West Texas is truly a different world. From the MILES (and miles) of roads with no service to the small western towns to the AMAZING hikes and mountains, you will feel as though you have stepped back in time. I am excited to share the ULTIMATE West Texas Road trip itinerary from Dallas. And for all my fellow 9-5ers with limited time off…this West Texas road trip can be done with a long weekend (4 days).
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Table of Contents
How to get to “West Texas”
Everything is bigger in Texas and the state itself is no exception. West Texas is best known for Big Bend National Park (but, there are many other cool things to do…keep reading!) The park covers over 800,000 acres-bigger than the whole state of Rhode Island. The Big Bend region is FAR from any major airport but completely worth the drive.
Distance from Airports to Alpine (where we stayed Nights 1 and 2):
- Midland/Odessa: 160 miles
- El Paso: 220 miles
- San Antonio: 376 miles
- Austin: 407 miles
- Dallas: 489 miles
Tip!! Once you have arrived at your desired airport you will then have to rent a car or an RV/campervan to make it to West Texas. If wanting an RV or camper, I recommend using Weelerz search engine as it will find you the best deal AND give you a variety of options and price points (RV, campervan, travel trailers). It is basically the Airbnb of RV’s!
When is the best time to visit?
If you have ever visited Texas, you are well aware that it gets HOT, but winters also bring brisk air and sometimes snow. With this being said, I recommend visiting in the early spring or fall months. November-April are the busiest months, but in my experience, it was NOWHERE near as busy as other National Parks (we visited at the end of February).
Below are the average temperatures in Big Bend National Park.
- Summer (June-August): 85/66
- Fall (September-November): 72/53
- Winter (December-February): 61/41
- Spring (March-May): 77/55
Where to Stay in West Texas?
Our main intention when visiting West Texas was to visit Big Bend National and State Park. BUT, if you do not want to camp or rent an RV, there are not a lot of accommodations close to the park. We stayed in Alpine for two nights, and then glamped closer to the park on the last night at Ocotillos Village.
If looking for a hotel, your options will most likely be in the following small towns….
Alpine (106 miles):
- Antelope Lodge- This is where we stayed the first two nights. It worked out perfectly as you have your own private room and bathroom in a double occupancy cottage. We were able to leave Thor (our dog) there one day to visit Big Bend.
- Holland Hotel– Located in the city’s center, this historic hotel is full of West Texas charm.
Marfa (131 miles):
- The Lincoln Marfa– Private apartments in the city’s center. Located near local restaurants and museums. Some rooms are pet-friendly and each comes with a complete kitchen and wifi.
- Riata Inn- A budget-friendly, yet charming hotel with an outdoor pool and close to all the Marfa action.
West Texas Road Trip from Dallas Itinerary: 4 Days
Day 1: Dallas to Alpine
Stop 1: Monahan’s Sandhill State Park (382 miles)
I definitely didn’t know Texas had its own sand dunes. BUT, this state park is super underrated. It is right on the route from Dallas to Big Bend and the perfect pit stop.
After arriving, you will see a small visitors center, a large parking lot, and picnic tables. We of course took off to find the best sand dunes. Be prepared though, it was WINDY.
We did not rent sleds, but they are avaible in the visitors center!
Stop 2: Fort Davis State Park (118 miles)
A true hidden gem and perfect pit stop to watch the sunset. Fort Davis State Park is home to seven hiking trails, a national historic site, and a charming downtown. We grabbed a bite to eat at the Fort Davis Drug Store and headed out to watch the sunset on the top of Skyline Drive.
Tip: If you have extra time you can hike up to sunset point via the Old CCC trail (3.3 miles). We were running short on time, so we drove to the top and hiked a bit at the top.
Where we stayed: Antelope Lodge in Alpine.
Day 2: Big Bend National Park
Side note: Day 2 was all about Big Bend National Park. Dogs are not allowed at this national park, so we knew we had to find an accommodation where he would be safe to stay in his kennel (which is why we choose the Alpine location above).
Stop 1: Lost Mine Trail (106 miles)
We left Alpine around 5 am and heading out towards the park. There is NO WHERE to stop for breakfast on the way (all the gas stations were even closed) so be sure to pack a snack for the ride.
We arrived at the Lost Mine trailhead right at sunrise and found a VERY SMALL parking lot on the side of the road (maybe 12 cars). We pulled into the last parking spot and headed on our way.
Trail Details:
- Distance: 4.9 miles
- Elevation: 1,135 ft
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Dogs Allowed?: No
Tip: Pack a picnic snack and take a break at the top. You are met with BEAUTIFUL 360 degree views!
Stop 2: Balanced Rock Trail (11 miles/30+ minutes)
Before heading towards Balanced Rock Trailhead, we backtracked a bit to stop at the Panther Junction Gas Station to fill up and get breakfast (it opens at 8 am). They had a great assortment of snacks and sandwiches and a microwave to warm up your food. It was only about 12 minutes from the Lost Mine Trailhead.
After snacking, we headed towards Balanced Rock Trail. This trailhead is found only 9 miles away from the gas station, BUT its down a 6+ mile rough dirt road so it takes much longer than 10 minutes. We parked in the Grapevine Hills Trailhead parking lot and took off to find the Balanced Rock.
It is an easy and flat trail until the end where it is a bit of rock scramble to the top. Nothing too hard though!
Trail Details:
- Distance: 1.9 miles
- Elevation: 232 ft
- Difficulty: Easy
- Dogs Allowed?: No
Stop 3: Santa Elena Canyon (46 miles, 1hr20+ minutes)
This hike is definitely the most popular hike in the park, but for good reason. A West Texas road trip would not be complete without stopping here.
Bordering the USA and Mexico border, you will be greeted with BEAUTIFUL views of the Santa Elena Canyon. There is a large parking lot and a bathroom at the beginning of the trail. We saw people canoeing and paddleboarding and we of course had to walk through the river a bit (so be sure to pack your Keen Sandals!)
- Distance: 1.5 miles
- Elevation: 610 ft.
- Difficulty: Easy
- Dogs Allowed?: No
Where we stayed: Antelope Lodge in Alpine (123 miles from Santa Elena Canyon)
Tip: If traveling without a dog, it would definitely be easier to find somewhere closer to the parks or camp!
Day 3: Big Bend State Park
Stop 1: Hancock Hill, Alpine (5.3 miles)
Although Alpine is oftentimes just a town to lay your head at night, we found a super unique trail just down the road from our hotel.
To reach the trail head, you can park in the college parking lot and head up the hill. Once you reach the top be sure to find the bicylce tree and vacant old-school desk. Can you imagine carrying this desk up the mountain?! You will be also greeted with amazing views of the city!
- Distance: 1.8 miles
- Elevation: 301 ft
- Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
- Dogs Allowed?: Yes!
Tip: There are A LOT of side trails that may be easy to get confused on. The “Hancock Hill Desk” is actually pinned on Google Maps so you can easily follow the trail/directions on there!
Stop 2: Big Bend Hoodoos Trail- Big Bend Ranch State Park (115 miles)
Our main intention today was to take Thor on a couple of dog-friendly hikes. Although Big Bend National Park is not dog-friendly, there is a state park right next door with 2 (awesome) dog-friendly hikes.
The trailhead has a decent sized parking lot and is easily accessible. The trail is pretty flat and goes directly to the Hoodoos and Balanced Rock. there is also river access and an overlook trail.
- Distance: 1.1 miles
- Elevation: 91 ft.
- Difficulty: Easy
- Dogs Allowed?: Yes!
Stop 3: Closed Canyon Trail- Big Bend Ranch State Park (4.3 miles)
This is a seriously underrated trail. It turned out to be my favorite of the West Texas Road Trip. Aside from the fact that we barely saw any other hikers, you are also hiking through a slot canyon almost the entire time!
- Distance: 1.8 miles
- Elevation: 396 ft
- Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
- Dogs Allowed?: Yes!
Stop 4: Terlingua Ghost Town (32 miles)
Just down the street from your glamping tent (see below), you will find the ruins of the Chisos Mining Company. You can take a free self-guided tour around the ghost town, through the cemetery, and then end your day with a meal at the historic Starlight Theatre. We also grabbed a bite to eat and enjoyed live music at the High Sierra Bar and Grill. (Tip: They just have wine and beer, but this wine margarita was actually delicious!)
Where we stayed: Ocotillos Village (see picture below). Read ALL ABOUT this unique Stargazing Airbnb here!
Other things to do on West Texas road trip from Dallas
We of course did not have time to experiences all the things to do in West Texas, so if you have more time than we did (or want to switch some things around)…here are some ideas!
Marfa:
- Marfa Lights: For decades, visitors and locals have reported viewing mysterious lights in the dark West Texas Sky. There is even a viewing center dedicated to catching a glimpse of this phenomenon.
- Prada Marfa: Okay, you cannot actually shop here, but it makes for a good photo op.
- Art Museums: There are several unique art galleries and museums throughout this small town. Read more about Marfa’s Art scene here!
Alpine:
- Museum of Big Bend: Come learn about the unique history and culture of the Big Bend region. Admission is only 5 dollars and it is located on the Sul Ross State University campus.
Big Bend:
- Boquillas Crossing Port of Entry: Grab your passport and take a rowboat across the river to do some shopping/eating in Mexico. UPDATE: The port is currently closed due to COVID regulations.
- Horseback Ride: Lagitas Stables offer several different rides through this BEAUTIFUL region.
- Canoe/Paddle the river: Check out Far Flung Big Bend rentals for half-day and multi-day river tour options.
Tip: If you have even more time, extend your trip to include a day in Fort Worth, Guadalupe Mountains National Park, , Hueco Tanks State Historic Site, and/or spend some time exploring Dallas!
4-day West Texas Road Trip from Dallas Recap
Day 1:
- Stop 1: Dallas to Monahans Sandhills
- Stop 2: Monahans Sandhills to Fort Davis State Park
- Night 1 Accommodation: Antelope Lodge
Day 2:
- Stop 1: Lost Mine Trail
- Stop 2: Balanced Rock Trail
- Stop 3: Santa Elena Canyon
- Night 2 Accommodation: Antelope Lodge
Day 3:
- Stop 1: Hancock Trail
- Stop 2: Hoodoos Big Bend Trail
- Stop 3: Closed Canyon Trail
- Stop 4: Terlingua Ghost Town
- Night 3 Accommodation: Ocotillos Village
Day 4:
- Drive back to Dallas (see ideas above to extend trip)
Be sure to follow me on Instagram or in our private Facebook group for more itineraries, USA road trip stops, and to ask any questions you may have!
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