Fort Worth to Big Bend National Park: Long Weekend Trip Idea

A long weekend trip from Fort Worth to Big Bend National Park is doable, although it’s not ideal. It’s not perfect because of the long drive you will take for a 3-day trip. But sometimes that’s your only choice, so why not?

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links meaning I receive commissions for purchases made through those links at no cost to you. Please read my Privacy Policy for more information.

How far is it from Fort Worth to Big Bend National Park?

Google will say about 7 hours and 30 minutes drive. Of course, that’s without stopping anywhere.

But you will make several quick stops on this weekend trip to Big Bend. You will drive that far to southwest Texas, so you must get to see some roadside attractions on this trip.

If you live in Dallas, this weekend itinerary to Big Bend will also work for you. You will add about 30 minutes longer driving time and follow the same direction from Fort Worth.

Now let’s see what you can do on your 3 days visit to the Big Bend region.

Long Weekend Trip Idea to Big Bend NP

Here’s an idea for your long weekend trip from Fort Worth to Big Bend National Park.

Day 1: Fort Worth – Big Bend NP

Leave no later than 6 a.m. It would be better if you could leave at around 5. Your first quick stop will be in Fort Stockton to see Paisano Pete, the giant roadrunner statue. 

Continue to Chisos Mountains Lodge in Big Bend through Marathon. Usually, visitors would stop at the World’s Smallest Target in Marathon. Unfortunately, the city demolished it in December 2020 because of safety issues.

You will enter the park through the Persimmon Gap Entrance. If you are visiting between November 5 through April 30, you can pay the entrance fee here. Other than these months, you will pay your entrance fee at the Panther Junction Visitor Center. The main visitor center is open year-round from 8.30 am to 5 pm.

Panther Junction is the best place to begin your visit, where you can see the interactive exhibits about the park and a park orientation movie in the theater. They play the film every 30 minutes, and I suggest you watch it. The theater is open from 9.30 am to 4 pm.

There is a Fossil Discovery Exhibit between Persimmon Gap and Panther Junction Visitor Center. You can experience the changes in plants and animals of Big Bend and the world they lived in through 130 million years of geologic time. It’s a neat exhibition, even if you don’t care about fossils and dinosaurs, you must stop at this place.

Near the Panther Junction Visitor Center is the Panther Junction Service Center, the only gas station in the park. It’s open every day, and they also sell groceries.

From Panther Junction Visitor Center, head to your final stop, the Chisos Mountains Lodge.

Before the sun goes down, walk the Window View Trail, an easy 0.3-mile round trip trail by the Chisos Basin Visitor Center. It is one of the best spots to see a spectacular sunset in Big Bend through the window. It is paved and wheelchair accessible.

Day 2: Big Bend – Terlingua

Wake up early for a trip to Santa Elena Canyon through Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive. Leave no later than 7, because it will take about 1 hour and 15 minutes to the canyon.

Santa Elena Canyon is one of the most popular spots in Big Bend, a must-see for every first-time visitor. Parking here is not too spacious. Once it’s at capacity, you must wait in line for the next available spot. That’s why you must arrive as early as you can. Besides, it gets hot fast in the canyon.

You will be rewarded with one of the beautiful views in the park when driving the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive. It’s not like Texas that you know of. You will want to make several stops, but you can wait. Go straight to the end of the road, and you can stop at these overlooks on the way back.

Once you arrive at Santa Elena Canyon, you must hike the Santa Elena Canyon Trail, a moderate 1.7-mile round-trip trail. Follow the trail from the parking, and cross the Terlingua Creek (impassable when floods). The trail will ascend on paved steps, then descend to the water’s edge until the canyon wall meets the water.

It’s so pretty out there. You will spend around 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours here.

The next destination is the famous Terlingua Ghost Town, outside the park. It will take you about 1 hour and 10min to get there. You will stop at several points of interest you saw on the way to Santa Elena Canyon.

First, you will see a sign pointing to Santa Elena Canyon Overlook on the right. You can skip this, as you have visited the canyon itself.

After a Castolon Visitor Center sign, pay attention to Tuff Canyon Overlook on your left. Stop for pictures, as the view is beautiful.

The next stop is Mule Ears View Point on the right. Here, you will see the top of a mountain in the distance that resembles mule ears.

The last one on the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive is Sotol Vista for picturesque vistas. Then, drive to your destination, Terlingua.

You will arrive in Terlingua around lunchtime. I suggest you visit Terlingua Cemetery, St. Agnes Church, Terlingua Jail, and some of the ruins around the area. Then, head to the famous cafe in town, the Starlight Theater. Enjoy your lunch and rest before heading back to the park.

Before entering the park, stop for a quick picture by the Big Bend National Park sign. Then, continue to the end of the improved dirt road of Grapevine Hills Road.

You will hike to the Balanced Rock. It’s an easy, flat, 2.2 mi round trip trail, where at the last ¼ mile, you will scramble to the top. Enjoy the view and your time at the top.

Then, it is time to go back to your lodge. It is a time to relax as you drive home the next day.

The following are optional things to do after the Balanced Rock:

1. Drive to Hot Springs near the Rio Grande Village, but you will drive in the dark on the way home. Another thing that could happen is many people could be in the hot spring. There’s no room for you to get in. After all, it’s only one small tub.

2. Drive between Castolon/Santa Elena Canyon and Chisos Mountains Basin Junction before sunset. The mountains look very pretty, just like a painting. Then, slowly move to the lodge and stop at a couple of curbs to take beautiful pictures with the Chisos Mountains as the background.

3. Go straight to the Chisos Mountains. If you still have the energy, do the Lost Mine Trail. Hike to marker 10 (about 1 mile), where a saddle offers beautiful views of Casa Grande and Juniper Canyon. Then, turn around. Or, enjoy your last sunset from the Window View Trail again.

Day 3: Big Bend – Home

Again, you will wake up early for a long drive home. Try not to leave after 7. Today, you will go home through Alpine and Marfa/Valentine.

A quick stop in Alpine is for walking around two blocks looking for beautiful murals in the downtown area. From the address below, you will walk west through an alley, then turn to the main road to your car.

Then you will stop at the famous Prada Marfa and plywood tribute to The Giant, where they filmed part of the movie at this spot.

You will get to The Giant first, then Prada Marfa, located in Valentine, west of Marfa.

Prada Marfa is your last stop for the road attractions. Then, you will drive home to Fort Worth for about 7 hours and 30 minutes.

Things to know before you leave for Big Bend National Park:

– The distance between cities from Fort Worth to Big Bend National Park is quite far, so make sure to fill in your gas tank whenever you see a gas station.

– Gas prices inside the park were better than in Terlingua and Alpine when we visited. But don’t rely on this.

– There are border patrol checkpoints between Big Bend and Marathon, and Big Bend and Alpine. Non-US citizens and international students must bring passports. For US citizens, don’t forget your valid ID.

– Check the weather before you leave. 

– Wear weather-appropriate clothes and shoes.

– Bring enough water and snacks for everyone in the car.

– As always, ensure your car is in an excellent condition for the trip.

– Pets are only permitted in Roosevelt Stone Cottages 101-103. However, you can’t leave pets unattended in the room or in a car. Kennel service is unavailable in the park, and pets are not allowed on the trails. So, you better leave your pets at home for this short trip. If you are planning for a lengthier trip, this is what you can do when visiting Big Bend with your dog.

Now, let’s talk about the accommodation.

Where do I stay in Big Bend?

Book yourself a room in Chisos Mountains Lodge. They offer a variety of rooms and cottages, a gift shop, a camper store, and a dining room. Also, it is open year-round. The lodge is at 5,400 feet of elevation within the Chisos Basin, where the temperature is crisp all year. It’s the only lodging available in the park, so you must make a reservation in advance.

Of course, you can stay at one of the campgrounds, but you don’t want to waste time by setting up and down your campsite. Remember, this is a short trip, and you will want to make the best of your time by visiting places of interest in and around Big Bend.

How big is Big Bend NP?

Big Bend National Park is quite large. It ranks #15 in the US National Park System. It’s smaller than the Grand Canyon or Yellowstone but bigger than Yosemite or the Great Smoky Mountains. Places of interest are far from each other, and it takes between 15 min and over one hour to drive from one place to another. You must drive your vehicle. There is no bus facility like in the Grand Canyon.