I-10 Corridor

The I-10 Corridor is the area just off Interstate 10 from El Paso eastward about 200 miles. It includes a few surprisingly unique and interesting places. The destinations of this area are likely to be experienced as you travel to other parts of Far West Texas, rather than destinations on their own. Regardless, there are some great spots along the way.

What To Do

Balmorhea

 

Balmorhea is the ideal roadside stop along I-10. Just a few miles off the interstate, it offers a quaint small town with all the necessary amenities – hotels, restaurants, gas, and groceries. The town itself is a bit of an oasis in the desert, with a wide main street lined with large Cottonwood trees and a series of spring-fed canals running through the town. The top attraction is San Solomon Springs, but the town itself is also worth checking out.

 

  • San Solomon Springs (in Balmorhea State Park) – the area’s main attraction is San Solomon Springs, a large (1.75 acre) spring-fed pool that was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the mid-1930’s. The pool is a combination of small lake and community swimming pool. The pool itself is between 8 and 25 feet deep and holds around 3.5 million gallons of water. With crystal-clear water and several species of fish, the pool often attracts scuba divers as well as swimmers.
    • Address: 9207 TX-17 Toyahvale, TX 79786 (4 miles past Balmorhea on Highway 17)
    • Site: https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/balmorhea
    • Phone: (432) 375-2370
    • Hours: 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. or sunset, whichever comes first
    • Cost: Adults $7 – Kids 12 and under free
    • Pro Tip: the pool gets very busy in the summer; making reservations in advance is recommended
    • Pro Tip: bring a snorkel and mask (or at least a pair of goggles) to check out the pool bottom and fish.

 

Van Horn

 

Located along I-10 about 2 hours west of El Paso, and at the intersection of several highways, Van Horn is the jumping off point for several state and national parks. Many people use Van Horn as a base for trips to the Guadalupe Mountains. A drive through the main street (Broadway) in Van Horn is an interesting look into the past and the thriving town that existed before the interstate passed it up.

 

  • Clark Hotel Museum – Housed in one of Van Horn's oldest buildings — a former hotel now listed on the National Register of Historic Places and designated a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark — the Clark Hotel Museum is run by the Culberson County Historical Society at 112 W. Broadway Street. Its collection runs to thousands of relics, mementos, and archives donated by local families, covering the history of Van Horn, Culberson County, and Far West Texas.

    • Address: 112 W Broadway St
    • Site: https://www.clarkhotelmuseum.org/
    • Phone: (432) 283-8028
    • Hours: Thursday and Friday 2:00-6:00pm
    • Cost: Free

 

Sierra Blanca

 

Having its origins as a railroad hub in the 1880’s, Sierra Blanca was at the intersection of multiple railroad lines and is now county seat of Hudspeth County. Similar to Van Horn, the town has been somewhat passed over by the construction of the interstate. That said, those that drive through the city’s main street will see a charming Far West Texas town with a lot of potential.

 

  • Railroad Depot Museum – The Hudspeth County Museum occupies the town's original wooden railroad depot, completed in 1881 — the same year the Southern Pacific and Texas & Pacific lines met near Sierra Blanca to form America's second transcontinental railroad. Bought by the local historical society for a dollar in the 1980s, the building was cut in half, moved, and reassembled beside the post office, where it now holds artifacts and memorabilia from the county's history.

    • Address: 41 W El Paso St
    • Site: https://texastimetravel.com/directory/railroad-depot-hudspeth-county-museum/
    • Phone: (915) 986-2407
    • Hours: Wednesday 1:00-5:00pm
    • Cost: Free

 

Where to Stay

Much like the dining options, the lodging options in this region are rather scarce. There are however a few great options just off the interstate.

 

El Capitan (Van Horn)

There are several lodging options in Van Horn, but the El Capitan is definitely a diamond in the rough. Designed by famed El Paso architect Henry Trost in the 30’s, it bears a striking resemblance to the Hotel Paisano in Marfa (and is owned by the same family). Operating as a bank for many years, the building was completely restored in the early 2000’s and turned back into a hotel. The rooms are in great shape and have retained a lot of their original character. The best rooms open to the central courtyard.

  • Address: 100 E Broadway

  • Site: https://www.223collectionhotels.com/hotelelcapitan

  • Phone: (432) 283-1220

 

San Solomon Springs Courts (Balmorehea)

Built alongside the pool in the 30’s by the CCC, the courtyard contains 18 small casita-style hotel rooms. An extensive renovation of all the rooms was completed in 2024 and everything is now open. The hotel rooms are surrounded by walking paths and a network of creeks containing rare and unique aquatic wildlife. Truly a unique experience and a strong recommendation when passing through the region.

  • Address: 9207 TX-17 Toyahvale, TX 79786 (just inside Balmorhea State Park)
  • Site: https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/balmorhea
  • Phone: (432) 375-2370
  • Pro Tip: the rooms usually book up months in advance, so it’s highly recommended to book as early as possible. Also, with the hotel being short-staffed, weekend reservations now require a 2-night minimum.

 

El Oso Flojo Lodge (Balmorehea)

With the San Solomon Courts booking up so quickly, El Oso Flojo Lodge is a solid second choice. It’s a cozy hotel on the main drag with nice rooms and a central courtyard. There is also an excellent Mexican restaurant connected to the hotel, just across the parking lot and through the outdoor patio.

  • Address: 208 San Angelo St
  • Site: http://www.elosoflojolodge.com/
  • Phone: (432) 375-0459

  • Pro Tip: the website doesn't have options for booking, so it's best to call the phone number.

 

Where to Eat

Like so many other parts of Far West Texas, dining options in the area’s small towns are few and far between. Planning is key.

 

 

Hotel El Capitan (Van Horn)

One of the few “upscale” dining options in the area is the restaurant in the Hotel El Capitan, now called Henry's. Great steaks, a good wine list, and a full bar. The bar (and the hotel) have a more interesting mix of travelers than you would find at a typical roadside hotel or restaurant in the area. Only open for dinner.

  • Address: 100 E. Broadway St (inside the hotel)
  • Site: https://www.223collectionhotels.com/hotelelcapitan/dining
  • Phone: (432) 283-1220
  • Hours:
    • Dinner Hours | Daily 5 PM – 10 PM
    • Bar Hours | Daily 4 PM – 10 PM

 

La Cueva De Oso (Balmorhea)

Connected to El Oso Flojo Lodge and on the main street in Balmorhea, the restaurant serves surprisingly good Mexican food. It is  accessible by walking across the back parking lot of the hotel and through the outdoor courtyard.

  • Address: 205 El Paso St (next to the hotel)
  • Site: https://lacueva.top/
  • Phone: (432) 375-2273
  • Hours:
    • Saturday11 AM–9 PM
    • Sunday11 AM–8 PM
    • Monday11 AM–9 PM
    • Tuesday11 AM–9 PM
    • WednesdayClosed
    • Thursday11 AM–9 PM
    • Friday11 AM–9 PM