A multi-day driving tour through West Texas and the Chihuahuan Desert is planned for late February, bringing travelers together for scenic routes, shared meals, and stops at some of the region’s most iconic destinations.
The third annual DHTRR Chihuahuan Desert Road Trip, also known as the Chihuahua Run, is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 26, through Sunday, March 1, 2026. The event is organized by the Douglas H. Thompson Road Rally and is open to all street-legal vehicles.
Participants will begin the trip in Sanderson, Texas, where they will gather Thursday evening for dinner and social time before spending the night in town.
On Friday morning, drivers will meet for breakfast and a mandatory safety and route briefing before departing for Big Bend National Park. The group will travel west along U.S. 90 and south from Marathon into the park, where they will spend time enjoying scenic drives, desert landscapes, and lunch stops.
Later Friday, participants will continue west to Terlingua, Texas, where they will check into local lodging and regroup for dinner.
Saturday’s itinerary features one of the region’s most popular drives: River Road (FM 170). The group will travel west from Terlingua to Presidio, Texas, following the Rio Grande through canyon and desert terrain. After lunch in Presidio, drivers will return east along the same route to Terlingua for a break and an evening meal.
Participants will depart on their own Sunday morning.
Organizers say there is no registration fee or required donation to take part in the event. Travelers are responsible for booking their own accommodations, with lodging options available in Sanderson and Terlingua. Hotels and rental properties near Big Bend typically fill quickly during peak seasons, and early reservations are encouraged.
Additional details on meeting locations, final routes, and logistics will be shared closer to the event date. All legally registered vehicles are welcome to participate.
The annual road trip is designed to combine community, outdoor exploration, and appreciation for the remote landscapes of West Texas and the Big Bend region.
