas and Terlingua. What a shame. At 5000 population, and established in 1683, Presidio is not wealthy, but functions for real people.

Hi Jay, Thanks for your comment. Yes, I do need to visit Presidio on my next road trip out to west Texas, looking forward to it. Cheers, Susan

Friday 29th of October 2021

Susan, Having grown up in the Big Bend and attended school in Alpine, you really did justice to the town with your candid and thorough descriptions and guidance of what to do and see. The Chamber of Commerce should be proud. On your next visit to the Big Bend, I would like to invite you to visit our town. Just down the paved road from the El Dorado in your article is the ghost town of Terlingua. It is a historic mining town filled with the most interesting characters, artist, musicians, and history that expresses the true spirit of the Big Bend. Join us for dinner at the Starlight Theatre and come stay in the old Perry Mansion. Again, your article was great on Alpine and the communities that surround it. Come for a visit more often.

Hi Bill, Thank you so much for this comment, you made my day! I am overdue for another visit to the Big Bend, and YES I need to stay in Terlingua. I did a search for the Perry Mansion and now I'll be reading up on the history of Terlingua. I hope to meet you and listen to a few stories and reminiscences. I miss exploring the high desert and I must get back again soon. Cheers, Susan

Visit Marfa Home Page

• The Big Bend Region Visit Marfa and explore the breathtaking Big Bend region in Far West Texas, where you'll find many state and national parks nearby to enjoy the Texas mountains.
• Greater Big Bend International Dark Sky Reserve The Greater Big Bend International Dark Sky Reserve (DSR) is a partnership between many communities, parks, businesses, and conservation groups in Texas and Mexico to help protect our shared night
• Marfa Lights The Marfa Lights—or Marfa Mystery Lights, as some call them—are a top reason to visit Marfa, drawing visitors from around the globe for a chance to see these unexplained phenomena.
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Phone: +1 (432) 729-4772 Monday-Friday:  8am to 5pm  Saturday-Sunday:  9am to 4pm

Marfa Visitor Center 302 S. Highland Ave. Marfa, TX 79843

Mailing Address: P. O. Box 787 Marfa, TX 79843

Marfa and Big Bend – AFAR contest winner hits the road in West Texas

Last year All Roads North partnered with AFAR , the experiential travel magazine, to design a West Texas road trip as a competition prize for their readers. Here the winner, Tiffany Behrens, recounts her experience of her travels through this endlessly surprising corner of the country.

On the trip in general…

I am probably the person least likely to use a travel service for planning a vacation but on this trip I discovered I may actually be the one who needs it most! I have spent hours scouring tourism websites, Yelp, and the like when planning past vacations looking for the best activities, trusted guides, and the most unique meals. The best part of this trip was the detailed suggestions on the journey guide for activities, places to eat, etc. I did not have to debate with hubby even ONCE about our itinerary! This could literally save a marriage. But we also weren’t trapped into doing anything we weren’t interested in or that we couldn’t fit in timewise. I LOVED driving through Texas. Those wide open spaces and sun faded landscapes were heaven for me! The itinerary was just perfectly scaled down enough to keep decision making simple but still give us options. I loved that each place to stay you chose was unique from the others and the mixture of nature, culture, art and shopping was just perfect!

On the Gage Hotel in Marathon…

The Gage Hotel is the perfect embodiment of what anyone who is new to Texas imagines Texas will look like, only better! All that country-western, high desert, cowboy ruggedness refined to a level of sophistication and comfort seen in the best hotels. It was unexpected and the most comfortable of all the hotels!

On hiking in Big Bend…

Wow wow wow! Coming off a long lazy winter, we probably tried to pack in more hiking than we should have, but we were seduced by all those rock formations! We hiked the Hot Springs trail and then soaked in the hot spring itself, as well as the Rio Grande River. On our full day we hiked The Mount Emory Trail, which started out as a longer hike to the south rim but we couldn’t resist attempting that peak when we got to the junction and changed plans midway. On the last day we tackled The Grapevine Hills Trail and the Tuff Canyon Floor Trail (we planned on going to Santa Elena Canyon but after learning about tuffaceous rock from our river guide I could not resist an up close and personal!). Each and every one of these trails offered a different landscape to explore. We were split half and half about our desire to see everything and our desire to avoid one of the rare bears or lions in the basin. We did not see any bears or lions but we did see snakes, lizards, Mexican Jays, road runners, javelina, deer, jack rabbits and a desert fox!

On Chisos Mountain Lodge…

An American road trip classic! You could easily imagine old Chevy station wagons loaded up with mom, dad and the kids! I doubt the lodge has changed much in forty years which makes it a nostalgic classic.  As a National Park, amenities were expected to be minimal, but we were pleasantly surprised by the mini-fridge and microwave in our room – when we stay there again (because we LOVED the park) I will definitely be a bit more prepared to mix up meals a bit with foods I bring in from a local grocery.

On the Texan night sky and the Marfa Lights…

One of the things I had on my list to see while in Texas were the stars! I had been told Big Bend was the best place to see stars and being a Chicagoan, I have gotten so used to seeing just a few in the sky due to all the light pollution, that I really wanted to see a million stars twinkling! Of course I was completely thwarted by the full moon! On the night we went to the Marfa lights viewing area, before the moon rose I was able to see more stars than I have ever seen in my life. So even if the Marfa lights are no-shows or underwhelming, the stars will take your breath away! The Marfa lights were honestly not what I expected. If some locals hadn’t been there pointing out the lights to their guests we would have dismissed what we saw completely, assuming they were car or airplane lights. So we saw a whole ton of lights but they were underwhelming. I’m honestly still not even sure if what I saw was what I was supposed to see? LOL!

On the ghost town of Terlingua…

We were so close after our kayaking trip we decided to check Terlingua out. It’s an interesting little town that was once a ghost town and is now becoming a quirky artistic spot much like Marfa. It’s small and there isn’t much going on yet, but definitely one to watch and we heard dinner at the Starlight Theater is good. The trading post is full of art and crafts from Big Bend and Mexico. My favorite part was the cemetery; many offerings remained from Dia de los Muertos celebration this past fall, some touching, some humorous.

On the weirdness of Marfa…

Marfa is a unique town! On the one hand you have these great little fancy boutiques stocked with beautiful artisan goods, and on the other hand you have these crazy little places that are busted up and falling apart. My artistic soul loves the dichotomy! I sell vintage and antiques and I have an appreciation for old weathered things that not everyone shares. We met quite a few people out and about in Marfa, from our first night sharing a table at Stellina with a mother daughter vacationing together, to our very last stop at New Star Grocery Art Museum with just 30 minutes of time left before heading home. We met wonderful people! Some were weirder than others (oh we have some stories!) but vacations are not for homogenous experiences. Weird is great as far as we are concerned. 

On El Cosmico, Marfa…

El Cosmico is just super cool! We weren’t sure what to expect in terms of amenities in the RV but it was fully stocked and so comfortable. The bed was way better than we anticipated, much more hotel and less camp, and we were very grateful for that. The sunrise was beautiful each day and I had a blast taking a late night bath under the stars on the deck.

On the Chinati Foundation…

This was a very unique experience for the hubby and me. However, I’d love to see the Chinati Foundation restructure the tour because, as awesome as it was to be able to see some of these works and though the intention is publicly accessible art, you just don’t get nearly enough time to experience the pieces. Michael was so so enraptured with Donald Judd ’s 100 untitled works and really wanted to spend more time walking in that building but we had to hurry to see Dan Flavin ’s light installations in the time allotted. On a positive note, Michael found a new appreciation for modern art that I think really surprised him! This is a place that one could return to multiple times and have a different experience of the art each and every time.

All images credited to Tiffany Behrens

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Where to road trip for the best Texas bluebonnet fields

A USTIN (KXAN) — Spring is in the air in Central Texas and with it comes bluebonnet season. For those looking to bask in the beauty of Texas’ state flower, experts at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center divulged where the best places are statewide to catch some spectacular blooms.

Northeast Texas

Up in Texarkana, the Caddo Lake bayous and the east Texas piney woods are noted for their magnificent wildflower displays. Wildflower center experts said the 40-mile region linking Linden, Avinger and Hughes Springs are home to the Wildflower Trails of Texas.

Here, residents and visitors can find common rose mallow, yellow thistle and coneflower near the woodlands, while Texas bluebonnets, Mexican hats and wild indigo flowers are found along FM 2198.

Elsewhere in the region, the towns of Atlanta, Karnack and Marshall are also regarded for having beautiful displays of coneflower, dogwoods, field pansy, Indian blanket, spiderwort, Mexican hats, bluebonnets and wild indigo.

Greater Houston area

Brazos Bend State Park is home to a wide assortment of wildflowers, including the Texas spider lily, floating bladderwort, basket flower, back-eyed Susan, bluebonnets, morning glory vine and wild indigo.

Those looking to take a trip to the Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge will find sea oxeye daisy, tropical sage, coreopsis, yellow thistle, spider lily, sedges, rushes and cattails.

Out in Brenham, drivers can travel along the bluebonnet loop throughout Washington County, heading from Brenham to Burton, Independence, Washington and Chappell Hill. Along the route, drivers will find plentiful fields full of bluebonnets, coneflower, prairie verbena, beardtongue, coral bean, skullcaps, prairie parsley, Indian paintbrush, blue-eyed grass, rattlesnake flowers, blanket flowers and rosinweed.

San Antonio region

DeWitt County is regarded by wildflower center experts as the Wildflower Capital of Texas. Here, visitors will find bluebonnets, Indian paintbrush, Mexican hats, Indian blankets, lazy daises, phlox, winecups and coreopsis.

Specific stop options include the Goliad State Park as well as the Cuero Chamber of Commerce, where visitors can access a map highlighting more than 800 miles’ worth of wildflower trails.

The Bandera Loop

The Bandera Loop is a 100-mile stretch in Bandera County west of San Antonio. The loop crosses the Medina and Sabinal rivers and features acres’ worth of blooms along backgrounds, including bluebonnets, Indian paintbrush, phlox, coreopsis, prickly poppies, sunflowers, firewheels, winecups and verbena.

Texas Hill Country

The Willow City Loop is a 13-mile, two-lane road stretch that runs just outside of Fredericksburg through rolling hills and canyons. Visitors can find bluebonnets, Indian paintbrush, phlox, coreopsis, prickly poppies, sunflowers, firewheels, winecups and prairie verbena along the terrain during the springtime.

Southwest Texas

Near Big Bend runs a 230-mile scenic loop that crosses through Alpine, Terlingua, Lajitas, Presidio and Marfa. Visitors can find bluebonnets larger than ones spotted in the Texas Hill Country.

Other featured plants include cactus, strawberry pitaya, ocotillo, yucca, sotol, catclaw and desert marigolds.

The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center offers driving guides for each of its bluebonnet-centric routes online .

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