Terlingua Travel Guide

Tourist 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 £110 per night from 9 Feb to 10 Feb
£110
9 Feb - 10 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! (143 reviews)
Clean

Reviewed on 27 Jan 2026

Big Bend Station
Terlingua Ranch Lodge

Terlingua Ranch Lodge

3 out of 5
16000 Terlingua Ranch Rd Terlingua TX
The price is £105 per night from 19 Feb to 20 Feb
£105
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! (560 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 £126 per night from 22 Feb to 23 Feb
£126
22 Feb - 23 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! (929 reviews)
Our room was spectacular, clean, cute & cozy.

Reviewed on 1 Feb 2026

Lajitas Golf Resort and Spa
See all 195 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.
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! (216 reviews)
Great place to stay. Second time to visit this property. Michelle and Mark are amazing hosts! Very responsive and knowledgeable about the area and things to do. Amazing stargazing from the hot tub!We will be back, again!

Reviewed on 19 Jan 2026

Terlingua Casita de Chiles Barndominium
Stardust Big Bend Luxury A-Frames

Stardust Big Bend Luxury A-Frames

4 out of 5
23121 FM170 Terlingua TX
Stay at this business-friendly aparthotel in Terlingua. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a picnic area. Popular attractions Big Bend Library and Starlight ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (41 reviews)
Very clean. They thought about every detail. They had everything you could possibly need. Tjey have an instruction book on how to make your stay very convenient.

Reviewed on 29 Jan 2026

Stardust Big Bend Luxury A-Frames
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

£12
per traveller
Big Bend National Park Self Guided Audio Tour Guide
See all activities in Terlingua

Cities near Terlingua

Casa Grande

Lajitas

Big Bend National Park

Big Bend National Park

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