A road trip from Dallas to Big Bend National Park in Texas offers a captivating journey through the state’s diverse landscapes. What makes Big Bend truly unique is its remote isolation and stunning natural beauty. It wows visitors with its vast desert vistas, towering canyons, the winding Rio Grande River, and a variety of flora and fauna. Little wonder, that Big Bend is amongst the best national parks in Texas!
The park’s vastness and unspoiled wilderness allow for unparalleled stargazing opportunities, thanks to its designation as an International Dark Sky Park. Hikers can explore a range of trails, from the iconic Santa Elena Canyon to the Chisos Mountains, offering diverse experiences for all levels of adventurers. Wildlife enthusiasts can spot an array of species, including roadrunners, javelinas, and even black bears.
For Dallas residents, a Big Bend road trip offers a chance to escape the urban hustle and bustle, immersing themselves in a serene natural environment. The solitude and rugged beauty of Big Bend provide a perfect contrast to the city life. The road itself provides for some of the most spectacular scenery and panoramic views in North America.
Big Bend National Park road trip from Dallas is a reminder of Texas’s vast and untamed wilderness, and a trip here promises awe-inspiring sunsets, serene moments of reflection, and a deep connection to the raw beauty of nature. In short, a visit to Big Bend is an unforgettable Texas adventure that every Dallas local should experience at least once in their lifetime.
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How far is Big Bend National Park from Dallas?
Big Bend National Park is about 8 hour drive from the Dallas/Fort Worth area.
The road trip is along I-20, one of the most recognized interstate highways in the United States.
I-20 is an east–west Interstate Highway that runs from 20 miles (32 km) west of Terrell, Texas to 20 miles (32 km) east of Waco, Texas.
The highway connects Dallas and Fort Worth area to Monahans from where you will leave the freeway and drive south to Big Bend, Texas via Fort Stockton.
Exact Time & Distance:
Via I-20 – 7 hrs 48 mins, 535 miles
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Best time to visit Big Bend National Park
The best time to visit Big Bend National Park is during the fall or winter months.
Fall in Big Bend National Park means cooler weather and fewer crowds.
Fall colors are usually at their peak in October, so plan a fall trip to the park then.
Winter is also a great time of year to visit with little more than light jacket needed for most days and shorter wait times on popular trails like Window Trail or Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive.
The summer months can be quite hot, but it’s one of the best times to see cactus flowers and wildflowers bloom.
In spring, you can experience rain and bluebonnet blooms in the park.
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Essential Stops on Dallas to Big Bend National Park Road Trip via I-20
Here are some of our favorite road trip stops on the Dallas to Big Bend drive.
Dallas
Dallas is the quintessential American city.
The Big D has a deep history with 36 historic districts that include houses from Victorian era.
There are also many memorials and monuments around town commemorating major events such as JFK’s assassination.
The Dallas Arts District is an attraction by itself with its many artist studios and galleries.
Spend a day or two in Dallas before heading west on the I-20.
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Fort Worth
Fort Worth Texas is home to the famous stockyards.
The Fort Worth Stockyards play host to a legendary weekly cattle drive.
This centuries-old tradition draws crowds of local residents and visitors alike.
In addition to the cattle drive and livestock auctions, there are nearby attractions like Cowtown Coliseum and National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame.
It is also an artsy city and has many museums and murals including the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth.
There are also many opportunities for outdoor recreation in Fort Worth.
Abilene
Abilene is a little city in the westernmost part of Texas.
The city is located off Interstate 20 on the old Chisholm Trail (named for Jesse Chisholm), north of Dallas.
It’s also called the Storybook Capital of America because of literary sculptures in its downtown.
Along with the statues, Historic downtown Abilene is filled with restaurants, shops, and art galleries as well as historic sites.
We recommend spending some time in Abilene on your Dallas to Big Bend road trip.
Odesa
Odesa, Texas is a small city nestled in the heart of western Texas, near Midland.
From museums, art galleries, and historic sites, Odessa is home to a number of attractions.
See the paintings and sculptures at Ellen Noël Art Museum of the Permian Basin or watch a play at Globe of Great Southwest theatre.
Odessa also has a replica Stonehenge, similar to the one in Ingram, Texas!
The Odesa Meteor Crater and on site museum is great for space buffs.
Monahans Sandhills State Park
A must stop with the kids!
Monahans Sandhills State Park, located in the Texas desert, is known for its sand dunes.
Sand sledding is our favorite activity at Monahans Sandhills State Park.
The sand hills are made up of a unique type of sand that is not just easy to climb but also quite soft, so the steep dunes are perfect for going down the slopes in sand sleds.
The Monahans sandhills play host to a wide variety of wildlife including the endangered Big Bend rattlesnake and the Texas horned lizard.
The park visitor center has exhibits about the wildlife and geology of the park.
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Optional: Pecos
Pecos, Texas is a small historical town that’s famously known as ‘Home of the World’s first Rodeo’!
In historic Downtown Pecos, you will find attraction such as the West of the Pecos museum, numerous antique shops. and historic buildings.
Our favorite things to do in Pecos is to take a photo with the giant 8 foot long boots on the Pecos Boot Trail in downtown!
Fort Stockton
Fort Stockton is a city in West Texas.
It is home to the military fort which has been converted into living history museum.
For shoppers, there are some great antique shops and small boutiques downtown that offer a chance to explore different types of art and culture.
It makes a great stop on your way to the national park.
Marathon
At different times in history, Marathon has been a railroad town in the Texas Trans-Pecos region and then a cattle rustling and shipping center in West Texas.
However, today Marathon is known as the gateway to Big Bend National Park.
It has amazing natural scenery and lots of tourist activities for visitors to the park.
Big Bend National Park
In order to get the most out of your trip to Big Bend National Park, you should spend one to two days exploring the park.
Big Bend National Park has a natural beauty found only in the Chisos mountain ranges of West Texas.
A great way to explore this large area is on a scenic drive or by hiking / biking the trails.
In Big Bend National Park you can find birds, wildlife, tall mountains and cacti.
Big Bend is one of the Dark Sky Sports in the USA – you can see millions of stars in the sky while staying overnight in Big Bend.
The park also has many historical sites to visit as well as variety of family friendly activities for visitors.
Things to see near Big Bend National Park
Big Bend National Park is home to some of the most beautiful landscapes in Texas.
Tourists can spend their time visiting historic sites and trails in Big Bend or take advantage of the time to visit nearby area attractions such as the ghost town of Terlingua and Big Bend Ranch State Park.
In Marfa, then take an Instagram worthy photo with the Prada Marfa art installation in the desert.
Nearby Alpine has spectacular mountain scenery and tons of outdoor activities.
If you have the time, visit the McDonald observatory in Fort Davis. This is one of the best places for astronomy enthusiasts in Texas.
Things to remember while planning the Dallas to Big Bend Drive
1.Print a map of the route you plan to take.
2.Plan to assemble your car before you leave and fill up your car with gas.
3.Pack lightly and wear clothing that can help you stay comfortable in all weather conditions while driving westward on your trip.
4.Make sure to set aside plenty of time for meals, breaks, and sightseeing along the way.
We hope you like our road trip guide for Dallas to Big Bend National Park in Texas.