VW Slug Bug Ranch on Route 66 – Conway, Texas

If you’re into roadside attractions or road trippin’ the USA, chances are you’ve heard of the famous Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas, but have you heard of the Volkswagen Slug Bug Ranch, also along Texas’ Route 66?

The Volkswagen Slug Bug Ranch is the same basic idea as the much more famous Cadillac Ranch. You have your old, hollowed out cars, stuck grill-first into the ground, then covered in graffiti. Spray paint cans are scattered around the ground for visitors to add their own artistic touch to the cars.

History of the VW Slug Bug Ranch in Conway, Texas

The VW Slug Bug Ranch sits on property that was once owned by the Crutchfield family, who opened the Longhorn Trading Post and Rattlesnake Ranch in 1967. In the early 70s, however, a Love’s Travel Stop opened on the other side of I-40, luring much of the Crutchfield’s business over there. Wanting to attract more customers, they created a parody version of the famous Cadillac Ranch and erected the VW Slug Bug Ranch as their own tourist attraction.

More visitors came, but it wasn’t enough to save the business, and in 2003, the gas station and trading post closed their doors. Today, those two buildings are covered in graffiti, much like the VW Bugs on the same lot.

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VW Slug Bug Ranch Location:

The slug bug ranch is located right off I-40, but there is no sign on the interstate directing you to this, so you will need to have this in your GPS

Visiting the VW Slug Bug Ranch

Unfortunately, from a photography point of view, the location of these cars isn’t as cool as the Cadillac Ranch. The VW bugs (which are all vandalized and stripped beyond recognition) are plopped in a open patch of dirt directly off the frontage road, next to an abandoned motel, restaurant and really creepy abandoned gas station & convenience store. It’s nearly impossible to get a good shot of all 5 bugs without getting some of the graffiti-covered businesses or rotting motel sign in your photo.

During my visit, I was the only one here. The whole area gave me the creeps and I didn’t want to stick around long, whereas at the Cadillac Ranch, the cars are laid out nicely in an open field, the area is well-maintained with plenty of tourists and no ominous feeling in the air.

Since there is no one around, you can park pretty much wherever you feel like it, but be careful. There’s a lot of broken glass, dog poop and debris on the ground in this area. This is not the place I’d want to get a flat tire. Again, this ‘roadside attraction’ is surrounded by abandoned buildings and isn’t maintained as far as I could tell, so there is no upkeep on the grounds.

If you came armed with your spray paint, give it your all and free that inner vandal in you – no one is going to prosecute you here! You may find discarded spray paint cans here with paint still in them, but I wouldn’t count on it. If you are hell bent on leaving your mark, you’ll want to bring your paint. Personally, I just viewed the cars and didn’t paint them.

If you’re just viewing the cars and snapping photos, this stop won’t take you long — there’s no long walk here like there is at the Cadillac Ranch, and if you don’t like crowds, you may enjoy this spot more than the Cadillac Ranch. I just thought the whole vibe of this place was weird and depressing mostly due to all of the abandoned businesses in the area and overall lack of maintenance for this ‘attraction.’

As for the abandoned buildings next to the VW Slug Bug Ranch, you’ll find the Crutchfield’s old trading post and gas station – both of which are completely covered in graffiti. I suppose you could go inside these and explore but I personally wouldn’t. This seemed like a place you’d find a lot of rattlesnakes hanging out.

Additionally, there’s a more recently-defunct restaurant and motel – formerly the Conway Inn and it appeared to be for sale.

Volkswagon Slug Bug Ranch – Conway, Texas – Final Thoughts

In summary, this is a poor man’s Cadillac Ranch, but you’ll likely have the whole place to yourself.

Pros:

• Easily accessible – no long walk like at Cadillac Ranch
• Easy on/off I-40
• Can snap a photo and go. No big time commitment

Cons:

• Unmaintained grounds – lots of broken glass and potholes.
• The VW bugs are completely vandalized – there’s not a lot left to the cars themselves.
• Threat of rattlesnakes!
• Overall eerie feeling about this place.

Have you visited the VW Slug Bug Ranch on Route 66? What did you think?