Ward County Safety Rest Area
Texas safety rest areas feature many benefits for travelers in Texas.
Our 76 safety rest areas feature 24-hour restrooms. Most locations have attendants on duty 24 hours a day. Other locations have attendants on duty from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
Ward County
Ward County eastbound
Location
- IH 20 - Eastbound, 13 miles west of Monahans.
- Latitude/longitude: 31.5381, -103.0717
- Mile marker: 69
Ward County southbound
Location
- IH 20 - Westbound, 13 miles west of Monahans.
- Latitude/longitude: 31.5408, -103.0639
- Mile marker: 69
Features
- Two sets of men's and women's restrooms.
- Interpretive displays.
- Air-conditioned lobby and restrooms.
- Picnic tables.
- Drinking water.
- Playground.
- Family/assisted restroom.
- Separate truck and passenger parking.
- Group picnic facility.
- Storm shelter.
- Handicap access.
Trivia
- New replacement facility opened Fall 2012.
- The nearby town of Monahans hosts a number of annual events, including the Freedom Fair, the Greenthumb Show, the AQHA Quarterhorse Show, all held in July; a Pecan Perfection show in November, and a Christmas Parade each December.
- The replacement building design is influenced by a nearby abandoned military base, Pyote Army Airfield or "Rattlesnake Bomber Base" which served a critical mission during World War II. Influenced design elements include tall hanger concrete buttresses, barrel vaulted roof shape, and steel rafters that resemble airplane wing ribs.
- The county was named for Thomas W. Ward (1807-1872): architect, general contractor, war veteran, land commissioner, and city mayor.
- Located in the "Big Bend Country" region of Texas. Visit our Texas Highways Magazine to find out interesting places and events happening in this region.