When the residents of Alpine visit nearby attractions, they don't think in terms of time and distance - they think of scenic drives. Every road leading out of Alpine into the vast reaches of Big Bend Country is uncongested and spectacularly scenic. For the sake of those city-minded visitors who find themselves here not quite long enough to lose the time and distance mode of thinking, we've included that info below with each listing.

Balmorhea State Park is located 4 miles west of Balmorhea on Texas Hwy 17 in Toyahville.  This site features a 3.5 million gallon spring-fed pool. For more Information: Please call (432) 375-2370

Big Bend National Park spans some 800,000 acres. The Park preserves the rugged Chihuahuan Desert wilderness from vast desert basins to mountains over 7,800 feet in elevation. For more information: Please call (432) 477-2291

Big Bend Ranch State Park Complex includes Barton Warnock Environmental Education Center and Fort Leaton State Historic Site, as well as over 280,000 acres of Chihuahuan Desert wilderness. For more information: Please call (432) 426-3416

The Chihuahuan Desert Visitor Center, located 4 miles south of Fort Davis on Texas Hwy 118, introduces visitors to the Chihuahuan Desert Region. Along with a multitde of desert plantlife specimens, the institute offers nature trails and information on the flora and fauna of the desert. For more Information: Please call (432) 837-8730

Permanent and temporary exhibits of comtemporary art and sculptures create a dramatic juxtaposition to the stark, desert landscape and rural culture of West Texas. Located on the south side of Marfa, the foundation attracts artists and art lovers worldwide. For more information: Please call (432) 729-4362

The Chinati Hot Springs is a hidden oasis, tucked away in the remote reaches of the Chihuahuan Desert. Enjoy your own private bath house or a communal pool under the stars. Lodging and camping facilities invite visitors to this unique desert spa. For more information: Please call (432) 229-4165

The Davis Mountain State Park is located 3 miles north of Fort Davis, Texas on Hwy 118. Numerous activities and interactive programs are available in the park. For more Information:  Please call (432) 426-3337. Indian Lodge State Park is located at the site of Davis Mountains State Park, in the back of the canyon. For more information: Please call (432) 426-3254

Fort Davis National Historic Site is an outstanding example of a southwestern frontier military post. The post was in use by the  U.S. Army from 1854 - 1891 except for the Civil War years. Site Hours: 8 am - 5 pm central time. Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year's Day and Martin Luther King Day. Call for other holiday closures. For more information:  please call (432) 426-3224

Visit the Marfa Lights viewing area almost any night of the year and you'll see mysterious lights that have peaked the imagination of humans for over a 100 years. A structure built by the Texas Dept. of Transportion houses restrooms and a viewing deck for the viewers' convenience. Bring your binoculars. Watch the free 8 minute documentary video at Apache Trading Post in Alpine before heading out to view the Marfa Mystery Lights.

Nearly 130,000 visitors come to see the University of Texas McDonald Observatory every year. The observatory is one of the world's major astronomy research facilities.  It is located 16 miles NW of Fort Davis on Texas Hwy 118. For more Information:  Please call  (432) 426-3640

Visit the old cemetary of the once booming mining town of Terlingua, drive among the ruins of old structures, enjoy an evening of dining and music at La Kiva or the Starlight Theatre, or meet up with one of several river rafting and jeep rental firms that operate their businesses out of Terlingua. Each year during the first weekend of November the ghost town attracts 1000's of visitors to its world famous International Chili Cookoff.