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Ultimate Road Trip To Big Bend

Kim Croisant

The Ultimate Road Trip To Big Bend. Scenic view of the window in big bend national park

Your ultimate road trip to Big Bend Country starts here.

Road-tripping to Big Bend National Park may take a couple of days, depending on where you start your journey, so taking some extra time to stop by a few roadside attractions might not be a bad idea. Texas is big, and this road trip is even bigger. While planning your ultimate road trip to Big Bend, peruse this list of stops along the way. These are great places to stretch your legs and see more of Texas.

Big Bend National Park is located in the far western part of Texas along the border with Mexico. The park covers over 800,000 acres and extends into Mexico, making it one of the largest protected areas in the country. With its remote location, a lack of tourists exists. Very few visit the park in a year, making it one of the least visited national parks in the United States, and it’s a shame because it’s beautiful. But the scenery of orange skies against the red-rock canyons exists and is beautiful.

The Ultimate Road Trip To Big Bend

I’m assuming everyone who journeys to Big Bend Country will visit the national park, so I think such people would want to know a little about it before diving into the big road trip. I do, and now I know it’s a stretch that I’ll ever visit, but my hopes are high.

Make sure to do your homework before heading out:

I don’t know anyone who would drive this road trip straight through without stopping for the night. Would you? I’m from Fort Worth, so that’s a significant drive for me, so spending the night (or two) somewhere in between is what I would do unless I flew into El Paso or elsewhere.

(March 2023) I went to the Travel & Adventure Show in Dallas and met a representative from Big Bend. She said the best way to travel there is to fly into El Paso, rent a car and drive down. I also met a rep from Alpine, TX. She told me there are hotels in Alpine and none in Big Bend, but if you were looking to stay in yurts and glamping tents, then by all means, keep forging ahead because there are plenty down there. You’ll also find the luxurious Gage Hotel in Marathon, TX.

Things To See And Do In Big Bend Country

How To Get There:

Driving:

  1. Dallas/Fort Worth: (533 miles) – Take I-20 to Odessa, then take either Farm Road 1053 or Highway 18 (from Monahans) south to Fort Stockton.
  2. San Antonio: 5-1/2 drive (410 miles)
  3. El Paso: 292 miles – I-10 through Marfa and down into the small towns.
  4. Midland/Odessa – 215 miles on I-20.
  5. A Houston to Big Bend National Park drive will take you roughly 9 hours.

Flying:

As I mentioned above, flying into El Paso or even Midland/Odessa and renting a car for the drive down would be optimal and less wear and tear on your vehicle.

Below, you’ll find plenty of roadside stops and places to visit as you journey to Big Bend by car.

The Texas Rio Grande. Image by David Mark from Pixabay

The Ultimate Road Trip To Big Bend

Plan your way to Big Bend by stopping at one or two of these great places for some variety and to break up your time on the road. I hope you have at least six days to wonder, as this will be a lifetime road trip.

Disclosure: I have not taken the journey myself.

Mule deer in Davis Mountains State Park. Image by M Sudano from Pixabay

Fort Davis, Texas

Fort Davis is a town many Americans haven’t heard of, but those who hail from Texas have likely heard at least something about it. The small Texas community may not be a primary destination for travel and tourism, but there’s still plenty to see and do for the adventurous. And a perfect stop for your ultimate road trip to Big Bend.

Fort Davis is the highest town in Texas, which means a cooler climate and all that comes with it. For those of you who have never been to Fort Davis, envision mountain scenery, starry skies, and abundant wildlife. That’s enough for me!

How To Get There:

From I-10, drive south on Hwy 118 from El Paso or south on Hwy 17 from Balmorhea or Fort Stockton.

Things To Do In Fort Davis

Alpine, TX

Alpine, Texas, is a small town with a big heart and scenic views. With a population of only 7,000, it has recently been named one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States. Alpine is also known as the gateway to Big Bend National Park.

How To Get There:

From I-10, go south on Hwy 67; from Fort Davis, keep driving south on Hwy 118 toward Big Bend Country.

Things To Do In Alpine

Marfa, Texas

Marfa is not just a place to see the empty Prada building and to glamp. It’s quite an artsy town.

The town holds the annual Trans-Pecos festival in the fall, celebrating art and building with songwriting workshops, artisanal markets, pop-up parties, and live music of all genres. Usually held at El Cosmico.

How To Get There:

Marfa, TX, to Big Bend National Park is about a 2-hour drive. But I’m sure you’ll want to see the famous (fake) storefront Prada Marfa with actual Prada shoes and handbags. It’s about 30 minutes north on US 90.

Things To Do In Marfa

  1. The El Cosmico has rental spots of brightly colored bohemian vintage trailers, tepees, and yurts.
  2. I hear the pimento cheese dip is the best from Para Llevar
  3. Marfa Lights Viewing Center – Head east about 10 miles to watch for the mysterious “Marfa Lights” come nightfall off Rte. US 67. Sometimes they’re red, sometimes they’re green, and sometimes they’re white. Visible at night regardless of season or weather, nobody is quite sure what causes them, but UFO hunters are obsessed with finding the explanation.
  4. While in Marfa, consider staying at the Hotel Paisano, where actor James Dean stayed while filming his final movie, GIANT.
  5. The Chinati Foundation Contemporary Art Museum in Marfa.
  6. Go horseback riding in Big Bend Ranch State Park.

Presidio, Texas

Presidio is a quiet, small town nestled in West Texas. This charming community offers residents and visitors unparalleled access to the limitless experiences only Big Bend National Park can provide.

The town is a great place to relax, but with its history as a border town, the oldest town in Texas, and easy access to Big Bend National Park, it’s also a prime location for everything from art and music festivals to family-friendly activities.

How To Get There:

It’s less than an hour from the national park.

Things To Do In Presidio

Terlingua Ghost Town. Image by Rick Roberson from Pixabay

Terlingua, Texas

Terlingua looks more or less like a ghost town with old abandoned buildings and plenty of random early-1900s-era equipment and furnishings scattered among the tumbleweeds but is now known for its charming mix of gift shops, earthy hotels, and its famous chili cook-off in early November.

How To Get There:

Terlingua is located very close to the national park. Exit the highway as if you were going to Alpine, then take TX-118 for 80 miles due south to find Terlingua at the gates of Big Bend.

Things To Do In Terlingua

  1. Check out the Terlingua Trading Company for handmade gifts
  2. Stop by the High Sierra Bar + El Dorado Hotel for drinks and lodging in a rustic western atmosphere.
  3. Grab a bite to eat and catch live honky-tonk music at the old Starlight Theater.
  4. DB’s Rustic Iron BBQ is an iconic barbecue spot.

Lajitas, Texas

If you find yourself in the Southwest part of Texas and want to try a little golf (or a lot of golf) and kick back a few cocktails, you may want to check out Lajitas. Lajitas Golf Resort and Spa  This area is known for its white sand and blue water and was once a copper mining town.

How To Get There:

Take Highway 170 in Terlingua, about 20 miles from Big Bend National Park.

Note: If going to the resort to golf and enjoy the spa, flying directly from DFW, Houston, & Austin on a chartered jet is a great option.

Amenities And Activities At The Resort:

Take your time and enjoy your road trip to Big Bend Country.

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