Pecos
Around Pecos
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Town and around · Texas · 11k people
Pecos
Locals say Trans-Pecos · “Cantaloupe Capital”
Desert skies, warm hearts, and the sweetest cantaloupes.
Lobo RedGray
Welcome to the Trans-Pecos, where the desert meets the mountains and the stars shine bright. Whether you're here for the cantaloupe, the art, or the wide open spaces, you'll find a friendly community and endless horizons.
Clubs for Pecos
No clubs for Pecos yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Pecos. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Pecos. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Chinati Foundation Contemporary art museum in Marfa with large-scale installations.
- Balmorhea State Park Desert oasis with a massive spring-fed swimming pool.
- Fort Davis National Historic Site Well-preserved frontier military post with tours.
- Marfa Lights viewing area Roadside viewpoint for the famous mysterious lights.
- McDonald Observatory Public observatory with stargazing programs and exhibits.
- Big Bend National Park Vast desert and mountain landscapes with hiking and wildlife.
- Outdoors Hike the Davis Mountains
- Outdoors Swim at Balmorhea
- With kids Visit the Fort Davis National Historic Site
- With kids Swim at Balmorhea State Park
- Evenings Stargazing at McDonald Observatory
- Evenings Art walks in Marfa
- Locals love Cantaloupe stands
- Locals love Art galleries
Through the year
- Pecos Cantaloupe Festival August Celebrates the region's famous melon with food, music, and a parade.
- Marfa Film Festival July Independent film screenings and events in the art town of Marfa.
- Big Bend Bluegrass Festival October Bluegrass performances in Alpine with a laid-back West Texas vibe.
- Marfa Lights Festival September A quirky celebration of the famous mystery lights with live music and vendors.
- Fort Davis Cowboy Poetry Gathering February Readings and music celebrating ranch life in the Davis Mountains.
High desert climate with low humidity and big temperature swings. Best to be out in the morning and evening, especially in summer. Best: Spring and fall offer mild days and cool nights, perfect for outdoor activities.
Getaways
- Carlsbad Caverns National Park Underground caves and bat flights, a short drive from Pecos.
- Odessa Meteor Crater A unique impact crater site with a small museum.
- Midland's Permian Basin Petroleum Museum Oil and gas history with interactive exhibits.
- Roswell UFO Museum Pop culture and history in nearby New Mexico.
Local flavour
Teams
- Sul Ross State Lobos NCAA Division III
Eat and drink
- Pecos cantaloupe The area is famous for its sweet, sun-ripened cantaloupes, celebrated annually.
- Tex-Mex Border-influenced dishes like enchiladas, tacos, and chile con queso are staples.
- Cowboy-style barbecue Smoked brisket and ribs from local pits, a West Texas tradition.
- Sopaipillas Fried pastries with honey, a common dessert in the region.
Where people go
- Davis Mountains Rugged peaks and rolling hills, a haven for hikers and stargazers.
- Balmorhea State Park A spring-fed swimming pool in the desert, a refreshing oasis.
- Marfa art installations Prada Marfa and other minimalist artworks dot the high desert landscape.
- Fort Davis National Historic Site A restored frontier fort that tells the story of the Old West.
- McDonald Observatory A world-class dark-sky research facility open to visitors for star parties.
- Marfa Lights viewing area A mysterious phenomenon of unexplained lights on the horizon, a local legend.
Heritage and traditions
The Trans-Pecos region is proud of its rugged frontier heritage, from the world's first rodeo in Pecos to the cosmic art of Marfa, and its blend of cowboy, Mexican, and Native American cultures.
This time of year in Pecos
- Fall colors in the Davis Mountains Fall Aspens and oaks turn gold.
- Hunting season Fall Deer and quail hunting are popular.
- Chinati Open House October The Chinati Foundation opens its doors to show large-scale installations.
Say it like a local: “fixin' to” — about to
Festivals
- West of the Pecos Rodeo July Claims to be the world's first rodeo, held since 1883.
- Big Bend Open Road Race April A high-speed car race on Highway 90 between Fort Stockton and Sanderson.
- Marfa Myths Spring A music and arts festival in Marfa.
- Chinati Open House October The Chinati Foundation opens its doors to show large-scale installations.
- Fort Davis Music Festival September A weekend of live music in the historic town.
Landmarks with a story
- Presidio County Courthouse An 1886 courthouse with a distinctive dome, a symbol of Marfa.
- Brewster County Courthouse Built in 1887, a classic Texas courthouse in Alpine.
- Pecos County Courthouse Built in 1910, with a clock tower in Fort Stockton.
- Fort Stockton Historic Site A restored frontier fort from the 1860s.
- Historic Pecos The old town area with the West of the Pecos Museum.
- Comanche Springs A historic spring that was a watering hole for Native Americans and settlers.
Food traditions
- Cabrito Roasted goat, a border specialty slow-cooked over mesquite.
- Pan de campo Simple camp bread cooked in a Dutch oven, from the cattle drives.
- Prickly pear jelly Made from the fruit of the prickly pear cactus, a desert treat.
- Tamales at Christmas Families gather to make tamales for the holidays, a Mexican tradition.
- Cowboy coffee Strong, black coffee boiled over an open fire, a ranching staple.
Music and arts
- Marfa's minimalist art scene The Chinati Foundation and other galleries make Marfa a global art destination.
- Conjunto and norteño music Border music with accordion and bajo sexto, popular in the region.
- Cowboy poetry A tradition of reciting and writing verse about ranch life, celebrated at gatherings.
- Big Bend bluegrass Bluegrass music has a following in the mountains, with festivals.
A little history
- 1883 First rodeo in Pecos
- 1858 Butterfield Overland Mail route
- 1854 Founding of Fort Davis
- 1880s Railroad arrives
- 1920s Oil boom in the Permian Basin
- Game day West of the Pecos Rodeo
- Game day High school football
- Outdoors Camping in the Davis Mountains
- Outdoors Driving the scenic loop
- With kids Attending the rodeo
- With kids Visiting the West of the Pecos Museum
West Texans speak with a drawl, often using 'y'all' and 'fixin' to', and many locals mix Spanish words like 'mesa' and 'arroyo'.
Only here
- The Marfa Lights mystery
- The world's first rodeo
- The Chinati Foundation
- The highest town in Texas (Fort Davis)
New here? A few tips
- Bring sunscreen and water; it's hot and dry.
- Learn to pronounce Marfa (MAR-fa) and Pecos (PAY-kos).
- Be prepared for long drives between towns.
- Try the cantaloupe in season.
- Visit the McDonald Observatory for a star party.
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Nearby
Every areaMonahansTexasWhere the desert meets the oil patchFort StocktonTexasWide skies, warm hearts, and the spirit of the West.OdessaTexasWhere the desert meets the oil patchBig BendTexasLand of wide skies and deep canyons.CarlsbadNew MexicoWhere the desert meets the cavernsAndrewsTexasWhere the desert meets the oil patch.HobbsNew MexicoWhere the desert sky meets the oil patch.MidlandTexasTall city, wide skies, and the pulse of the oil patch.
Town of Pecos, TX. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.