4 Best Gateway Towns To Big Bend National Park
Big Bend National Park is a land unlike anything else you'll encounter in the continental United States. It's only natural for national parks to boast stunning scenery and endless adventure. Big Bend certainly delivers in that regard.
But what truly makes Big Bend stand in a league of its own is the factor of isolation. With one notable exception, all of the towns generally considered the "gateway" to the park are at least two hours away by car, meaning that even reaching one of the entrances to the park is an adventure in and of itself.
Big Bend is a primordial space, sequestered far away from any major thoroughfares and blanketed at night by star-filled skies almost completely devoid of light pollution, but if one does not wish to go bushwhacking and instead wishes to stay in a place with some creature comforts then there are a fair few decent options, all charming towns in the wild and woolly Trans-Pecos Region of Texas.
Marathon
Marathon is a quiet hamlet of a little under 400 people, but its proximity to Big Bend means that it punches above its weight in terms of providing amenities for prospective travelers. As with most of these towns, Marathon is situated along US Highway 90, with the intersecting US Highway 385 heading south towards the park's north entrance at Persimmon Gap, a drive of only about 40 minutes.
Visitors have many options, including seven restaurants, a grocery store, two gas stations, and the Big Bend Visitor Information Center. Accommodations are abundant, with many B&B offerings, an RV park, and even a few full-fledged hotels. The most notable of these being the eclectic and historic Gage Hotel, opened in 1927 by local cattle baron Alfred Gage.
Marfa
No matter where you are in the vast state of Texas, you'll find few who aren't familiar with the town of Marfa. With 1,800 people, the town's storied name signifies all manner of different things to those of all walks of life. These might include the persevering mystery of the Marfa Lights, the art colony that sprang up in the town beginning in the 1970s, and the town's reputation among cinephiles as the filming location for movies, such as "Giant" and parts of "There Will Be Blood" and "No Country for Old Men."
Like Marathon, Marfa is situated along US Highway 90, and Big Bend's west entrance at Maverick Junction is located about one hour and 40 minutes away by car. Simply drive east along US 90 to Alpine and turn south along the scenic Texas State Highway 118 towards Terlingua. Marfa is poised to provide for any prospective traveler, with many restaurants and stores, a multitude of lodging options ranging from B&Bs to historic hotels such as the Hotel Paisano, and many notable tourist attractions of its own, such as the Chinati Foundation and the Marfa Lights Viewing Area just east of town.
Alpine
Alpine is a prosperous town of about 6,000, perhaps best known for its proximity to Big Bend and its status as the home of Sul Ross State University. This colorful college town is very conveniently located for Big Bend travelers, situated at the intersection of US Highway 90 and Texas State Highway 118 and located about an hour and 20 minutes' drive away from Maverick Junction, in addition to being served by Amtrak's thrice-weekly Sunset Limited train.
Alpine itself boasts many restaurants, multiple grocery stores, several gas stations, and a wide variety of accommodation options ranging from B&Bs and RV parks to several different hotels, including the historic Holland Hotel. Not to be missed is the recently expanded Museum of the Big Bend, located on the Sul Ross campus, which hosts thousands of artifacts illustrating the region's historic importance and unique ecology.
Terlingua
The twin towns of Terlingua and Study Butte (often referred to singularly as just "Terlingua" for the sake of convenience) are by far the closest towns to the park itself, being located just a few minutes' drive down the road from the western entrance at Maverick Junction along Texas State Highway 118. Terlingua itself is often referred to as a "ghost town," either by mistake or to add to the town's mystique, but while there is indeed an abandoned mining town within the immediate vicinity, both towns do boast a permanent combined population of at least a couple hundred.
The town's status as a hub for Big Bend travelers means that the area is absolutely bursting with amenities. B&Bs and hotels are plentiful, there are multiple convenience stores and at least one gas station, many tour companies and outdoor equipment stores operate in the area, and a wide variety of restaurants cater to those staying in town. Beyond just Big Bend, Terlingua Ghost Town is a tourist attraction in and of itself, boasting several stores and restaurants, a combined bar and theater, and the venue that hosts the legendary Original Terlingua International Chili Championship (OTICC).
Big Bend's Hidden Gems
Big Bend National Park itself is a magical place, and the most adventurous of travelers seek comfort in its promise of peace and seclusion. However, those who seek to experience the park's unparalleled natural beauty and potential for high-flying adventure don't need to venture too far off the beaten path if they don't want to.
There are plenty of viable options for home bases for aspiring Big Bend voyagers, and each and every one has a unique story to tell of its own. A trip to Big Bend can easily provide for a lifetime's worth of memories, but in order to reach Big Bend in the first place, one must venture directly through at least one of these towns. Why not make a great vacation better by throwing in a visit to the Marfa Lights or Terlingua's ghost town?
