The Big Bend region of Texas is located in the far west of the state. Named for the big bend in the Rio Grande river nearby, it includes many sites such as Big Bend National Park, Marfa, Terlingua, the Davis Mountains, and Balmorhea State Park. The area is surprisingly diverse, both the nature and the visitors who you will run into.

Marfa has turned itself into a small art hub in the middle of the desert. Towns like Alpine and Fort Davis maintain their West Texas cowboy roots. Thanks to it’s new golf resort, Lajitas has made itself into the glamour capital of the area, and Terlingua remains a place for the eccentric to call home. Now, let’s dive into what the area has to offer.

Big Bend

Often referred to as Texas’ gift to the nation, Big Bend National Park is bigger than Rhode Island and nestled along the Rio Grande on the Mexico-Texas border. It is known as the National Park with most species of bird. It’s diverse array of wildlife includes javelina, black bear, bobcat, and of course reptiles such as rattlesnakes and lizards.

Getting to the park can be quite arduous, being a 5.5 hour or 4.5 hour drive from major cities like San Antonio or El Paso, respectively. The closest airport that serves major airlines is in Midland, TX, which is a 3 hour drive north. Once there, you have a diverse array of options for accommodation: a lodge in the park, camping, or trailer parks, hotels and vacation rentals in nearby towns like Lajitas or Terlingua (more on that later).

Once you’re in the park, there are a few major spots that many people go see. The first one is Santa Elena Canyon. This is a beautiful vista where the cliff faces surrounding the Rio Grande open up and give visitors a peak into this part of the river. Another popular spot is the Window trail. This requires a bit of a hike, but is well worth it for a spectacular view of the Chisos Mountain range that sits in the park. Many visitors choose to see the park by going on day hikes. However, you can also see the park by driving on paved roads or off-roading if you have the vehicle for it and want to have fun racing through the desert.

Marfa

Marfa is a small town about 100 miles away from Big Bend National Park (not very far by West Texas standards). It can best be described as a hipster-y art enclave in the middle of nowhere. I would say it’s the closest thing Texas has to Jackson Hole. It is famously home to Prada Marfa, which is an art installation placed there in 2005. The town is also home to the Hotel Paisano, which hosted James Dean and Elizabeth Taylor while they filmed the 1956 movie “Giant”.

Other options to stay in include El Cosmico, Hotel Saint George, and the Riata Inn to name a few. El Cosmico is a glamping option that includes everything from yurts to travel trailers. Hotel Saint George is a very modern, upscale hotel in the center of town. Finally, if none of these suit your fancy, the Riata Inn is a traditional style Inn and Motel.

Marfa definitely has a reputation for being less “Texan” than the towns surrounding it. However, I think the eclectic cast of characters who come through and create the art which is made here makes it distinctly Texan.

Terlingua and Lajitas

Lajitas and Terlingua are both old mining towns located on the edge of the park. Terlingua is a quirky ghost town that feels like something out of a Willie Nelson song. Many folks are drawn by the unique feeling of a ghost town which has once again been made livable. Visitors can spend their evenings at “The Porch”, and listen to live music with other visitors and residents (BYOB!). Terlingua is also well known for it’s famous “granddaddy of all chili cookoffs”. Visitors flock here on the first Saturday of every November to experience this unique event.

Lajitas is another mining town. While it’s less well-known than Terlingua, it has grown in it’s own rite. For folks who are looking for luxury in the Texas desert, Lajitas is home to the Lajitas Golf Resort. Here, you can golf with vistas of the Chisos Mountains, go zip-lining, relax at the spa, or many other activities that provide a Texas flavor of luxury.

Fort Davis and the Davis Mountains

My personal favorite part of the area is the Davis Mountains. Home to the town of Fort Davis, this mountain range feels like someone dropped a bit of Southern Colorado right in the middle of West Texas. You can get a glimpse of the whole mountain range if you take the Scenic Loop Drive. It takes about an hour and a half and takes you up to 6700 feet above sea level, making it the highest highway in Texas.

Due to it’s elevation and the overall darkness of the area, the range is home to McDonald Observatory. The observatory is one of the leading astronomical research centers in the world. In addition, the town of Fort Davis also plays host to Fort Davis National Historic Site. The town owes much of its existence to the fort, which was founded in 1854 to protect the Trans-Pecos portion of the San Antonio-El Paso Road. The site gives a glimpse into life on the western frontier for the soldiers of the day.

Conclusion

Planning a trip to the Big Bend region of Texas may seem daunting, but it is well worth it. There are few places in the world where you can find hikers, hippies, movie stars, and cowboys all mingled together the way they are here. Whether you travel for nature or for people, this may be the right trip for you!

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