Study Butte

Pets

Electricity Hookup

Toilets

Campfires

Potable water

Picnic table

Tres Papalotes Group Campsite

If you happen to be a part of a merry band of marauding, history-loving, mountain biking geologists that number up to twelve people, have we found the site for you

Paso al Solitario Campsite

This is another one of the smaller backcountry sites in Big Bend Ranch, able to fit around four tents and three high-clearance vehicles

Fresno Canyon Campsite

It’s all well and good to set up camp at some high, exposed campsite with a view, but then you’re subject to wind and sun

Chorro Vista Campsite

Don’t bother staying here if you want plush camping more akin to your apartment than the wilderness

Access point from the main park road. Photo by Lisa Rawlinson.

Fresno Vista Campsite

Sunset at Fresno Vista camp site. Photo by Lisa Rawlinson.

Remnants of an old corral near the site. Photo by Lisa Rawlinson.

An old watering tank along the access road to the site. Photo by Lisa Rawlinson.

Fresno Vista sunrise. Photo by Lisa Rawlinson.

Jackson Pens Campsite

Jackson Pens is one of the five campsites in Big Bend Ranch with equestrian pens and is pretty standard compared to the others—fire rings, picnic tables, and an active water trough (unless you’re a horse, treat the water before drinking

Pila Montoya Campsite

If most campsites are like hostels—you share a space with a bunch of travelers you’ve never met—then the three Pila Montoya sites are like private suites for you and up to seven friends

La Posta Campsite

This is a great spot if you want some privacy, mostly because it can’t really fit anyone else

Dusk view looking southwest from the parking area of La Monilla

La Monilla Campsite

This is a no frills campsite, even by Big Bend Ranch standards

Madera Canyon Campsite

Papalote Encino Campsite

Ok, we were confused by this site at first, because we could have sworn that Ayers Rock was in Australia, yet here it is, just a few dozen yards from Papalote Encino’s eponymous windmill (the name means ‘oak windmill,’ for those that no hablan español)

Mexicano Campsite

These campsites have what the best sites in the park have—a fire ring, a picnic table, mountains around to scramble up and then gawk at the view, and some pretty incredible chances to observe the region’s noteworthy wildlife and geology

Big Bend Ranch State Park

Remote and rugged terrain, grand vistas, and dark skies draw adventurers and solitude seekers.

Looking for lake camping near Study Butte? Discover and book the best lake campsites and campgrounds in state parks and national parks, plus on farms, vineyards, and nature preserves.

Lake Camping Near Study Butte, Texas, US: 20 Best Lake Campsites 2026 | Hipcamp

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Jackass Flats Campground

Located 25 miles north of Terlingua, TX on State Highway 118, close to the historic Comanche Trail, under the brilliant west Texas stars and below famous Nine Point Mesa. Within 25 miles of Big Bend National Park, Big Bend Ranch State Park, Terlingua Ghost Town, Rio Grande Outfitters and river access.

The area is not only famous for its rich ranching history but also for its diverse geology and awesome night skies.

Enjoy the Terrymar Pavilion for group gatherings, picnicking or taking in the panoramic views, phenomenal night skies, sunrises and sunsets. View our resident Texas Longhorn steers and horses in the restored nineteenth century stock pens. Please DO NOT GET CLOSE TO THE FENCE, THESE CATTLE ARE STOCK, not PETS.

Be sure to FILL YOUR WATER tank before arriving.

NON POTABLE water can be accessed. There is no city water services available in our area.

Stay connected with free Wi-Fi at The Little Burro Country Store which is also on premises. Password is "jackassflats" all lowercase, 1 word, no special characters.

 We offer wood/snacks/groceries/ice and food items for sale on the property to meet your needs.

Great Spacious Pull-through sites with Elec/water. Septic dump is avail on property if needed.

Little Burro Country Store & Jackass Flats Office

Amazing view of the distant mountains from our elevated campsite.

Tierra del Sol Basecamp

The Tierra del Sol Basecamp is an open desert camping area located within Terlingua Ranch, 3 miles off of Hwy 118, 19 miles north of Study Butte and 22 miles to the entrance to Big Bend National Park. This region of far west Texas is well known for its remote ruggedness and beauty rapidly becoming the go-to place for those wanting to get away from it all, without having to spend a fortune to do it.  It’s one of the last frontiers of North America and One of the only two National Parks in Texas.  The Basecamp will reside on the 40 acre property.  In the center is an area of approximately 6 acres flat, with rising limestone ridge lines to the east and west, open skyline to south with a view of Bofecillos Mountains, an area characterized by volcanic deposits of lava and ash-flow tuff and sedimentary deposits of conglomerates and sandstones.  The four mountain tops; Packsaddle, Hen Egg, Panther and Agua Fria Mountains provide an amazing view during the day and at night, breathtaking night time views of the Milky Way and the multitudes of stars to gaze upon unlike any other place in North America.  The morning sunrise over the eastern mesa brings its own spectacular views.  Surrounding the 40 acres are many things of archaeological wonder.  A Rock Hounds dream of minerals, stones and fossilized prehistoric microorganisms, as well as, the potential of finding the fossils of large prehistoric aquatic mammals.  Yes, you are free to take a small sample of the thousands of quartz and calcite stones found in huge abundance.  
As you come to then end of Mailbox Rd., you'll see a residence to your left.  This is "The Field Lab", owned by the well know sustainable engineer John Wells.  If you'd like to pay him a visit, please contact him in advance.  

We took our camp chairs and dinner on a short hike to watch the sun set between the mountains.

Cooking dinner just in time to catch the sunset.

Our campsite set-up for the night, with mountains in view. There aren't any picnic tables or surfaces at the site, so be sure to bring something you can use to cook on.

View of the campsite as the sun begins to set.

Sunset over the rolling hills and mountains.

The entrance to The Goat Pens from the South County Rd. 

Goat Pens, Cigar Springs Ranch


This central location provides an ideal basecamp close to the Terlingua Ghost Town and both Big Bend State and National Parks. The unique geology and topography of the Goat Pens made this a popular movie set and many westerns were filmed here in the 80's and 90's. Come out and enjoy seclusion, peace and quiet, awesome scenery with sunrises and sunsets to die for. All while still being able to easily take advantage of the area's other attractions.

The Goat Pens includes an outdoor events venue that hosts concerts, stargazing parties, festivals and weddings. The Goat Pens also has the only drive-in movie theater in the Big Bend area. Send a text or check The Goat Pens Facebook page (@goatpens) for information and dates of events.

The Goat Pens of Cigar Springs Ranch is a beautiful part of the ranch. It is well known for its scenery and unique topography. The Goat Pens served as a set location for many westerns filmed during the 1980's and 90's.

Remarkable beauty, easy access, centrally located, seclusion, peace and quiet. All add up to an unforgettable vacation experience.

There are parts of the desert that are composed of ancient volcanic ash

The red rocks on the property were used to build La Kiva restaurant, which has a fascinating history

There is a nice bridge connecting the property and campsites and we hiked it to the nearby rock formations

There are private fire rings at every campsite, but we chose to use the awesome 30 person group campfire site that has benches surrounding it and makes for a perfect campfire evening

The red mountain illuminated during the sunset

Coyote Crossing


Located in Southern Most Section of Terlingua Ranch, within eyesight of the Mexican Border, National, and State Parks.
 Easy to find, just across from Willow Mountain, one of the most photograph natural features in Big Bend.
 Traveling highway 118
 you will see the Entrance at address 53420, just north 1 mile of the outfitters and gas station.
Every night the coyotes would cross the road and come for a visit..Thus the name Coyote Crossing.. With dreams of a tiny home and campground, we continue to improve on the land every day and love to share it with others.
When arriving at night it will be very
dark.. very few lights in use, dark sky's are protected in Big Bend.. so it may be hard to find. but we are directly
 on the highway on the west side of 118.
 
 
 
 Trash Dumpster up front for your use.
 No collecting rocks, cactus or wood to burn... NO TRACE,
 leave it as you find it..

The prickly pear cacti were in full bloom

We found so many cool fossils on the hills

Sky Ranch Terlingua


Sky Ranch is the result of&nbsp;a love for the desert and for 1980s post-apocalyptic movies. A place to step out of our busy lives and be still, gain a new&nbsp;perspective, and imagine a different way to live.
Once the floor of a large inland sea, Sky Ranch Terlingua is covered with fossilized mollusk shells. After the water receded, the area was visited by various animal and human migrations. Today, Sky Ranch is a refuge for two native Texans with deep roots that predate Texas itself.&nbsp;

"Be friendly, but firm. But most of all, be yourselves."&nbsp; - Lester, Cherry 2000

The shelter is the perfect place to watch the sunset

The desert gets nice and cool at night, perfect for a warm fire

The shelter makes for a cozy camping place

The best lakeside camping near Study Butte

Top-rated campgrounds near Study Butte

1. Big Bend Ranch State Park

Top-rated campgrounds near Study Butte

1. Big Bend Ranch State Park

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