GETTING HERE:

flying:

The closest international airports are El Paso (310 miles away) or Midland International Airport (240 miles away). You will need to rent a car to drive the remaining 4+ hours. (You do not need a 4WD or high clearance vehicle unless you intend to visit the backroads of the Park.)

There are two small private airports in the Terlingua area. Fulcher Airport is located on HWY 170 in Terlingua (note: this is a dirt airstrip so please call ahead for landing permission) and Lajitas Airport is 14 miles east of the Terlingua Ghost Town. If you fly into either of these airports and need a way to get around, you can rent a brand new Jeep from Terlingua Jeep Rentals! (airport delivery fee may apply).

driving:

Coming from Houston: 9:11 hours / 655 miles / I-10 fastest route

Coming from Dallas: 8:14 hours / 577 miles / I-20 fastest route

Coming from Austin: 7:16 hours / 485 miles / I-10 fastest route

Coming from San Antonio: 6:29 hours / 460 miles / I-10 fastest route

big bend area:

(Distances are from Terlingua)

Alpine: 1:22 hours / 83 miles / Last gas stop before heading south on Hwy 118 to Terlingua

Marfa: 1:47 hours / 109 miles / Hwy 118 through Alpine fastest route

Fort Davis/McDonald Observatory: 1:47 hours / 107 miles

Marathon: 1:48 hours / 113 miles

Lajitas: 14 min / 12 miles / If arriving via this route this is the last gas stop before reaching Study Butte (14.5 miles)

Big Bend National Park/Panther Junction Visitors Center: 44 min / 29.7 miles / If arriving via this route this is the last gas stop before Study Butte

Big Bend Ranch State Park/ Barton Warnock Visitors Center: 13 min / 10.8 miles

Study Butte: 6 min / 2.7 miles / Gas, ATM, Bank, Post Office, Cottonwood Grocery Store, Hardware Store, Liquor Store

JEEP RENTALS:

TERLINGUA JEEP RENTALS has four brand new Jeep Gladiators and a Vanderhall Roadster available for Full day/Multi-day rentals. Conveniently located on the corner of Hwy 170 at the entrance to the Ghost Town. Check out their website for more information and to book one of these swanky rides: terlinguajeeprentals.com

THINGS TO DO:

FOOD & DRINKS

There are currently 3 restaurants to choose from in the heart of the ghost town (within a 5-10 minute walk), 3 restaurants 3-5 miles away heading east towards Hwy 118 and Study Butte, and 2 restaurants heading west on Hwy 170.

Venga Cafe Located right at the entrance to the Ghost Town on Hwy 170, fresh coffee, smoothies, breakfast burritos, paninis, burgers, along with healthy to-go options. Venga is also the place to grab any last minute provisions you may have left behind - backpacks, water bottles, sunglasses, and more. Beautiful outdoor and indoor seating spaces, fast WiFi, and service with a smile! Open 7 days a week 7am til 5pm. BYOB (Free mimosas all weekend long!).

Starlight Theatre in the heart of the Ghost Town, offers a large menu, full bar and live music many nights of the week. The porch out front is a favorite amongst many locals and tourists. Grab a beer, sit down, relax and enjoy the view! Opens at 5:00 PM - Kitchen open until 10:00pm - closes at 12:00am/ 1:00am on Saturdays.

High Sierra Bar and Grill (Entrance to the Ghost Town) is a beer and wine bar. Currently limited food menu but great Mexican food! They also have live music many nights of the week. Opens at noon everyday. Kitchen open until 10:00pm - closes at 12:00am/ 1:00am on Saturdays.

La Kiva Restaurant and Bar is located on FM 170 about 3 miles from the Roost. Super cool cave bar with great pizza, burgers, and steaks, and a full bar. Opens at 5:00 PM - Kitchen open until 10pm - closes at 12am/ 1am on Saturdays.

Rustic Iron BBQ Located just across the road from the Roost!. Best BBQ in town and perhaps the world! Cold beer and ice to-go! Tell Don we sent ya. Open Wednesday - Saturday 11:00am-6:00pm

Long Draw Pizza. If you're looking for that old-school pizza parlor vibe this is the place! Located on Hwy 170 about 1.6 miles west of the Roost. Yummy pizza and great happy hour beer and wine specials (no booze). Open Wednesday 5:00pm-9:00pm / Thursday-Sunday 5:00pm-10:00pm

Chili Pepper Cafe located off Hwy 118 in Study Butte. The BEST and ONLY place in town to get a great, sit-down breakfast! Authentic Mexican and American menu. Open everyday 8am - 9pm. Open everyday 8:00am - 9:00pm.

El Gordo Food Truck Located on Hwy 118 on the right as you’re entering town from Alpine. Little green trailer with a huge, yummy menu. Take-out only. Open at 7am every day.

Thirsty Goat Saloon/ Candelilla Café at Lajitas Golf Resort, Lajitas, Texas (approx. 14 miles west of the Roost). Perfect spot for a cold drink or dinner after visiting Big Bend Ranch State Park. Open daily 7:00am – 9:00pm.

Get a Massage

Magic Mesa Massage: What better way to take your vacation deeper than by booking a relaxing massage on location? Magic Mesa Massage offers 60 and 90-minute Sessions of both Traditional Swedish or Deep Tissue right in the comfort of your room. Visit magicmesamassage.com to book.

Desert Lotus Healing Arts: 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. Call or text (432) 386-3218 for more information or to schedule.

Rent A Bicycle

You can rent bikes or river equipment at Desert Sports just down the road off of Hwy 170. Also your one stop shop for Chacos, Camelbacks, and cycling gear.

Float The River

There are 5 great companies in town to choose from for outdoor adventure sports:

Far Flung Outdoor Center offers ATV rides, river floats, jeep tours and much more. Also has take out coffee and espresso. (800) 839-7238

Big Bend River Tours offers boat rentals and guided river floats. (432) 371-3033

Desert Sports also offers canoe and raft rentals and overnight river trips. (888) 989-6900

Wild Adventure Outfitters - If you're up for wilder, more remote excursions give these guys a call. Guided, private canoe trips and more. (432) 247-3262

HikingBigBend.com offers everything from boat trips, van tours, equipment rental, tours of Mexico, guided hiking and backpacking trips, and even a swift water Rescue Course. (469) 607-9869

Horseback Riding

Big Bend Stables offers hourly rides, sunset rides, over night trips, and also combines a riding and rafting ride. Stables in Study Butte and Lajitas. Lots more info on their site: https://www.lajitasstables.com - 1-800-877-4331

Shopping

Terlingua Trading Company, just down Ghost Town road next to Starlight Theatre. Souvenirs, T-shirts, books, and jewelry, you don't want to miss. After looking around, grab a beer from their cooler and sit on the big porch to watch the “reverse sunset” on the Chisos Mountains, a favorite among locals and other tourists.

Earth and Fire Art Gallery local art and jewelry is located next to the Starlight Theatre in the Ghost Town. 

Quicksilver Trading From Funky Junk to velvet paintings, record players, or jewelry, Quicksilver Trading resale shop has got you covered. Located in the community garden in the heart of the Ghost Town. Open Saturdays during the Farmer’s Market.

Many Stones located on Hwy 118 in Study Butte is your one stop shop for rocks, gems, pottery, and cacti, and locally laid eggs.

Painted Feather Gallery, Terlingua Ghost Town Road

Quilts By Marguerite, on the right on Hwy 118 in Study Butte on your way into the park. Handmade made quilts by Marguerite herself plus mexican blankets and other cool stuff you didn’t know you needed.

Galeria Chisos, on Hwy 118 just past Marguerite’s quilt shop. Jewelry, rocks and minerals, mosaics, photography, paintings, leather and fabric items, and soaps and other gift items, almost all made by local Terlingua artists

Shot Time Liquors is located on Hwy 170 between the Roost and Study Butte (101 Medics Ln,) Stock up on all your favorite libations before heading back to your tipi. Opens at 10am, closed Sundays.

TERLINGUA CEMETeRY

Take a stroll through one of the most photographed cemeteries in the US. Early mercury mine workers to gunfighters to a few Terlingua residents are all buried here. November 2nd of each year, inside the candlelit cemetery, is the Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration to remember and honor those who have passed on.

EMERGENCY SERVICES:

Terlingua Fire & EMS - In the highly unlikely event that you might need emergency medical services it's good to know these guys are right down the road. Located at 23250 Hwy 170 app. 3.9 miles from the Roost. (432) 371-2536

BIG BEND EVENT CALENDAR:

Below is a list of annual events in the Big Bend area. Things move slow out here but can also change quick… consider this a rough guide for what may or may not happen depending on time of year and current local mood.

January:

Black Eye Pea-off - New Years Day - Starlight Theatre/Trading Company front porch - Terlingua

Townes Van Zandt Tribute show - New Years Day - Starlight Theatre - Terlingua

Word Off - Starlight Theatre - Terlingua

February:

Texas Cowboy Poetry Gathering - Alpine

Valentine’s in Valentine - Valentine, Texas

March:

St. Patrick’s Day Parade - Terlingua

Chihuahua Races! - Terlingua Ghost Town

April:

Viva Big Bend Food Festival - Alpine/Marfa

May:

Cinco de Mayo Festival - Alpine

Marfa Film Festival - Marfa

June: 

Pride Parade - Terlingua

July:

4th of July Parade - Terlingua

Viva Big Bend Music Festival - Alpine/Marfa/Marathon

September:

Marfa Lights Festival - Marfa

West Fest - Marathon

Fort Davis Cycle Fest - Fort Davis

October:

Annual Green Scene Festival - Terlingua Community Garden

M2M Marathon - Marathon

Chinati Open House - Marfa

Ride for Trails Motorcycle Rally benefiting BBNP - Study Butte

November:

Day of the Dead celebration - Terlingua Cemetery

Terlingua International Chili Cookoff - Terlingua

CASI International chili cookoff - Terlingua

Alpine Artwalk - Alpine

December:

Fiesta de Noche Bueno - Marathon