On Thanksgiving in 2022 three couples, 6 adults, went on a unforgettable journey through Texas in an RV. This drive from DFW to Terlingua had multiple stops, a vast change in scenery, but endless memories. We watched Texas unfold, mile by mile, from urban sprawl to desert solitude. Along the way, towns like Midland, Monahans, and Marfa offer their own pieces of West Texas identity before you finally reach the raw beauty of Terlingua and Big Bend Country.

We rented our RV from Fort Worth RV Rentals in Keller, TX. We loaded up and hit the road with our first stop half way for the night in Midland. We parked up for the night at Midland RV Campground just in time for sunset, heated up chili and played numerous games until the night rolled in. This campground was small, had great showers and restrooms available.

Midland: The Gateway to West Texas

Midland is where you begin to feel the true shift from modern Texas to frontier Texas. Known as the heart of the Permian Basin, it’s an oil town with a polished edge. We did not stay long, but if you see yourself over here be sure to stop by the locations below.

Stop here to stretch your legs and explore spots like:

• Museum of the Southwest – art, history, and a beautiful campus
• George W. Bush Childhood Home – a unique historical stop
• Downtown Midland – clean, walkable, and unexpectedly charming

For food, Midland offers some surprisingly good options:

• Wall Street Bar & Grill – upscale casual dining
• Cancun Grill – local favorite for Tex-Mex
• Pi Social – great for wood-fired pizza and a casual lunch

Midland is your last major city before West Texas opens wide.

The next morning it was time a bright and early departure towards Monahans Sandhills. We knew that for some of the trip we will also be needing a rental car, so the girls headed to the Midland Airport to rent a car for the trip while the guys drove the RV.

Monahans & The Sandhills

A short drive southwest brings you to one of the most unique landscapes in the state: Monahans Sandhills State Park.

Towering white sand dunes roll across the desert like waves frozen in time. It’s surreal to see this in West Texas. Pictures are stunning and if you bring a sled or trash can top you can slide down the dunes.

Things to do in Monahans:

• Rent a sand disk and slide down the dunes
• Walk the trails through desert flora
• Catch sunrise or sunset when the light turns the sand gold

This stop breaks up the drive beautifully and adds a completely different energy to the journey. It was a quick spot to take photos before we headed to Marfa.

Marfa: Minimalism in the Desert

No West Texas road trip is complete without a stop in Marfa. It is tiny art town that feels like a creative mirage in the middle of nowhere. Most known for the Prada “store” in the middle of nowhere and the famous Marfa Lights phenomenon.

We headed to first stop by Prada Marfa and then went in for a quick parking at Tumble Inn Marfa RV Park. This is my least recommended location as there is absolutely zero cell phone coverage. You feel like you are off the grid.

Don’t miss:

• The Prada Marfa installation
• Chinati Foundation (Donald Judd’s permanent art exhibits)
• Marfa Lights Viewing Area at night
• Wandering the town square with its indie shops and galleries

Where to eat & drink in Marfa:

• Stellina – wood-fired pizzas and a cool atmosphere
• Margaret’s – we ended up eating here and it was amazing! Delicious pastas.
• Cochineal – upscale dining
• The Sentinel – coffee, espresso, and minimalist vibes. It has a cute little gift shop are as well.
• The Water Stop – good for simple drinks and a funky place

Marfa isn’t about rushing. It’s about slowing down, absorbing the stark beauty of empty space, and appreciating how art and desert intersect.

With one night in Marfa, we were ready to get to the final destination where we would spend a few nights. Off to Terlingua. We woke up and headed straight for Lajitas Maverick RV Park.

Terlingua

Finally, after miles of open highway, Terlingua appears like a ghost town reborn into a desert haven. Sitting just outside Big Bend National Park, it’s one of the most unforgettable places in Texas. There is surprisingly a lot to do in this small town. Noted below we went on a long hike, horseback riding, golfing a few days and amazing food.

Top Things To Do in Terlingua & Big Bend:

• Explore Santa Elena Canyon – one of the most breathtaking spots in Texas
• Hike the Lost Mine Trail – you will need to arrive early as there are only 20ish spots in the parking lot for this hike. It is about 4.8 miles round trip (about 3 hours)
• Visit the Terlingua Ghost Town Cemetery
• Catch sunset at Terlingua Trading Company deck
• Drive Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive
• Stargaze — Big Bend is one of the best dark sky areas in the U.S.
• Golf at Lajitas Golf Resort where you can hit a ball into Mexico
• Lajitas Stables – horseback riding with lunch and scenic route. You must wear long pants and closed toes shoes
• Flung Outdoor Center – river trip
• Lajitas Resort – We spent a lot of time here since we could walk from the RV park. They had the most amazing spicy margaritas and the staff was so friendly. Onsite there is a small saloon to watch games or just chill at.

Where to Eat & Drink:

• Starlight Theatre Restaurant & Saloon – iconic Terlingua dining experience. There will be a long wait so be prepared.
• Long Draw Pizza – casual, outdoor vibe with amazing pizza
• Espresso Y Poco Mas – morning coffee stop with character
• Taqueria El Milagro *note this is a BYOB

The beauty of Terlingua is its stillness. The silence. The way the desert teaches you to slow down and just exist.

This ended the 7 day road trip. It was time to head back to DFW. We left the next morning for Midland to drop off the rental car and then DFW to drop the RV.

This was the best route for us to see scenic cities and roads in Texas. I highly recommend!

When to Go

The best time for this trip is October through April when the desert temperatures are more comfortable.

• Spring brings perfect hiking weather and blooming desert plants
• Fall gives you warm days, cool nights, and clear skies
• Summer is beautiful but extremely hot — only for the bold

What to Pack

• Plenty of water (more than you think you’ll need)
• Sunscreen & sunglasses
• Light layers for cool desert nights
• Hiking boots or trail sneakers
• Offline maps (cell service is very limited)
• Camera for those endless desert landscapes

You can download my detailed itinerary HERE

Keeping It Ellavated

The drive from DFW to Terlingua isn’t just a road trip, it’s a transformation. You leave the noise behind and enter a world of space, silence, and scale. From Midland’s urban desert presence to the sand dunes of Monahans, the artistic soul of Marfa, and the raw magic of Terlingua, every stretch of road feels intentional.

It’s a trip that reminds you how powerful emptiness can be, and how sometimes, the best places are far off the beaten path.