Marfa Lights Viewing Area
A viewing platform along Highway 90 about 15 km east of Marfa, where visitors wait after dark for the mysterious lights that flicker on the horizon. It is also a superb spot for stargazing.
The Marfa Lights are nighttime light phenomena recorded since the 19th century, usually seen near the horizon above the Mitchell Flat. Explanations range from distant car headlights to atmospheric refraction, and the debate continues. The official viewing area lies along Highway 90 about 15 km east of Marfa, with a parking lot, restrooms, and telescopes, and it is open to the public for free at all hours. The hour or two after sunset is the usual time to wait, but whether you see the lights is pure luck. The region has very little light pollution, however, so the Milky Way alone is worth the trip. Nights get cold, so bring a jacket.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Ballroom Marfa
- Judd Foundation Marfa
- Hotel Paisano
- Presidio County Courthouse
- Chinati Foundation
- Museum of the Big Bend
- Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center & Botanical Gardens
- Fort Davis National Historic Site