Marfa Day Trips and Escape Routes and (You will need them.)
Everything here is within a 4-hour drive from Marfa, ideal for a same-day road trip or even a 48-hour (or longer if camping in Big Bend) getaway.
| Destination | Website | |
|---|---|---|
| Marathon, TX | – Gage Hotel: Historic hotel offering luxury accommodations and fine dining. An easy day trip from Marfa where you won´t need to pack a lunch. – Gage Gardens: Beautifully landscaped gardens perfect for a leisurely stroll. – Marathon Coffee Shop: Cozy spot for breakfast and local treats. | Gage Hotel Gage Gardens |
| Terlingua, TX | – Terlingua Ghost Town: Explore the remnants of a historic mining town. – Starlight Theatre: Enjoy live music and Tex-Mex cuisine in a unique setting. – On the edge of Big Bend National Park, you can combo these two for a multi-day trip: Hiking, bird-watching, horseback riding and some of the best photo opps you´ll ever have. | Terlingua Ghost Town Starlight Theatre Big Bend National Park |
| El Paso, TX | Distance of 3+ hours makes it not exactly a day trip, but there´s more to do than just drive in from the airport. – El Paso Museum of Art: Features American, European, and Mexican art collections. – Plaza Theatre: Historic venue hosting concerts and Broadway shows. – Costco Wholesale: For shopping needs during your trip. C´mon. | El Paso Museum of Art Plaza Theatre Costco El Paso |
| Del Rio, TX | This little gem was really wanting before, but is now seeing a bit of an artsy revival with public murals and street art cropping up everywhere. – Amistad National Recreation Area: Ideal for boating, fishing, and swimming. – Whitehead Memorial Museum: Learn about local history and culture. – Val Verde Winery: Texas’s oldest winery offering tours and tastings. | Amistad National Recreation Area Whitehead Memorial Museum Val Verde Winery |
| Balmorhea, TX | – Balmorhea State Park: Home to one of the world’s largest spring-fed swimming pools, perfect for a refreshing dip. Picnic, stay, stay longer. Drive home that same day. | BalmorhSte Park |
Balmorhea: swimming near Marfa TX
Terlingua (happen to think it´s much better for a road trip than Alpine). Food, music, graveyards, desert expanse
6 Easy Drives from Marfa
Here are the big easies as far as day trips from Marfa go, with driving distances attached. Big Bend and Terlingua would do best with all-wheel/4wd, but the others are mostly highway and can be done at a moment´s notice.
Marfa´s a great jumping-off point for day trips. Imo, the most rewarding:
0. Marfa Mystery Lights (15 minutes)
- Hard to officially count this as a trip, but it´ll be night, and even if you stand a good chance of saying “I´m not sure I saw anything”, it´s a good stop to make if you´re driving east to Alpine on Rt. 90 past sundown. Look for the signage and viewing station along the south side of the road.
1. Prada Marfa (35 minutes)
- This iconic art installation in Valentine, TX, is a must-see. It’s a permanently installed, non-functioning Prada store in the middle of the desert—perfect for a quick photo op.
2. Fort Davis & Davis Mountains State Park (45 minutes)
- Visit Fort Davis National Historic Site to explore an old military post.
- Davis Mountains State Park has stunning hiking trails and scenic views.
- Stop by the McDonald Observatory (about an hour from Marfa) for world-class stargazing.
3. Alpine, TX (25 minutes)
- A charming small town with a thriving arts scene.
- Visit the Museum of the Big Bend for regional history.
- Enjoy great local food and drinks, like at Reata Restaurant.
4. Big Bend National Park (2 hours)
- One of Texas’s most breathtaking parks, known for its dramatic landscapes, hiking trails, and the Santa Elena Canyon.
- If 2 hours each way is too much, consider Big Bend Ranch State Park, which is slightly closer.
5. Terlingua Ghost Town (1 hour 45 minutes)
- A quirky, historic mining ghost town with cool desert vibes.
- Grab a drink at the Starlight Theatre and enjoy the views.
6. Balmorhea State Park (1 hour 45 minutes)
- Home to the world’s largest spring-fed swimming pool, perfect for a dip on a hot day.
p.s. Please don´t drive to these places (i.e., Terlingua) when there is a typhoon. Take a spare; road conditions vary.