Texas Hill Country, Big Bend & Beyond
A scenic Texas adventure blending vibrant cities, Hill Country charm, desert wonders and western heritage.
Experience the soul of Texas on this 15-night fly-drive holiday that blends lively cities, rolling Hill Country, remote desert landscapes and some of America’s most extraordinary natural wonders. Begin in Austin, the state’s cultural capital, before winding through historic Gruene, charming Fredericksburg and the rugged frontier landscapes that lead you toward Big Bend National Park. Here, towering canyons, star-filled skies and sweeping desert views set the stage for one of the most dramatic national parks in the USA.
Your journey continues through the creative desert town of Marfa and on to Carlsbad, gateway to two incredible parks: Carlsbad Caverns and Guadalupe Mountains. The adventure rounds off in Lubbock, birthplace of Buddy Holly, before finishing in Fort Worth and Dallas. With cowboy culture, world-class museums, vibrant nightlife and unforgettable scenery, this Texas road trip is the perfect blend of culture, history, and natural beauty.
Remember: We’re UK-based, and every holiday we create is fully flexible – you can add nights, upgrade hotels, or enhance your itinerary. We love designing tailor-made self-drive adventures just for you!
15 night self drive holiday from £2,749pp including flights, accommodation & car rental
Highlights
Explore Austin, the “Live Music Capital of the World,” with vibrant neighbourhoods and lakeside scenery.
Discover Hill Country wineries, charming German towns and the iconic Texas River Walk in San Antonio.
Experience Big Bend National Park’s dramatic canyons, desert trails and breathtaking Dark Sky stargazing.
Visit Carlsbad Caverns, quirky Marfa, Lubbock’s music heritage and the cowboy traditions of Fort Worth.
Your itinerary
Days 1–2: Austin, texas
Live music, lakeside scenery and vibrant Texan culture
Arrive in Austin, the beating heart of Texas culture and the world-famous live-music capital. Spend your first evening exploring the buzzing downtown area, packed with food trucks, BBQ joints and legendary music venues. The following day, discover favourites such as South Congress Avenue, where colourful murals, boutiques and cafés set the scene for a perfect Austin morning. Enjoy Zilker Park, paddle on Lady Bird Lake, visit the historic Texas State Capitol, or watch the Congress Avenue Bridge bats take flight at sunset — a uniquely Austin moment that adds magic to your stay.
2 Nights in
Austin, TX
Arrive &
Explore
Days 3–4: Gruene & San Antonio, texas
Hill Country charm, riverside dining and Texas history
Travel into the Texas Hill Country and settle into Gruene, a characterful riverside town known for its 19th-century buildings and iconic dance hall. Enjoy antique stores, local dining and the relaxed atmosphere along the Guadalupe River. Use your full day here to visit nearby San Antonio, where you can explore The Alamo — the legendary site of Texas independence — and wander the scenic River Walk lined with cafés, shops and historic bridges. You may also choose to visit the UNESCO-listed San Antonio Missions or explore the lively Market Square for authentic Tex-Mex culture.
2 Nights in
Gruene, TX
45 miles
Day 5: Fredericksburg, texas
German heritage, boutique shops and Hill Country wineries
Head deeper into the Texas Hill Country to Fredericksburg, a charming town blending German roots with Texas warmth. Stroll along Main Street past bakeries, tasting rooms and quirky independent stores, or explore Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, where a climb to the summit of its giant pink granite dome rewards you with sweeping views. With more than 50 wineries and tasting rooms in the area, Fredericksburg is an ideal stop for sampling renowned Texas wines in scenic surroundings.
1 Night in
Fredericksburg, TX
70 miles
Day 6: Fort Stockton, texas
Frontier history and vast West Texas landscapes
Leave the vineyards behind as the scenery shifts into open desert plains and rugged frontier country. Arrive in Fort Stockton, once a vital military post protecting settlers and travellers along the old San Antonio–El Paso Road. Visit the historic fort, see the town’s famous roadrunner statue “Paisano Pete,” or simply enjoy the quiet, wide-open skies that define West Texas.
1 Night in
Fort Stockton, TX
260 miles
Days 7–8: Big Bend National Park
Subtitle: Desert canyons, stargazing and unforgettable wilderness
Journey into one of America’s most remote and awe-inspiring national parks. Big Bend offers a landscape of towering mountains, deep river canyons and striking desert scenery. Spend your first afternoon exploring scenic viewpoints or short trails before enjoying world-class stargazing in this certified Dark Sky Park. On your full day, hike into Santa Elena Canyon, drive the spectacular Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive, or explore the ghostly remains of the Hot Springs Historic District, where thermal waters bubble beside ancient pictographs.
2 Nights near
Big Bend NP, TX
150 miles
Day 9: Marfa. texas
Art installations, desert mysteries and West Texas cool
Head north to Marfa, a quirky desert town that blends contemporary art with small-town charm. Famous for the mysterious Marfa Lights, unexplained orbs that appear on the horizon at night, the town also boasts world-renowned art installations such as the Prada Marfa store and works by Donald Judd at the Chinati Foundation. Stroll through art galleries, relax in stylish cafes, and soak up the town’s unique vibe.
1 Night in
Marfa, TX
110 miles
Days 10–11: Carlsbad, New mexico
Cavern wonders and hiking in the Guadalupe Mountains
Cross into New Mexico for a two-night stay in Carlsbad, gateway to two incredible natural attractions. Spend one day at Carlsbad Caverns National Park, descending into one of the world’s most spectacular cave systems filled with vast chambers and intricate formations. On your second day, explore nearby Guadalupe Mountains National Park, home to the highest peak in Texas, dramatic desert trails and fascinating fossil history. This region offers some of the Southwest’s most rewarding hiking and scenery.
2 Nights in
Carlsbad, NM
190 miles
Day 12: Lubbock, texas
Buddy Holly heritage, ranch culture and Texas wineries
Continue north to Lubbock, birthplace of rock ’n’ roll legend Buddy Holly. Visit the Buddy Holly Center, explore the National Ranching Heritage Center’s collection of historic frontier buildings, or sample local wines from the Texas High Plains — one of the state’s premier wine-growing regions. Lubbock’s live-music scene and friendly atmosphere make it an enjoyable stop on your journey north.
1 Night in
Lubbock, TX
180 miles
Days 13–15: Fort Worth & Dallas, texas
Buddy Holly heritage, ranch culture and Texas wineries
Arrive in Fort Worth, a city where classic Western heritage meets modern Texas style. Spend your days exploring the historic Stockyards, watching a cattle drive, or visiting the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame. Discover the acclaimed museums of the Cultural District, including the Kimbell Art Museum and the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. Take a day trip to Dallas to explore Dealey Plaza and the Sixth Floor Museum, wander the Dallas Arts District, or enjoy the vibrant dining and nightlife of Deep Ellum.
On your final morning, return your rental car and head to Dallas–Fort Worth International Airport for your overnight flight back to the UK — leaving Texas with unforgettable memories of Hill Country, Big Bend and beyond.
3 Nights in
Fort Worth, TX
315 miles
June - mid Sept: Many lodgings and transport links are only open during the Summer. Amazing wildlife including bears, bald eagles, whales, sea otters and seals can be spotted.
Daytime temperatures are usually cool but very comfortabl, generally in the 15-20°C range and even into the high 20s. Days are long during the with July being the peak month.
You’ll need a connecting flght from the UK, probably via Seattle or Vancouver, we highly recommend a couple of days to explore the connecting city. Alaska is 8 or 9 hours behind the UK.
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