Motorcycling

Fort Davis is the starting point for one of the most scenic rides in the United States. Seventy-five miles long, the ride leaves Fort Davis on Texas 118, proceeds up Limpia Canyon past Mts. Locke and Fowlkes and then into Madera Canyon and a quiet, pine shaded picnic area. After a left turn on Texas 166, the road passes Mt. Livermore and Sawtooth Mountain, then gradually descends past a prominent ridge toward the southeast side of the mountains, with broad views to the Sierra Viejo Mountains along the Rio Grande to the south. As you approach Fort Davis again on Texas 166, the Puertacita Mountains and Miter Peak are straight ahead. A left turn on 17 takes the ride back into Fort Davis, one of the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s 2008 Dozen Distinctive Destinations.

Major attractions along the Fort Davis Scenic Loop include Fort Davis National Historic Site, Davis Mountains State Park, and McDonald Observatory. Great historic markers and fantastic road side resting points dot the scenic ride, providing fantastic opportunities to stretch a leg, or take in the awesome scenery.

Highest elevation on the Loop is about 6700 feet, making it the highest public highway in Texas. For a detailed narrative on the Loop, which takes about 1.5 hours to drive, visit the Fort Davis Visitors Center and ask for the Fort Davis Texas Visitor's Guide.

The Van Horn to Guadalupe Mountains National Park Ride

Entrance to Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Van Horn, with 19 hotels (including the soon-to-be-restored El Capitan Hotel) and 15 restaurants, is a great home base for a scenic ride on state highway 54 (and 62-180) to Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Offering awesome scenery and terrific photo opportunities, this ride ends up at the base of the El Capitan, the most recognizable feature of the Guadalupe Mountains, the peak of which comprises the highest point in the state of Texas at 8742 feet elevation. Because no fuel services are available in the park, a return to Van Horn is a must for the short ride. If a longer ride is desired, Carlsbad Caverns National Park is only 42 miles further on 62-180 and fuel can be found at White’s City, at the turnoff to the Caverns. The Caverns offer a terrific opportunity to cool off in the constant underground temperatures of 56 degrees and an elevator ride to the bottom of the caverns and back enables a view of the cavern’s main features without a long commitment of time.

Though the scenery is beautiful at any time of day, timing the ride to offer a sunset return to Van Horn provides world class scenic opportunities as the rider descends from the elevations of the Guadalupes and adjacent to the beautifully diverting Sierra Diablo Mountain Range.

Van Horn to Fort Davis – The Scenic Route

Fort Davis National Historic Site

Another great motorcycle ride from Van Horn is the journey along Interstate 10 to Kent, Texas and then south on highway 118 to Fort Davis. This 90 mile journey is unmatched for scenic vistas across grand high desert plains. This journey transitions into the northern portion of the Fort Davis Scenic Loop by McDonald Observatory, Davis Mountains State Park, and Fort Davis National Historic Site on the way into Fort Davis.

The Marfa to Terlingua River Ride

The River Road overlooking the Rio Grande from the "Big Hill"

Beginning in Marfa, the quaint rural West Texas Community turned New York Artist Haven, the avid rider who enjoys varied and unique scenery will find ample experiences along the way on Hwy 67 to Presidio and then along the river road (Ranch Road 170) from Presidio to Lajitas and Terlingua.
Majestic mountain vistas contrast desolate desert valleys to provide a never ending visual experience as one rides the gentle curves of Highway 67 between Marfa and Presidio. As one leaves Presidio on the River Road, views of the distinctive Rio Grande mingle with dark, broken and rocky terrain on an up and down winding journey into the resort community of Lajitas. Have a drink at the river-side bar and look into Mexico. Just a few miles further, Terlingua offers an opportunity for fuel and a meal. If an overnight, or longer, trip is possible, take advantage of one of the Terlingua outfitters to take a river journey or an off-road ATV or Jeep.

Experience more scenic vistas as you ride to Alpine on Highway 118. Once there, you’ll realize that Alpine offers many opportunities for unique West Texas flavors and shopping opportunities. Ask a local and they’ll direct you to the “hidden jewels” that offer authentic Mexican cuisine and a cold beverage.
From Alpine, it’s a short 25 mile ride back into Marfa and an opportunity to experience the historic Paisano Hotel.

Marathon to Big Bend National Park Ride

The historic Gage Hotel anchors the phenomenally well preserved community of Marathon, Texas, the traditionally understood gateway to Big Bend National Park. Whether you trailer, or ride your bike to Marathon, once you’re there, it’s into the saddle and onto the road for a very enjoyable journey south from Marathon into Big Bend National Park.

Highway 385 heads straight south out of Marathon through the unique, desolate, and beautiful desert as it merges with the high peaks of the Chisos Basin in the center of the Park. Tour the Chisos Mountains, or continue to the river (90 miles from Marathon) where Rio Grande Village offers fuel and services as well as camping.

After enjoying your experiences in the Park, return the way you came to Marathon, detour through the western reaches of the Park and link up with the Marfa/Terlingua river ride, or return to Marathon through Alpine along highway 118 and then highway 90.

Ride Texas magazine is posting a video of ride out of Chinati Hot Springs near Presidio. It appears on this page. "'Real Backroads,' Courtesy of RIDE TEXAS® Magazine www.ridetexas.com."

El Paso Buffalo Soldiers and Troopers Motorcycle Club website. This group is assisting with a new Buffalo Soldier memorial in El Paso's Historic Concordia Cemetery. Concordia Cemetery website.

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