Location: Terlingua
Top Things to do in Terlingua
10 Things to Do in Terlingua That You Shouldn't Miss
Terlingua (/tərˈlɪŋɡwə/ tər-LING-gwa) is a mining district and census-designated place (CDP) in southwestern Brewster County, Texas, United States. It is located near the Rio Grande and the villages of Lajitas and Study Butte, Texas, as well as the Mexican village of Santa Elena. The discovery of cinnabar, from which the metal mercury is extracted, in the mid-1880s brought miners to the area, creating a city of 2,000 people. The only remnants of the mining days are a ghost town of the Howard Perry-owned Chisos Mining Company and several nearby capped and abandoned mines, most notably the California Hill, the Rainbow, the 248, and the Study Butte mines. The mineral terlinguaite was first found in the vicinity of California Hill.
Restaurants in Terlingua
1. Far Flung Outdoor Center
Overall Ratings
5 based on 310 reviews
Since 1974, Far Flung Outdoor Center has been helping folks discover the wonders of Big Bend National Park with quality raft trips, Jeep tours, and ATV adventures.We specialize in high quality, interpretive tours of the Big Bend, with an emphasis on great fun mingled with just the right amount of learning.We offer a wide variety of guided rafting trips on the Rio Grande River, from short, half-day family floats to 3- and 4-night overnight trips. You can also experience special themed trips such as gourmet food adventures, trips with noted Texas folk musicians, and New Year's Eve star gazing parties.Want to explore Big Bend by land? Our guided Jeep and ATV tours are a perfect way to enjoy Big Bend's scenic beauty while learning about its natural and cultural wonders.Should you need lodging for your vacation, our Big Bend Casitas offer roomy comfort, nice amenities, and a location just minutes from Big Bend National Park.We're passionate about Big Bend and enjoy showing off her many beautiful places. We can help you make the most of a future trip to Big Bend!!
Reviewed By OliversTexas - Austin, Texas
I can't say enough good things about Far Flung Outdoor Center. We took a guided overnight camping/canoe trip for 2 days/1 night with them over spring break 2018. Ours was the "overnight float trip". The guides were knowledgeable, hilariously funny, helpful, great cooks, and did everything they could to make our trip fun and enjoyable. They helped us over the hard spots in the river so nobody tipped over, they were very helpful in accommodating special food requirements, and took care of all the hard work so we could relax and have fun. They thought of everything, from an outdoor 'potty' to guitar songs by the campfire, even offering us cold sodas on the ride back at the end when we were hot and thirsty! My only mini-complaint was on the website they said they serve wine at meals, but on our trip they didn't. No biggie, just remember to bring your own with you if you want an alcoholic beverage. There were tiny kids all the way up to teenagers on this trip, so just know that it is a family-friendly kind of event. The canoeing was not hard, and they helped us every step. I would have liked to go even farther and have it be more challenging, but for the group we had it was great.
2. Big Bend National Park
Overall Ratings
5 based on 825 reviews
Reviewed By Susan05821 - Barnet, Vermont
Big Bend is one of the lesser known of the National Parks, but it is far from a lesser experience. It is huge and diverse. It encompasses the green and soaring canyons along the Rio Grande, dramatic volcanic peaks, sweeping ranch lands, vast desert-like fossil fields that are remnants of an inland sea, and all of the accompanying flora and fauna. It has a little bit of everything for everyone from the diehard backcountry hiker and camper to the individual who is more comfortable seeing everything from a car. The roads are well-maintained and on the days we went in late March, relatively empty. Ours was often the only car to be seen for miles. It might be possible to see much of the park in one very long day of driving to the three-four main sites, but that would not do it justice. Plan to spend at least three days even if traveling by car; longer if you want to hike or truly experience the diverse ecosystems. (Or if you stop at every overlook or pull-off to read every sign and historic marker as I do). There are unique sights around every bend, each stunning in its own way. Some are extremely poignant...like the single grave marker on the way to the Fossil Discovery Center. We were disappointed in the lack of wildlife but did manage to see some roadrunners and one lone mountain goat. All in all, it was well worth trading the Green (and snowy) Mountains of Vermont for the dry desert peaks of West Texas.
3. Santa Elena Canyon
Overall Ratings
5 based on 495 reviews
Borders the western edge of Big Bend National Park.
Reviewed By Hi Flyer - Southeastern PA
This is a relatively short hike. It requires a bit of climbing (stairs cut into the mountain) but the views are wonderful. We did the hike at sunrise and the photos we took were gorgeous of the golden light on the canyon walls.
4. Lajitas & Big Bend Stables - Day Tours
Overall Ratings
5 based on 161 reviews
Guided Horseback Trail Rides, hourly, 1/2 day w Lunch, All Days, Overnight camping trips, Big Bend Natl' & State Park. 28+ years in operation.
Reviewed By Sandy P
Great company to work with on all fronts. The staff and guide (Janelle) are top notch. They clearly work well with all skill levels. The lunch they provided was nothing short of phenomenal, definitely not your average trail lunch. My only critique is something they can not control. Trail rides are not allowed inside the national park so they take you on the outskirts. The landscape wasn’t impressive (and minimal elevation change) so it was somewhat boring from that perspective. Again, totally out of their control, so I don’t fault them for it. I have ridden in the backcountry of Yosemite and Yellowstonw so it’s fair to say my expectations were too high. If I was to repeat the experience I would go to a ranch in the mountains by McDonald Observatory but ONLY because I’m a tree/rock/river lover. If you and your family are novice riders and want to get a flavor for what Big Bend is like, this is a very good option.
5. Big Bend River Tours
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 187 reviews
Since 1979 Big Bend River Tours outdoor outfitter has offered river trips, guided park tours, backroad tours, hiking and backpacking and now horseback combo trips as well. Come join us in the beautiful Big Bend of Texas. Open every day, 365 days a year. Come discover the magic of the Big Bend!
Reviewed By RPO129 - San Antonio, Texas
Just finished a full day raft tour with Big Bend River Tours, Doug was outstanding ! The service was outstanding! Doug was very knowledgeable of the area had great back stories and was an excellent boatsman. We would highly recommend Bug a Bend River Tours!
6. Starlight Theatre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 126 reviews
Reviewed By Cary W - Bothell, Washington
The food here is amazing. We ate here twice during our visit and everything, including dessert, was delicious! The waitstaff is also very friendly and attentive. The one pound burger is quite the feat to conquer, but is it ever good! You will not be disappointed eating here!
7. Rio Aviation Inc.
Overall Ratings
5 based on 60 reviews
Offering flightseeing adventures over Big Bend National Park, Big Bend Ranch State Park, the Reserva Santa Elena, and the Dahlquist Research site.
Reviewed By fireman158 - Texas
Marcos is a wonderful pilot and extremely knowledgeable tour guide. Having lived in the area so long, plus he is a retired Park Ranger, he can amaze you with history as you are looking down right at it. Plus he is just a very nice genuine person to meet. We felt completely at ease with his skills, preflight instructions and his safety mindedness. Our 1 1/2 hour flight was definitely time and money very well spent flying over big Bend Ranch State Park and of course Big bend Nat'l Park.
8. Hoodoos Trailhead
Overall Ratings
4 based on 19 reviews
Reviewed By chazwill - Louisiana
We stopped here for the short loop trail to give ourselves and our dog a break from the scenic drive. The trail goes up and then back down to the edge of the river. Good views of the hoodoos. If we only had time for one trail along the road, we would pick the Closed Canyon trail over this due to the shade. (This trail offers no shade.)
9. Ghost Town Texas
Overall Ratings
4 based on 132 reviews
Reviewed By Arch L
This is a great place to stop by. It's not a completely uninhabited place. It used to be a ghost town and now it's taken over by hotel, gift shop and restaurant. They have tried to maintain the old things like the broken down school, church and old shafts. It has great views of the mountains. You can get a walking tour guide from the gift shop. It takes about 10 min. Parking can get very busy.
10. Abandoned Contrabando Movie Set
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 16 reviews
Reviewed By Martha S - Gladewater, Texas
we missed this, on the way to the teepees roadside stop. i looked at map and we went back. there is a sign that says something about getting permits. there is an short iron fence, but it was not closed. you can see a small adobe building, that says restrooms( didn't try it). the only remaining building is to your left, almost blending in with the red rocks, beside it. the rio grande is in front of it. it was fun to see it and look in- you can't go in, but door is not there. the bar is the only thing left, inside.
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