Entire home

Casa Mariposa: Restored Rock Ruin in Ghost Town

Photo gallery for Casa Mariposa: Restored Rock Ruin in Ghost Town

Terrace/patio
2 bedrooms, WiFi, bed sheets
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
Exterior
2 bedrooms, WiFi, bed sheets
Reviews
9.6

Exceptional

Entire home

2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 4

Popular amenities

  • KitchenKitchenKitchen
  • Barbecue grillBarbecue grillBarbecue grill
  • Air conditioningAir conditioningAir conditioning
  • Outdoor spaceOutdoor spaceOutdoor space
  • Mountain viewMountain viewMountain view

Check out the area

Map
Terlingua Ghost Town, TX
  • Popular LocationBig Bend Library12 min drive
  • Popular LocationMany Stones13 min drive
  • Popular LocationSanta Elena Canyon57 min drive

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Casa Mariposa: Restored Rock Ruin in Ghost Town

Summary:
Casa Mariposa: Live Like a Local at this Restored Rock Ruin in the Historic Terlingua Ghost Town.
• Restored Ruin with Spacious Outdoor Living
• This is Our Quintessential Ghost Town Rental
• Located in the Historic Ghost Town
• Kitchen, Bedroom and Cozy Room
• Full Indoor Bathroom PLUS a semi-enclosed outdoor shower

The Space:
Casa Mariposa is tucked away on the Ghost Town hillside, surrounded by history. You will be a short trail walk away from all the Ghost Town has to offer: restaurants, art, shopping, and entertainment. This historic miners’ rock house has all the charm Ghost Town living has to offer. Conveniently located between the iconic Big Bend National Park and Big Bend Ranch State Park, Texas’s largest state park.

Spend some time in this restored limestone ruin from the historic Terlingua mining days. Using the original footprint, the house was partly remade in the 1970s. The owners completed an additional restoration in the 1990s and have continued refurbishments recently.

Casa Mariposa is equipped with a full kitchen, two bedrooms, and a full bathroom. The outdoor living space is spacious and tranquil. It is perfect for your morning coffee, outdoor dining, relaxing in the shade, admiring Terlingua’s incredible sunrises and sunsets, and star gazing. Relax with a campfire, and soak in the desert peace.

The 475 square foot interior has a full kitchen, 2 bedrooms, and a full bathroom. You will spend much of your time enjoying the breezy shade of the outdoor living area. There is a brand new indoor bathroom with hot water, shower, sink, and flushing toilet. Outside, there is also a semi-enclosed bath house has a shower and sink and a quaint outhouse with Chisos Mountain views.

The Master Bedroom - You’ll find a comfortable queen size bed and plenty of space for all your belongings. Large windows open out to the patio. Peruse the little collection of books of local interest. The master bedroom has its own entrance and shares a very thick rock wall with the kitchen and the Cozy Room.

It should be noted that there is not a connecting door between the main bedroom and the rest of the house. Guests need to going outside, on the covered patio, to move from one side of the house to the other.

The Cozy Bedroom - This simple hideaway behind the kitchen is my favorite room in the house, but it is tiny. The full-size futon just fits in the space. There is beautiful ceiling of vigas and sotol, a saltillo tile floor, and a little nicho for your knick-knacks. It maintains the tiny windows that were part of the original design of the miners’ home.

Kitchen - The kitchen features handmade cabinets and a handmade table along with stove, fridge, microwave, toaster, and coffee pot. Cookware, spices, etc. are available if you’re in the mood to make your own meals.

Please note:
Part of Terlingua Ghost Town’s fun is a bit of funk. It is rugged and remote country. While most guests prefer the new indoor bathroom, some adventurous travelers prefer to use the original semi-enclose bathhouse or the outhouse. Because we are located on the hillside, there are multiple levels. Be prepared to walk up and down short steps and dirt trails. There’s also a trail through the ruins to the famous Terlingua Porch.

Terlingua is in the Chihuahuan Desert in a remote and rural area. There are no streetlights, and the road to the house is about a half mile of unpaved road. Please drive slowly.

Please, do not climb on any of the ruins or remove any artifacts. It is a fragile area.

Interaction with Guests:
We manage several properties and live a few miles away. We are available by phone, text, email, or messages through Airbnb. We are typically only on site for cleaning or maintenance issues.

Property manager

Janet Eby

Languages

English

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in the house: WiFi

Parking and transport

  • On-site parking

Kitchen

  • Fridge
  • Stovetop
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Toaster
  • Cookware/dishes/utensils

Bedrooms

  • 2 bedrooms
  • Bed sheets provided
  • Sofa bed

Bathroom

  • 1 bathroom
  • Shower only
  • Towels provided

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony
  • Barbecue
  • Garden

Work spaces

  • Office

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property

Location highlights

  • In the mountains

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • Fire extinguisher

Similar properties

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Minimum check-in age - 21

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation

Property is also known as

Casa Mariposa: Restored Rock Ruin in Ghost Town Terlingua
5f4fd94e3b768b002ccfa226

About the area

Terlingua

Located in Terlingua, this holiday home is in the mountains. Mesa de Anguilla and West Contrabando Trailhead are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Big Bend National Park and Big Bend Ranch State Park.

What's nearby

  • Big Bend Library - 12 min drive
  • Many Stones - 13 min drive
  • Barton Warnock Visitor Center - 18 min drive
  • Mesa de Anguilla - 53 min drive
  • Santa Elena Canyon - 57 min drive

Restaurants

  • High Sierra Bar Grill - 14 min walk
  • Chili Pepper Cafe - 9 min drive
  • Terlingua ghost town Starlight theater - 7 min walk
  • DB's Rustic Iron BBQ - 7 min drive
  • Boathouse Restaurant & Bar - 6 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Casa Mariposa: Restored Rock Ruin in Ghost Town pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Casa Mariposa: Restored Rock Ruin in Ghost Town?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Casa Mariposa: Restored Rock Ruin in Ghost Town?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Casa Mariposa: Restored Rock Ruin in Ghost Town located?

Situated in the mountains, this holiday home is within 9 miles (15 km) of Big Bend Library, Many Stones and Big Bend National Park. Big Bend Ranch State Park and Barton Warnock Visitor Center are also within 12 miles (20 km).

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 79 out of 104 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 22 out of 104 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 104 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 104 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 104 reviews" "

9.4/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Max S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great Place
We really enjoyed Casa Mariposa. Perfect for a couple. Good location with several good restaurants within a mile or two. The Starlight Theatre, Bar and Grill has amazing food, and we caught some great live music when there. The bed was really comfortable, which is a must after a full day of hiking. The A/C's cranked, which is also a must. I was concerned that we would be too far from the good hiking, but that was not true. We were within 30 min to 1 hour of the best hiking in the park. Plus, the drives were enjoyable with some spectacular views along the way. The key is "don't get in a hurry". Stop and smell the cactus along the way. I highly recommend Casa Mariposa.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2024

6/10 Okay

Emily G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Quaint little spot in Terlingua
Nice little property for spending time around Big Bend. I didn’t know what to expect of Terlingua but it was definitely an old mining town. Very dusty and still has tailings around the town. Yes, things are walkable, but it’s hot, dusty and rocky, so you won’t really want to. Next time, if we ever went back to West Texas, we might stay in Lajintas. The property was nice but not much to see in the town. I also felt like the property was more remote, but it’s at the top of a hill with multiple other rock houses around. There is a nice indoor bathroom but not much privacy as I can see other houses from the bathroom so they can see us, too. Just a Roman shade would be good that can be rolled up and down.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Nikki B., Ankeny, Iowa

Liked: Cleanliness
Spring Break to Big Bend
We spent three days (four nights) at Casa Mariposa as our home base for visiting Big Bend National Park. It was a great location and doesn't take long to get to the park. After long days of hiking, we spent the evening enjoying the outdoor living area. The check-in process was easy. Communication was great. A fun and unique experience for our family.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sheri M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Quirky Cool Terlingua House
We loved our stay!! The patio is absolutely perfect for morning coffee and happy hour cocktails! The bed was comfy and with the fans on, we were perfectly comfortable temp wise. The new bathroom is great (don't know if I could've handled the outhouse in the dark of night!) This is such a unique house - I really wish the owners gave some historical information about it!! If you need fancy, this isn't for you. But if you want a comfortable, beautiful, unique, rustic Terlingua experience - this is definitely the house!! My only issue is they indicate it sleeps 4 - technically, yes, it would, but the second bedroom is literally only a futon in a small room, so for kids or teenagers maybe, but not another couple - which is kind of a shame, because I would love to bring some friends with us to stay here!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Paul K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Location
Very nice
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Megan M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing Outdoor Space
I really appreciate how easy the owners made everything with their directions and tips prior to arrival. We were even able to arrive in the dark thanks to their guide. Property was very clean and everything was laid out nicely. We were glad to stay in that area and enjoy the stars and the local happenings. A great spot and we lacked for nothing.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

jamie a.

Liked: Cleanliness
Relaxing
Enjoyed our stay!!! Hope to come back in the future!! Merry Christmas!
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Colleen H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Authentic Big Bend Haven
This is an amazing home. We will stay here again and again.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Dara R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Casa Mariposa
Beautiful property! The outside patio is where we spent majority of time. Would return 💜
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2023

8/10 Good

Tobby T., Monahans, TX

Liked: Cleanliness
Ghost Town Weekend
Very quaint & charming no frills place in the heart of Terlingua's Ghost Town. The outdoor shower is awesome!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023