Big Bend and Brewster County

Stunning desert mountains, captivating canyons, and remarkable scenic views are all par for the course in Texas’ Big Bend region, located within the vast confines of Brewster County. Travel here and you can experience some of the best hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, and adventuring in the Lone Star State, all set among some of the most spectacular scenery you’ll see anywhere. The majority of the county is composed of the 800,000-acre Big Bend National Park and Big Bend Ranch State Park, the largest state park in Texas. These two magnificent natural areas are home to some of the Lone Star State’s iconic landmarks, such as the awe-inspiring Santa Elena Canyon, the majestic Chisos Mountains, and the Rio Grande

The Big Bend region isn’t just an empty expanse of striking scenery. There are several small towns in the area that offer something unique. Explore the famous Terlingua Ghost Town, shop for Mexican antiques in Alpine, or play a round at one of the best golf courses in Texas in Lajitas. If that’s not enough for you, catch one of the many fun events held in Brewster County throughout the year, such as the Chihuahuan Desert Dirt Fest and Viva Big Bend. Even the simple act of traveling through the Big Bend region is astounding. The stunning landscapes and winding highways offer much to love if you enjoy going for a scenic drive, which is why the Big Bend region is one of the best places to go motorcycling in Texas.  

Continue reading to discover what each community in the Big Bend region has to offer.

Cities in Big Bend:

Lajitas

Lajitas is a rural village nestled between the Chisos and Bofecillos Mountain ranges just a stone’s throw away from the Rio Grande. The scenic environs have made this sleepy hamlet an exceedingly popular place to visit for travelers for a variety of reasons. For starters, Lajitas is home to the 18-hole Black Jack’s Crossing Golf Course, one of the top public golf courses in Texas according to the Dallas Morning News. The course is part of the luxurious Lajita’s Golf Resort, which offers comfortable guest rooms, an equestrian center, a museum, mountain biking, and a rifle range. Along with the resort, Lajitas has an RV park, two inns, and a general store that’s full of all sorts of goodies.

Marathon

At first glance, Marathon looks like any other dusty desert hamlet. An old windmill churns in a light breeze. Adobe-walled one-story buildings line the two-lane main street. Yet Marathon is no ordinary town. Explore the city and you’ll discover some of the best shopping and dining in Brewster County, as well as one of the Big Bend region’s most iconic inns: the Gage Hotel. Marathon is surrounded by scenic roads ideal for walking, running, and biking, and its location just 40 miles north of Big Bend National Park makes it a great staging area for exploring the area.

Study Butte

If you’re looking for a guided tour of Big Bend, or you need to rent a canoe or a jeep, find your way to Study Butte. This quaint village, located just a few miles outside of Big Bend National Park, has several tour providers that offer hiking, off-roading, and canoeing excursions in the Big Bend area. The town’s location, and set of amenities, makes it a great staging area for exploring all that Big Bend has to offer.

Terlingua

In its heyday, Terlingua was a thriving cinnabar mining town that hit hard times when the demand for mercury dried up. Over the years, many of the unused homes and buildings decayed, becoming what is today known as the Historic Terlingua Ghost Town. Terlingua’s ruins include an authentic boot hill cemetery, mine shafts, and other structures. Once you’re done, stop by the Starlight Theatre for delicious Mexican food and something cool to drink, then shop until you drop at the Terlingua Trading Company. All of this is just a few miles west of Study Butte, so you don’t have to go far to see one of the most unique sites in the Big Bend region.