Terlingua & Big Bend, Texas

Luxury casitas, tipis, and bubble igloos – multiple locations | reservations online only

Ghost Town glamping in the heart of the Chihuahuan Desert. We stayed in two different basecamp casitas and absolutely loved our experience in both of them. The first house, Casa Anejo, is located just outside the central Ghost Town and offers tranquil desert views. I’m obsessed. The second house, Casa Azul, is perched in the center of Terlingua Ghost Town, just a stone’s throw away from La Posada Milagro (see below), so it’s easy to grab breakfast in the morning before a hike or a nightcap at the Starlight Theater after a long day outdoors. Terlingua is just 10 minutes away from Big Bend, making it the perfect place to call home when you’re planning a trip to explore this massive national park.

Starlight Theater

5pm until late | 631 Ivey Rd | (432) 371-2326 | Free Wi-Fi

Located in the heart of the Ghost town, Starlight Theater offers a large menu, full bar, and live music most nights of the week. A favorite with locals and tourists. Food is available from 5pm until 10pm, bar is open later. Expect a wait during busy times, reservations only taken for larger groups.

La Posada Milagro Espresso Y Poco Mas

7:30 am to 2 pm |101 Milagro Way | (432) 371-3044 | Free Wi-Fi

Located near Starlight Theater, La Posada has a full espresso bar, an excellent breakfast and lunch menu, and many gluten- free options. Enjoy your morning coffee on the outdoor patio that provides a wonderful view of the Chisos Mountains. I highly recommended the Breakfast burritos!

High Sierra Bar and Grill

12pm to 12am | 100 Ghost Town Rd | (800) 371-3588 | Free Wi-Fi | link

Open noon to midnight 365 days a year, High Sierra offers a wide selection of food, from salads and sandwiches to steaks and Mexican dishes. It has the largest beer selection around and is a great place to watch a sports game. They also sell beer and cigarettes to go and have live music Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. My pick: the Sangria will give you a kick in the pants and is best chased with their chile relleno, crispy beef taco, cheese enchiladas, and delicious sweet chili chicken wings (imagine finding General Tso’s Chicken in the middle of the desert – heaven).

Rio Bravo Mexican Restaurant

11am to 3:30pm and 6pm to 9pm | 22302 FM 170 | (432) 371-2101| No Wi-Fi

Bring your own beer to this family-owned Mexican restaurant. Located back towards Study Butte, this hole-in-the-wall has a large, inexpensive menu and a very casual atmosphere. Closed on Sundays.

Long Draw Pizza

5pm until 8:30pm, Thurs–Sun | 22790 FM 170 | (432) 371-2608| No Wi-Fi

Patience is a virtue at Long Draw, and your time is worth the wait. Being the only dedicated pizzeria in the Big Bend area, the owner tends to write her own hours, and wait times can often be long. It’s worth calling before your arrival, but be warned: put that phone away before you enter. They have a strict “no cell phone” policy. This quirky place definitely personifies the personality of Big Bend. Closed Monday through Wednesday. Highly recommend after a long day exploring Big Bend.

Big Bend National Park

(432) 477-2251 | link

The entrance to Big Bend National Park is about 10 miles east of Terlingua. The visitor center is located in the center of the park, as is the Chisos Basin Lodge and many trailheads. The hot springs are located on the far side of the park, near the entrance to Boquillas del Carmen, the nearest legal border crossing into Mexico.

My tips: Big Bend is too big to see in a single day, but a great one-day trip to the park might include a trip down the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive and a visit to the Chisos Basin. Another fun excursions include the Saint Elena Canyon Trail, which is a big bend classic. Remember to bring your passport, because a short visit to the nearby small Mexican village of Boquillas del Carmen is always a memorable experience.

Big Bend Ranch State Park

(432) 386-3218 | link

Often overlooked in lieu of the national park, Big Bend Ranch State Park has some amazing hikes and is home to one of the most photographed scenic overlooks in the area. Big Bend Ranch State Park is a 311,000-acre state park, the largest in the state of Texas. It also provides much easier river access than the national park. Located about 15 miles west of Terlingua. The Barton-Warnock visitor center is located approximately one mile east of Lajitas.

Rio Aviation

Available by appointment | (432) 557-9477 | link

Take a scenic flight over Big Bend National Park and/or Big Bend State Park with a very knowledgeable longtime resident of the Big Bend region, Marcos Paredes. (Psst—he’s kind of a legend around these parts.)

Far Flung Outdoor Center

23310 FM 170| (432) 371-2633 | link

Far Flung offers river, Jeep, ATV, and hiking tours as well as rentals and wilderness medicine courses.

Desert Sports

22937 FM 170| (888) 989-6900 | link

Guided river, hiking, biking, or combination tours. (They also rent mountain bikes and watercraft if you’d prefer to guide yourself!) Brought your own bike and need some mechanical work? Their bicycle shop offers repairs, tune-ups, and biking accessories. They are located just before the turn-off to Kempf Road.

Big Bend River Tours

23331 FM 170 | (800) 545-4240 | link

Big Bend River Tours is the oldest full-service outfitter in the Big Bend area. They offer tours similar to Desert Sports and Far Flung, with added horseback-riding tours.

Boquillas del Carmen, Mexico

(432) 477-2251 | link

Boquillas del Carmen, frequently known simply as Boquillas, is a village in northern Mexico on the banks of the Rio Grande. The Port of Entry is open Friday through Monday, 9:00 am–6:00 pm (summer), and Wednesday through Sunday, 8:00 am– 5:00 pm (winter). Check out the link above for a good walk-through of what you’ll need and what to expect when you cross the border. (We are big fans of the folks in this town, and remember: wherever you’re from, it’s safer here.)

Desert Lotus Healing Arts

Available by appointment | (432) 386-3218

Therapeutic Massage and Rolf Method Structural Integration. Customized bodywork for your individual needs and goals. Relaxation, Deep Tissue, and Hot Stone Massage all available by appointment. Nationally certified, licensed and insured, serving the Big Bend since 2005.