Big Bend National Park and the surrounding area are pretty remote and finding the right place to stay can be challenging depending on the time of the year you travel to the region. Over the last decade the area has become popular, and although there are options of where to stay, rooms book relatively quickly so be sure to plan your with intention for the best experience. I’ve been traveling to the region for 11+ years and have stayed at quite a few places during my trips. For me I look for the best place for as small of a budget as possible since I’ll be spending most of my time exploring the park and taking pictures. The most important things are cleanliness, a comfortable bed, and quick access to the park.
There is also plenty of options for camping in the area and the best place to look for a spot is recreation.gov. Please keep in mind if you’re attending the workshop in the early parts of the year you’ll be sleeping during the hottest parts of the day. Although spring time isn’t too hot outside yet, any given day the temps can get hot enough to make it a little uncomfortable. So if you choose this option for your stay, please be advised in advance.
Here are a few recommendations of where to stay
Basecamp Terlingua - With the most variety of places to stay, this is the most trendy option in the Terlingua/Study Butte area. Everything from casitas, tipis, to the infamous bubbles you’ve probably seen on social media there is plenty to choose from. Pricier than most options and normally booked pretty far in advance, this is where you stay to have an experience in Terlingua.
Chisos Mining Co. Motel - Locally owned and operated, this is the place I stayed after my experience with Big Bend Station. The rooms are simple, clean, and it’s located a few minutes from the entrance of the park and close to Terlingua. If a parking spot and a clean bed at a good price is what you require, this is your spot.
This would be the optimal place since they’re affordable and centrally located.
Big Bend Station - This was my go to place for stay every trip for 9 of the 11 years I’ve gone to Big Bend. A very simple place with just a bed, quick access to the only gas station outside the west entrance of the park and easy access to Terlingua.
Sometime in 2023 it was taken over by a new management company which also manages the Chisos Mountain Lodge. I booked a stay there on a trip expecting the same service and cleanliness I’d gotten over the years and exactly the opposite happened. The experience and customer service was so disappointing I canceled my reservation after checking in without a place to stay and was forced to find something else the day of which is not something I do, ever.
New management has renovated and updated the place since, but I haven’t stayed here since that trip to know if anything has chaged. They also have campsites and RV parking (which I’ve never used). If thats is what you’re looking for, this location is the most convenient spot for both.
Big Bend Casitas - I’ve stayed at here a couple of trips out to Big Bend. Small cabins with plenty of room and a little higher priced than other options but the space and amenities you get are plenty for the money. Pool, communal fire pit, and outdoor adventure center for kayaking and jeep tours are also on site.
If you choose to stay here be sure to book them early. With everything they offer they sell out relatively quickly.
Chisos Mountain Lodge - This is the the only lodging option inside the park. It’s located inside the basin which puts it a good 30-40 minutes away from the west entrance of the park and Terlingua/Study Butte. I’ve never stayed in the basin because (to me) this is a little more out of the way for the places I go to photograph in and around the park. This location will also be 30+ minutes from where I’ll be doing the workshop, so it won’t be the ideal place to stay.
Airbnb - There’s plenty of airbnb options for all budgets in and around Terlingua and Study Butte. I’ve stayed at a few of them, and as great as they are, they also need to be booked far in advance. Most are situated in and around Terlingua and have close access to the park and where we’ll be holding the workshop.
