Marathon Uplift

Marathon Uplift is a large rock formation in Brewster County that rises across the landscape with tilted layers of stone. The visible strata were pushed upward by movement deep within the Earth's crust, creating ridges that stand out across the terrain.

The formation took shape during the Paleozoic era through tectonic forces that also shaped the Ouachita Mountains far to the northeast. These ancient movements left behind the tilted rock layers visible today.

Native American tribes inhabited the Marathon Uplift region for generations, utilizing the novaculite stone to create tools and implements.

The site sits along Highway 90, making it accessible from the nearby town of Marathon where visitors find lodging and dining options. Most of the formation can be viewed from the road or through short walks across the open landscape.

The ridges contain rock layers from hundreds of millions of years of Earth history stacked and tilted in a way that reveals immense underground forces at work. Walking through the area lets visitors see layers that normally stay hidden deep beneath the surface.

Location: Texas

GPS coordinates: 30.20750,-103.24300

Latest update: January 6, 2026 13:55