LANGTRY

A trip to West Texas is not complete without paying respects to the infamous Judge Roy Bean’s hometown. Bean, who founded Langtry in 1881, ran his courtroom from the saloon, making him one of the great legends of the Old West. He allegedly named the town after an English actress, Lillie Langtry, who caught his fancy. Today, you can wander through the restored court chambers and be thankful that you were never on the receiving end of Judge Bean’s special brand of justice. The nearest hotels are in Comstock (30 minutes), Del Rio (60 minutes), and Sanderson (60 minutes).

Judge Roy Bean Visitor Center

Corner of Loop 25 and Torres Ave., Langtry, 78871

432-291-3340

Judge Roy Bean, who dispensed liquor along with justice here, was known as the Law West of the Pecos. This museum and travel center are housed behind the structure where he presided. The visitors center highlights parts of Judge Bean’s tenure, and tours of the cactus garden explain how both pioneers and Native Americans used the plants in everyday life.

Open daily 8 a.m.–5 p.m., Memorial Day–Labor Day till 6 p.m. (closed major holidays).

Admission: Free.

Seminole Canyon State Park and Historic Site

Nine miles west of Comstock on U.S. Hwy. 90

432-292-4464

tpwd.state.tx.us/park/seminole/seminole.htm

In this 2,173-acre park are rocks inscribed with drawings believed to date back more than 4,000 years, making them among the oldest and most significant examples of rock art in the New World. Exhibits at the park headquarters give an idea of life among the region’s earliest inhabitants. Hikers will enjoy a six-mile trail leading to a scenic overlook of the Rio Grande.

Park headquarters open daily 8 a.m.–5 p.m.; park open 24 hours for camping.

Call for tour hours.

Tour: $5. Park admission: $3. Camping fees: Electric $14, non-electric $10. Picnic facilities, RV, and tent campsites available.