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Texas · the United States
Big Bend National Park, where the Rio Grande makes a big bend between Texas and Mexico, with the Santa Elena canyon and the Chisos Mountains, and Marfa, the desert town known for contemporary art.
In the photo: Big Bend landscape seen from the South Rim
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Get to know the place
Big Bend is the far-west region of Texas where the Rio Grande, which marks the border with Mexico, makes a large bend. It is one of the least populated areas in the United States, in the Chihuahuan Desert, with mountains, canyons and very dark night skies. It is remote: about 500 km from El Paso and 650 km from San Antonio.
The national park covers the desert, the Chisos Mountains—the only mountains in the country located entirely within a national park—and more than 160 km of the river. Santa Elena Canyon, with cliffs around 450 meters high, is the best-known landscape. Next door, Big Bend Ranch State Park has dirt roads and the River Road that follows the river.
Towns in the region are small. Alpine, with the university and the regional museum, is the most complete and has a train station. Terlingua, a former mercury-mining village, sits near the park entrances. Marfa, about 40 km from Alpine, became known for contemporary art after artist Donald Judd moved there in the 1970s.
This destination brings together 3 cities: Alpine, Terlingua, Marfa.
One destination, many paths
Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.
Boundaries: U.S. Census Bureau / geoBoundaries (public domain). Adapted by Cidade Turismo.
✈ Midland International Air and Space Port (MAF), in Midland · 260 km to Alpine
The nearest airports with regular flights are Midland (MAF), about 260 km from Alpine, and El Paso (ELP), about 350 km away. Amtrak trains stop in Alpine a few times a week. By car, it’s about five hours from El Paso and seven from San Antonio. A car is essential in the region.
Suggested arrival point: Alpine
Largest town in the Big Bend region, with a university, a train station and the Museum of the Big Bend, about the region’s history and nature. It lies between Marfa, 40 km away, and Big Bend National Park, about 130 km away, and near the McDonald Observatory in the Davis Mountains.
Former mercury-mining village, now with ruined stone houses, a historic cemetery and restaurants, next to the entrances of Big Bend National Park and Big Bend Ranch State Park. It’s the closest base to Santa Elena Canyon.
Small town in the high desert of West Texas, known for contemporary art since the artist Donald Judd settled there in the 1970s. The Chinati Foundation occupies a former military fort with large installations; the Judd Foundation shows the spaces where he lived and worked. At night, an observation area east of town welcomes those who want to see the mysterious Marfa Lights.
The local experience
Contemporary art museum created by Donald Judd in a former military fort south of Marfa, with large permanent installations in buildings and the open landscape.
Regional museum on the Sul Ross campus in Alpine, about the history, peoples and nature of the Big Bend region and the border.
Park at the big bend of the Rio Grande, on the border with Mexico, featuring the Chihuahuan Desert, the Chisos Mountains, hot springs and more than 160 km of river.
Observation area on the edge of US-90, east of Marfa, where visitors gather at dusk to try to see the Marfa Lights on the desert horizon.
Canyon of the Rio Grande in the western part of Big Bend National Park, with limestone cliffs about 450 meters high, one side in the United States and the other in Mexico.
The University of Texas astronomical observatory in the Davis Mountains, at about 2,000 meters, with a visitor center, telescope tours and nighttime star‑viewing programs.
Largest state park in Texas, west of the national park, with the River Road, a scenic road along the Rio Grande, canyons and desert trails.
Before you go
A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.
From October to April the desert usually has mild temperatures, the best season for hiking; in the Chisos Mountains winter nights can be cold. From May to September the heat is intense in the lowlands, often above 40 °C. Spring often brings desert wildflowers depending on the rains.
The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.
Three days allow you to see the national park, Terlingua and Marfa. With four or five days, include the state park, the McDonald Observatory and more hikes in the Chisos Mountains.
Alpine has the largest range of lodging and is halfway between Marfa and the park. Terlingua and Study Butte sit near the park entrances. Inside the national park there are lodging and campgrounds in the Chisos Mountains, with limited space.
Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.
Get your questions answered
Three days for the national park, Terlingua and Marfa. With four or five days, include the state park and the McDonald Observatory.
From El Paso, about 500 km, roughly a five-hour drive to the park. From San Antonio, about 650 km, roughly seven hours.
Yes. There is no public transportation in the region, distances are large and gas stations are few.
From October to April, when the heat eases. In summer, hike only in the Chisos Mountains or very early in the day.
