As you travel one arm of the Pecos Trail through the Lone Star State, just about midway you’ll find a treasure that awaits you in Big Lake.  The 1923 eruption of the Santa Rita #1 in the nearby ghost town of Texon gave way to the birthplace of the Permian Basin. To help the nearby and local ranchers, the Kansas City, Mexico, and Orient Railroad laid tracks through Big Lake and in 1925 the County Seat was moved from nearby Stiles, to Big Lake, and history was made.  Now, what once was known as an oilfield boomtown is a bustling diverse community filled with many sites and locations waiting to grab your attention.  Restaurants and bakeries fill our town with many types of flavors, foods, drinks, and hospitalities.  With the convenience of our local boutiques and other retail shopping and convenience stores, Big Lake offers most travelers, workers and citizens a vast array of goods and household items that completes most needs encountered.  Numerous hotels and lodgings await you with warm hospitality and many of the comforts of home. 

Big Lake is centrally located between 2 major airports.  The San Angelo Regional Airport is approximately 70 miles East of the city while the Midland International Air and Space Port is approximately 70 miles northwest.  Both offer flights in and out to major airports around the globe.  Big Lake is less than 100 miles away from “the rest of the world”.

 Families are able to come together at 1 of the many parks that Big Lake has to offer.  The North Reagan County Park offers a recreation area, including swings, slide, basketball facility, sand volley ball, and covered picnic areas, as well as a covered awning with bar-b-que pits for larger groups and family reunions. A lighted walking trail, gazebo and community center are also highlights of the park.  A 30,000 gallon swimming pool offers family entertainment for experienced swimmers and toddlers alike.  Deer, turkey, rabbits, and other native wildlife are frequent visitors of the park year round.  The Josh Mitchell Park, located in the center of Big Lake, is a municipal maintained recreation park dedicated to families and youth.  Also, a very well maintained 10-hole municipal golf course will captivate the golf pro as well as the weekend getaway golf enthusiast.   Several baseball and softball fields scatter throughout the park areas.  The Disney produced film, “The Rookie” provides the backdrop for Big Lake’s rise in baseball fame “The Rookie”, starring Dennis Quaid, tells the story of Big Lake’s struggles to build a high school baseball team into the revered program we proudly boast today.  Just to the south of the railroad tracks is another county park that serves residents and citizens closer to this area.  All are open to everyone and the community is welcome to freely use these parks at their leisure.  

In 2018, the residents saw the need for an updated medical center, hospital and senior living facility.  The result was a state of the art facility allowing all medical professionals and services under one roof.  In addition to the professionals providing services at the hospital, a helipad is available on-site to provide everyone emergency access to a specialized trauma care facility if needed.  Our senior residents can rest assured of a beautiful facility that will ease them into an adequately staffed and maintained assisted living environment directly connected to many medical needs and personnel.  With a paid fire, ambulance and first responder program and a county wide law enforcement service, all residents can relax knowing help is moments away in times of need. 

Big Lake knows the future generation is dependent upon our decisions.   The City of Big Lake has taken great strides in reducing the carbon blueprint it will cause with our Public Works and infrastructure.  An unending superior rated water supply and updated waste water treatment plant confirms our commitment to recycling and preserving the environment.

We are the "Home of the Reagan County Fighting Owls!"  Our school system is the envy of many surrounding towns and communities.  All 3 school campuses have recently undergone a complete overhaul in both academic classroom and athletic facilities.  An Astroturf covered football field shines bright at every home football game where you will find most of the citizens on Friday nights.  The baseball and softball fields also add an allure of beauty and uniqueness with their turf covered fields as well.  Our academic and athletic achievements shine bright in every endeavor.  Win or lose, we stand behind our students, staff and administration and let them know how proud we are that they represent us.

Big Lake takes great pride in the community and beauty it brings to Texas.  In 2016, the Big Lake Economic Development Corporation initiated a “Beautification Project” and has plans to become the “Wind Sculpture Capitol of West Texas”.  Local businesses, parks, and organizations proudly boasts flower beds and wind sculptures designed by native Texas and national artists. The B.L.E.D.C. Beautification Partnership currently displays sculptures from 3 renowned artisans. 

 A diverse energy and agricultural resource can be found in Big Lake and Reagan County.  Farmers, ranchers, oilfield workers and wind recyclists share the land covering the 3600 square mile area.  Amidst the cotton fields, windmills and pumpjacks dot the landscape as cattle and wildlife graze the land. 

Reagan County is also known for its hunting and wild game resources.  The Reagan County Wild Game Supper is a nationally known event held the first Saturday after Thanksgiving each year where proceeds help the local youth and offers a scholarship program to local high school seniors.  Less than 100 miles away, you’ll find several lakes and rivers.  Lake Nasworthy, fed by the Concho River, in nearby San Angelo is the area’s largest recreational lake and a little further south, Lake Amistad in Del Rio will fulfill every fisherman’s dream.

 And we CELEBRATE!!  Each fourth of July weekend, the Big lake Chamber of Commerce hosts the Star Spangled Celebration.  Local and national vendors, the community, and famous musicians converge on Big Lake for a full day of fun, fellowship and activities.  To end the celebration, a fireworks show lights up the sky followed by a free concert and dance from famous Country and Western Artists. 

The Chamber also hosts “Christmas in the Park” each December.  A lighted parade, fragrances, lights, and sounds of Christmas fill the area as vendors offer homemade wares and food and drinks.  

We invite you to visit Big Lake, Reagan County, and the surrounding area.  Relax.  Feel welcomed as you enjoy our oasis and learn why LIVING IS GREAT IN BIG LAKE!