Photo: Yinan Chen, public domainWest Texas Desert — 9 Days
Ancient pictographs → mile-high mountain observatory
Route Map
● Austin (start/end) · numbered stops in order · dashed line shows approximate route
Estimated Trip Cost
Gas estimate assumes 2WD pickup + travel trailer at 10 mpg, 65 mph max, $3.25/gal regular unleaded (approx. national avg). Includes 485 mi of stops + 350 mi return to Austin.
Trip Highlights
- ▶ 8,000-year-old Fate Bell Shelter — the most significant Native American rock art site in North America
- ▶ McDonald Observatory Star Party — best accessible dark-sky stargazing in the continental US
- ▶ Marfa day trip: Prada art installation, mystery lights, Donald Judd art installations
- ▶ All drives well under 5 hours; return leg 350 miles arrives home by 4:09 PM
Stop-by-Stop
Comstock, TX • TX State Parks • $14/nt + $4/person entry
Day 1: depart Austin 10 AM — 280 miles via I-35 S → San Antonio → US-90 W → Del Rio → Comstock; arrive ~2:54 PM. Roadrunner Flat primitive sites 32–46 (no hookups — fully self-contained required). Guided pictograph tour of Fate Bell Shelter Day 2. Stunning desert canyon stargazing every clear night.
Day 5: depart 10 AM — 205 miles via US-90 W through Langtry → Sanderson → Alpine → TX-118 N → Fort Davis; arrive ~1:36 PM. Reserve hookup site in advance (popular). McDonald Observatory Star Party Tue/Fri ($25/person). Marfa day trip 26 mi south — Prada art installation, mystery lights. Scenic Skyline Drive on final morning. Day 9: depart 10 AM — 350 miles via TX-118 S → I-10 E → Austin; arrive ~4:09 PM.