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Before you go
Your trip to Alpine.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Alpine – Texas Destination Big Bend (Alpine; Terlingua; Marfa) about 700 km from Austin
How to get there
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Midland International Air and Space Port (MAF) Midland · 260 km
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Alpine Amtrak Station 1 km
Approximate distances. Check flights and bus, train or boat schedules before you travel.
The nearest airport with regular flights is Midland (MAF), about 260 km away; El Paso (ELP) is about 350 km away. Amtrak trains stop in Alpine a few times a week. By car, US-90 connects the town to Marfa and US-118 to the park.
How many days
Half a day for the town and the museum. With an extra night, include the McDonald Observatory’s evening program.
When to go
Autumn, winter and spring bring pleasant days. At about 1,400 meters elevation, Alpine is cooler than the park lowlands in summer.
The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.
Do you need a car?
Yes. Distances in the region are large and there is no public transportation.
Suggested itinerary
An order that works
Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.
One day in Alpine
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Morning
Museum of the Big Bend
Visit the Museum of the Big Bend on the university campus.
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Afternoon
Davis Mountains
Drive north on the scenic Davis Mountains road to the McDonald Observatory.
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Evening
Observatory
Stay for the observatory’s stargazing program, with reservation.
Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.
Before you go
Frequently asked questions
Is Alpine a good base for Big Bend?
Yes. It has the largest selection of lodging and services in the region, lies between Marfa and the park, and has a train station.
How far is Alpine from Big Bend National Park?
About 130 km to the north entrance via US-118, and another roughly 40 km to the Panther Junction visitor center.
Can you get to Alpine by train?
Yes. Amtrak trains stop in Alpine a few times a week on routes between the west and east of the country.
What time zone is Alpine in?
Alpine follows Central Time: UTC-6 in winter and UTC-5 in daylight saving time, which runs from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November.