Wanderlist
Out West
For unforgettable hikes or scenic drives, Big Bend’s got you covered.
For many Texans, the Big Bend region offers just the right type of adventure. It’s a beautiful, harsh landscape hosting a cultural melting pot and endless history. Check out four things to do in Big Bend.
Laurence Parent
Scale the last 25 feet of Emory Peak
In Big Bend National Park, the 10.5-mile round-trip hike to Emory Peak represents a challenging day-hike trek with an elevation gain of 2,500 feet. Just when you think you’ve made it, you realize the hardest part lies at the end: a 25-foot rock scramble to the highest point in the park. Have a midday lunch with the radio antenna and 360-degree views before heading back down.
Sonja Sommerfeld | TPWD
Museum of the Big Bend
Located on the Sul Ross State University campus in Alpine, the Museum of Big Bend is West Texas’ one-stop shop for all things historical. Visitors can see artifacts, Western art and an impressive archive of early Texas maps. The museum strives to collect and present the human and natural history of the region.
Sonja Sommerfeld | TPWD
Fort Davis National Historic Site
Along the old San Antonio-El Paso road, this outpost once protected travelers of the Old West. Set amid the rugged beauty of the Davis Mountains, the fort, established in 1854, is considered one of the best remaining examples of a frontier military post in the Southwest. Learn about Native Americans, the U.S. military and the fort’s Buffalo Soldiers, or hike one of the nearby trails.
Sonja Sommerfeld | TPWD
River Road
Known as one of the most beautiful drives in Texas, the 50-mile portion of FM 170 between Lajitas and Presidio gets its nickname because it roughly follows the Rio Grande. The road twists and turns up and down hills and around curves, with Big Bend Ranch State Park on one side and Mexico on the other. For the best views, go in the evening to witness the stunning sunset.
