Terlingua

Travel Guide

The Rio Grande River winds 12 miles down Santa Elena Canyon in Big Bend National Park, Texas. When the water is high you can come down the 1,500 foot walled canyon. With less water flowing, guides take you 3 to 4 miles up the canyon with some spots having to portage. But take it all in stride because the views are breathtaking. I recommend Big Bend River Tours. You might get lucky and have the guides that take you a half mile up a side canyon. An excellent day excursion in the out of the way national park.
The Rio Grande River winds 12 miles down Santa Elena Canyon in Big Bend National Park, Texas. When the water is high you can come down the 1,500 foot walled canyon. With less water flowing, guides take you 3 to 4 miles up the canyon with some spots having to portage. But take it all in stride because the views are breathtaking. I recommend Big Bend River Tours. You might get lucky and have the guides that take you a half mile up a side canyon. An excellent day excursion in the out of the way national park.
View from the mouth of Santa Elena Canyon in Big Bend
Santa Elena Canyon 05-17-2017
Santa Elena Canyon is one of three narrow canyons that the Rio Grande has created in what is now Big Bend National Park, Texas.
Big Bend Station

Big Bend Station

2 out of 5
53623 Texas 118 Terlingua TX
The price is €156 per night from 19 Feb to 20 Feb
€156
19 Feb - 20 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Terlingua. Enjoy free parking, a snack bar/deli and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Big Bend Library and Many Stones are located ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (148 reviews)
Great location

Reviewed on 10 Feb 2026

Big Bend Station
Terlingua Ranch Lodge

Terlingua Ranch Lodge

3 out of 5
16000 Terlingua Ranch Rd Terlingua TX
The price is €127 per night from 19 Feb to 20 Feb
€127
19 Feb - 20 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this lodge in Terlingua. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews.
8.4/10 Very Good! (562 reviews)
Room was perfect. Very clean and nicely decorated. Bed was very comfortable. And it was nice to have a small couch. If you're considering going just realize that there is no cell phone service and no TV. At night we were able to connect our iPad to their WiFi and watch movies.

Reviewed on 1 Feb 2026

Terlingua Ranch Lodge
Lajitas Golf Resort and Spa

Lajitas Golf Resort and Spa

4 out of 5
21701 FM 170 Terlingua TX
The price is €153 per night from 24 Feb to 25 Feb
€153
24 Feb - 25 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this spa resort in Terlingua. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (931 reviews)
Our room was spectacular, clean, cute & cozy.

Reviewed on 1 Feb 2026

Lajitas Golf Resort and Spa
See all 196 properties in Terlingua
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Terlingua Nights Cabins

Terlingua Nights Cabins

2 out of 5
53595 TX-118 Terlingua TX
Stay at this campsite in Terlingua. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and hiking/biking on-site. Popular attractions Big Bend Library and Many Stones are located ...
7.4/10 Good! (130 reviews)
Clean room

Reviewed on 7 Nov 2025

Terlingua Nights Cabins
Big Bend Lodging at Ten Bits Ranch | Room #1 (The Bank)

Big Bend Lodging at Ten Bits Ranch | Room #1 (The Bank)

Terlingua TX
Stay at this cabin in Terlingua. Enjoy free breakfast, patios and cable/satellite TV service.
9.6/10 Exceptional! (190 reviews)
The whole area was great! The stay was clean and comfortable. The views are amazing.

Reviewed on 2 Feb 2026

Big Bend Lodging at Ten Bits Ranch | Room #1 (The Bank)
Terlingua Casita de Chiles Barndominium

Terlingua Casita de Chiles Barndominium

TERLINGUA TX
Stay at this apartment in Terlingua. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, laundry facilities and patios. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews.
9.8/10 Exceptional! (218 reviews)
Casita de Chiles was a perfect home base for our visit to Big Bend. The place was exactly as described and was welcoming, cozy, and comfortable. The views were incredible both day and night. The sunrise over the mountains was a perfect way to start our day. The stargazing in the evening was amazing. ...

Reviewed on 12 Feb 2026

Terlingua Casita de Chiles Barndominium
See all properties in Terlingua
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

View from the mouth of Santa Elena Canyon in Big Bend

Santa Elena Canyon

Commune with nature and explore the great outdoors at Santa Elena Canyon during your travels in Terlingua. Amble around this relaxing area's parks or seek out the golf courses.

Santa Elena Canyon
Many Colors Cliffs

Many Stones

Enjoy an outing to Many Stones during your stay in Terlingua. Discover the area's stargazing spots and desert landscape.

Many Stones

Barton Warnock Visitor Center

Explore the great outdoors at Barton Warnock Visitor Center, a lovely green space in Lajitas. You can seek out the golf courses and hiking trails in this relaxing area.

Barton Warnock Visitor Center

Big Bend Library

Big Bend Library is just one of the places to see in Terlingua, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Wander the gardens or discover the area's stargazing spots.

Big Bend Library

Starlight Theatre

You can find out about the history of Terlingua with a visit to Starlight Theatre. Wander the gardens or discover the area's stargazing spots.

Starlight Theatre

Mesa de Anguilla

You can take time to visit Mesa de Anguilla during your travels to Terlingua. Amble around this relaxing area's parks or seek out the golf courses.

Mesa de Anguilla

Things to do

Chisos Mountains

Big Bend National Park Self Guided Audio Tour Guide

€13
per traveller
Big Bend National Park Self Guided Audio Tour Guide
See all activities in Terlingua
Depending on the water level, you might need to wade thru or step over a relatively narrow creek to get to the best viewing spot overlooking Santa Elena Canyon in Big Bend National Park. In the picture, the left side of the river is Mexico; USA is on the right side.

Manuel Benavides