Drive to Big Bend

Most who visit Big Bend drive a personal vehicle. Public transportation is available, but not always most convenient. From most cities of origin, there is a fastest route to get to the National Park area, as well as alternate routes that sometimes offer more scenery and less stress than the relentless pace of US 90 and Interstates 10 and 20.

DRIVE FROM AUSTIN

There are several scenic routes through the Hill Country going from Austin to Big Bend, but fastest is to take US 290 west through Fredericksburg and Harper, which intersects with I-10 just east of Junction.

Merge with I-10 west to Fort Stockton. Total mileage Austin to Fort Stockton is about 340. From Fort Stockton, you can go south on US 385 to Marathon, 58 mi. then continue south on US385 to Big Bend National Park From Fort Stockton, you can also continue on I-10 west for 9 mi., then turn south (left) on US 67 to Alpine, another 58 mi. This is a more roundabout way to get to the Park, but closer to Terlingua, Lajitas, Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive and El Camino del Rio. Enter Alpine, right after you pass Sul Ross State University, the road divides. Go about two blocks take a left on TX 118. Go 78 miles to Terlingua/Study Butte Junction. Take a right on TX 170 for Terlingua, Lajitas and Big Bend Ranch State Park. Keep going on TX 118 3 mi. for Big Bend National Park entrance.

Drive from Dallas / Fort Worth

There are three major routes to drive from the Dallas-Fort Worth area to Big Bend, take the fast way, or choose a more round about, scenic route.

Option 1. - The Faster Route

The fastest route is to take I-20 about 350 mi.to Odessa, then follow the directions to Big Bend from Odessa.

Option 2. - Almost As Fast

It is almost as fast, and perhaps more interesting, to go I-20 to Abilene, then take US 277 south to San Angelo, then US 67 to Fort Stockton. US 67 merges with I-10 east of Ft. Stockton. As you hit the eastern limits of Fort Stockton, look for the US 385 exit to Big Bend National Park. For the fastest way to the National Park and Park Headquarters, follow US 385 south for about 55 miles until you hit US 90. Turn east (right) one half mile, and US 385 takes off to the left and continues to Park Entrance. The lovely town of Marathon is a mile east on US 90, last chance for gas, food, etc if you are going straight to the Park. From the turn off, Park entrance is 30 mi, headquarters another 39. Note: Park speed limit is 45 except where slower. Be aware for wildife as well as drivers distracted by wildlife.

The quickest way to the west side of Big Bend National Park, including Terlingua, Study Butte, Lajitas, Santa Elena Canyon, and River Road is through Alpine. Follow US 67/ I-10 through Ft. Stockton 9 mi. to the Alpine exit. Head south (left) on US 67 for about 50 mi. Veer right 8 miles to Alpine. Enter Alpine, right after you pass Sul Ross State University, the road divides. Go about two blocks, take a left on TX 118. Go 80 mi. to Terlingua Junction. Take a right on TX 170 for Terlingua, Lajitas and Big Bend Ranch State Park and River Road. From the Junction, keep going straight on TX 118 3 miles for Big Bend National Park entrance.

Option 3. - Alternate Route

Another route from DFW to Big Bend is to take US 67 all the way through Stephenville, Brownwood, San Angelo, then pick up the route described above in Route 2.

Drive from El Paso

There are three major routes to drive from the Dallas-Fort Worth area to Big Bend, take the fA

Roughly 300 miles east of El Paso, driving to Big Bend is sure to top your list of road trips. Starting in El Paso, the heart of where Texas, New Mexico and Mexico meet not only provides a plethora of culture but ample opportunity to explore a variety of things to see and do. The feeling of isolation is non-existent as your drive through various art communities such as Marfa, Marathon and Alpine.

There are several routes to the Big Bend from El Paso. Take the direct route, or take some time and see the sights of West Texas on the way.

The fastest way to Big Bend National Park is to take I-10 approx 120 miles to Van Horn, take a right on US 90, then 90 mi. to Alpine (through Marfa), then right on TX 118, 78 mi. to Terlingua/Study Butte Junction. At the intersection of TX 118 and TX170, go straight and enter the National Park in 3 mi. Park entrance is about 25 mi. from Park Headquarters.

To return to El Paso, you can take the road north from Panther Junction to Marathon, a distance of 70 miles. Note: Park speed limit is 45 mph and slower in the mountains and curves. Marathon is on US 90 head west (left) and you are 120 mi from Van Horn; 240 total miles from El Paso.

Another scenic alternative return route to El Paso is to leave the Park via the west entrance, go to the junction and turn west on TX 170 to Historic Terlingua 5 mi., Lajitas17 mi., and take the River Road to Presidio, 70 mi. This road has lots of curves and steep grades, including the steepest in Texas. Drive slowly and enjoy incredible scenery overlooking the Rio Grande. From Presidio, US 67 goes north to Marfa, where it intersects with US 90. Marfa is 180 mi. from El Paso.

Drive from Houston

Fastest way to drive to Big Bend from Houston is take I-10 about 200 mi. to San Antonio, and either continue I-10 about 315 mi. to Fort Stockton, or you can take US 90 from San Antonio about 160 mi. to Del Rio, then 175 mi. to Marathon.

Drive from Odessa

There are a couple of ways to drive to Big Bend from Odessa and Midland, depending on your local destination.

The most direct route to Big Bend National Park is to take I-10 33 mi. to Exit 83 in Monahans. Take a left (south) on TX 18, go 50 mi. to Fort Stockton. Take a left on US 385, Railroad Street, which will shortly turn to the left to Marathon. About 55 miles south, US 385 intersects US 90. Turn east (right) one half mile, and US 385 continues left to Big Bend National Park. The town of Marathon is a mile east on US 90, last chance for gas, food, etc for a quite a ways. From the turn off, Park entrance is 30 miles, Park Headquarters is another 40 mi. Note: Park speed limit is 45 mph except where slower. Be aware for wildife as well as drivers distracted by wildlife and spectacular scenery.

The quickest way to the west side of Big Bend National Park, including Terlingua, Study Butte, Lajitas, River Road and Big Bend Ranch State Park is through Alpine. The quickest route with the least traffic is to follow the above directions until you turn south in Monahans. Go south from Monahans on TX 18 about 5 mi. and look hard for the turn off for FM 1776, and take a right. After about 20 miles, FM 1776 will jog turn right for a few hundred yards, then hard left again through Coyanosa. Keep following FM 1776 then merges with US 67, and from that point, you are about 50 miles from the intersection of US 90. Veer right 8 miles, enter Alpine, immediately after you pass Sul Ross State University, the road divides. Go about two blocks take a left on TX 118. Go 80 miles to Terlingua/ Study Butte Junction. Take a right on TX 170 for Terlingua, Lajitas and Big Bend Ranch State Park. Keep going straight 3 miles for Big Bend National Park entrance.

Drive from San Antonio

There are two main routes to come into Big Bend from San Antonio. I-10 takes a northerly route to Fort Stockton. You may also take US 90 through Uvalde and Del Rio, which is a little shorter distance wise, but takes a bit longer.

From Fort Stockton, you can go south on US 385 to Marathon, 58 mi. then continue to Big Bend National Park east entrance 30 mi. further. Park Headquarters at Panther Junction is another 40 mi. You can also continue on I-10 for 9 mi. , then turn south (left) on US 67 to Alpine, another 58 mi. This is a more roundabout way to get to the Park, but closer to Terlingua, Lajitas, Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive and El Camino del Rio. Enter Alpine, right after you pass Sul Ross State University, the road divides. Go about two blocks take a left on TX 118. Go 78 miles to Terlingua/Study Butte Junction. Take a right on TX 170 for Terlingua, Lajitas and Big Bend Ranch State Park. Keep going straight on TX 118 3 miles to Big Bend National Park entrance.

The other main route from San Antonio is to take US 90 through Del Rio into Marathon. From Marathon, either head south on US 385 as above or continue 30 mi. into Alpine. This southern route is shorter and more interesting, but may take longer due to more traffic and several small towns. I-10 can be quicker; after you pass Kerrville the speed limit is 80 mph.

The facility features several new interpretive exhibits, many of them interactive and exciting for youngsters of all ages. The existing large 3-d relief map as well as the full size model of the 18′ wing of Quetzalcoatlus northroppi, the famous Big Bend Pterosaur, both remain as all-time favorites. In addition, in spring of 2013, an auditorium was completed to showcase the new video about Big Bend National Park. During busy seasons, this video will be played continuously during visitor hours. IN slower seasons, it will be played upon demand. click here for a selection of Big Bend videos

The new visitor center has been a long time dream of many people, and it took a remarkable cooperative effort of the National Park Service, Big Bend National History Association, Friends of the Big Bend National Park, and support of the citizens of Brewster County to achieve this this long anticipated result.