Take This Hidden Gems Road Trip When You Want To See Some Little-Known Places In Texas
Do you feel like you’ve uncovered all the Texas hidden gems in the state? If so, this is the road trip for you. We’re heading out into the West Texas desert – arguably the most remote place in the whole state. Taking roughly seven hours of driving time, the trip takes you to a secluded hot springs resort, the largest spring-fed pool in the world, and several other little-known places. So, what are you waiting for? Let’s go!
Click here for the customizable Google Map for the trip.
An oasis in the Chihuahuan Desert, Chinati Hot Springs has long been a peaceful respite for weary travelers. The mineral-rich water is approximately 113 degrees Fahrenheit, and seven cozy cabins sleep between two and four guests. Can you think of anything better than soaking all your troubles away while enjoying panoramic views of the surrounding mountains? Learn more about Chinati Hot Springs, including both the history and how to plan your visit, by visiting their website.
Chinati Hot Springs Road, Chinati Hot Springs Rd, Texas 79845, USA
One of the loneliest roads in Texas, Pinto Canyon Road (also known as FM 2810) begins just west of Marfa. The road passes through Ruidosa, so you can hop right on after you're done at the springs. Powerlines and telephone poles are nowhere to be seen, and you can count on one hand the number of vehicles you'll pass. Eventually, the pavement gives way to gravel, so a high-clearance vehicle is recommended. If you see the road through till the end, you'll come upon the tiny town of Candelaria. It's so small, in fact, that it doesn't have a single business! You'll be hard-pressed to find a more remote place in all of Texas. You can read more and see for yourself the beauty of this Texas hidden gem.
Our journey now leads us back toward Terlingua, the proud home of Big Bend Ranch State Park. Not to be confused with the national park of the same name, Big Bend Ranch is far less trafficked. That's ironic because it's actually the largest state park in Texas, spanning over 300,000 acres! From scenic drives to multiuse trails to some of the darkest night skies in the state, there's lots to see and do here. Learn more about Big Bend Ranch on their webpage.
Big Bend Ranch State Park Airport, Presidio, TX 79846, USA
The only town on Earth with a Prada store on the side of the highway, Marfa is about as quirky as it gets. The small town of just over 2,000 has become an artist enclave over the years, with a plethora of galleries and installations to marvel at. Marfa also has its very own urban legend known as the "Marfa Lights." Nobody knows exactly what the mysterious orbs are or where they come from, but an entire viewing platform was erected so tourists can observe the phenomenon. Read this article to learn more.
Alpine is another charming desert town nestled in a valley surrounded by towering mountain peaks. With a mild climate and convenient location at the crossroads of several scenic highways, Alpine makes a perfect addition to any West Texas road trip. Eat some tasty food, check out the Museum of the Big Bend, stay in a beautifully restored historic hotel, and just enjoy the slow-paced lifestyle that small-town Texas is known and loved for. Read on why this is such a unique place to visit in Texas.
Often overshadowed by Big Bend and the Guadalupe Mountains - both national parks - Davis Mountains State Park deserves far more recognition than it receives. This remote destination offers boundless outdoor adventure, and Indian Lodge, a historic 39-room motel in the park, has its very own restaurant and swimming pool. Learn more about all there is to do at Davis Mountains State Park by visiting their webpage.
Davis Mountains State Park Headquarters, TX-118, Fort Davis, TX 79734, USA
Last - but certainly not least - we'll make a splash at Balmorhea State Park. Here, you'll find the largest spring-fed pool in the entire world, where you can either swim or scuba dive. Please note: only 900 people are allowed in the park per day, so reservations are highly encouraged. Check out this webpage to learn all about Balmorhea State Park.
Balmorhea State Park, 9207 TX-17, Toyahvale, TX 79786, USA
Would you take this road trip to see some of the best Texas hidden gems? Tell us your thoughts in the comments! For more hidden gems in Texas, check out our previous article.
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Places To Visit In Texas
November 15, 2022
Katie Feldkamp
What are some other Texas hidden gems?
With a state so big, Texas is full of hidden gems! No matter what secretive place you are in search of, you can find it on one of these lists of hidden gems in Texas:
There are dozens of unique places to visit in Texas, from restaurants to places to stay, things to do to places to see, here are some lists to get you going:
Katie Lawrence is a Southeast Texas native who graduated 18th in her high school class with a GPA of 4.25. She attended college in the Houston area and changed her major twice (psychology, computer science, and finally criminal justice) before taking a leap of faith and dropping out to pursue a career in freelance writing.
Today, Katie writes for the Texas and Arizona pages of OnlyInYourState.com and has never been more passionate about a job before. Outside of work, you can likely find her curled up on the sofa with a hot cup of coffee, watching a crime TV show or scary movie.
