Culture

Drive to Big Bend

Routes, Drive Times & Road Tips to Big BendBig Bend sits deep in far West Texas. Whether you’re coming from El Paso, Midland/Odessa, San Antonio, Austin, Houston, or Dallas/Fort Worth, choose the route that matches your arrival town and the part of the park you want...

Drive from Houston

Houston to Big Bend: Best Routes, Drive Times & Road TipsThe trip from Houston to Big Bend is a true cross-Texas adventure—piney woods to Hill Country to wide-open desert. Expect roughly 8–9 hours of drive time and about 540–600 miles, depending on your route and...

Fly to Big Bend

Commercial & Private Air Travel Options for Big BendPicture yourself sweeping over endless West Texas plains, the sun glinting off distant mesas as you descend into the rugged embrace of Big Bend’s wild frontier. By flying into El Paso, Midland, or even chartering...

Travel to Big Bend by Train

Experience the Historic Sunset Limited Rail RouteBoard Amtrak’s Sunset Limited—the oldest continuously operating named train in the U.S.—for a scenic journey between New Orleans and Los Angeles. This route stops in Alpine, TX three times weekly, offering a relaxed way...

Vehicle Rentals to Big Bend

Convenient Vehicle Rental Options to Big Bend from El Paso, Midland, Alpine & MoreFlying in? Renting a vehicle at a major airport is the fastest, most reliable way to reach Big Bend National Park—and gives you the freedom to explore every scenic mile on your own...

Drive from San Antonio

San Antonio to Big Bend: Scenic Road Trip Highlights & Hidden Stops Along the WayAt roughly 430 miles, the journey from San Antonio to Big Bend National Park takes you from the Hill Country’s rolling hills into West Texas’s rugged desert. Plan for about 7–8 hours of...

Alpine

Hub of the Big Bend Region Alpine Welcome to Alpine, the heart of the Big Bend region and the area’s primary hub for travel, services, and everyday convenience. With more lodging, dining, shopping, and infrastructure than any surrounding community, Alpine serves as a...

Big Bend National Park

Iconic Landscape in Far West Texas Big Bend National Park Welcome to Big Bend National Park, one of the most extraordinary and remote landscapes in the United States. Located in far West Texas along a sweeping curve of the Rio Grande, the park is known for its desert...

Lajitas

Resort Community in Big Bend Lajitas Welcome to Lajitas, one of the most unique destinations in the Big Bend region. Set along the Rio Grande and surrounded by rugged desert landscapes, Lajitas offers a rare combination of natural beauty and resort-style comfort in...

Terlingua

Historic Big Bend Community Terlingua Welcome to Terlingua, one of the most iconic communities in the Big Bend region. Known for its ghost town history, dramatic desert setting, and unmistakable personality, Terlingua offers visitors far more than a place to stay. It...

Study Butte

Big Bend Gateway Community Study Butte Welcome to Study Butte, the practical basecamp for exploring the Big Bend region. Located at the junction of TX 118 and FM 170, just outside the western entrance area of Big Bend National Park, Study Butte gives travelers the...

Marathon

Historic Big Bend Gateway Town Marathon Welcome to Marathon, a quiet and distinctive West Texas town that offers a very different kind of Big Bend experience. Known for its historic charm, wide-open scenery, and slower pace, Marathon is a place where visitors come to...

Big Bend

Culture

Desert environments have inspired great philosophers, poets, artists and dreamers of every description. The Chihuahuan Desert, that the Big Bend region is a part of, is no exception. Once described as a dusty bohemia, the greater Terlingua area enjoys an abundance of resident musicians, painters, sculptors, photographers, lapidarists, ceramicists, and talented actors.

Marathon

Marathon offers a few nice shops and art galleries with a pleasantly non-pretensious and laid back approach that offer fine arts and photography, handcrafts, books and unique regional clothing.

Chisos Gallery - Specializes in Southwestern art, religious articles, Mexican antiques and Tarahumara pottery, with an extensive and diverse selection. On U.S. Hwy. 90, next to the Post Office. 424-386-4200

Evans Gallery - James Evans is a keen observer of the Big Bend, which is reflected in his fine B&W photography. The gallery also displays original works by other southwestern artists. Across the tracks, Ave. D and South 1st St. 432-386-4366

Terlingua/Study Butte

Terlingua/Study Butte have a unique setting and atmosphere that lends itself to great art projects as well as attracts residents with artistic inclination. There are several locations to see local art and handwork.

Bonnie Wunderlick is a local painter whose work is displayed at the High Sierra Bar and Grill in Terlingua and the Catchlight Gallery in Alpine. Bonnie’s Big Bend work includes landscapes, figures, architecture and abstract paintings which reflect the artist’s 20 plus years of painting the Big Bend and her influences in contemporary painting. Terlingua Gallery

Quilts, Etc. is located in the Bee Mountain Center on highway 118 jjust north of the junction of TX 170, features home made quilts in a variety of styles and fabrics.

Many Stones - Fine jewelry hand crafted by the proprietor, stained glass, precious and semi- precious stones, mineral specimens and eclectic surprises. Open most of the time. Highway 118, just south of the junction of 170 and 118. 432-371-2994

Brer' Rabbit Curios - Is in the Chisos Mining Company office. It is a classic souvenir shop, neat stuff for not much money. They feature a selection of rocks and fossils, along with kitschy memorabilia. No Santa Fe styled art, or pricey cowboy chic. Located in Chisos Mining Company Motel. Highway 170, Study Butte. 432-371-2430

Terlingua Trading Company & Book Store - The Trading Company boasts an extraordinary inventory of southwestern U. S. and Mexican influenced gifts and collectibles, including an outstanding book and map section. Open 10:00am - 9:00pm almost always. 432-371-2234

Earth and Fire Imports carries an assortment of fine ceramics and metalwork from Mexico, as well as displays work by local artists A resident artist program allows visitors to meet local artists at the shop and learn how the beautiful landscape inspires and informs their work.