Terlingua & Big Bend Area Guidebook

 

This guide shares  local recommendations for dining, activities, and exploring Terlingua and Big Bend.

When you stay with us, you’ll have a more detailed version of this guide at your property, plus access to our hospitality team for custom itinerary planning to help you get the most out of your trip.

 

Important Notes

•  Many small restaurants and food trucks have seasonal or changing hours. Call ahead or check Instagram/Facebook the day you plan to go.

•  Cell service is limited outside of town. Download maps offline.

•  Always carry water, sun protection, and closed-toe shoes when hiking.

•  Ready to plan your trip? Book direct with us and get 10% off your stay.

 

DINING IN TERLINGUA

 

BREAKFAST

 

Espresso y Poco Más

Small café in the Ghost Town with excellent Big Bend Roasters coffee, breakfast, and lunch. Fresh-pressed orange juice is a favorite.

Open daily 7:30 am – 2:00 pm.

 

Venga Cafe

Ghost Town café with a variety of options. 

Hours often 7:00 am – 5:00 pm (confirm current hours).

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El Gordo’s Food Truck

Next to Wright Hardware. Excellent grab-and-go breakfast.

Mon–Sat 8:00 am – 9:00 pm · Sunday 8:00 am – 3:00 pm.

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The Bella Bean Coffee Shop

Located at Far Flung Outdoor Center. Coffee and light food.

Open daily 7:00 am – 1:00 pm.

 

Chili Pepper Cafe

Mexican and American breakfast options in Study Butte.

Breakfast 7:00 am – 11:00 am.

 

Big Bend Station / Station Grill

Classic breakfast (sometimes buffet). Gas station and convenience store at TX 118 & FM 170.

Breakfast typically 7:00 am – 10:30 am

 

Candelilla Cafe (Lajitas Golf Resort)

Upscale option.

Breakfast 7:00 am – 10:30 am daily.

 

Bad Rabbit Cafe (Terlingua Ranch Lodge)

A bit of a drive. Solid all-day café food.

Typically 7:00 am – 8:00 pm daily.

 

LUNCH

 

Espresso y Poco Más

Good coffee, breakfast, and lunch in the Ghost Town.

Open daily 7:30 am – 2:00 pm.

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Venga Cafe

Ghost Town café with a variety of options.

Hours often 7:00 am – 5:00 pm (confirm current hours).

 

DB’s Rustic Iron BBQ

Wood-fired BBQ. Popular and often sells out.

Wednesday–Sunday 11:00 am – 9:00 pm or until sold out.

 

Chili Pepper Cafe

Reliable Mexican and American food in Study Butte.

Open daily 7:00 am – 9:00 pm.

 

High Sierra Bar & Grill

Full bar with a solid lunch and dinner menu.

Food served 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm daily.

 

Tivo’s Place

Sit-down Mexican restaurant (no alcohol).

Lunch 11:00 am – 2:00 pm, Sunday–Thursday.

 

El Gordo’s Food Truck

Quick and good. The al pastor tacos with pineapple are a favorite.

Mon–Sat 8:00 am – 9:00 pm · Sunday 8:00 am – 3:00 pm.

 

Candelilla Cafe (Lajitas)

Upscale resort café.

Open 11:00 am – 5:00 pm daily.

 

Bad Rabbit Cafe

Solid all-day café food at Terlingua Ranch Lodge. Day passes available for the pool.

Open 7:00 am – 8:00 pm daily.

 

DINNER

 

Starlight Theatre

Terlingua classic with full bar and live music.

Open daily from 5:00 pm.

Sun–Fri until midnight · Saturday until 1:00 am.

No reservations — arrive early in busy season.

 

La Kiva Restaurant & Bar

Unique cave-like restaurant and bar. Excellent cocktails. 

Usually opens at 5:00 pm. Often closed Sunday & Wednesday.

 

Taqueria El Milagro

Popular semi-outdoor taqueria (BYOB).

Wednesday–Sunday 3:00 pm – 9:00 pm. Closed Monday & Tuesday.

 

Long Draw Pizza

Good pizza and wings with indoor and outdoor seating.

Typically Wednesday–Monday around 4:00 pm – 9:00 pm. Closed Tuesdays.

Hours can vary — call (432) 371-2608 or check social media.

 

DB’s Rustic Iron BBQ

Wednesday–Sunday 11:00 am – 9:00 pm or until sold out.

 

High Sierra Bar & Grill

Food 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm daily.

 

Chili Pepper Cafe

Open daily 7:00 am – 9:00 pm.

 

Tivo’s Place

Dinner 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm, Sunday–Thursday (no alcohol).

 

El Gordo’s Food Truck

Mon–Sat 8:00 am – 9:00 pm · Sunday 8:00 am – 3:00 pm.

 

Dead Hungry

Food truck near the Boathouse Bar, often open late.

 

Milky Way Treats

Homemade ice cream and desserts at the Boathouse Bar. Hours vary.

 

GOODS & SERVICES IN TERLINGUA

 

Cottonwood General Store

Best one-stop shop for groceries, beer/wine, ice, water, firewood, charcoal, pet supplies, and toiletries.

Daily 7:00 am – 9:00 pm (8:00 am – 9:00 pm weekends).

 

Shot Time Liquors

Only liquor store in town.

10:00 am – 9:00 pm. Closed Sundays & holidays.

 

Laundry

Available at Big Bend Station (gas station complex). Generally 9:00 am – 8:00 pm (limited hours Tuesday & Wednesday).

Also available at Maverick Ranch RV Park in Lajitas (about 20 minutes west).

 

Ice

Available at Cottonwood General Store, Shot Time Liquors, and the ice dispenser at Big Bend Station.

 

EV Charging

Public Level 2 charger in front of Venga Cafe (AmpUp network, up to 19.5 kW).

Many local RV parks also offer charging via site hookups.

 

Wright Hardware

Mon–Fri 7:00 am – 6:00 pm · Sat 9:00 am – 5:00 pm · Sun 10:00 am – 2:00 pm.

 

Post Office

Mon–Fri 8:00 am – 1:00 pm & 1:30 – 4:30 pm.

General Delivery address:

ATT: Your Name

53600 TX-118

Terlingua, TX 79852

 

ATMs

West Texas National Bank, DB’s, High Sierra, Big Bend Motor Inn, Venga Cafe.

 

Dollar General

23330 FM 170 · Daily 8:00 am – 10:00 pm.

Affordable groceries, household items, toiletries, and pet food.

 

Rio Bravo Health Clinic

Primary and urgent care. 199 Rex Ivey Road.

Open weekdays until 2:00 pm. Appointments: 432-300-5175.

 

OUTFITTERS & TOURS IN BIG BEND

 

Desert Sports + Further Adventures

Mountain biking and river trips.

desertsportstx.com · 432-371-2727

 

Far Flung Outdoor Center

River trips, jeep tours, and ATV tours.

bigbendfarflung.com · 432-371-2633

 

Big Bend Boating and Hiking Company

Float trips, hiking, backpacking, and sightseeing.

hikingbigbend.com · 469-607-9869

 

Big Bend Stables / Lajitas Stables

Horse and mule rides.

lajitasstables.com · 432-371-3064

 

Astro Mucho

Private astronomy tours (they come to you with a telescope).

astromucho.com · 806-340-0420

 

Lucky Sun Jeep Tours

Guided jeep tours and rentals.

luckysunjeeprentals.com

 

Angell Expeditions

River trips, birding, mountain biking, hiking, and off-road tours.

angellepeditions.com · 432-384-2307

 

Go Big Bend

Guided driving and walking tours.

gobigbend.com · 432-386-5635

 

THINGS TO DO IN THE BIG BEND AREA

 

Visit Boquillas del Carmen, Mexico

Scenic drive through the park (about 1 hour). Passport required.

Crossing currently open Friday–Monday, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm. $5 round-trip rowboat.

Check the National Park Service website for current hours before you go. Many guests consider this a trip highlight.

 

Tour the Historic Terlingua Ghost Town

Easy self-guided walk through adobe ruins, the old cemetery, and historic buildings. Best early morning or at dusk.

 

River Trips

Half-day or full-day floats through Santa Elena and other canyons. See Outfitters section above.

 

Hot Springs

Natural hot springs along the Rio Grande inside the park. Short hike from the parking area. Go early or later in the day to avoid crowds.

 

Stargazing

You are in one of the largest International Dark Sky Reserves in the world. The Milky Way is often clearly visible. Private tours available with Astro Mucho, or visit McDonald Observatory in Fort Davis.

 

Fossil Discovery Exhibit

Self-guided outdoor exhibit covering the geological history of Big Bend. Easy and interesting stop for most ages.

 

Lajitas Golf Resort

Golf, horseback riding, spa, and dining. About 20 minutes west.

Note: Non-resort guests are generally not allowed in the bar/restaurant after 5:00 pm.

 

Marfa Day Trip

About 1 hour 45 minutes each way. A good full-day outing for art and food. Book Chinati Foundation / Donald Judd tours ahead of time.

 

RETAIL & SOUVENIRS 

 

Terlingua Trading Company

Next to the Starlight Theatre in the Ghost Town. Regional goods, gifts, and souvenirs.

Open daily 10:00 am – 8:00 pm.

 

Earth and Fire Art Gallery

Local art gallery in the Ghost Town. Hours vary.

 

Galeria Chisos

Local artists, gems, metal art, and jewelry in Study Butte.

Tuesday–Saturday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm.

 

Venga Cafe

Local souvenirs, art, outdoor gear, and Big Bend-themed items.

 

Gift Shop at Far Flung Outdoor Center

Sunglasses, hats, t-shirts, and other Big Bend gear.

 

SPAS & WELLNESS 

 

Desert Lotus Healing Arts

Highly rated local studio near the park entrance. Swedish, deep tissue, hot stone, facials, and couples massages.

432-386-0305 · terlinguadesertlotus.com

 

The Agave Spa (Lajitas Golf Resort)

Luxury spa with massages, facials, and treatments using native ingredients.

 

RECOMMENDED HIKES IN BIG BEND

 

Santa Elena Canyon

Easy · 1.7 miles round trip · 1–1.5 hours.

Short trail to the mouth of the canyon with towering walls. One of the most dramatic easy walks in the park.

 

Balanced Rock (Grapevine Hills)

Easy to moderate · 2.2 miles round trip · 1–2 hours.

Mostly level trail with a short rocky scramble to a dramatic balanced boulder. Fun for most ages.

 

Lost Mine Trail

Moderate · 4.8 miles round trip · 2–3 hours.

Steady climb with excellent panoramic views. One of the best payoff-to-effort hikes in the park. Start early.

 

Window Trail

Moderate · 5.5 miles round trip · 3–4 hours.

Descends through a scenic canyon to a dramatic pour-off. Steeper on the return.

 

Closed Canyon (Big Bend Ranch State Park)

Easy · 1.4 miles round trip.

Narrow, scenic slot canyon just off FM 170. Do not enter if rain is possible upstream (flash flood risk).

 

Hot Springs Historic Trail

Easy · about 1 mile round trip (or longer along the river).

Combines history, river views, and the chance to soak in the hot springs.

 

Upper Burro Mesa Pour-Off

Moderate · 3.5–4 miles round trip · 2–3 hours.

Follows a desert wash into narrow slot canyons with light scrambling.

 

South Rim

Strenuous · 12–13 miles round trip · Full day.

Big elevation gain and some of the best panoramic views in the park. For experienced hikers only.

 

Emory Peak

Strenuous · 10.5 miles round trip · 6–8 hours.

Highest point in the park (7,825 ft) with 360-degree views. Includes a short exposed scramble near the summit. For strong, experienced hikers only.