West Texas Road Trip & Stargazing Guide
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West Texas Road Trip & Stargazing Guide
Nikki Raitz
Did you know Big Bend National Park is the #4 rated place in the world to see the stars? This park is so stunning that on clear nights you can see the entire milky way with almost no light pollution.
Recently, I checked stargazing off my bucket list and traveled between El Paso and Big Bend on a 5 hour winding road trip. On the way, I discovered all kinds of hidden gems and places worth visiting. In this guide you will find my favorite stops along the west Texas border.
What's Included:
• 2 Different Routes between El Paso & Big Bend National Park
Recommendations In:
• El Paso
• Fort Davis
• Marfa
• Terlingua
• and every stop in between
+ potential additional stops farther afield
This trip was unforgettable for me and I hope it's something I can help others experience too. Most of West Texas is very rural, so I made sure to include the best advice I have for other people (like me) that are from large urban cities and other climate zones.
PS- I visited during the heat wave of late summer 2023, I don't recommend. Consider visiting when it is cooler - it was 115 degrees when I was in town.
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El Paso, TX
I started my journey in El Paso before heading south. They have an international airport that has easy flights to most other major cities. El Paso has a lot to offer, but is a rather quiet city.
Recommended Stay Options
![](https://cdn.thatch.in/cdn-cgi/image/width=640,quality=75,format=webp/images/277995/ds3j4x.png)
Hotel Paso Del Norte, Autograph Collection
@nikkiraitz
4/5 ⭐️ - Conventional Option - The Hotel Del Notre is clean, comfortable and has a lovely restaurant.
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Hotel Indigo El Paso Downtown, an IHG Hotel
@nikkiraitz
4/5 ⭐️ - The Bohemian Option - Hotel Indigo is beautiful, centrally located and boasts a pretty rooftop bar.
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Where I Stayed and Why I Don't Recommend
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Boxstel - Modern Stay Hotel
@nikkiraitz
2/5 ⭐️ - I don't recommend staying here unless you are traveling in large numbers. The area is right next to a small homeless encampment and parking is three blocks away.
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Access all the local insights and recommendations from @nikkiraitz when you purchase this guide.
5.0 (1 Ratings & Reviews)
"It was so informative, well written and made me want to schedule a trip today!"
Sep 2023
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Nikki Raitz
Nikki Raitz is a travel creator and photographer from Atlanta, Georgia. As a full time artist, Raitz views the world through eyes full of wonder, history and beautiful aesthetics. She often writes helpful guides to exploring global cities for people of all ages and groups of all sizes.
What's included
Digital Map
Fully interactive, digital map for finding places nearby
37 places
37 hand-picked places with notes from the creator
5 links
5 links from the creator to go even deeper with more info
DESTINATION(S) COVERED
Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Dell City, TX, USA
Valentine, TX, USA
Terlingua, TX, USA
Marathon, TX, USA
El Paso, TX, USA
Lajitas, TX, USA
Texas, USA
Alpine, TX, USA
Fort Davis, TX, USA
Marfa, TX, USA
Big Bend National Park, Big Bend National Park, TX, USA
New Mexico, USA
Lajitas Golf Resort, Farm to Market Road 170, Terlingua, TX, USA
Van Horn, TX, USA
West, Texas, USA
FOCUSES AND THEMES
Adventure
Outdoors
Photography
People & Culture
Road Trip
Slow Travel
Van Life
Camping
Relaxation
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Guide
Guides typically include detailed information and how-to’s about a destination as well as suggested places to try.
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