Everything You Need to Know Before Your First Trip to Big Bend
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Time to read 5 min
You’re Not in the City Anymore
Big Bend is one of the most remote and wide-open places in the country. That’s a big part of its draw. But for first-time visitors, it can also mean a few surprises. Whether you’re planning a short visit or a full week exploring the parks, here’s what you should know before you hit the road: from fuel stops and navigation tips to food and supplies.
How to Get Here
If you’re flying in, the closest major airports are Midland and El Paso. Both are about a 4.5 to 5.5 hour drive from the park depending on your route. Many visitors rent a car at the airport and drive in and we recommend filling up with gas at every available stop along the way.
From Midland: Plan to refuel in Alpine, the last town with major services before heading into the Big Bend region.
From El Paso: You can come through Alpine or head south from Marfa to Presidio, where you’ll want to stop for gas. That route brings you down FM 170, widely considered the most scenic road in Texas. Even if you’re not arriving from that direction, we recommend driving it during your visit.
One of the views of the Rio Grande along FM 170
Where to Get Gas (and Charge Your EV)
You’ll need to keep an eye on your gas tank out here. There are only a few places to refuel:
In the park: Panther Junction and Rio Grande Village have fuel stations. Panther Junction is the main one, open 24/7 with card payment.
Outside the park: There are gas stations in Terlingua/Study Butte, and also at the Lajitas General Store.
If you’re driving an electric vehicle, options are limited. We get asked daily "where can I charge my electric car in Big Bend" and we are happy to say The Summit at Big Bend offers EV charging on-site exclusively for guests. The nearest public charging option is a supercharger in Alpine. We recommend charging fully there before continuing south. Also keep in mind the power grid in this area is sensitive and outages happen more often than back home, so plan accordingly.
The front of the Lajitas General Store and gas station
Cell Service and GPS Navigation
Cell service in and around Big Bend is spotty at best. Coverage inside the park is extremely limited, though it’s improving in some areas. Terlingua has decent signal now, and most lodging and restaurants offer Wi-Fi.
Download maps offline before you arrive.
Google Maps and Apple Maps both work well if you’ve saved the directions in advance.
Arrive before dark if possible. Navigating the desert with no lights and no service can get tricky fast.
The Summit at Big Bend after dark
Road Conditions and Vehicles
Many of Big Bend’s best drives and trails require dirt road access. The park classifies some of these as 4x4 only.
Grapevine Hills, Old Maverick Road, and River Road all fall into this category.
In dry conditions, high-clearance vehicles often do fine, but check with rangers before venturing out.
Some national parks fine drivers for taking AWD vehicles on 4x4-designated roads, so know your drivetrain.
Parked in front of the Chisos Mountains at sunset
Terrain and Trail Expectations
Big Bend National Park covers over 800,000 acres, and neighboring Big Bend Ranch State Park adds another 300,000+ acres. That’s more than 1.1 million acres of protected desert, mountain, and river terrain, and it’s all spread out.
A common surprise for first-time visitors is just how long it takes to get around. For example, driving from Terlingua to the Hot Springs area on the eastern side of the park takes over an hour each way. That’s roughly 100 miles round trip. Likewise, the drive from Alpine to Terlingua is nearly 100 miles on its own.
This scale is why we strongly recommend keeping your gas tank topped off or your electric vehicle fully charged. A short detour can easily turn into a full-day loop depending on where you're headed. It's also why planning your day around one or two key areas makes for a more enjoyable trip.
On the trails themselves:
Always bring more water than you think you need. At least 1 liter per hour of hiking.
Don’t overestimate your abilities. Long trails can feel a lot longer under desert sun and elevation changes.
Wear real trail shoes or boots. This isn’t flip-flop territory
The Chisos Mountains at sunrise
Supplies, Groceries, Health and Services
Once you’re south of Alpine, you won’t find many major chains, but Terlingua has everything you’ll need to stock up, fix a flat, or grab last-minute gear.
Cottonwood General Store in Terlingua is well-stocked with groceries, snacks, water, and camping basics.
Dollar General is reliable for essentials and everyday supplies.
Wright’s Hardware has tools, handman items, propane, plumbing and repair supplies, and general hardware goods.
Terlingua Auto offers repair services, tires, batteries, parts, and roadside help if needed.
Bravo Health Terlingua is the local medical clinic providing basic healthcare access for residents and travelers.
Terlingua Fire & EMS handles fire emergencies and provides critical medical response services in the region.
We also recommend joining the Friends of Big Bend Facebook Group. It’s an active and incredibly helpful community with thousands of members. Whether you’ve lost something on the trail, need help with a flat tire, or are just looking for advice on what to pack, this group is the go-to place to ask.
The entrance to Cottonwood General Store
Where to Eat
The food scene in Terlingua and nearby is small but full of character. Here are a few local favorites:
DB’s Rustic Iron BBQ – Considered some of the best barbecue in Texas. Live music, a laid-back atmosphere, and a full bar make this a favorite stop after a day on the trails.
El Gordo’s Grill food truck – Located next to Wright’s Hardware, right as you enter Terlingua from Alpine. This food truck serves up some of the best Tex-Mex and Mexican to-go food anywhere. The birria tacos and birria quesadilla are standouts.
Long Draw Pizza – Known for incredible pizza, cold beer, regular live music, and a beautiful elevated patio that’s perfect for a sunset meal.
Espresso y Poco Mas – Your go-to for morning coffee, breakfast, and lunch. Set in a historic building with views of the ghost town, this is our favorite way to start the day.
We love all of our local restaurants and can’t list them all here so we've put together a video covering them all!
A Note on Local Towns
Terlingua is your base for most park access. It has a growing number of services, a medical clinic, auto repair, and great local restaurants.
Alpine is the closest full-service town, with a hospital, more chain stores, and the region’s public EV charging.
Marfa is worth a detour for its food and art. Just know that hours can be unpredictable.
Big Bend Moves at a Different Speed
First-time visitors are often surprised by the size and silence of this place. You won’t see five-star resorts or chain restaurants out here. That’s the whole point. With a little planning, you can get a lot more out of your trip, avoid common headaches, and spend your time focusing on the views, the trails, and the stars overhead.
And if you're looking for a base that gives you space, comfort, and front-row seats to the desert sky stay with us at The Summit 💖
The Summit at Big Bend
The Summit at Big Bend is the region’s premier glamping destination, set on 1,000 private acres just outside the park. We offer a range of unique stays from stargazing domes and cliffside cave suites to restored historic casitas, along with miles of private trails and one of the highest viewpoints in the area. It’s like having your own private national park, with direct access to Big Bend’s wildest landscapes and clearest skies.
