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 CA $177 per night from Feb 12 to Feb 13
CA $177
CA $201 total
Feb 12 - Feb 13
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! (142 reviews)
Clean

Reviewed on Jan 27, 2026

Big Bend Station
Terlingua Ranch Lodge

Terlingua Ranch Lodge

3 out of 5
16000 Terlingua Ranch Rd Terlingua TX
The price is CA $172 per night from Feb 12 to Feb 13
CA $172
CA $195 total
Feb 12 - Feb 13
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this lodge in Terlingua. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews.
8.4/10 Very Good! (559 reviews)
It is very nice lodge in such remote area. We had strong internet. The night sky is beautiful and clear you can see so many starts

Reviewed on Jan 28, 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 CA $211 per night from Feb 25 to Feb 26
CA $211
CA $239 total
Feb 25 - Feb 26
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this spa resort in Terlingua. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (927 reviews)
Our room was spectacular, clean, cute & cozy.

Reviewed on Feb 1, 2026

Lajitas Golf Resort and Spa
See all 194 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.
Stardust Big Bend Luxury A-Frames

Stardust Big Bend Luxury A-Frames

4 out of 5
23121 FM170 Terlingua TX
Book a stay at this business-friendly aparthotel in Terlingua. Enjoy free WiFi, 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 Jan 29, 2026

Stardust Big Bend Luxury A-Frames
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! (188 reviews)
We enjoyed this place very much. We will definitely come back!

Reviewed on Jan 30, 2026

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

Terlingua Nights Cabins

2 out of 5
53595 TX-118 Terlingua TX
Stay at this campground in Terlingua. Enjoy free WiFi, 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 Nov 7, 2025

Terlingua Nights Cabins
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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

5/5(2 reviews)

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

4/5(1 review)

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

5/5(2 reviews)

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 trip 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

CA $22
per traveller
Big Bend National Park Self Guided Audio Tour Guide
See all activities in Terlingua

Cities near Terlingua

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