As you journey through the vast nothingness of West Texas, there’s a unique roadside attraction that deserves a spot on your travel itinerary: Paisano Pete in Fort Stockton. This larger-than-life roadrunner statue has become an iconic symbol of the town.

Paisano Pete, standing at 11 feet tall and 22 feet long, is the world’s largest roadrunner statue. It was originally erected in 1979 before being remade in 2022 to reclaim the top spot for the world’s largest roadrunner statue.

Pete quickly became the town’s unofficial mascot and a celebrated landmark. Standing tall and proud in front of the Fort Stockton Visitor Center, Paisano Pete offers a fun and quirky photo op.

While in town you can also visit the historic fort, established in the mid-19th century to protect settlers and travelers. The site includes original buildings, a museum, and interpretive exhibits detailing the fort’s history and its role in the settlement of the West.

Fort Stockton is located at the crossroads of Interstate 10 and U.S. Highway 285. The town is approximately halfway between El Paso and San Antonio and if you are headed to Big Bend National Park from I-10, it’s likely where you will get off and head south.