ADVENTURE GUIDEWILD WEST TEXAS

It’s the land of legend. Where Mexico meets Cowboy Country, the home on the range. West Texas is wide and barren, unlike anywhere else, but sprinkled throughout are gems not to be missed. Between the rugged terrain of Big Bend National Park and the quirky charm of the small towns along Hwy 90, it’s not a well traveled path, but one that is certainly worth your while.

Start your journey in Austin or Dallas and follow the road. Head southwest, and adand adventure awaits.

MARATHON, TX

GATEWAY TO BIG BEND

STAY: MARATHON MOTEL

Cute and kitschy. Stay in one of the littlebungalow cottages and take advantageof the darkness for stargazing andnight photography.

EAT: MARATHON COFFEE

Enjoy the best homemade breakfastmade from scratch with a southwesternvibe. By far the friendliest restaurant you’ll ever visit.

EAT: BIG BEND PIZZA

Simple and homemade, this pizza isdelicious, and the best option in townfor vegetarian travelers.

DO: WATCH THE NIGHT SKIES

Marathon is home to some of the darkest skies in the lower 48 states.Don’t miss out on the opportunity totake a moment for this one of a kindview of the starry night sky.

BIG BEND

STAY: PITCH A TENTThere are lodges in and around Big Bend, but for the mostauthentic experience, definitely camp. You’ll end up sleepingunder the wide open skies in a much more unique settingthan even the most luxurious lodge can provide

EAT: PACK A LUNCHThis National Park is very remote. Bring whatever food andwater you will need for the duration of your stay, with you when you arrive..

HIKE: THE MULE EARS TRAILThis winding desert hike is accessible for all hiking abilities.Along the way you’ll find a variety of cacti and the mostsweeping of views.

DO: SOAK IN THE HOT SPRINGS Nestled right along the Rio Grande, the hot spring is a must see. Cross your fingers you’ll see wild horses approachthe river for a crisp drink.

SEE: SANTA ELENA CANYONThis dramatic canyon on the Mexican side of the Rio Grandeis simply not to be missed. Try and visit around sunset for the most stunning view.

MARFA, TX

THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE

STAY: EL COSMICO

Texan glamping at it’s finest. Choose between ateepee, trailer, or tent, you will NOT be disappointed.

DO: TOUR THE CHINATI FOUNDATION

Donald Judd’s modern art mecca in the heart of WestTexas. A visit to Marfa is incomplete without spending atleast a few hours here. Reservations for tours arerecommended.

SEE: PRADA MARFA

Like the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Prada Marfa is a“must-see.” And it’s far more impressive in person thanyou’d imagine.

DRINK: PADRES

The beers are $3, the jukebox plays honky tonk, and thegame room is free. This just might be heaven.

EAT: FOOD SHARK

It’s an air stream in the middle of a parking lot, but the food is so good, it doesn’t really matter.

SHOP: FREDA

Teeny, tiny, but bursting with charm and super cool finds.Expect to see lots of locally made accessories withinfinite cool factor.

WHITE SANDS, NM

THE MOON ON EARTH

DO: EXPLORE THE GYPSEM DUNES

Seemingly bare, the white sand dunes areunlike anywhere else. Definitely bring yourcamera, the range of light is otherworldly.You can easily spend the whole day hereexploring the dunes.

SEE: WORLDS LARGEST PISTACHIO

It’s nearby in the town of Alamogordo. It’sbig and silly, but worth a quick stop. Also,the best pistachio ice cream ever can befound inside the gift shop.

EAT: SCRATCH MADE CAFE

On the way from Marfa to Alamogordo,this little highway diner is a truly hiddengem. Definitely not fancy, everything ismade from scratch when you order. Andyou can tell too...

CARLSBAD CAVERNS, NM

UNDERGROUND MAGIC

It's the biggest cave system in the US and unlikeanywhere else. You can easily spend hours takingin the Big Room and all of it’s nooks and crannies.Bonus points if you hike in the natural entrance.

DO: EXPLORE THE CAVERNS

DO: THE RUNYON RANCH

On the way from Alamogordo to Carlsbad, theRunyon Ranch is a roadside petting zoo and snackshop. Nothing breaks up a day of driving likehand feeding little goat kids. And the peopleare just the nicest.

DO: WATCH THE BATS

If you visit between May and October, at dusk,each day you can watch thousands of batsleave the cave as they head out to forage for food.

TAKE: PHOTOS

This is the desert. Water is not very accessible,but absolutely necessary. Bring water, and morethan you think you’ll need, with you.

TIPS & TRICKS

PACK: WATER

PACK: MUSIC & CDS

For most of the driving portions of the trip, you’llbe without cell phone service, and for a surprisingamount of the trip, there won’t be any radio either.Bringing a few things with you to listen to willsave you from zoning out on some of the longerdriving stretches.

FOLLOW: SPEED LIMIT

Most of the roads on the journey have a 75 MPHspeed limit. That’s pretty fast. Follow the speedlimit to avoid accidents and ensure you make ithome in one piece.

It’s a beautiful adventure, and you’re going to wantto remember it.

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