

Miles: 174
Timeline: 1 day
Lodging: The Countryside Inn in Malakoff provides simple accommodations for around $55 a night. Another option is to rent a cabin on Cedar Creek Lake on vrbo.com.
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— MICHAEL CORCORAN


Miles: 281
Timeline: 4 days
Lodging: The renovated 1930s Hotel El Capitan in Van Horn has 50 rooms (12 with private balconies), a dining room, and a bar. Rates range from $109 to $175 a night.
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Frijole Ranch in Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Photo by E. Dan Klepper
— E. DAN KLEPPER



Miles: 156
Timeline: 2 days
Lodging: The Peaceful Pelican Bed and Breakfast in Palacios is a restored Victorian home with a wrap-around porch, comfy rooms, and homemade breakfasts. Rates are about $150 a night.
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The Point in Palacios. Photo by Nathan Lindstrom.

Corpus Christi. Photo by Nathan Lindstrom.
—CLAYTON MAXWELL


Miles: 340
Timeline: 2 days
Lodging: Spend the night with the spirits of Fannin and his men at the restored Quarters at Presidio La Bahía, which once housed priests. $212 a night.
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— Clayton Maxwell


Miles: 240
Timeline: 3 days
Lodging: Canyon of the Eagles near Burnet provides 61 comfortable rooms that include either courtyard or lake views from porch chairs. Rooms start at $144.
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— JUNE NAYLOR




Miles: 130
Timeline: 2 days
Lodging: The Comal Inn in New Braunfels features two cottages for rent across the street from the Comal River. Rates are $90 a night and up, with a two-night minimum on weekends.
View on Google Maps— JOE NICK PATOSKI


Miles: 315
Timeline: 3 days
Lodging: At Hotel Settles in Big Spring, 65 rooms and suites provide luxurious stays, while the bar and grill on the ground floor serves everything from nachos to steak. Take a swim in the patio’s pool after a day of driving, or book a massage in advance. Rooms start at $189 a night.
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Opal’s Table in Midland. Photo by Justin Rex.