Five Romantic Stays for Couples in Big Bend
TOP LODGING OPTIONS FOR COUPLES IN TERLINGUA, TEXAS
Over the last few years, the Big Bend region has become an increasingly popular vacation destination. Thankfully, there’s a place to stay for everyone—whether your style is backcountry camping or luxury casitas. For couples planning a trip to the area—whether it’s for a proposal, an anniversary trip, or just for fun–they may want a lodging option that has that feeling of luxury while still maintaining the charm of West Texas. With so many wonderful options of places to stay, it can feel overwhelming trying to pick! That’s why I wanted to create a list of my top five most romantic getaway spots for couples visiting Big Bend National Park. But, before we dive into that, let’s get our bearings on where things are.
The Closest Towns to Big Bend National Park — (and a brief rundown of where things are)
Looking at a map of the Big Bend region, it can sometimes be a little tricky to understand the distance between the various landmarks. Mileages may be short, but when you take into account the slow driving speeds of the park and/or the primitive roads you may elect to take, those miles can eat into your day. If you’re planning a trip to Big Bend, my top recommendation would be to either camp in the park itself or stay in Terlingua.
Terlingua
Terlingua, also known as “the Ghost Town,” is an old mining town that is now host to some of the coolest stays in the area—as well as the majority of the resources and restaurants. If you’re looking for a good basecamp for your Big Bend vacation, this is the place to be. About 15-20 minutes drive from the western entrance of the national park, you’ll have access to iconic spots like St Elena, Ross Maxwell Drive, and the Chisos Basin without too long of a drive.
LAJITAS
Keep heading south on FM170 and you’ll hit the town of Lajitas. Best known for its Golf Course and Resort, Lajitas is the southern gateway to Big Bend Ranch State Park. There’s a spot to fill up on gas, as well as a general store that sells everything from camping gear to alcohol and even deli sandwiches and merch! It’s a good spot to stop and restock when you’re passing through. Make sure you say hi to the town’s goat mayor, Clay Henry Jr!
presidio
If you continue on FM170, you’ll hit a stretch of road referred to as “River Road.” Not to be confused with the river road of Big Bend National Park, this section of highway follows the Rio Grande as you wind your way to the border town of Presidio. Along the way, you’ll pass the Contrabando Movie Set, dozens of stunning vistas, and lots of old ranchland. Presidio sits on the western entrance to Big Bend Ranch State Park and is a great spot to fill up on gas, get a few groceries, and use as your last stop before heading into the primitive interior of Big Bend Ranch State Park. Stop at Big Buddha Bakery and grab some delicious goodies for the road before you head out of town.
MARFA
If you follow US-67 north, you’ll eventually make it to Marfa. Known as an artist’s haven, Marfa has transformed over the years as creatives from around the world have taken an interest in what used to be a dusty town mostly known as a railroad water stop. Donald Judd—a New York artist—had a huge role in transforming the town into what it is today, starting with his creation of the Chinati Foundation. Unfortunately, Big Bend National Park is nearly three hours drive from Marfa, so if you’re planning on trying to visit the park while in town, keep that in mind! Instead of trying to make day trips to Big Bend, I’d recommend checking out spots that are a little closer, such as Balmorhea State Park or Davis Mountains State Park. If you visit Fort Davis, make sure you book a star party at the McDonald Observatory so you can see the night sky with their huge telescopes.
ALPINE
Heading east from Marfa takes you to the college town of Alpine, Texas. One of the bigger towns in the region, Alpine is the spot to restock on groceries and any other supplies you may need. It takes about two and a half hours to get to the national park from Alpine, so it’s not an ideal home base for day trips into Big Bend. However, the local university has a spot worth stopping to check out: the Museum of Big Bend! Grab a coffee from Plaine Coffee, a gourmet hot dog from Cow Dog (my favorite is the curry dog) then head over to the museum for the afternoon.
MARATHON
If you keep driving east on Highway 90 out of Alpine, you’ll make your way to Marathon. Marathon is home to the Gage Hotel and sits near the north entrance to the national park. Aside from camping in Rio Grande Village or off Old Ore Road, Marathon is a great basecamp for exploring the eastern side of Big Bend National Park. If you’re in town, I recommend grabbing dinner at the White Buffalo Bar or goodies from the French Grocer.
STUDY BUTTE
Head south on 385 from Marathon and you’ll dead-end into the national park. Hang a right when you get to the intersection and Panther Junction Visitor’s center, and thirty minutes later you’ll find yourself in the town of Study Butte. Pronounced “Stew-dee” Butte, this town sits at the western entrance of Big Bend National Park. Also referred to as “Study Butte-Terlingua” this is the prime spot for the quickest access to the national park (outside of camping in the national park itself).
From Study Butte, you can head back north towards Alpine or hang a left and head towards the Ghost Town—and we’re back where we started! Now that you have the bearings on where things are, let’s dive into the top 5 romantic getaways for couples traveling to Big Bend National Park.
WHERE TO STAY
Desert Casita at Basecamp Terlingua
Bubble 3 at Basecamp Terlingua
BASECAMP TERLINGUA
Located in the heart of the Ghosttown, Basecamp Terlingua has lots of options for romantic stays. Of all of their listings, the main ones I’d recommend are Rafiki Ridge and any of the Bubbles. The casitas of Rafiki Ridge have a minimalist aesthetic that compliments the desert landscape perfectly—in addition to having pools with views of the national park. The Bubbles offer a unique stay and huge windows that allow 180 views of the Chisos as well as great views of the night sky. Not only that, but their private patios have a fire pit, outdoor shower, and a hot tub—making them the perfect spot for a romantic getaway.
THE SUMMIT LUXURY CAVES
Combining luxury with a minimalist desert twist, The Summit Big Bend offers one of the most unique lodging options in all of Big Bend. They took things to a whole other level and created nightly stays inside caves. If caves aren’t your style, they also have casitas, lotus tents, and stargazing domes available for rent. Located halfway between Terlingua and Lajitas, The Summit Big Bend is a great basecamp for traveling into either the state park or national park during the day! It’s no surprise that these rooms book out fast, so make sure you check their available dates and don’t wait until the last minute to book!
Photo via Rio Bravo Ranch
Photo via Rio Bravo Ranch
RIO BRAVO RANCH
If you’re in search of solitude, look no further than Rio Bravo Ranch. With views of the Rio Grande that are hard to beat, you’ll want to sit out front and watch the sunset every single night. They offer a few campsites for booking in addition to their main attraction: the La Centinela casita. The casita is fitted with all the creature comforts you need and has a minimalist, western style that compliments the West Texas landscape. The owners of the property also rent out a fleet of jeeps; if you plan on exploring the interior of the state park during your stay, I highly recommend getting a jeep rental since the roads are almost all high-clearance, 4x4.
Photo via The Willow House
THE WILLOW HOUSE
I don’t know if desert elegance is a thing, but if it is, then it’s The Willow House. Discreetly situated off the highway near Terlingua Ghost Town, the Willow House is the ideal spot for anyone with an eye for art and inspiring architecture. The clean lines and minimalist design of the casitas and common areas help the indoor spaces flow into the outdoor spaces and feel like a nod to Donald Judd’s 15 untitled works in concrete installation in Marfa. Their cozy rooms and sitting areas will make you want to stay curled up in bed all day. If you’re feeling social, there’s a community area that’s a great spot to meet other travelers and share stories (and mezcal)!
THE LOCAL CHAPTER
The closest luxury lodging to Big Bend National Park is the Local Chapter. Their four yurts offer incredible, unobscured views of the national park—which is only three minutes drive from your stay. If a romantic night to you includes stargazing and sipping a glass of wine, then this is the place for you. Because the yurts sit elevated on a mesa, you get sweeping views of the night sky facing the Chisos Basin—with nothing in your way. Not only that, but one of the best parts of these yurts is that they come with telescopes for your use! Imagine snuggling up with your partner, taking turns looking into the telescope with the crackle of the wood-burning stove in the background. It’s a recipe for a romantic stay.
Your Big Bend getaway
Ready to run off to the desert with your honey? Want to create an extra memorable experience while you’re out here? That’s where I come in! Let’s craft a dream adventure and I’ll document it all so you can have photos to remember your trip by. GET IN TOUCH.
