River, stream, or creek glamping near Presidio, Texas
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Thorntoya Terlingua Ranch
1 site · Lodging10 acres · Terlingua, TXYou've just stumbled onto one of the most unique spots Terlingua & Big Bend have to offer. Located at the highest point of the foothills of the Chiso’s, 1 mile from Terlingua Ghost Town, this gem offers 360 degree panoramic views unlike anywhere else down this way. With Big Bend's entrance less than 20 min from property, you can't lose.
This is the ultimate GLAMPING experience fully outfitted with everything you need if you're a party of 2, 4 or 16!
You'll love the views, location & privacy!
Our private hilltop location provides stargazers an ideal vantage point to view the night sky and the Milky Way. The sunrise and sunset views of the Chisos & Big Bend are unparalleled, making for an ideal location for photographers or those who want to just sit and stare.
An artist's flair, we’re full of funky accents most impressively a mural paying respect to the area painted by some of Austin’s most talented. It’s truly special! We've worked hard to make it as fun as it is functional with literally everything your group of up to 10 would need to have a trip of a lifetime. We’ve thought of most things & have really set this place up for like-minded individuals to have a jaw-dropping, special experience, unlike nowhere else in Terlingua.
This private glamping camp is loaded with the everything you'll need for your entire group to have the Big Bend trip of a lifetime. We comfortably accommodate 6 guests in provided shelters but are open to larger parties who tent camp or bring their own RV as we offer 120V, 30 & 50 amp plug-ins with NO water or septic hookups. Having no septic we use composting toilets which work extremely well. Using a water catchment system we catch & filter water offering an amazing, heated outdoor shower privately peering out into the rolling mountains & valleys. We also use Berkey water systems to further filter drinking water. Read below to understand more of what we offer & please don’t hesitate to message directly with any questions.
**What’s included
-19 ft camper w/ a composting toilet, king-bed, cold AC/ Heat, kitchenette & fridge
-16 ft canvas style glamping tent w/ queen bed, AC/ Heat, end table, lamp & electrical connections
- 2 brand new twin foam mattresses that live in glamping tent. They can be relocated to another tent or you can sleep 4 as their is also a queen bed.
-2 Composting toilets – one outside by shower & one inside camper
-Outdoor Heated Shower (there’s a non-heated shower inside RV for inclement weather)
-Stocked outdoor kitchen
***Appliances include: 2 fridge/freezer, gas cooktop (no oven), microwave, coffee maker, electric kettles & cooking surfaces, dishes (for 4-6), ALL cookware & utensils, silverware, an array of standard seasonings, an ice maker, fans, heaters & other amenities.
-500 sq ft covered & lit outdoor living area with couches
-46” Smart TV w/ Soundbar
-Additional sound system to plug into
-High speed internet
-Electricity
-Propane outdoor grill
-4 Top Dining table
- A private 2 Top table w/ chairs discreetly located on property w/ the most amazing view of the Chisos. Best place on earth for an early morning cup of coffee!
**Bed on wheels – feel free to sleep under the stars or roll into the living area if you’d just like to be outside. It’s one of my favorite things out here!
**Here’s the deal with beds & linens
Worth noting before reading the following. Our cleaning fee is only $50.
Towels & sheets are NOT provided as part of the camp. We DO provide good pillows and all mattresses are brand new & in excellent condition.
Towels– We DO NOT provide bath & kitchen towels. You will need to bring your own & pack them out.
Bed Sheets- We DO NOT offer sheets as part of standard rentals. Since human & non-human resources are hard to come by in these parts we ask that you bring your own sheets if you can.
---We DO offer a paid option for an additional charge of $100 which would be paid separately after rental has been made.
---IF you bring your own sheets you’ll need to bring 1 king set for camper & 1 queen set for a glamping tent. Additionally, if you want to use the rolling bed you’d want another queen set or top sheet at a minimum. There are also 2 new 6" foam twin mattress that live inside glamping tent. Bring sheets if you want or great for sleeping bags.
**Outdoor Living Room
The 500 sq foot, covered, outdoor living room has a communal vibe offering panoramic views of everything you came out to enjoy. You came out to the desert to star gaze & be in nature but watching Nextfilx or Youtube in the desert is kinda cool too. You and your group will find yourself spending a fair amount of time under the awning as it’s a great, shady retreat on a hot summer day! We’re also stocked with 4-5 collapsible chairs & a couple zero-gravity that are really nice to spread around.
**The Road
The road coming up from Ghost Town (1 mile) is an unpaved dirt/ gravel road that’s pretty rough maintained by property owners and the Terlingua Ranch, so please take it slow. You shouldn’t have any issues getting a car of any size up but it will be rocky so roll slow.
**The Utilities & what to expect
Water: We are not on any public water or septic system so conservation is the word but we’ll always have plenty of good, clean water for you & your group. We do use a 2000 gallon water catchment system to collect water which is then filtered. Berkey water filters are used for drinking water.
Composting Toilets x 2 - These toilets work extremely well & are extremely clean & simple to use. One toilet is located inside the camper & the other is privately located on the backside of the building next to shower. How often do you get to “go” in the middle of the desert? It’s exhilarating and part of the experience.
Electricity: We are on the grid with plenty of power. The camper & living area have plenty of power and we offer 30 & 50 AMP outside if you choose to bring an RV.
**Dark Sky Community
We’ve made every effort to comply with the "Dark Sky" initiative and ask that all lights be turned down or turned-off when not in use. The community’s efforts in this manner will keep us one of the darkest skies in the U.S. and provide great stargazing from literally anywhere on the property. We ask you respect this and not irresponsibly use outdoor lighting. This makes for an optimal experience for all. It will be clear when you’re on the hill that all neighbors respect this & take it very seriously.
**Other Things
-Pack it in & pack it out. We provide a 55 gallon trash drum with commercial grade bags & ask you to take your trash when you leave.
-Firewood can be difficult to find at times. Consider bringing a bundle with you.
-Flashlights or headlamps are a must for moving around at night.
- It goes without saying that this is desert land and there are poisonous snakes & other undesired desert creatures. This reigns true for anywhere you find yourself down this way but it is always important to be careful.
- Weather fluctuations in the desert can be extreme & unpredictable. Heavy wind can pick up at any point in time so your tents will need to be secured appropriately & precautions taken when you leave camp or go to sleep. There’s plenty of rocks around to get creative as the hard ground is impossible to get tent stakes into. Plan accordingly.
**Events & Commercial Photoshoots
Are not permitted without prior approval, applicable permit and additional fees. We would love to host your special event and can offer advice for additional services/suppliers in addition to hosting you.
**Pets
Big Bend National Park does not allow pets on trails so it’s advised to leave them behind with their second most favorite. You’re welcome to bring yours but sometimes leaving them behind makes the most sense so they’re not sitting in a trailer or tent all day if you go to the park.
**SOCIAL MEDIA
If you plan on sharing your experience on social media, please mention us #thorntoya
from
$150
/ night
95%
(463)
Smiling Dog Ranch
29 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents20 acres · Alpine, TXFormerly known as Eco-Ranch Sustainable Living, new hosts assumed the ranch on February 1, 23 and look forward to hosting you.
The Smiling Dog is a remote working homestead, located on 20 acres close to both the National and State Parks. With unobstructed views of the surrounding mountains and arroyos the property offers guests a chance to unplug and enjoy exploring unique terrain on site.
The Big Bend region is a certified dark sky community and is recognized as the darkest park/community in the lower-48. With no light pollution on the ranch, the stargazing is spectacular. Guests are encouraged to bring headlamps or flashlights with red filters to allow you to safely see your surroundings while preserving the darkness for your eyes to adjust.
The ranch is fully off-grid, powered by solar energy. Water is collected through rain catchment and is pumped into filtered tanks which provides the majority of our water supply. At times during drought conditions we do have to bring water in from Study Butte or Alpine so we ask all of our guests to conserve whenever possible.
Wildlife is in abundance in the desert, our naturally created water reservoir often brings in a variety of animals in the evenings. Guests could expect to see coyotes, rabbits, foxes, mule deer, aoudad sheep, and even elk. There is also a large drove (herd) of wild donkeys that roam freely and are beloved by the community. There are also predators but they are rare in the area. Mountain lions and bears do live in the area, but stick closer to the mountains instead of open areas like the ranch. Insects and snakes can be found throughout the desert as well as migratory butterflies and birds.
Guests have several options for their stay- there are 20 dispersed campsites that can accommodate a single camper to large groups with multiple vehicles. Each site has fire rings for campfires dependent on weather conditions. During periods when there is a high fire danger, ground fires are not allowed. Guests can bring above ground fire rings, or small propane grills and provide their own wood. Travel trailers and smaller RV's are also welcome, though we do not offer hookups or waste disposal. There are also 2 small, basic rooms with full size futons that can house 2 adults or 4 if you are really good friends. A communal area houses a small kitchen area with a propane powered camp stove, mini-fridge, sink with basic cookware and utensils. In addition there are two restrooms, one with a shower, and both with sinks and flush toilets. There is a third bathroom located near our largest camping area. You are free to use the restroom outside, our plants love the extra water, but you are asked to pack out any toilet paper and use the restrooms for solid waste.
We do offer all guests free Wi-Fi internet access but we cannot guarantee the strength and availability, though we do find most guests can connect. We have upgraded to Starlink which we hope will offer more stability and stronger signal. There is absolutely no cell signal once you turn off of the highway and at the ranch- we use Wi-Fi calling and texting but also have a landline in the event that it is needed to reach the outside world.
We are located just under 5 miles from 118, though it takes 15-20 minutes to reach the ranch on dirt roads. Most vehicles can safely make the drive but high clearance vehicles are strongly encouraged. For the most part the road is smooth but you should pay close attention as their are ruts- take your time and watch the road. We strongly recommended that you download directions before arriving.
Any rain, even small amounts make the roads impassable due to bentonite clay which becomes thick mud which guarantees the need to be towed out. If the forecast calls for rain you should be prepared to make plans for other accommodations or you will be risking getting stuck. Rain is not common outside of the late summer months but should you need to cancel due to weather, you will be fully refunded. This should not discourage anyone, 99% of the time there is no rain to be concerned about, but as your hosts, we care about your comfort and safety and feel obligated to make all guests aware.
A few other things about the ranch- we live on site in the main house (as of March 1, 23) and are in the process of renovation. We are also upgrading guest rooms and communal areas, as well as working on projects throughout the ranch. We have a small flock of chickens and sell their eggs when available. There is a large greenhouse with an aquaponic system that is a work in progress, we hope to have fresh vegetables this summer! Check in is located at the main house, at times we will not be immediately available but you will find your information and a map outside the main door. We will come greet you as soon as we are free. Because we live on site and this is our home, we ask that guests do not explore the main house, livestock pens, greenhouse or covered work areas without permission. We welcome your friendly and well-behaved pets, we have pets of our own who love guests. We ask that you leash them when near the house and watch them when at your campsite or exploring. Please pick up after your dogs if they use the bathroom in common areas, or near campsites. Any waste in the arroyos can stay where it is.
You will be expected to pack your trash out, there is no trash service for the ranch.
Safety information: This is the desert and you are responsible for your own safety at all times. There is absolutely no swimming in the catchment reservoir and you should not drive anywhere outside of the defined roads. The nearest hospital is located in Alpine, a 70 mile drive north, so drink lots of water, wear a hat and sunscreen, sturdy shoes, and don't touch anything pokey or that has a face. We do have first aid supplies available and you'll find commonly used supplies in the communal area. All food and drinks should be securely stored and under no circumstances should you feed the wildlife, with the exception of birdseed for our resident birds. If you have food scraps that are safe for the chickens, they will be more than happy to handle that for you.
We look forward to the opportunity to host you, and welcome you to enjoy the desert we love so much. One sunrise or sunset and we are certain that you will also love it here. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to reach out.
-Ashley and Raymond
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