Self-guided Walking Tours at Chinati

While the buildings remain closed, Chinati has made a plan for safe, regulated, outdoor access to our grounds. As a museum in which art, architecture, and the land are inextricably linked, Chinati is in a unique position to invite visitors to experience Chinati outdoors.

My work has the appearance it has…because my first and largest interest is in my relation to the natural world, all of it, all the way out. This interest includes my existence, a keen interest, the existence of everything, and the space and time that is created by the existing things. Art emulates this creation or definition by also creating, on a small scale, space and time.

Donald Judd, Art and Architecture, 1983

In taking steps to make the art, architecture and land at Chinati accessible, we are looking forward to welcoming our local residents and the public to experience the museum in a new way. No buildings will be open. Face masks and social distancing are mandatory. Online reservations are required, and entrance is timed. Public restrooms are not available at this time.

We are proceeding cautiously. Marfa is 28 miles from the closest hospital in Alpine, TX and 190 miles from the nearest Intensive Care Unit. The safety of our staff, community, and visitors remains our priority. As the situation changes daily, Chinati will not hesitate to adapt. The website will post the current status and availability of the Self-guided Walking Tour.

Self-guided Walking Tours follow a designated trail and are designed to give a sense of Chinati as a unique whole. Based on the ideas of founding artist Donald Judd, the intention of Chinati is to preserve and present permanent large-scale installations by a select group of artists. Visitors can walk the path along Judd’s 15 untitled works in concrete, visit Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen’s Monument to the Last Horse, as well as take in exterior views of Judd’s 100 untitled works in mill aluminum and the John Wesley Gallery. On the walking tour visitors will be able to survey the historic architecture of Fort D.A. Russell as adapted by Judd and experience the grasslands, wildlife, and open space that brought him to Marfa.

Visitors acting in any way that disrupts the health and safety of other visitors, staff, or residents, or puts the artwork or facilities at risk, will be asked to leave immediately.

Self-Guided Walking Tours cover 1.6 miles and take approximately 1 to 1.5 hours to complete. The Guide handout will include a map of the trail and collection highlights.

Online reservations will be required for timed entrance ($15/ticket). At the front gate Check-In, visitors will be asked to verbally agree to the COVID-19 precautions and to put on their masks before entering the parking area.

The Visitors Center and Bookstore will are not open to the public. Visitors may shop anytime at Chinati’s Online Store. Local pickup will be available when the museum is open for Self-guided Walking Tours.

Admission to Chinati is always free to our local community (residents of Brewster, Jeff Davis and Presidio counties), our members, children age 17 and under, members of the military and healthcare workers. Discounts are offered to persons age 65 and over, students, and teachers.

The Chinati Foundation is open for Self-guided Walking Tours Thursday-Saturday. Tickets will be available to the general public each Monday for tours the same week. Make your reservation for our Self-guided Walking Tour on our Visit Page.

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How museums operate in the context of a virus pandemic is new for all of us. Our goal is to accomplish our mission in a safe and effective manner. Chinati will continue to monitor local conditions and welcome feedback on our plans and policies both now and moving forward.