Lodging

Hotels, Motels and Camping Sites around Big Bend National Park
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Update: In a panic unable to find a campsite during the holidays? Fear not, and check out this post:

 

How to Find a Last Minute Campsite During the Holidays

 

This won’t be a definitive guide to the area’s lodging options. I will share places I have stayed or at least have some familiarity with.

 

ProTip: Everything books quickly (in and outside the park) during the busy seasons so book well in advance for:

 

  • Thanksgiving
  • Christmas
  • Spring Break

Inside the National Park

My first two trips were camping trips. Camping is always a great option. There are several camping sites in Big Bend where you can reserve a space.

There are also camping spots all over the park that USED TO BE available on a first come first serve basis. These exist on dirt roads and are marked by the park map. You now need a reservation for each spot.

ProTip: If camping, you can find showers and laundry machines at the Rio Grande Village store.

Don’t want to rough it? The Chisos Mount Lodge offers rooms in the Chisos Basin. I’ve never stayed here but it does offer easy access to many trails and the Chisos Basin stores. It also books very quickly.

Nearby

Terlingua / Study Butte

Ten Bits Ranch

Ten Bits is one of my very favorite places to stay in the world. Classic, well-done, themed ranch, you really feel like you just stepped into the old west. I cannot say enough about this location. Tell them Adam with BigBendGuide sent ya!

Ten Bits Ranch with desert views behind it at sunset
Two of the rooms at Ten Bits Ranch
Ten Bits Ranch
One of the rooms at Ten Bits Ranch
Ten Bits Ranch at dusk
Ten Bits Ranch at sunset, the best place to stay in Big Bend Texas
Ten Bits Ranch twilight
Ten Bits Ranch
Ten Bits Ranch Room

Far Flung

Far Flung offers adventures all over the area, but they also offer lodging. I have not had the privilege to stay with them yet, but because our experience with them on the river, they’d be one of my choices for the future.

Longhorn Motel

In a pinch? We’ve stayed at the Longhorn many times because there were no options. They are the last to book up and I have grown to appreciate this. They offer a really great Mexican breakfast and that’s about it. The rooms are adequate for a night’s stay but here is something you must know: They have no modern reservation system, it’s all pen and paper. If you call for reservations MAKE SURE you give them your cell phone. Call prior to your trip to confirm reservations. They have lost mine, and other peoples, and then they rely on prayer to get you a room. Luckily the Lord answered her prayers on one of our occasions. I think they actually overbook because people either no-show or cancel late and they hope for the best. It is also more expensive than you would anticipate but can also be a fun experience.

Terlingua Ranch

These super friendly folks offer camping sites, cabins, a restaurant and much more.

Check’em out: https://terlinguaranch.com/ 

 

moon rising terlingua ranch
christmas mountains terlingua ranch
christmas mountains terlingua ranch sunset
terlingua ranch moon rising camping sites
tent camping at terlingua ranch

A Bit Farther

Marathon

The Gage Hotel

Indulge in the fancy side of the Big Bend area. The Gage Hotel is a nice super hotel with an upscale restaurant and awesome bar/lounge to wind down after an adventurous day in the park.

Gage Hotel in Marathon Texas
courtyard of Gage Hotel in Marathon TExas, these are additional rooms outside the main building

Alpine

Antelope Lodge

Several of the big chain hotels have moved into the Alpine area, but that’s no fun. There are plenty of quaint places to stay here at a very reasonable price. One of our favorites was the Antelope Lodge, a 1950’s motor court. Alpine is a bit of a drive after a long day in the park but offers a good central location for everything in the Big Bend area.