A road trip from Houston to Big Bend in Texas promises an unforgettable adventure. Big Bend National Park, renowned for its vast desert landscapes and rugged canyons, is a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts. Hike the Chisos Mountains, kayak the Rio Grande, or stargaze in one of America’s darkest night skies.
Apart from Big Bend, this region of West Texas is scattered with several interesting attractions. Nearby Marfa, famous for its mysterious Marfa Lights, offers a unique artistic atmosphere with its vibrant galleries and installations. Additionally, the quirky town is known for its thriving art scene, making it a must-visit stop on your journey.
Big Bend Ranch State Park, adjacent to the national park, offers more opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, and exploring the Chihuahuan Desert. It’s a rugged, less crowded alternative for outdoor adventures. The park road is also one of the most scenic drives in America!
Why should Houstonians plan this road trip? Big Bend’s natural beauty, serene isolation, towns like Marathon and Alpine, and the allure of Marfa make it an ideal escape from city life. With diverse landscapes and experiences, it offers a chance to reconnect with nature and explore Texas’ diverse cultural offerings, making it a memorable getaway this year.
The only way to see Big Bend National Park is on a road trip. Start in Houston, Texas and travel through the desert and mountain scenery of Texas. Along the route, you can experience the Texas Hill Country and its many attractions. Here is our detailed itinerary for the Houston to Big Bend National Park Road Trip.
Also Read: Best National Parks in Texas
How far is Big Bend National Park from Houston?
Big Bend National Park is located in the remote part of Texas, even though it is right next to a border.
You can get there from Houston by driving through the Central Texas Hill Country and Trans-Pecos area which are popular tourist destinations.
The distance is around 600 miles and the trip should take about 9 hours.
Also Read: Houston to Austin Road trip
There are two routes: shorter via I-10 or the longer, winded trip via US-90W.
You will find information about both routes in this guide.
Exact Time & Distance:
I-10 & US-90W – 8 hrs 36 mins, 563 miles
I-10 – 8 hrs 47 mins, 605 miles
Also Read: 28 Best Road Trips from Houston
Best time to visit Big Bend National Park
The best time to visit the Big Bend National Park is through fall to spring but you should take a jacket no matter what time you go.
The scenery is most spectacular in fall and spring.
Big Bend National Park has mild winters, with daytime average temperatures in the 50s and 60s Fahrenheit (11-21 degrees Celsius).
It has very hot summers with average daily highs in the 90s Fahrenheit (32-36 degrees Celsius).
But on a summer trip, you are treated to spectacular sunsets and can take advantage of long daylight hours to explore the park.
The park also gets about 30 inches of rain each year.
Also Read: 24 Best Things to do in West Texas
Best Stops on Houston to Big Bend National Park Road Trip via I-10 & US-90 W
If you are planning a road trip from Houston to Big Bend National Park, make sure to stop at the following spots to make the most of this road trip:
Houston
Houston is a vibrant and diverse city and makes a great start for this road trip.
H-Town is home to plenty of attractions including NASA’s Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, where Mission Control for the Apollo 11 moon landing was located.
From world class museums and aquariums to city parks, Houston has many attractions for tourists.
Houston also has restaurants serving delicious food from all over the world like Vietnamese pho noodle soup and Ethiopian doro wat chicken stew.
And of course no trip would be complete without tasting some Texas BBQ in Houston!
Also Read: Houston in a day itinerary
San Antonio
San Antonio is the second largest city in Texas and a mecca for tourists.
It has a rich history both as a military outpost and as the setting of many movies and TV shows.
Visit the Alamo, explore the San Antonio River Walk, get lost in historic missions or visit some of the other attractions that San Antonio has to offer.
San Antonio also has a diverse population and offers a great place to experience Mexican cuisine.
Read: Houston to San Antonio Drive Guide
Optional: Castroville
Located west of San Antonio, Castroville is a quaint Texan town with many tourist attractions.
Castroville is also known for its French-German heritage and historic buildings.
Stroll through downtown to see attractions such as Landmark Inn State Historic Site, Shooting Star Museum, the splendid St. Louis Church, and the Steinbach Haus.
Sabinal
There are many things to do in Sabinal, Texas.
From the beautiful scenery to the scenic drives and outdoor activities, there is always something for everyone!
From the historic downtown district to plenty of shops, restaurants, and cafes, the city center is a fun place.
Uvalde
Uvalde has plenty of attractions that are worth visiting and makes a perfect stop on the road trip from Houston to Big Bend.
From natural wonders like the Guadalupe River and Frio River, to historical landmarks, this small town in Texas has something for all ages.
Del Rio
The border town of Del Rio, Texas is located on the banks of the Rio Grande river.
A major attraction is the Lake Amistad National Recreation Area and Amistad Village, a beautiful spot to stop on the way from Houston to Big Bend.
The recreation area features boating, fishing, birding, and hiking.
Del Rio also has many cultural attractions.
Comstock
Comstock, Texas is a small town in the western Val Verde County.
Along with museums and buildings downtown, nearby attractions such as Seminole Canyon State Park and Pecos River High Bridge attract tourists.
Marathon
Marathon is the perfect destination for those who want to enjoy the outdoors, relax, and take in local history.
It’s also just a short drive away from Big Bend National Park, making it a perfect base to explore the park.
Big Bend National Park
At the end of the road, you will find Big Bend National Park.
Big Bend National Park includes areas ranging from small mountains, mesas, scenic canyons, and river valleys to vast desert land.
This scenic paradise contains about 1,200 species of plants, more than 450 species of birds, a variety of mammals including mountain lions and mule deer, and reptiles.
It is a paradise for nature lovers, outdoor explorers, hikers, photographers, and stargazers.
Essential Stops on Houston to Big Bend National Park Road Trip via I-10
If taking the interstate, then stop at the below destinations:
Kerrville & Ingram
Kerrville, Texas has an abundance of natural beauty with its rolling hills covered in cedar trees, limestone outcroppings, and treks through city parks.
In nearby Ingram, you can visit replica Stonehenge and Easter Island Statues as well as stop at an artists colony!
Junction
The small town of Junction is located where the North and South Llano rivers meet.
This Hill Country gem has beautiful scenery with scenic vistas of the water bodies and hill country landscape.
See the dance hall, visit a winery or two, and walk about the quaint town before heading back on the road to Big Bend.
Sonora
Sonora is a small town in Texas most famous for its underground caves full of interesting geological formations.
The cave tours are a hit with kids and a great learning experience.
There are plenty of other things to do in Sonora, including golfing, fishing, hiking trails and restaurants!
Fort Stockton
Fort Stockton is located in the Trans-Pecos region of Texas.
It offers many outdoor activities like camping, hunting, fishing, hiking and wildlife viewing.
No visit to Fort Stockton would be complete without seeing Historic Fort Stockton, an old frontier military post that has been converted to a museum.
Marathon & Big Bend National Park
From Fort Stockton, drive south towards Marathon and enjoy your time in Big Bend National Park.
Things to see near Big Bend National Park
Big Bend National Park, in the southwest corner of Texas, is one of our country’s most expansive and remote national parks.
There are many hidden treasures nearby that tourists skip on a visit to Big Bend.
Here are some activities you can do near Big Bend National Park that will make your visit more memorable!
Terlingua
Terlingua is a sleepy little Texas ghost town located in the Big Bend region.
The ghost town of Terlingua was originally established as a mining camp for the nearby mines in Chisos Mountains but was subsequently abandoned.
Big Bend Ranch State Park
Big Bend Ranch State Park is located in the southwest region of Texas.
It is home to over 100 species of mammals, 800 species of birds, and numerous reptiles.
The park offers many recreation opportunities such as hiking trails, horseback riding, wildlife viewing, and fishing.
Marfa
Marfa is a town located in the high desert of Texas.
It has become widely known due to the Prada Marfa art installation, its glamping facilities, and the mysterious lights.
Alpine
Alpine, Texas is a small town in the Big Bend region of West Texas.
This remote location has become popular among tourists who want to experience the solitude and natural beauty that this area offers.
Fort Davis
Fort Davis, Texas is home to Fort Davis National Historic Site.
It was established by the Confederate Army as a frontier outpost on the banks of the Rio Grande and became part of the Union State of Texas during reconstruction.
The fort provided protection for settlers against raids by Native Americans and served as a base for operations against Apache bands in West Texas.
Today, it is a living museum with tours of historic buildings, public exhibits and cultural events.
Balmorhea State Park
Balmorhea State Park is a beautiful, serene and tranquil destination for those who are looking to escape the chaos of city life.
Located in West Texas, Balmorhea State Park provides visitors with a variety of activities such as camping, hiking, swimming and boating, fishing, bird watching and wildlife viewing.
El Paso
If you are planning a trip from Houston to Big Bend in wintertime, make sure to stop by El Paso.
El Paso is home of Franklin Mountains State Park which has more than 25 miles of trails for hikers and mountain bikers.
You can also enjoy horseback riding or snowshoeing in Franklin Mountain State Park.
Things to remember while planning the Houston to Big Bend Drive
If you are driving to Big Bend National Park, you will need to prepare your car for the journey: tires, oil changes, and maintenance is essential.
Taking a summer trip? Remember to pack sunscreen and a hat.
If you’re taking a winter trip, be prepared for colder temperatures and nights that dip below freezing with no snow on the ground.
Pack water and snacks as your drive is more than eight hours long to avoid needing to stop for gas or food along the way.
Make sure to always have your phone charged up in case of emergencies or anything that may arise during your drive (i.e., flat tire).
Also Read: Houston to New Orleans Drive
Keep an itinerary handy with GPS coordinates for all of the locations that you want to visit since cell coverage can be limited.
You can also download maps offline to avoid paying data charges.
From activities like horseback riding or the serene beauty of Big Bend, visitors can find a variety of ways to enjoy themselves without ever leaving the park’s boundaries.
For those who don’t want to leave at all, consider visiting Marfa for its glamping facilities or Terlingua for its ghost town charm!
There are many hidden treasures close to Big Bend National Park that you can visit on this epic road trip from Houston!
Further Reading:
Best Road Trips in Texas
Best Places to Visit in Texas