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

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A long weekend trip from Fort Worth to Big Bend National Park is doable although it’s not ideal. It’s not ideal because of the long drive that you are going to take for a 3 day trip. But sometimes that’s the only time you have, so why not do it, right?

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

Google will say about 7 h and 30 min. drive. Of course, that’s without stopping anywhere. For this weekend trip to Big Bend, you will make several quick stops. You are going to drive that far to southwest Texas, so you must get to see some roadside attractions in southwest Texas on this trip.

If you live in Dallas, this weekend itinerary to Big Bend will work for you as well. You will drive the same direction with additional about 30 minutes longer driving time.

But first, 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, camper store, and dining room. Also, it is open year-round. The lodge is located at 5,400 feet elevation within the Chisos Basin where the temperature is cool all year long. 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 lose time by setting up and down your campsite. Remember, this is a short trip and you want to use your time the best you can for visiting places of interest in and around Big Bend.

How big is Big Bend NP?

Big Bend National Park is quite big. It ranks #15 in the US National Park System. It’s not as big as the Grand Canyon or Yellowstone, but it’s bigger than Yosemite or the Great Smoky Mountains. Places of interest are located far from each other, and it takes between 15 min to over one hour drive from one place to another place. You must drive your own vehicle. No bus facility like in the Grand Canyon.

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., and it will be better if you can leave 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. Normally visitors would stop at the World’s Smallest Target in Marathon, but it’s been demolished since December of 2020 because of safety issues.

You will enter the park through 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 that 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. The movie is shown every 30 minutes and I suggest you watch it. The theater is open from 9.30 am to 4 pm.

Between Persimmon Gap and Panther Junction Visitor Center there’s a Fossil Discovery Exhibit where you can experience the changes of 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 everyday and they also sell groceries.

From Panther Junction Visitor Center heads to your final stop, the Chisos Mountains Lodge. Before the sun goes down, walk the Window View Trail, an easy 0.3 mil trail round trip trail by the Chisos Basin Visitor Center. 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. Try to leave no later than 7 because it will take you about 1 hour and 15 minutes drive to get there. 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 full, 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 you know. You will be tempted 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 miles round trip trail. Follow the trail from the parking, cross the Terlingua Creek (impassable when floods), then the trail will ascend on paved steps, then descend back to the water’s edge, until the canyon wall meets the water. It’s so pretty out there. You will spend around 1h 30m to 2h here.

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

First, you will see a sign 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. Next stop is Mule Ears View Point on the right. Here you will see the top of a mountain in a distance that looks like… mule ears. Last stop on the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive is Sotol Vista for picturesque vistas. Then drive to your destination, Terlingua.

You will arrive in Terlingua around lunch time. I suggest you visit Terlingua Cemetery, St. Agnes Church, Terlingua Jail, and some of the ruins around the area first. After that heads 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 improved dirt road Grapevine Hills Road. You will hike to the Balanced Rock. 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’s time to go back to your lodge. A time to relax as you will make a long drive home the next day.

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 can happen, there will be too many people in the hot spring that 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, stop at a couple of curbs to make some beautiful pictures with Chisos Mountains as the background.

3. Go straight to Chisos Mountains. If you still have the energy, do 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 in the downtown area for beautiful murals. 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 movie The Giant where part of the movie was filmed at this spot.

You will get to The Giant first, then Prada Marfa that is actually located in the town of Valentine, west of Marfa.

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

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

– 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 cheaper than 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, make sure 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. No kennel service in the park, and pets are not allowed on the trails, too. So, you better leave your pets at home for this short trip. If you are planning for a next longer trip, this is what you can do when visiting Big Bend with your dog.