Major city · United States
Big Lake
Skip unless you have a specific reason (oilfield history, a quiet night on US 67). Half an hour at the Santa Rita No. 1 well and the Hickman Museum, then move on.
Big Lake is a small West Texas town on US 67, halfway between San Angelo and Fort Stockton. Its two sights — the Santa Rita No. 1 oil derrick and the Hickman Museum — can be seen in under an hour. Most travellers pass through without stopping.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Mar–May, Oct–Nov
- avoid Jun–Aug (heat)
- Airports
- SJT · MAF
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Big Lake911 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Big Lake, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyVery low crime.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police · 911 fire and ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportSJT San Angelo Regional Airport (Mathis Field) (About 60 miles north; limited flights from Dallas/Fort Worth.).
- Getting aroundYou need a car.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$2–4
- BeerBeer (bottle)$3–5
- Budget bedMotel double room, a night, per roomUS$60
- Mid-range bedMotel double room, a night, per roomUS$80
- High-end bedMotel double room, a night, per roomUS$120
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$50 · Mid US$100 · High US$150
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- SJT San Angelo Regional Airport (Mathis Field) (About 60 miles north; limited flights from Dallas/Fort Worth.) · MAF Midland International Air & Space Port (About 70 miles west; more connections.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Feb
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Mar
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Apr
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
May
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jun
Avoid
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Jul
Avoid
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
Aug
Avoid
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
Sep
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Oct
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Nov
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Dec
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Best: Mar–May, Oct–Nov. Avoid: Jun–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)), coolest Jan (−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C) low), wettest May (5 rain days), driest Jan (3). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Big Lake: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
3 rd
Feb
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
3 rd
Mar
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
3 rd
Apr
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
4 rd
May
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5 rd
Jun
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
4 rd
Jul
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
4 rd
Aug
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
5 rd
Sep
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
4 rd
Oct
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
4 rd
Nov
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
3 rd
Dec
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
3 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
You need a car. The town is small enough to walk between the museum and a couple of eateries, but the Santa Rita well is 4 miles west on US 67.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 30 min
US 67 south, about 30 min
Small town with a courthouse square and Crockett County Museum.
Sonora, Texas
goDoor to door: 1 h
US 67 south then I-10 east, about 1 h
Sonora Caverns are the main draw; allow 2 h for the tour.
Brady, Texas
goDoor to door: 1 h 15 min
US 87 north, about 1 h 15 min
Heart of Texas; known for the Brady Lake and the Heart of Texas Wildlife Trail.
Eldorado, Texas
goDoor to door: 30 min
TX 137 south, about 30 min
Schleicher County seat; quiet town with a historic courthouse.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Along US 67 / TX 137
Motels near the highway junction; Derrick Inn and OYO Hotel are the main options.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $50–80 excl. bed
- Mid
- $80–120 excl. bed
- High
- $120+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel double room1 × 1 night × US$80 | US$80 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$100 | US$200 |
| Fuel (50 miles of driving)1 × US$10 · check | US$10 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$29 |
| Trip total≈ US$160 per person per day, bed included | US$319 |
2026 estimate in USD; car rental and fuel excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $2–4 |
| Lunch plate (chicken fried steak) | $10–15 |
| Beer (bottle) | $3–5 |
| Motel room (double) | $60–120 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Hickman Museum is by appointment only: call ahead (+1 325-884-2511).
- No gas station on the highway west of town for about 30 miles; fill up in Big Lake.
- Summer temperatures exceed 38°C (100°F); carry water.Summer temperatures exceed 100°F (38°C); carry water.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 911
- Fire and ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Big LakeBig Lake
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Take me to this addressTake me to this address
Emergency
- Police911
- Fire and ambulance911
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- San Angelo → Big Lake (car): about 1 h, 60 miles
- Midland → Big Lake (car): about 1 h 10 min, 70 miles
Say or show
- Howdy — Hello
- Thanks — Thank you
- How much? — How much is it?
- Where's the restroom? — Where is the bathroom?
English is universal; no language barrier.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Big Lake. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Oct–Nov · avoid Jun–Aug (heat) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Big Lake
Loading…
Was this useful?