Big Bend's unspoiled desert region provides a serene backdrop for your stay at this authentic ranch house. With unparalleled views, a beautiful yard featuring patio, hammock and firepit awaits you. The adobe house sleeps 11 guests and offers modern amenities amidst its historic charm.
Reviews
9.69.6 out of 10
Exceptional
Popular amenities
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet friendly
Air conditioning
Outdoor Space
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About this property
White House Ranch - Unique Ranch experience outside Marfa, Texas
The White House Ranch offers visitors a rare opportunity to experience authentic ranch living on a private cattle ranch just 32 miles from Marfa, Texas. Here, you’re surrounded by the unspoiled desert region of the Big Bend — a landscape of wide-open horizons, rugged mountains, and a history that is deeply woven into the land itself. The ranch is in a Texas `Dark Skies` designated area and provides brilliant stargazing opportunities not found anywhere else in the continental US.
A stay at the ranch allows guests to experience the best of both worlds. You can enjoy the peace and privacy of the ranch during the day — wandering the desert, watching wildlife, or just soaking in the stillness — and then head into Marfa for world-class art, food, and culture when you’re ready for a change of pace.
While the stillness of the landscape allows guests to feel a sense of total privacy, the house balances that ruggedness. The 3000 square foot historic adobe ranch home was built in the 1880s and fully updated in 2020. The newly renovated space blends contemporary comforts with rustic authenticity, giving you a serene place to rest after days of adventure.
The 4 bedroom home sleeps up to 11 guests. Living and dining areas comfortably accommodate large groups, providing the perfect retreat for family gatherings. A beautiful yard includes multiple patios, a hammock, grill and firepit. The views are unparalleled, and guest have access to 1100 acres, including an artesian spring. For an additional fee guests can have guided tours, or hunts.
At the White House Ranch, you don’t have to choose between solitude and culture, or wilderness and comfort. You’ll find it all here: the untamed beauty of West Texas, the starlit quiet of the desert, and the best of Marfa within easy reach.
**GUESTS WISHING TO BRING A PET MUST INQUIRE FIRST AND OBTAIN PERMISSION. A PET FEE OF $75 PER PET, WITH A LIMIT OF 2 PETS, WILL BE DUE UPON BOOKING. PET POLICY IS OUTLINED IN HOUSE RULES**
Please note that this is an agritourism rental. We require guests to sign a rental agreement and liability waiver upon booking. You will receive a link to e-sign as soon as your booking is confirmed.
Check in/Checkout: Check in starts at 4pm. Check out is at 11am. If you are interested in an early check in or late check out, please message us! When possible for our housekeeping team to accommodate, we offer early check ins or late check out for a $50 fee.
Guests can access 1100 acres of property around the house.
32 miles outside Marfa, Texas, and 45 minutes to Big Bend Ranch State Park trailheads, Guests can enjoy the galleries and restaurants in Marfa, and stargazing at night. Fort Davis and the McDonald Observatory are an hour to the north, for astronomy buffs who want to explore the beautiful little town and take advantage of Dark Skies stargazing. For guests looking for a longer stay and willing to drive, The White House can serve as your quiet base for day trips to the Big Bend National Park, Alpine, Marathon, Lajitas, and Terlingua; all the magic of the Big Bend. Contact us for specific information about any of these destinations!
The Big Bend is beautiful, remote, and quiet, but mostly it is BIG! Make sure you research drive times to different destinations, and plan accordingly. Many people decide to extend their trip, just to reach all the places they want to see!
This property is remote, so plan accordingly! Marfa is 32 miles away and offers the closest stores, gas stations, and other supply stores. Guests will drive on about 5 miles of rough, graveled ranch road from the turnoff from HWY 169 to the house itself. A high clearance vehicle such as an SUV, crossover, or truck is needed to cross the two arroyos between then highway and the house. AWD and 4WD vehicles highly recommended! Guests are required to sign a Rental Agreement and Liability Waiver.
Property amenities
Internet
Available in the accommodation: WiFi
Parking and transportation
Parking on site
Kitchen
Coffee/tea maker
Cookware, dishware, and utensils
Dishwasher
Microwave
Oven
Refrigerator
Stovetop
Toaster
Dining
Dining table
Bedrooms
4 bedrooms
Bedsheets provided
Bathroom
2.5 bathrooms
Hair dryer
Shower/bathtub combination
Living spaces
Dining table
Fireplace
Entertainment
TV
Outdoor areas
Balcony
Barbecue grill
Firepit
Garden
Laundry
Laundry facilities
Washing machine
Comfort
Air conditioning
Heating
Pets
Pet friendly
Welcoming cats and dogs only
2 pets total (up to 50 lbs per pet)
Suitability/Accessibility
If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
2 steps to reach entrance
Area rugs in public areas
Hardwood flooring in public areas
Single level property
Tile flooring in public areas
Smoking not allowed
Services and conveniences
Iron/ironing board
Location highlights
In a rural location
Things to do
Billiards/pool table
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)
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
Rules
Guests are required to sign a Rental Agreement and Liability Waiver.
Pets
Pets allowed
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Welcoming dogs and cats only
2 total (up to 50 lbs per pet)
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
Events
Events allowed: family gatherings, birthday parties, weddings
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Important information
You need to know
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
Parties and events (including family gatherings, birthday parties and weddings) are allowed on site; maximum attendees: 11
This property uses solar energy
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
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
Is White House Ranch - Unique Ranch experience outside Marfa, Texas pet-friendly?
Yes, this campground allows cats and dogs (limit 2 total) with a maximum weight of up to 50 lbs per pet.
How much is parking?
Onsite parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at White House Ranch - Unique Ranch experience outside Marfa, Texas?
Check-in begins at 4:00 AM.
What time is check-out at White House Ranch - Unique Ranch experience outside Marfa, Texas?
Check-out is at 11:00 AM.
Where is White House Ranch - Unique Ranch experience outside Marfa, Texas located?
Situated in a rural location, this campground is 13.7 mi (22 km) from Big Bend Ranch State Park and within 32 mi (52 km) of Marfa and Presidio County Museum and Presidio County Courthouse.
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White House Ranch - Unique Ranch experience outside Marfa, Texas Reviews
Reviews
Exceptional
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
This home is absolutely perfect for people who are looking to getaway from the hustle and bustle and relax. It is a historic home with rich history and the caretakers have made it cozy and full of charm. Filled with antiques and every comfort you could want this was hands down my favorite getaway.
The White House Ranch was perfect for our family of nine. The house is stocked with everything you need. The linens are top notch, furniture is beautiful yet functional, and the pool table/game room was well used! Don’t miss the hammock out front and take time for an evening or morning walk.
I’ve stayed at dozens of rentals all over the country and this one was the best I’ve experienced. The location is breathtaking and the house had everything we possibly needed. I’ve never felt such at peace while on vacation. My group had intended to visit big bend multiple days but 1 day was all we wanted, as the ranch was too enjoyable to leave. I can’t wait to come back.
We wanted to get away from it all. This beautiful ranch did the trick. Cozy, yet too notch finishes integrated with the old gives a sense of timelessness. We will be staying again. Our host was so helpful and friendly.
We had a fantastic stay at the White House Ranch! So much fun, and the location was just what we were looking for - secluded enough for some incredible star gazing, yet not too far from the charm of Marfa. The house was comfortable and well-equipped. Couldn't have asked for a better getaway. 10/10 would recommend.
The property is very remote and worth the drive! Views all around for miles, desert plants blooming, lots of wildlife made it a spectacular experience. Watching a T-storm from over 100 miles away at sunset was a real treat. Like the song says, there were plants and birds and rock and things. Hostwas perfect. Will book again.
The White House Ranch was unbelievably enjoyable. All by yourself without a neighbor within 5 miles or more. The house was fully stocked with everything you might need and extremely clean. The property is amazing. We spent most of several days hiking and biking just around the ranch. Sunsets were spectacular, night skies too. While Big Bend National Park is quite a distance, the State Park is not that far and Marfa is just a short drive away. Start to finish, this was an awesome place. We hope to be back soon.
Loved the house, one of the nicer vrbo houses we've stayed at. Lots of attention to detail in the upkeep and amenities. The house is laid out a little odd but I'm sure that's the product of decades of updating. Plenty of space for a large family. Really nice kitchen and areas to sit. I'm sure the stargazing is amazing but we unfortunately went when there was a bright full moon. Lots of helpful information provided. It wasn't really clear about where we could go on the property. They listed it as 11,000 acre ranch which I figured we didn't have just free reign on but the ad almost made it sound like you do. The property guests have access to is about 200 acre front pasture from what I estimate and have some slight hills to explore. Enough to stretch your legs on and explore some. It's over 40 minutes to Marfa and about 1-1.5 hours from Big Bend Ranch State Park. The easiest way to get there was down 169 but it's all dirt road. If you really just want to get in the middle of nowhere for a few days it's a good place to do it.
We thoroughly enjoyed our 2 night stay at White House Ranch. Accommodations and amenities are well described. Comfortable as being at home!
mark m.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023
Verified
8/10 Good
Matthew S.
Feb 23, 2023
Liked: Communication, location
Fun time on the ranch
Stay was great and location was incredible. The stars at night were unforgettable. It is pretty far from the state park and more than a 2 Hr drive to big bend just for planning purposes as it was not clear from the description.
The White House was comfortable, clean and very well equipped. It is very remote, which is exactly what we were looking for, a great place for relaxing and stargazing. Conveniently located for the State Park and Terlingua while Marfa is about 30 minutes away. The National Park will take about 2 hours to reach the entry but it's a very scenic drive along the Rio Grande.
Would certainly recommend this if you want to get away from it all, enjoy the desert scenery while still enjoying modern comforts.
Wow, this was a fun property! A bit of a drive from Marfa, we were pleasantly surprised by this beautiful and roomy house. Pretty and well-stocked kitchen, fun game room and lovely seating areas outside. We got to walk around the property to watch the sunset and sunrise, enjoy the stars, and see some wildlife. Thank you for the great experience for our families!
We had a lovely stay at the ranch. Lots of space and we’ll equipped.
The bunk beds are in a strange location a little far from the other rooms and my daughter didn’t want to sleep over there, but there was plenty of other space. It’s a solid 30 minute drive to Marfa, so be prepared to drive if that’s your intention!
We really enjoyed staying at the White House Ranch! It was a very secluded and comfortable stay. I don't recall seeing it in the listing ahead of time, but to get to the ranch, we had to meet up with Maya in Marfa and get guided to the house. This was a unique experience but was easy to coordinate and made sense given how remote everything was. It was helpful. Everyone in the party also had to sign a rental type of agreement before staying at the house which wasn't something I've had to do before. Pene and Maya were extremely communicative and friendly and I very much appreciate all of the communication we had prior to the trip! Would recommend staying here!
We rented this property for Christmas. They decorated beautifully! This is an old house with awesome history that has been updated with all the modern commodities. Internet worked great. Beds are very comfortable. The house was very warm despite being there on the coldest day in the last 100 years. The views from the sunroom all the time but mostly at sunrises are beautiful. You are far away from civilization so bring everything you need and will consume. Would recommend.
Our stay at the White House was amazing! Peaceful, quiet, serene, very private ranch house. 40m to the nearest town so the star gazing was excellent! Well stocked home, adobe is an amazing sound buffer. My only wish is that the water pressure in the small shower was the same as I n the big shower (they do explain this in their welcome book). This home is very well positioned to visit the state park, but is quite a hike for the national park (not at all a mark against this rental, for planning purposes only) We really enjoyed our interaction with the owner and manager. We highly recommend this rental property!!
We had an amazing time at this house! The house was nice, clean, comfortable, and well stocked. Pene was a wonderful host and easy to communicate with. My kids especially loved the sunroom with the swing bed, gameroom, porch with the fire pit and ALL the wide open space outside. It is about 30 minutes from Marfa so it's helpful to come prepared. But if you're making a trip out to west Texas, you know everything is far and that's probably what you are coming for :) We really enjoyed everything.
We had a wonderful time at Pene's house. We enjoyed having 1,100 acres to ourselves. The silence and the views were amazing. Thanks for your hospitality!