West Texas Showdown
The West Texas Showdown is the third stage of the Texas Showdown Series. Five years in development, it promises to be the crowning jewel of the Texas Showdown Triple Crown. Set in the Big Bend region of Texas; home to bigskies, rugged terrain, unpredictable weather, and breathtaking beauty–riders will be challenged like never before.
WTS is mountain desert country. Wild. Unforgiving. Unpredictable. Limited resources. Technical Terrain. And everything wants to bite, pinch, grab, or sting you. Don’t be scared, but also, don’t come unprepared or let your guard down. The Big Bend region isn’t for the faint of heart or the inexperienced, but if you’ve got the guts, gear, and grit, we’ve got something special in store for you.
The Desert is Calling
When: Dec. 4th – 6th, 2026
Where: Terlingua, Tx
Registration: June 4th @ High Noon
Big Bend – Home of the West Texas Showdown
Big Bend Ranch State Park and the surrounding desert country embody the raw spirit of West Texas—wide open basins framed by rugged volcanic cliffs, deep canyons carved by the Rio Grande, and an endless horizon that shifts with every mile. It’s one of the most remote places in the lower 48, where solitude comes naturally and the silence is as striking as the scenery. Out here, self-reliance isn’t optional; it’s survival. The vast remoteness strips everything down to the essentials, rewarding those who push deeper with views that stretch forever and silence broken only by the wind. By day, the desert unfolds in stark beauty—ocotillo reaching skyward, hidden springs tucked into arroyos, and winding dirt roads that lead to vistas you’ll never forget. By night, the remoteness reveals one of the darkest skies in North America, where the Milky Way blazes across the heavens in a show few places on earth can match.
Routes
These routes are much different than the other events in the Texas Showdown Series. WTS is rugged and wild––aka MTB terrain. Full stop. Leave your gravel bike, narrow tires, and maybe your aero bars, at home. Check your ego at the trailhead. These routes will take you through rugged mountain desert terrain on gnarly singletrack, through dry arroyos, over mountains, and into desert valleys with expansive views that keep calling you to see more. Big Bend is notoriously wild, lightly or seldom maintained – we like it this way, make sure you’re ready to get rowdy before you sign up.
Route files are currently draft versions, provided to help with your planning. Final routes will be sent out via email to all participants no less than 1 week prior to event. Please familiarize yourself with the maps – included is information about camping, lodging, resupply, water caches, etc. Do your own research! These POI’s are not an exhaustive list, but a good starting point with valuable information.
Showdown
Our most grueling and extreme options tackles the most rugged and technical terrain – for those that want to push themselves and their equipment to the limit in search of glory, self actualization, and an unwavering need to make mom proud.
The Showdown offers riders a little bit of everything by way of riding experience and adventure. There are few landscapes in the world as tantalizing and trepidatious as Big Bend. For decades it’s been a proving ground for those looking to test themselves against the harshest conditions in the most beautiful landscape. Now it’s time to open this opportunity up to the ultra cycling community.
Route Highlights
- 390 +/- miles
- 60% unpaved / 40% paved
- Big Bend Ranch State Park – the crown jewel of the route offers some of the most dramatic landscapes, wild and lightly touched desert wilderness, that will punish and reward you simultaneously.
- Marfa, Tx at mile 200 – Quirky little town known for its eclectic art installations (have you seen the Prada “store?). Great place to refill, refuel, and rest your head if needed.
- Pinto Canyon – Easily one of the most beautiful and dramatic landscapes on the route. It weaves its way through private property so STAY ON THE ROAD, and just enjoy this downhill descent on your way into Ruidosa. Hit this section at sunrise or sunset for maximum results.
- From Ruidosa to Presidio is a long paved section that borders the Rio Grande river and provides dramatic views of Big Bend and an enchanting look at our Mexico neighborhoods. It’s so close to Mexico y’all, buen viajes!
- The route takes you back into BBRSP for one more tour of its magia before doing a loop around the Solatario and exiting the park towards Terlingua.
- But wait, there’s more! Riders on the Showdown will pass Terlingua before heading out on the Death Loop. A 50 mile loop north of Terlingua that offers some of the best riding outside of the State and National Parks.
- When you get back to Terlingua again, now you’re done!
We’d like to acknowledge, and thank, Andrew Onermaa for his contributions to this final route. He spent countless hours scouting BBRSP by bike (and by computer) and provided valuable insights that helped put this puzzle together. Thank you Andrew!
Slowdown
Our shorter, but still challenging, race option is ~293 miles and offers an almost equally challenging and beautiful experience at a more approachable distance. Like the Showdown route, the Slowdown is no walk in the park (actually there will be some walking, but you know what I mean), but features much less singletrack – but don’t be fooled, it is quite literally a challenging bike expedition into a harsh, remote, and unforgiving landscape, with extreme and unpredictable weather conditions.
Route Highlights
- 293+/- miles
- 59% unpaved / 41% paved
- Unpaved sections are mostly gravel park roads, country roads, with some singletrack and arroyo riding to keep it spicy
Lowdown
The Lowdown is our non-competative bikepacking group ride that we host every year in conjunction with the race. This is an opportunity to introduce people who are bikepacking and/or ultra racing curious into this wildly beautiful sport.
Unlike East and Central Texas Lowdown, the West Texas Lowdown will be a guided three day bikepacking trip inside Big Bend Ranch State Park. This will serve as the perfect introduction to desert riding and Big Bend Ranch State Park, which will allow riders to enjoy this landscape in a more approachable setting. However, please note (and be aware) that there are sections of this route that are very challenging. They have been minimized to the degree possible, but the West Texas Lowdown is not to be taken lightly.
We will have ride leads and sweepers to ensure everyone gets to the designated camps, but this is still a Solo-Self Supported adventure by bike. Participants will be expected to carry food and water* for the entire trip while maintaining themselves and their equipment.
*Additional water will be provided to riders at camp each night.
Route Highlights
- 85+/- miles
- 75% unpaved / 25% paved
- The first 10 miles and the last 10 miles are paved, the rest of the route is inside BBRSP and consist of mostly gravel park roads with some dry arroyo riding and singletrack to keep in spicy.
- For this route bring your big tires and probably suspension – very little road riding.
Getting Here
Terlingua is off the beaten path — there are no direct planes, trains, or buses. The nearest airports are in Midland or El Paso; from there, it’s a long desert drive. If you’re arriving via Alpine or Marfa, you’ll also pass through a Border Patrol checkpoint before reaching town.
By the way, we like it this way. You gotta earn your way there. It’s worth it.
Host City & HQ
Our host town is Terlingua, TX — a once-thriving mercury mining hub turned ghost town, now home to a small but eclectic community of artists, adventurers, and desert dreamers. Nestled between Big Bend Ranch State Park and Big Bend National Park, Terlingua’s ruins, shacks, and quirky dwellings create a setting unlike anywhere else.
Race HQ will be at the High Sierra Bar & Grill + Ghost Town Hotel, which offers food, drinks, limited lodging, RV spots, and camping. This will serve as our start/finish line, pre-race meeting site, and home of the Hoedown.
Lodging
Ghost Town Hotel is owned and operated by the High Sierra Bar & Grill, and is on the same property. Making it the most convenient hotel option for WTS. Check out their website for more information and booking options. They have been kind enough to offer you deeply discounted rates even though it’s the holiday season. To take advantage of this pricing use code “biker” at checkout.
Terlingua Ghost Town RV Park is directly behind High Sierra Bar & Grill and is the perfect spot for RV or Van camping. They too are offering a discounted rated. For 10% off your stay – use the code “biker” at checkout.
Passing Wind Campground is directly across the street from High Sierra. Primitive camping will be available. You can reserve a spot on BikeReg – it’s $25/pp for Friday – Tuesday.
Additional Lodging Options
Rancho Topanga Campground – Located 5 miles down the road from Terlingua offers a beautiful campground, epic views, lots of campsites (even group camps), with showers, restrooms, fire rings, etc.
Lost Gringo RV Park – One mile from Terlingua. Additional rv/van camping if Ghost Town RV Park is booked. They also offer tent camping.
Lajitas Golf Resort Hotel – If you’re looking for more luxurious desert dwelling – we got you!
Big Bend Station – They are located in Study Butte, 5 miles from Terlingua. They have lodging, rv sites, and camping options
Temple of the Bird – Super cool, totally Terlingua, hostel and camp ground that is owned by a cyclist. Check it out!
These are the lodging/camping options available at WTS HQ. You can find others by using AirBNB, VRBO, HipCamp, and Google, etc.
Weather (Nov.)
- Highs in the 70s / Lows in the 30s
- Average of 2 days of rain
- Desert conditions can swing quickly — layering is key
Rider Notes
- Bike Choice: This is MTB country — rocky climbs, rugged singletrack, arroyo crossings, and rough gravel. Leave your gravel bike at home.
- Self-Supported: Riders must carry food, water, navigation, and repair gear. Resources are extremely limited.
- Leave No Trace: The desert is fragile. Pack it in, pack it out. No cat-holing. Carry a waste bag.
- Risks: Remote terrain, wildlife, weather extremes, and isolation. This is not an event for the faint of heart or the unprepared.
FAQ
? Why don’t the routes go into Big Bend National Park?
The National Park is not open to these types of events…yet!
? Why does the race start on Saturday?
There is a public hunt on Friday in the State Park. So, for this year we will be starting on Saturday morning and our Hoedown will be Monday evening.
?Do I need to pay a park entrance fee?
No- your entrance feed is covered during the time you are participating in the race/ride.
? Will I pass through a Border Patrol checkpoint?
Yes- If you’re driving in from Alpine or Marfa, you may pass through a permanent Border Patrol checkpoint north of Terlingua. Have your ID handy. You will have a Border checkpoint if you are doing the Showdown or Slowdown heading into Marfa.
? What’s the weather like in November?
Expect highs in the 70s, lows in the 30s, and on average just 2 days of rain. Conditions can change fast, and the desert is unforgiving. Bring layers and prepare for both heat and cold.
? What bike should I bring?
This is MTB terrain. Wide tires, suspension, and durable gear are highly recommended. Gravel bikes will not cut it here. Minimum of 2″ tire is required! More is better.
? How self-supported is this event?
Completely. Riders are expected to carry their own food, water, tools, and navigation. Resupply points are limited, so plan carefully. Rescue vehicles will be available to extract riders off course if needed, but when you’re riding, you’re on your own! You should also be prepared to self-extract to a pick-up point on course. There is a good junk of the park that cannot be accessed by vehicle.
? How do I handle waste?
Big Bend’s desert ecosystem is delicate. Riders must follow Leave No Trace principles. That means packing out all trash and carrying a waste bag — no cat-holing allowed.
WTS Video Series
WTS NEWS AND MEDIA
Bikepacking.com – New Event of the Year winner
Bikepacking.com – Singlespeeding the 2025 West Texas Lowdown Series by Tyler Reynolds
Bikes or Death – WTS Day 1 Recap & Photo Gallery
Bikes or Death – Podcast with Kyle Gilbert & Hannah Simon (1st & 2nd WTS)
Bikepacking.com – Challenging Times at the 2025 West Texas Showdown (recap)