Hill Country/Cowboy Country/Bandera/Attraction/Bandera Pass
Attraction · Bandera
Bandera Pass
Bandera Pass is a V-shaped erosion cut through a limestone ridge at roughly 1,320 feet elevation. The highway threads through the gap, and a 1936 Texas Centennial marker on the west side of the road describes the pass's role in frontier conflict. The marker is readable from a pullout area without leaving the highway shoulder.
Why people come here
Before you go
The marker stands along the west side of State Highway 173 North in the pass, about 12 miles from Bandera. Treat it as roadside context unless a lawful off-highway stopping place is available; do not stop in the travel lane.
Good to know
Where exactly is the Bandera Pass marker?
The marker stands on the west side of State Highway 173, approximately one mile north of Farm-to-Market Road 2828. It is visible from the road and accessible from the highway shoulder.
Why is it called Bandera Pass?
The name comes from the Spanish word bandera meaning flag. According to local tradition, a flag or banner was placed at the pass during an early military engagement between Spanish forces and Native Americans.
Can I pull over safely to read the marker?
Yes. There is space on the highway shoulder near the marker. The pass is on a two-lane highway with moderate traffic, so standard roadside caution applies.
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