West Texas is home to some of the most splendid landscapes in all of Texas – some would say the whole nation.
Big Bend National Park
Hit the winding blacktop of this treasured desert wonderland to explore perfectly placed canyons, cool mountains and lush river landscapes. Whether you’re riding on four wheels or two, the 30-mile Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive is an enchanting way to access the famed Santa Elena Canyon, countless scenic overlooks and several historic sites.
El Paso
Enjoy the rugged countryside of Rim Road on the way up to the southern tip of the Franklin Mountains. At the top, you’ll get a breathtaking view of the city and beyond – all the way to Juárez and the Rio Grande, in fact. Further north, the Transmountain Road offers a 10.5-mile exploration of the Franklin Mountains, ending with a view tailor-made for an El Paso sunset.
Davis Mountains
Traverse the jaw-dropping grasslands and pinyon-juniper-oak woodlands of the Davis Mountains State Park on Skyline Drive. From Fort Davis, you can take Texas 118 and 116 through the mountains on the 74-mile scenic loop. Make time to stop at Mount Livermore and McDonald Observatory along the way for gorgeous earthly and celestial views.
Pine Springs
Go roving through the Guadalupe Mountains National Park area on U.S. 62/180 for some dazzling mountain views. Just south of the park, two picnic areas give visitors a serene place to admire the beauty of El Capitan and Guadalupe Peak, the highest peak in Texas.
Sierra Blanca
Head north out of this tiny far West Texas town on FM 1111 for more than 40 miles of quiet desert beauty. In March and April, a blooming forest of yuccas over 20 feet tall dot the sparse landscape.