| Van Horn was designated by the Texas Department of Transportation as the "Crossroads of the Texas Mountain Trail." The blue and white Texas Mountain Trail and arrow signs steer you in the right direction for enjoying the most scenic driving opportunities in the mountainous region of Texas. There are 90 peaks more than a mile high along the route, which break into stretches of some of the world's last remaining, wide-open spaces. The following itineraries are on I y suggestions. Contact the Visitors Bureau or Chamber of Commerce for detailed itineraries, assistance in making alternate travel arrangements, or other information.
Day 1: Van Horn to EI Paso (Approximately 120 miles) : See Sierra Blanca, Fort Hancock, San Elizario and EI Paso. See State Historic Markers, Tigua Indian Reservation, Ysleta Mission, Juarez, Mexico, Chamizal National Memorial, Franklin Mountains State Park, Sunland Park racetrack, museums, historic sites, dining, shopping and more!
Day 2: EI Paso to Van Horn (Approximately 280 miles) : See Hueco Tanks State Historical Park (Indian pictographs, hiking, camping, picnicking); Guadalupe Mountains National Park (Highest point in Texas, Visitor Center, Frijole Ranch Cultural Museum, scenic McKittrick Canyon, hiking, camping in the wilderness) ; Carlsbad Caverns National Park (1.5 and 3 hour tours of the main Cavern, evening bat flight programs, underground cafe, New Cave is available for those rugged cavers) ; Van Horn, Texas (Enjoy beautiful Sierra Diabio Mountains along Texas Highway 54 South. Look for Victorio Canyon, site of last Indian battle in Texas. Refer to this guide for more information).
Day 3: Van Horn to Big Bend National Park (Approximately 225 miles) : See Valentine (1,000'5 of cards mailed from here on February 14th); Marfa (See "Marfa Lights", Presidio County Courthouse, Paisano Hotel and more!); Shafter (former mining town is now a ghost town); Presidio (Border crossing into Ojinaga, Mexico, Fort Leaton State Historical Park); River Road (FM170 is one of the most scenic drives in the southwestern United States); Big Bend Ranch State Natural Area (Bus tours, hiking, camping, picnicking); Lajitas (Barton Warnock Environmental Education Center, Remote outpost for tourist accommodations, raft the Rio Grande beginning here); Terlingua (An old mining town, home of World Championship Chili Cookott each year in November); Study Butte (Check for local rock and souvenir shops); Big Bend National Park (Hiking, camping, picnicking, 4 wheel drive ott-roading, raft trips, horseback riding, accommodations at Chisos Mountains Lodge, much more).
Day 4: Big Bend National Park to Van Horn (Approximately 300 miles) : Alpine (Museum of the Big Bend at Sul Ross State University) ; Marathon (Historic Gage Hotel, about 60 miles added to see this sight) ; Fort Davis (Fort Davis National Historic Site, one of the best preserved frontier cavalry posts, Jett Davis County Courthouse, Neill Doll Museum and Overland Trail Museum) ; Prude Ranch (Horseback riding and a taste of ranching) ; Davis Mountains State Park (Scenic skyline drive, hiking or nature trails, picnicking, bird watching) ; Scenic Loop (Optional scenic drive, combines Texas 118 and 166, add about 75 miles) ; University of Texas McDonald Observatory (Slide shows and daily guided tours, solar viewing, evening star parties on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday evenings at sunset); Kent (Remote , wayside town founded as a railroad water stop in the 1880's); Van Horn (Refer to this guide for accommodationsand activities information).
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