Marfa Lights Viewing Area

David de Lajunta

2024-04

Always a great place to stop and stretch your legs. I have been here 4x. I have seen the light 3 out of 4 times. Tonight, bright white, shifting blue and some tinted reds bobbing near the horizon, rising and the "dancing" in small circles till they fade out and move.There are clean restrooms, no electricity, and a fair about of visitors. Many will overnight in the parking lot as they travel east or west. I've slept here twice. The highway noise can be annoying, but it's free parking and the night skies are amazing!! Tonight there a nice breeze and I can see lightening on the horizon up near Fort Stockton.

Joe Najvar

2024-04

Photography tips:You ever see a bright shining full moon and think "wow, that'll be a cool picture!" Then, take a pic with your phone and the photo just doesn't do it justice? Ever! Just a heads up, that's what it's like trying to get pictures of the Marfa lights. Unless you have a photography setup with a telescopic lens, photo efforts are lackluster.However, it is worth a stop to see what's up. But I do recommend at least a pair of binoculars and some way to stabilize them. (I had to balance mine on a camera tripod to make it worth viewing through.) Once I did this, it made the viewing experience much more enjoyable. Don't rely on the stationary binoculars provided at the viewing area, they are trash.

David Rickerson

2024-04

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Debbie Drives and Travels

2023-05

It was a good place to watch the sunset; being rather cloudy. But, I think it was just a normal evening. However, there are several interesting plaques to read so you can walk and stretch your legs. Gonna spend the night and then mosey down the highway tomorrow to Big Bend.

Monica Williams

2023-05

We didn’t see any lights but that’s ok. We had a great time viewing the awesome sunset and star gazing. We went twice while we were in the area. The restrooms were clean. Viewing platform was nice.

Brandi Oldaker

2021-05

Cool little place to stop and walk around after driving a long ways. Neat little piece of history as well. We stopped during daylight hours, even though we were unable to view the lights as they are best seen at night I really enjoyed taking the time to get out and read the little monuments. It has a couple of picnic tables if you’re in need of a place to eat bite or rest your legs. Has several restroom stalls for both men and women with vault toilets, all had plenty of toilet paper and hand sanitizer dispensers. Looks like it is well maintained. Parking lot has plenty of room to park your motor home or travel trailer. If you’re ever in the area and drive by you definitely need to stop and at least read a little about the history in the area!

Sinjin

2023-10

An unusually charming subject of Texas lore - Oh sure this state is known for its tall tales about Jackalopes and lassoing twisters but magical / mystical lights possibly from space aliens seems a bit of a stretch. It doesn’t matter because unlike a Jackalope - you can actually find the Marfa Lights of Texas, and the kind people of Texas have even set up a Viewing Area for you - free of cost. Just off the roadway you’ll have a chance to pull over and investigate this local phenomenon for yourself. You decide. Are the lights merely a reflection of motor vehicle headlights? Well no so fast ‘cause these lights were first reported in the 1880’s not the 1980’s so it can’t be a motor car. Could the lights be swamp gas, maybe but there’s no swamp out there. St. Elmo’s Fire? Possibly but local Apache’s claim it’s no saint but rather a long dead Apache Chief searching for lost tribesmen. Come on out and have a look see! Be advised you’ll be in company of some opinionated and passionate people. My son and I were standing near the binoculars mounted to the viewing area and a group told us we shouldn’t be standing there because we blocked their view. Now we were standing where the architects wanted us to stand - but go figure. My biggest complaint is that the Marfa Lights Viewing Area is much too close to the main road. Motorists pass by slowly and create both sound and light corruption of the area. I also think that the viewing area platform might benefit from a second elevated floor. Come on out, you decide.

Trypp Adams

2021-05

It's an interesting area, lots of history, a nice structure with bathrooms and binoculars to help you hone in on the lights. I was there during the day and didn't see any lights. Maybe on another trip I will be here at night... i appreciate they have built a nice monument to the phenomenon.

SuperMStudios

2023-12

Went here back in January 2023 with family to view the Marfa Lights while we were visiting the McDonald Observatory for a star party. It was an awesome experience, but a very cold night!! We saw the lights from the binoculars they have at the place and it was spooky on how the lights were moving in different directions and getting dimmer and brighter in unpredictable patterns, who knows what could be causing these lights and how they do those things, could it be UFOs, ghost lights, atmospheric causes, cars passing by the highway, or something else?!! The Marfa Lights are a great stop that you must definitely do if you pass by the area either by going to Big Bend National Park or visiting the McDonald Observatory like we did or even stop by here if your going on a road trip somewhere else!! It’s worth it!!!

Manuel Bautista

2022-05

Nice viewing area for the Marfa Lights. Found myself with cool weather, pizza, and Red Bull while waiting for the sunset. Good and interesting crowd at night when I was there. We were all doubting and wondering if we saw something but it was good fun overall.Restroom facility too.

Deepak

2023-06

Sharing details for the future/first time travellers.This place is located on Marfa-Alpine highway (US 90)Detailed signs are kept on either sides before a mile and you can spot the same even during midnight.Based on research n experience, good time to visit is 10.30pm -1.30am, we stayed from 12.15am -1am and saw the mysterious lights multiple times but was difficult to capture in camera.(There were telescopes but was hard to focus at night).Lights appeared in once in 5-10mins intervals and multiple lights emerged in a time merging into one and disappearing as mentioned. This place is in middle of nowhere and was hard to understand the phenomenon.Limited parking space with details of the Marfa lights is located at entrance wheelchair accessible parking.Group of 20people consisting of 2families were also there on a Saturday night so didnt feel any safety concern.Have a good stay and visit.Wish you good experience to see the Marfa mysterious lights. #HappyVisiting

Charles Monroe

2021-05

We first visited Marfa around 2000. Then there was a dirt parking lot. We and our girls saw the lights way off in the distance. We speculated it was the local chamber of commerce outThis time, a very fine observation building with outdoor seating, information boards, restrooms.Clean, large parking lot, several free telescopes.Didn't see any lights this time, but it was 2 pm.

John Crankshaw

2023-05

We camped here overnight to look for the Marfa Lights. No success. We pulledInto the parking lot and parked at the far end in the afternoon. By the end of twilight cars were parked bumper to bumper in front of and behind us. Maybe 20 carloads of people but they were all gone by 10 pm. The building houses clean pit toilets, no water. Everything very clean and picked up. Lots of highway noise in the evening. Freight trains go by occasionally.

jaime nino

2024-01

Stayed overnight in Alpine. Got my burger and headed out 830. It was light out and the lights started to come alive. It is weird having so many people out there and it was silent but just a few whispers. But the light show was incredible. I plan to return in Jan this time with drone, telephoto lense. Worth the trip kinda alien feelin lo

Joe

2024-02

Careful with Google Maps taking you to the wrong turn-in. Access to the viewing platform is badly marked and quite dangerous at night. The platform itself is too close to the highway lights and noise. Bathrooms available but strangely have no sinks for hand-washing. In general, if this is meant as a tourist draw, someone locally should make at least a minor effort to make it worth visiting.

Lisa Posada-Soto

2019-05

What an experience. Definitely mind bending. I cool place to visit. Bring flash lights because it’s pitch black. On most night a sweater might be needed for the cool temps. Don’t expect too much from lookout post, it’s very barren. If you can bring your own binoculars. And look up app that shows which plants you will see out there that night.

esseGesse Et

2024-04

I saw it and it was incredible! Definitely not from cars because the light is constantly flickering and constantly moving left and right and it went up several times and it also vanished a few times before re appearing

ROY TREVINO

2023-05

Very exciting for first time visit. Weather was a bit drizzly so didn’t make for a long stay. Didn’t see anything crazy, but we’re a few lights. Taillights? Oil rigs? Seems like no one will ever know.

Cameron Hall

2022-05

We visited the viewing area during the day and again that same night. We drove from Fort Davis both times and it was an easy drive both during the day and in the dark. It was neat to walk around and read the various plaques. There is a bathroom there although there is no sink to wash your hands and my wife said there was no toilet paper in the women's bathroom (she brought her own on our second visit).The experience at night was neat. There were quite a few more people than I thought there would be but I woulsnt say it was crowded. We didn't see any of the lights but the experience cool. When the 2 van loads of college kids showed up singing and showing a general disregard for everyone else having a nice evening, we decided it was time to give up on the lights and go.

Grant Daniels

2023-10

Great stop and definitely worth the visit. Arrived at 10:30 and the lights were giving up a show. Didn’t think it was happening at first since the lights were white. But then I realized, how did they move across the sky. Then they multiplied. It was really cool.My visit got sidetracked when a guide started talking about complete non sense. Was frustrating to hear this loud annoying voice… But, others attending were chill and I loved the conversation hypothetical confessions. “What do you think they are?” “What do you think happens if you get closer?”

Andrew

2021-05

Lovely. This viewing Area is just a few minutes out of town and easy to reach by car. The atmosphere was nice. We met friendly people from all over the world, which was interesting. And of course our highlight: We saw many lights. It was magical. I think I've seen a video on Youtube which explains the mistery. But it really is a magical moment. Beautiful.Side note: We felt very safe, even in the middle of the night. I think there is no reason to feel unsafe.

Ian Davis

2022-05

Unfortunately the lights weren’t active during my visit in Marfa, nonetheless this spot was quite breathtaking and the visitor center building was very cool

Katherine Smith

2022-05

While we didn't see the marfa lights, we loved coming to the viewing station at sunset and staying to star watch.Just a lovely place.

Maranda Parker

2022-05

We walked the short trail and read all the plaques, very nice little rest stop . The bathroom not too nice . Get for pups to stretch.

LeeAn Benavides

2019-05

Great place to relax and just take in the sights and nature. If you come bring lawn chairs and snacks. Also don't forget to bring a jacket or sweater. It does get cool in the evenings. We did see the "lights" and it's an awesome experience especially since no one has clearly offered any concrete evidence to justify their existence.Have fun and slow down this is the perfect place to unwind.

Leslie Morlandt

2023-05

Nice park. Didn’t see the lights as it was day when we stopped.Very happy engineer on the train that went by when we waved.Love, love west Texas.

Cody Jemes

2023-12

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Russell Ruplinger

2021-05

I saw the lights! Probably just a car or barn lights, but a fun experience none the less. About about 20 people gathered - some took it seriously some were just playing it off. The serious people were more fun - they got every excited about what they were seeing, were sharing their binoculars, and made it quite enjoyable. Clean bathrooms and plenty of parking.

mila bridger

2023-12

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M C

2021-05

Marfa, TX itself has a lot of history. The Marfa lights are a must see if visiting. The best time to view the lights are late night during clear skies. Cloudy or bad weather will result in disappointment.