Heading west out of San Antonio can seem sparse. However, if you venture off the interstate, travelers can find two national parks, a national historic site, several state parks, scenic drives and lots of wide-open spaces. Come prepared to stay a few days and be mesmerized by the epic desert beauty of West Texas. Here are the top things to do in West Texas.
Top 21 Things to Do in West Texas
Fort Davis National Historic Site
Scenic Drives in West Texas
Big Bend Ranch State Park
Balmorhea State Park
Davis Mountains State Park
Fort Lancaster State Historic Site
The McDonald Observatory
Caverns of Sonora
The Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center in Fort Davis
Judd Historic District in Marfa
Marfa Lights Viewing Station
Ballroom Marfa
Prada Marfa
El Paisano Hotel in Marfa
Museum of Big Bend in Alpine
Hancock Hill
Annie Riggs Memorial Museum in Fort Stockton
Old Fort Stockton
Old Pecos County Jail in Fort Stockton
Rollins Sibley House in Fort Stockton
Take a River Trip on the Rio Grande
Big Bend National Park
Big Bend National Park offers rugged western scenery that conjures up images of cowboys on horseback, riding on ridges. In a land where roadrunners outnumber the residents, Big Bend offers campers ample roaming room and a nightlife glittering with stars. It’s part of the Chihuahuan Desert, one of the four deserts in the U.S.
The Chisos Mountains, the only mountain range located entirely within a national park, offers a lodge and family-friendly trails. Big Bend National Park even offers its own border crossing so visitors can tour the tiny village of Bogillas del Carmen.
Big Bend offers rugged hiking where visitors might catch a glimpse of a mountain lion or a black bear, both residents of the park. Or float through remote scenery only accessible by a raft to meander through the sheer rock walls of the Santa Elena Canyon.
Find several visitor centers along with full-service campgrounds and lodging. It is best explored during the school year due to high temperatures during the summer.
Water lovers will want to float the Rio Grande Wild and Scenic River. To experience the river, visitors should arrange a guided trip through a local outfitter.
Located at the bend in West Texas at the border of the U.S. and Mexico. Texas Highway 118 and FM 170 enter Big Bend National Park. Open 24 hours a day and 365 days a year. A seven-day pass is $30, and cash isn’t accepted at the park.
Travel Guide to Big Bend National Park
Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Mountaineers know the Guadalupe Mountains since it’s the high point of Texas at 8,751 ft. With its developed trail for high pointers, it is a destination to reach the summit and mark another peak off their list.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park offers dark skies and quiet hiking. Guadalupe Peak boasts a rugged mountain backdrop and over 80 miles of hiking trails, some accessible and over half open to horseback riding.
Located at 400 Pine Canyon, Salt Flat, just south of the New Mexico border and 110 miles east of El Paso. Open 24 hours a day and 365 days a year. The Big Springs Visitor Center is open Monday to Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission is $10 a person for 16+ for a seven-day pass. Annual Passholders can bring in three people.
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Fort Davis National Historic Site
As people moved west, the U.S. Army patrolled the area along the route to California. A fort was constructed on the site in 1854. From 1854 to 1891, Fort Davis served as a military outpost to protect emigrants, mail and freight along the Trans-Pecos section of the San Antonio-El Paso Road.
After the Civil War, Fort Davis was reinstated and expanded starting in 1867. In 1891, the fort was abandoned. In 1961, it was authorized as a National Park site.
Fort Davis National Historic Site is a well-preserved western fort in the U.S. Depending on interest, it can be explored in a few hours and is an excellent stop on the way to Big Bend National Park
From its Fort to Star Parties: Top 17 Things to Do at Fort Davis in West Texas
Scenic Drives in West Texas
One of the best ways to see West Texas is to drive through it. It can be driven in a circle, stopping in popular towns, like Marfa, Fort Davis and Terlingua.
Remember to keep an eye on the gas. At dusk and dawn, there’s a lot of wildlife activity as well.
Tri County Triangle of Fort Davis-Marfa-Alpine Scenic Drive
Get a dose of history and the arts on this scenic drive. Use Texas Highway 17, US 90 and Texas Highway 118 to complete a loop in either direction.
You can spend an entire day in Fort Davis and Marfa. Both make an excellent base for traveling throughout West Texas. Each town is the county seat.
Big Bend National Park Driving Loop
Get a dose of Big Bend National Park, starting in Alpine, head south on Texas Highway 118 to Study Butte ,then drive through the park.
Head out of Big Bend via US 385, driving north to Marathon and back to Alpine. This route can also be driven in either direction.
Big Bend Ranch State Park
Neighbors with Big Bend National Park, this is a 311,000-acre state park in the Chihuahua Desert. It is the largest state park in Texas. Originally a working ranch, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department purchased the land in 1988 and the park opened in 1991.
The Big Bend Ranch State Park features the Barton Warnock Visitor Center, hiking, biking and camping. It is a Dark Skies Park as well.
Located at 21800 FM170, Terlingua. Day-use reservations recommended during holidays and school breaks. Adult admission is $5, with kids 12 and younger entering for free.
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Balmorhea State Park
West of San Antonio, an oasis is conveniently located along Interstate 10, headed to El Paso. Developed in 1934, Balmorhea Pool is 25 feet deep, covers 1.3 acres, and holds 3.5 million gallons of natural spring water that bubbles up from the springs at the bottom.
Balmorhea Pool has been a destination for generations and continues to draw people to this West Texas Oasis. There’s a historic motor court, camping and it is open for day-use.
Located at 9207 TX-17, Toyahvale. Open daily from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Adult admission is $7 and kids 12 and younger enter for free.
Balmorhea Pool: the Largest Natural Pool in the World in West Texas
Davis Mountains State Park
Adjoining Fort Davis National Historic Site, the Davis Mountains State Park features Limpia Creek and the Limpia Canyon. It is also home to the Indian Lodge, a historic lodge built by the Civilian Conservation Corps.
Visitors can also see a variety of wildlife, including birds, wildflowers and native vegetation. It is a prime spot for watching the sunset. There’s camping, hiking and stargazing.
Located on Texas Highway 118 North, Park Road 3, just 5 miles from Fort Davis. Open daily and park office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Adult admission (12+) is $6, and kids under 12 are free.
Fort Lancaster State Historic Site
Fort Lancaster was a fort built along the San Antonio-El Paso Road to protect pioneers en route to California. All that remains today are the foundations of the old buildings, yet this site has lots to offer.
You can tour the fort foundations. Then use the covered picnic area.
Located at 629 Fort Lancaster Road, Sheffield, Texas. Open Tuesday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Adult admission is $8 for adults, $2 for kids 6 to 18 and free for kids under 5.
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Visit the McDonald Observatory
The McDonald Observatory opened in 1933 on Mt. Locke. As a part of the University of Texas, it’s primarily a research facility. The McDonald Observatory hosts popular events, like its Star Parties, a guided tour of the night sky, along with live telescopes.
During the day, the McDonald Observatory offers a solar viewing program. There is also a guided tour.
Located at 3640 Dark Sky Drive, it’s 12 miles north on Texas Highway 118. Adult admission for the Star Parties is $25 and admission for kids (5+), students and seniors is $20. The Solar Viewing program is $5 for everyone (babies included). The guided tour is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and students and $5 for those 4 and younger (babies included). General admission to the Visitor Center, which includes interpretive displays and a gift shop, is $3 for everyone (babies included).
Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center
This 507-acre site is dedicated to the discovery of the Chihuahuan Desert, one of four deserts in the U.S. Visitors can meander through the semi-arid grassland and see rock outcroppings of the Davis Mountains at the Chihuahua Desert Nature Center.
Located at 43899 Highway 118, 4 miles southeast of Fort Davis. Open from Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.. Adult admission (12+) is $6.50, and kids 12 and under are free. Dog-friendly.
Caverns of Sonora
Early in the 20th century, a family dog chased a raccoon into an opening in the rocks that turned out to be a cave. Considered by many to be the showiest of Texas’s show caves, the Caverns of Sonora are one of the best caves in Texas.
The crystal cave glitters as light bounces off the formations. With its location between San Antonio and El Paso on Interstate 10, the Caverns of Sonora is an ideal road trip stop.
Located at 1711 Pvt Road 4468, 15 miles southwest of Sonora. Adult admission to the Crystal Palace Tour is $28 and kids (4 to 11) are $20. Kids 4 and younger enter for free.
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Judd Historic District in Marfa
Donald Judd remade Marfa from 1973 until his death in 1994. During his time, he purchased and renovated 15 buildings in the area.
One of the tastemakers in the Minimalist movement, the Judd Historic District recognizes his contributions to art and architecture in Marfa. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in May 2025.
The internationally renowned artist divided his time between New York City and Marfa. The top site includes the Chianti Foundation.
Located at 1 Cavarly Row. Guided tours available Wednesday to Sunday, from 8:45 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Marfa Lights Viewing Station
Texas is full of legends, from Country singers to ghosts. In Marfa, there’s one that’s in between.
About 18 miles west of Alpine on US Highway 67, people have seen unexplained phenomena at night. At the horizon, mysterious lights appear where there are no roads or houses.
For a chance to see the unexplained Marfa Lights, the best chance to catch them is in the wee hours of the morning. At the Marfa Lights Viewing Station, visitors will find off-highway parking with a nice viewing area complete with telescopes and 24-hours restrooms.
Ballroom Marfa
There’s more to the Marfa art scene than Judd. Another gallery to visit is the Ballroom Marfa. In a restored 1920s ballroom, visitors can enjoy an arts and cultural space dedicated to art, film and music and established in 2003 by Virginia Lebermann and Fairfax Dorn.
Located at 108 E. San Antonio St. Open Wednesday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free to enter.
Prada Marfa
This iconic storefront is a permanent land art project by artists Elmgreen & Dragset, sponsored by Ballroom Marfa. Located outside of Marfa, near Valentine, it houses the 2005 Prada collection, the year the site opened.
Located at 14880 US-90, Valentine. Free to visit, best from dawn to dusk
El Paisano Hotel
Built in 1930 by architect Henry Trost in the Spanish Revival Style, El Hotel Paisano is a historic hotel in Marfa and on the National Register of Historic Places.
However, it’s best known as a home base for actors like Elizabeth Taylor, James Dean and Rock Hudson. They were in town for the filming of the epic film, The Giant, in 1955.
Though its uninvited guests might be the stars of the hotel in the 21st century, rumors continue to circulate. James Dean stayed on at the Paisano after the filming, and he died shortly after his West Texas stay.
Located at 207 Highland St. in Marfa.
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Museum of Big Bend in Alpine
The county seat for Brewster County and home to Sul Ross State University, Alpine is the largest town in Far West Texas. It features the Museum on the Big Bend.
Located on Sul Ross State University in Alpine, the Museum of Big Bend showcases the natural history, culture and art of the Big Bend region. It routinely shows art from the region, and also in its collections are historic maps.
Located at 400 N Harrison St., C-101, Alpine. Open Tuesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Adult admission is $10 with kids 12 and younger entering for free. Enter the Entrance Four from Harrison Street, and parking is across the street on the left.
Hancock Hill in Alpine
Behind the university, visitors can hike up the hill to see a view of West Texas. For those who make it to the top, you can sit at the desk that Sul Ross State University students hauled up there in 1981.
To reach the trailhead, turn left at the end of Avenue B (SRSU Entrance 4). The trailhead is at the far edge of the old Mountainside dormitory parking lot.
Annie Riggs Memorial Museum in Fort Stockton
Built in 1899 as the Koehler Hotel, it was later renamed the Riggs Hotel after the longtime owner. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973, the Fort Stockton Historical Society operates a museum dedicated to Fort Stockton’s history.
Located at 301 S Main St, Fort Stockton, TX 79735. Open Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Old Fort Stockton
As a former US Army post from 1867 to 1886 at the Comanche Springs, a vital water source. It protected the San Antonio-to-El Paso trail.
Now visitors can tour four restored and furnished buildings, including officers’ quarters and a guard house.
Located at 301 E 3rd St, Fort Stockton. Open Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Adult admission is $3, and $2 for kids (6 to 12).
Old Pecos County Jail in Fort Stockton
One of the oldest and most imposing structures in West Texas, built in 1883 and enlarged in 1913. Close to the courthouse, it housed prisoners on the second floor,
Located at 101 W. Gallagher St, Fort Stockton, TX 79735. Open Monday to Friday from 1 to 5 p.m.
Rollins Sibley House in Fort Stockton
Another historic property in Fort Stockton, the Rollins-Sibley house was built in 1905 on the foundations of the old fort hospital by Dan Rollins. The Rollins-Sibley House is located near the parade grounds of Historic Fort Stockton.
Listed as a Victorian House in the National Register, visitors can walk through antique-filled rooms for a glimpse into life in West Texas at the turn of the 20th century.
Located at 101 W Gallagher St, Fort Stockton, TX 79735. Open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Take a River Trip on the Rio Grande
Float along the Rio Grande for epic views of Big Bend National Park. There are several trips offered, from half-day floats to multi-day float and camp adventures.
I recommend Far Flung Outdoor Center in Terlingua as a preferred outfitter. It is located at 23310 FM 170, Terlingua.
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