Roadside Attractions In Texas: Slug Bug Ranch In Panhandle

As far as roadside attractions in Texas go, few are as quirky as the VW Slug Bug Ranch. Located just north of Route 66, this Volkswagen Beetle graveyard is both a modern art exhibit and an abandoned place. It’s one of the most wonderfully weird places you can possibly visit in the Lone Star State!

Located along the I-40 Frontage Road (just north of Route 66) in the teeny town of Panhandle, the VW Slug Bug Ranch is easily one of the quirkiest places you'll ever go in Texas.

A mere 35 miles east of the iconic Cadillac Ranch, this lesser-known automobile graveyard features five partially-buried Volkswagen Beetles - all in a similar state of decay - that are covered in multiple layers of spray paint applied by years worth of visitors.

Also on the property are several long-abandoned buildings, including this dilapidated motel. The buildings have also been heavily spray painted/graffitied. Much of the artwork is quite good, and it's easy to kill a considerable amount of time admiring it all.

It's amazing to see how nature is reclaiming the property. Flowers, weeds, and grasses have sprouted up around the cars and buildings, even snaking its way inside some of them. Just be sure to keep your eyes peeled, especially if you plan on climbing in a car for a photo-op. Plants aren't the only things you may encounter - the Beetles have become a popular nesting spot for rattlesnakes!

Bring along a bottle of spray paint if you'd like to make your mark on the ranch. It isn't actively discouraged, as nobody has claimed ownership of the property since its inception.

So if roadside attractions in Texas are your jam, plan a trip to the VW Slug Bug Ranch. It's definitely one of the quirkiest places in the state!

You’ll find the ranch just south of a bend in the eastbound side of the I-40 Frontage Road at Exit 96. An old motel sign can be seen overhead.

Have you ever been to Slug Bug Ranch? What are your favorite roadside attractions in Texas? Tell us in the comments! Don’t forget to check out our previous article to learn about Big Texan Steak Ranch in nearby Amarillo, the perfect place to quell your appetite after a long time spent in the car.

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VW Slug Bug Ranch, I-40 Frontage Rd, Panhandle, TX 79068, USA

There's A Volkswagen Beetle Graveyard In Texas, And It's One Of The Quirkiest Places You'll Ever Go

Katie Lawrence

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