Our ranch is located around five miles from the main highway and about 25 miles from the gate into Big Bend National Park. We are very secluded & private, with virtually no nighttime "light pollution", so you can view our awesome night sky. This, plus our location, affords a 360 degree panoramic view of the legendary Big Bend night sky.
The camping/RV parking area is a
Our ranch is located around five miles from the main highway and about 25 miles from the gate into Big Bend National Park. We are very secluded & private, with virtually no nighttime "light pollution", so you can view our awesome night sky. This, plus our location, affords a 360 degree panoramic view of the legendary Big Bend night sky.
The camping/RV parking area is about 100 yards from the main house, on a point of land overlooking our unique "mini badlands", a 12 acre arroyo. Spectacular views of many mountains are in every direction, with 4885' Agua Fria dominating from about five miles to the southwest.
Sunrise is a spectacular event, made more quaint by the gentle crowing of our roosters, who sometimes think sunrise is arriving far earlier. You are a distance from them though! Sunset is the same. The campground has uninhibited views of both events and if you are lucky enough to be here during the 3-4 days of the full moon, moonrise is a once-in-a-lifetime event!
We were pleased to have been ranked number 11 in HIPCAMP'S ranking of Texas campgrounds in 2019! This surprise inspired us to further improve your camping experience with us! We recently completed a toilet/bath house/kitchen facility, with two rental rooms planned for completion in the Fall of 2020.
The new, lighted kitchen features a two burner propane stove, full-sized double sink, counter space, cookware & place settings, along with USB, 12 volt & 110 volt ac plugs with a counter to place your devices on while charging.
The two new toilet facilities are: one “half bath”, featuring a flush toilet (a rarity in the Big Bend), a sink and counter space. The second is a large, complete bathroom with a large shower with solar hot water, as well as a flush toilet, sink and expansive counter.
We are an owner-operated, "Mom & Pop" campground where your stay with us is appreciated & the income needed & re-invested locally. We started the campground to give Big Bend visitors and idea of what the Chihuahuan Desert really is like, away from the manicured, tiny, noisy camping spots available in the parks. The response has been overwhelming and we will be continually improving your camping experience with us, until HIPCAMP ranks us number one in Texas, or even the nation!
We built this campground for tent & “open air” campers and those with campers on vehicle or small trailers. We can accommodate & will welcome several larger RVs, though “bus length” ones will find the road in difficult. Hook-ups or sewage disposal are not available and the 110 volt electrical system produces just 8 amps. You really need to be fully contained.
This is a 100% off-grid working poultry/goat/aquaponics ranch! We usually have fresh eggs, seasonal vegetables and even poultry meat available for you to purchase. Ice blocks are available as well.
We can provide limited electrical power (8 amps) from a small solar electric system in new bath house/kitchen structure, 100% off grid! However, you CANNOT run an RV refrigerator, electric heat, or air conditioning. Medical devices like a CPAP machine will require that you provide 200' of extension cord, as due to their high wattage demands, must be connected to the main ranch electrical system.
Hikers can explore many miles of road, but must bear in mind that in Texas, ALL land is privately owned and you must be respectful of that at all times. We are also 3 miles from a spring-fed "swimming hole" that may be enjoyed, so long as you respect the land and pack out what you pack in.
Many campers book here because they could not get a site IN the National park, then cancel their stay when the desired, noisy, tiny spot opens up in the Park. This is truly their loss as our space and scenery far outweigh the short drive to the Park gate. We really are a destination spot on our own and we urge you to give our campground a try! You WILL return again!! However, if you book with us, then cancel within 24 hours (like if the site you really wanted in the National Park opens up), you will be charged for the booking.
The Big Bend Parks are about 25 miles from here. The McDonald Observatory is about 100 miles from here and the mysterious "Marfa Lights" about 80 miles from us....... but still close enough that some stray into view at times, depending on your alcohol intake.
We are retired, which means older hosts. We get tired in the evenings. This is also a working poultry & goat farm, which requires our attention in the early morning and early evening. We request that campers arrive BEFORE 5:00 PM, as we have to attend to our farm as our first priority. You may arrive later, but there are no lights in the camping area, so setting up your stuff can be difficult after dark & we won't be able to help or do a proper "meet & greet" until morning. Tours of the entire facility are available and free of charge. We WANT you to see a working 21st century sustainable farm!
PLEASE,PLEASE, PLEASE, do NOT try to come here using a map program or GPS unit!!! These will route you down non-existent or impassable roads & our 18 year old pick-up cannot pull you out if you get stuck! Just write us and we will send you safe, detailed directions down easily traversed roads. You may phone as well, but we don't always receive voice mail promptly.
Our entire property is a NO FIREARMS ZONE. We DO NOT allow firearms (or fireworks) on the property and NO ONE may carry one on their person while on our property. (If you insist on having a firearm with you, just lock it IN YOUR VEHICLE when on the property)
- Check in: After 9AM
- Check out: Before 3PM
- Cancellation policy: Flexible
- On arrival: Meet and greet
- Minimum nights: 1 night
- Accepts bookings: 12 months out
You know what would make this trip even better?
Take advantage of these offers available to add to your trip to Eco-Ranch Sustainable Living Center
$4ICE BLOCKS
We have blocks of ice available, but only blocks. You can break them up into ...Read more
We have blocks of ice available, but only blocks. You can break them up into smaller pieces if you wish, but blocks melt far slower! These will weigh about 20 pounds, plus or minus and can save you a long trip to our local high priced stores! Pictured are two smaller, 10 pound blocks (20 pounds). There are also single, large, 20 pound+ blocks.
$5One dozen farm fresh eggs!
Since we are a working poultry (and goat and aquaponics) ranch, we think it a...Read more
Since we are a working poultry (and goat and aquaponics) ranch, we think it a good idea to offer you, the camper, some of our freshly laid eggs. Our eggs come from our hens here, who have an all natural diet, live cage free and are VERY happy! We don't have a lot, but what they lay, you may purchase!
Firewood bundle
Start your trip off right with a bundle of firewood waiting for you at your c...Read more
Activities
Offered on the Host's property or nearby.
Biking
If you have your own bicycle, there are many miles of roads and trails in the area.
Hiking
There are miles of hiking around our property. Again, all land in Texas is privately owned, but the owners of the adjoining pro...Read more
Off-roading (OHV)
If you have one of these, all 1200 miles the roads in Terlingua Ranch are open to Terlingua Ranch guests (which you would be) t...Read more
Climbing
There are trails on Agua Fria Mountain. Again, all land in Texas is privately owned, but the owners of the mountain allow climb...Read more
Swimming
We do NOT have swimming on the grounds. However, there is a spring fed pond about three miles from the site and so long as you ...Read more
Wildlife watching
We are in the Central Flyway and there is a large variety of migrating birds passing through. Javelina, Aoudad, Coyote, Deer an...Read more
Terrain
Natural features you'll find at Eco-Ranch Sustainable Living Center in Texas.
Desert
This is the middle of the Chihuahuan Desert, 20 miles from both Big Bend National Park & Big Bend Ranch State Park. The elevat...Read more
Canyon
Twelve acres of our property is an arroyo with many tiny mesas to explore, as well as the drivable "Bus Stop Mesa" In the surro...Read more
Mountainous
We are situated in a basin about seven miles in diameter, surrounded by 4500'+ mountains. The views are outstanding!
River, stream, or creek
We are located less than 1/4 mile from Terlingua Creek. It is dry 90% of the time. However, it IS a Federal Waterway and you ma...Read more
Swimming hole
A privately owned swimming hole is three miles from the property. So long as you are respectful of the property and clean up af...Read more
Farm
We are a working poultry & goat farm. These are contained in their own area. Visitors are welcome to see, interact with & feed ...Read more
Ranch
We are a working poultry & goat farm. These are contained in their own area. Visitors are welcome to see, interact with & feed ...Read more
Driveway
There is a circular driveway into the ranch and campground, which allows easy access for all vehicles and most RVs. Please do N...Read more
The vibe at Eco-Ranch Sustainable Living Center
Places to see near Eco-Ranch Sustainable Center
What is it like staying here? Incredible! We had so many positive experiences with Robert and Debbie in their own little oasis that it could have been an entire vacation in itself. We spent a significant amount of time both exploring nearby Big Bend National Park and talking with Robert and Debbie about what they have done with their land and animals as well as what their future plans are. Their online descriptions of their beautiful property were accurate and gave us a clear vision of what to expect but their hospitality and enthusiasm made this experience something special.
Robert’s detailed directions made navigation to the property easy and his knowledge about the nearby areas and the natural environment meant he could provide us with answers to all our questions. There is absolutely no way we could have learned as much in such a short amount of time if we had stayed instead at a large campground . After three days we were loath to leave and I have missed the spectacular sunrises and stars every day since! Thank you Robert and Debbie!
This amazing oasis was by far the best camping experience we’ve ever had! On the day we arrived Robert and Debbie gave us the most educational, inspirational tour of their hydroponics system, poultry, goats, and other highly sustainable aspects of the house that they've built. From glass bottles to old tires, truly nothing goes to waste on the Eco-Ranch–instead, unique and novel purposes are reimagined for each and every scrap.
For dinner that night, they sold us tomatoes, little gem lettuce, and the freshest eggs we’ve ever eaten (for an excellent price). We also joined Robert, Debbie, and the other campers for a delicious dinner another night with all ingredients sourced from the farm. They truly care not only about providing a safe and comfortable campground, but also about making their visitors feel welcomed. We had a great time getting to know them and other campers over delicious and home-grown food!
Aside from the amazing views and lessons in sustainability, Robert Earl also became the hero of our rather unprepared group of college freshmen girls during our trip. The watering hole nearby the camping site is amazing, but we should’ve heeded Robert’s suggestion to be careful about where to park. Robert spent nearly 2 hours helping us get our minivan out of the sand! We also should’ve watched for sharp rocks on the road, but when we didn’t, Robert helped us patch and inflate our flat tire and even drove us into town to get it fixed. Although he had a ton of work to do on his farm, he took time out of his day to help us with our many troubles. We’ll never forget how understanding and helpful Robert was throughout all our misadventures!
Robert and Debbie are the kindest, handiest, most resourceful people we met on our foray into the desert, and as soon as we learn a bit more about driving in a desert, we’ll be heading back to visit them! We seriously cannot recommend the Eco-Ranch enough. If you’re looking for a unique and amazing camping experience, you’ve found the right place!
First off, if you aren't into animals, birds in particular, then you don't want to stay here. I LOVE that the people here are keeping farm animals, so it was no problem for me. The roosters will wake you up, but it's fine because in our experience, it allows you to get up and see the BRILLIANT sky and landscape in the twilight hours.
The surrounding area is beautiful. Beyond words or Instagram filters. Robert and his wife are lovely, knowledgeable people. Robert let us know about his house and how everything works beforehand and was incredibly helpful and available for every need.
You'll be out past the sticks, which is great. The sky is wonderful and the people are too. I am already trying to plan another trip out, it was that good.
Our stay at the Eco-Ranch was wonderful! We opted to join Robert & Debbie for dinner, and enjoyed a full meal of duck, saffron rice and green beans - which tasted extra good after eating only peanut butter sandwiches while camping the past few days. The property was absolutely beautiful, and you get an unobstructed view of sunrise and sunset over the desert mountains. In addition, Robert made us a (real!) cinnamon coffee cake for our travels the next morning. We loved hearing all about how the Eco-Ranch was built and their plans for the future. We hope to go back some day and see the finished ranch!
My wife, Emma, and I stayed at Robert's Eco-Ranch Sustainability Living Center on our road trip across south Texas. We absolutely loved the scenery at Robert's Eco-Ranch and took a couple hundred pictures of the desert, including pictures of tarantulas, cacti, donkeys, and stunning mountain views! I was too tired to take photos of the night sky, which was packed with stars. The host, Robert, was very kind, and did his best to make sure we were comfortable. We very much enjoyed our conversation with him. Our only regret is that we had to leave so soon to finish the road trip.
Robert and his wife were very friendly. If your looking for a very remote, quiet place with beautiful view. Look no further, this is your place. It’s about 5 miles down a gravel road. Great communication from Robert. I would definitely be back to stay again.
Beautiful land and beautiful people. I brought the family to Big Bend and sought out Robert because of my daughters' interest in sustainability. The animals were a huge hit with the kids. Robert made us dinner one night and I highly recommend you take him up on that offer. We will be back.
If you want to camp off the grid and have an amazing view this is the place for you! Recommend confidence in driving off road. Nothing technical but dirt and gravel for about 5 miles to your camp location. Easy to drive at night once you drive it in the day. Bring you own water, light source, wood and food. We went cycling about some with our MTB and it was great. Rob was super friendly and always willing to help. We would stay again and would recommend to our friends.
Awards
- Property
- Eco-Ranch Sustainable Center
- State
- Texas
- Country
- United States
- $25/night
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For future guests..... the birds, poultry, are now confined to their own yard, making it a lot quieter here and no more "poultry mess".