Texas Pecos Trail
State: Texas
Length: 1356.0 mi / 2182.3 km
Time to Allow: Plan for a few hours to enjoy sections or a week to enjoy the region.
Just east of the Texas Mountain Trail sits the Texas Pecos Trail bordering Mexico and New Mexico. Experience the Wild West and gorgeous landscapes with over twenty-two counties and impressive ecological transitions and cultural diversity. Find anything from Native American art on rocks to the authentic cowboy and ranching culture to natural wonders and recreation opportunities.
The college town Odessa sits at the top of this region with tons of interesting sights, including a meteor crater and the world’s largest jackrabbit. Stay in town to visit a couple of museums and dine at the Barn Door Steakhouse and Pecos Depot Bar to visit the local ghost, Billy.
Explore incredible caves with columns in the Kickapoo Cavern State Park in Brackettville. Take a primitive tour before visiting authentic architecture in town and the Kinney County Heritage Museum. Fort Clark sits nearby for history buffs who want to enjoy the fully-restored officers’ quarters, barracks, and guardhouse.
Enjoy clear waters in Balmorhea from the local state park. Find a hotel or try out camping to enjoy fishing for rare fish species too. The area often attracts swimmers and scuba divers too for the 28-foot deep pool of natural water. Next, visit Calera to visit the ghost town and restored chapel or the Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe.
Comstock offers vies of Native American rock art, including rock shelters in the Pecos River canyons. Ancient pictographs dot the area, as do man-made sites at the Seminole Canyon State Park. The real reason to visit is for a drive over the Pecos River Highway Bridge for unbelievable views suspended over a canyon.
In Del Rio, you get a small city in a strategic location by the San Felipe Springs. Dive in the water and picnic at the Horseshoe Park. The town also offers museums, Wilde live areas for kayaking, and nightlife. With primitive entrances, the Devils River Natural Area offers few amenities, so you get an authentic outdoor experience.
The town of Junction connects the North and South Llano rivers with a spring-fed stream, making it the perfect place for water sports and wildlife. Women will love the Women Gone Wild annual event with activities for girls only to form pride and friendship. However, the real beauty is in the Land of the Living Waters, where rocks and water create a rich habitat. End the trip with a night out dancing at the London Hall for authentic country moves.
Turn to the city of Midland next for museums and a Planetarium. You can also see George Bush’s childhood home or go more natural and visit the I-20 Wildlife Preserve. Enjoy a drive-in movie at the Big Sky Theatre too, or catch a local show at the Summer Mummers. Last of all, head to RockSprings for a dip in the Devil’s Sinkhole to see bats in their natural habitat.
Local Information
Texas Heritage Trails – Pecos Trail – Visit this site for information about itineraries, attractions, photos, maps and history on the Pecos Trail. Order a free brochure, download a guidebook or build a customized itinerary.
More Texas Byways
You can check out additional Byways in Texas by clicking on the list of byways below, or by going to the Texas Byways home section. To find even more of scenic byways in the United States, visit our scenic byways map.