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    Camp Elena

    5.0 (1 review)
    Open Open 24 hours

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    4 months ago

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    Basecamp Terlingua - Deluxe bubble. (It's two bubbles technically but they are connected & there is no way to separate y'all if you go in a group of 4)

    Basecamp Terlingua

    3.9(49 reviews)
    0.9 mi

    Had such a cool experience at staying at one of these bubbles! Was the perfect escape while I was…read moreon my Big Bend trip. Was able to easily find the location because of the instructions sent prior - you are pretty out there! I enjoyed the privacy of my bubble/section but enjoyed being part of the larger set of bubbles and having access to the main pool. Loved the hot tub, made for a relaxing time. The inside of the bubble had everything I need with the coffee maker and fridge, and the wifi was strong. Great, unique experience would love to return!

    Booked one of the bubbles, and less than a week before our reservation, it was canceled because of…read morewinds having damaged the bubble we had a reservation for, and they didn't have any alternative accommodations that weekend. It's not like this was the result of some historic storm event, just the kind of moderate winds that some should expect to experience almost every year out in the west Texas desert. So getting people to commit to these fragile accommodations months in advance without actually being able to provide the service isn't a good business model, and I don't recommend people booking this place when you'll risk finding you have no place to stay for your trip to Big Bend where there aren't any alternative accommodations you can book on the short notice that Basecamp gives you to tell you they canceled your reservation.

    Photos
    Basecamp Terlingua
    Basecamp Terlingua - Main Bubble Room

    Main Bubble Room

    Basecamp Terlingua - Bedroom Bubble

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    Bedroom Bubble

    Big Bend National Park - Big Bend Welcoming

    Big Bend National Park

    4.7(155 reviews)
    24.9 mi

    My husband and I made a trip out to Big Bend National Park before the Texas summer heat.....but it…read morewas unfortunately unseasonably hot this year. The dessert was beautiful and the park as a whole was very well taken care of! Old Mine Trail: Since we went around "Spring Break", the parking lot was very busy and spaces were limited. I would recommend downloading the "All Trails" app to gauge how busy the trails are. By 7:30, all the spots in the small parking lot were already taken. The trail itself was very well managed. Although the parking lot was busy, the trail was not bad! We were pretty spaced out between hikers! Take lots of water and snacks! The views up top are spectacular. Star Gazing: We were at Sotol Vista (for panoramic stars). The stars were especially beautiful inside the park because there was no light pollution (aside from the headlights from passing cars down below us).

    I once hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and spent a few nights camping down there. While…read moredown there, an elderly man easily every bit of 70 years old asked me if it was my 1st time down at the bottom. I told him that it was and asked him if it was his 1st time. He chuckled and said, "No this is my Sanctuary". After my 3rd visit to Big Bend in 12 years, I think Big Bend may be my sanctuary. Big Bend is in the middle of nowhere. You do not just stumble upon Big Bend; it is a planned destination. You won't find a Gatlinburg like town next to it or an exit sign off the interstate saying 8 miles from here. It's miles from anything. The type of place you don't pass a gas station, and you carry a case of water in the vehicle. We have hiked various trails before and canoed Santa Elena Canyon, but I will focus on the trails we hiked this visit. Note: I have only done day hiking here, so no Insite in this review about backpacking although I would love to at some point. We started off at the visitor's center at Panther Junction as everyone should do in my opinion. Rangers can give you up to the minute updates like telling us the Hot Springs road was still closed because of a flood this past July (2025). She said we could still hike it but it would add an additional 4 miles (2 each way) to our trip. Good Insite. Our 1st hike was a short one in Boquillas Canyon. It was a short 1.4-mile round trip up a small cliff and back down to the Rio Grande river. It was an extremely easy hike that anyone who can walk can do. we then did a forementioned Hot Springs hike. This is a very cool spot with old, abandoned buildings from a time when the area was a resort. There is still a hot spring alongside the river that had people soaking as we walked past. The only downfall of the area was it still hadn't been repaired since the flood, so picnic tables were under sand, and I don't want to tell you what the bathroom looked like. The next day we did the Window Trail and it's a 5.6 miles hike right in the middle of the Chisos Basin. This one was I guess I would call moderate, but I am also an overweight old fart. It's really not bad except if it's hot out because you will be in the direct sun and the small number of switchbacks on your return trip. Other than that, the views are gorgeous. Just don't slide off the rocks at the "window", it's a long way down. The last hike we did was the Grapevine Hill's Trail aka The Balanced Rock. This one is a little more challenging to get to as you have to drive miles down a dirt road that is a little rocky. You don't need a 4-wheel drive, just don't be a speed demon. The hike itself is short, 2.2 miles each way and 95 percent of it is easy. The last little bit is a rock scramble up to see the balanced rock. It is worth it. Amazing views. We had the whole area to ourselves for most of the hike but saw lots of people on the way back so go early. Big Bend is amazing but requires some planning. Don't wing it. Bring lots of water and be smart. Cell service is limited but a lot better than 13 years ago.

    Photos
    Big Bend National Park
    Big Bend National Park - Octillo blossom

    Octillo blossom

    Big Bend National Park - Ernst Tinaja | Instagram: @telephonesmoothie

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    Ernst Tinaja | Instagram: @telephonesmoothie

    Venga

    Venga

    4.1(109 reviews)
    1.0 mi
    $$

    Although I was only in the area for 4 days, Venga became a morning ritual. Sunrise, coffee and…read morebreakfast at Venga, run my day, sleep and repeat. The coffee is fine, speciality but pretty simple, and the food works, but I'm confident this spot is so popular for their other offering. The aesthetic pet friendly patio, spacious interior, variety of plants, and purchasable local artwork set it apart for anything and everything you'll find in the area. In fact, if you have a couple minutes to spare, it's worth stopping in, grabbing a drink, and treating the spot like a museum/local store. From tshirts, to hiking gear, to small local products, cacti and more, there's a little something for everyone, Protip: visit them at sunrise for an unrivaled majestic experience. :)

    What a fun little spot!…read more Celebrated my wife's birthday with some glamping nearby and hit this joint on our way out of town. It's a fun mix of art studio meets gift shop meets outdoor store meets coffee shop meets restaurant. The vibe was something that would totally work even in the biggest city. My wife opted for the avocado toast, which was huge and piled high with all the goodness you'd expect. I opted for the breakfast burrito. The food was great, the salsa served with the burrito was so flavorful and not overly spicy. The food was maybe a little too expensive, but we're in the middle of nowhere, so I get it. Cannot complain one iota about the food or vibe. Some of y'all will probably roll your eyes for the reason for my one missing star. They don't have an espresso machine. I mean, call me a big city guy, but when I see a place advertising COFFEE, I assume they run the gamut: lattes, espressos, etc. Nope, this joint just offers black coffee, which disappointed my fru fru coffee drinking wife. Had to stop in Alpine for her fix. I'd be interested to know why they don't sell espresso drinks because I think they'd sell ... Overall: definitely worth a visit.

    Photos
    Venga - Willie!

    Willie!

    Venga - Breakfast burrito

    Breakfast burrito

    Venga - Outside

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    Outside

    El Dorado Hotel - View of the outdoor patio of the High Sierra Bar and Grill from our balcony.

    El Dorado Hotel

    3.2(61 reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $$

    Stole my money! Made Reservations as soon as it went through dates changed. I called immediately…read more Lady said she would fix it no problem. Fifth person that called that week same thing happened. All I wanted was for them to fix it or refund my money. No one would return my call. No one would even answer the phones. Found out that lady quit. I mean if that's how they run a business does not surprise me!!! If you work hard and like your money stay away.

    TERRIBLE! Before booking make sure to read the other reviews and look elsewhere to stay. We had…read moreroom 16 which thankfully was on the second floor. It reminded me of some of the poorly maintained Brooklyn AirBnBs that I've stayed in. Owner repaired DIY property and done very poorly. I do understand Terlingua is in the middle of nowhere but there are standards. The good: It's super close to Big Bend and there is a small deck patio for room 16. The cafe on site was decent and the food was surprisingly good. A lot of items on the menu were not available due to the Spring Break crazyness which was consistent everywhere. SHOUTOUT TO KYLE WHO IS ONE OF THE WAITERS. KYLE IS THE BEST THING TO EVER HAPPEN TO THE EL DORADO HOTEL AND SHOULD BE PUT IN CHARGE. I added one star for his awesomeness. The bad: Everything.... Upon arrival the girl in charge checked us in and was nice. However she kept doing to opposite of what she said she would do or per our requests. Example: Can we get two bath towels? Result: Two blankets delivered. The room has a large Jacuzzi tub that was out of order. Dirty and tiles all around the tub had either fallen off and placed in the tub or were about to fall off. Thankfully the shower worked and the knob to turn the water on had been replaced with a golf ball. No lie. The tile floor had broken tiles all over the room. My son cut is foot on one on day two. There were so many that the owners simply put an area rug over to cover part of the problem. For reference, the tile installed on the floor is wall tile and not floor tile so no surprise it broke. The vanity sink was interesting and was on a raised platform. It creaked with each step and felt like it was going to give way at any moment. One afternoon, the WATER randomly TURNED OFF. Girl in charge had no idea and it took an hour to get it back on. Apparently it was being worked on but they just didn't bother to tell anyone. Let's not forget that the bathroom has a double shower curtain for a door. I hope your family and or friends are okay with listening to you go to the bathroom. In short, this place could be really cool but the owners lack of effort in keeping the place in at least a Motel 6 level of quality just kills it. Owner suggestion: Demo the jacuzzi tub and wall off the shower and toilet. Paint and replace floor with vinyl LVT.

    Photos
    El Dorado Hotel - Bed to the left, huge bathroom to the right

    Bed to the left, huge bathroom to the right

    El Dorado Hotel - Couldn't open the window because of the ripped screen

    Couldn't open the window because of the ripped screen

    El Dorado Hotel - Entrance to High Sierra Bar and Grill

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    Entrance to High Sierra Bar and Grill

    Big Bend Station - Station Exterior

    Big Bend Station

    2.4(80 reviews)
    5.1 mi
    $$

    It's not the cleanest of places but it's not too bad, and it's close to everything in the area…read morethat's worth seeing so that's nice. While we were on our visit the restaurant that's on site was closed but I'm assuming that was a temporary thing. Honestly, I find myself somewhere in between a good review and a bad review. I can't really compare to anything because I haven't stayed at any other accommodations in the area. It'll probably suit your needs if you're not too picky. one nice thing I can't point out is if it's the needs for everyone a motel if you like sleeping indoors in RV site if you have one and it primitive Campground all at the same location

    We recently stayed here in a lodge room for a couple of nights while visiting Big Bend National…read morePark. It was OK. That's it. Nothing great and . . . we felt it was WAY over priced for what you get. There are other options in the area that are much nicer and similarly priced if you can reserve those. Do your research, look around and plan ahead. Thankfully we had a room with two queen beds -- which were comfortable -- and we used both because the top sheets were twin size and didn't even cover the entire top of the mattress. It was clean . . . as much as possible in such a dusty, dry climate. These units have supposedly been recently refurbished, but they need to pay a bit more attention to details (like the sheets) if charging this much. A rug or two to wipe dust from our feet before entering would have been helpful. The sink was new and nice, but the toilet was tiny, low to the floor and old with a big water tank and it flushed really sloowww. No excuse for that these days. Get nicer, more efficient toilets! People available to help or answer questions were scarce and food options not very forthcoming. There are a few places to go for dinner and/or coffee (4-6 miles away), but not a lot of options. Just know that this is a pretty bare bones facility in a pretty bare bones west Texas town . . . Bottom line, if you can't find anything else and don't mind 'semi' roughing it for a few days, you'll be fine. On the other hand, if you expect more for your $275/night, then you're probably not going to like this place.

    Photos
    Big Bend Station - Art Fairs, BBQs, and Weekend Fiestas are often scheduled for our Party Barn. Schedule your next occasion.

    Art Fairs, BBQs, and Weekend Fiestas are often scheduled for our Party Barn. Schedule your next occasion.

    Big Bend Station - Station Room

    Station Room

    Big Bend Station - Scenic Big Bend

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    Scenic Big Bend

    Maverick RV Park - Enjoying the evening

    Maverick RV Park

    4.5(28 reviews)
    10.4 mi

    Outstanding RV Stay in West Texas - Maverick Ranch RV Park, Lajitas…read more Texans are known for their hospitality, and the staff at The Maverick Ranch RV Park in Lajitas, TX absolutely lived up to that reputation. Friendly, polite, and helpful, they made check-in and check-out quick and informative--handing out maps with local highlights and always being available if needed. The park itself is well-equipped: * Full hookups * Spacious, pull-through RV sites * Clean bathrooms with showers * Laundry facilities * Heated pool * Paved roads and level pads for easy setup The bathrooms were consistently clean and always available--huge plus. The lodge is a real highlight. Think "Texas-sized" with multiple leather couches, a poker table, dining space, and a full kitchen. It connects to a large laundry room with plenty of machines and seating--making laundry day feel like less of a chore. Connectivity was surprisingly solid given the remote location near the Mexico border. While our hotspot struggled to get even two bars, the park's Wi-Fi came through just fine. A few tips for travelers: * There's no ice machine or propane refill on-site, but the nearby market carries both. * STOCK UP in Alpine before heading down--gas, propane, drinks, and food are all pricier here. * Most RV sites include picnic tables and fire pits. Bring your own firewood unless you want to pay $10.99 per bundle. * There's no shade, so make sure your AC and awning are ready to go to war with the sun. Exploring the area: * Lajitas is about 20 miles from Big Bend National Park--the main reason most people come. * Don't miss Terlingua Ghost Town (~15 miles away) for a fun local vibe. The Boathouse offers cheap beer, live music, and friendly locals. Nearby, High Sierra Bar & Grill has great food and seriously good chili. * For stunning scenery, drive the 50-mile stretch to Presidio--incredible views and the cheapest gas in the region. Nighttime Pro Tips: It gets pitch black out here. The park has well-marked, smooth roads with reflectors, but bring a soft flashlight and use low beams when arriving after dark. They have a no-outdoor-light policy after 9 PM--great for stargazing, so respect it and enjoy the night sky. Final Thoughts: The Maverick Ranch RV Park delivers excellent value, especially given its remote location. Yes, prices are a bit higher due to that, but the amenities, atmosphere, and proximity to Big Bend make it more than worth it. After a long day hiking or exploring, a refreshing dip in the pool is the cherry on top.

    We stayed here four nights for Spring Break. We enjoyed the site, it was clean and quiet. The kids…read moreloved the heated pool. Everything we needed was here. The laundry facilities were fine...I just wish they had coin machines as the office was closed so I had to drive to the hotel and buy rolls from the front desk. Wi-Fi was mostly good. A little spotty. Cell service was 1 bar, but it worked. It was nice that we could charge stuff back to our "room." It was a great stay! Thank you.

    Photos
    Maverick RV Park - View from our site

    View from our site

    Maverick RV Park - Rv site

    Rv site

    Maverick RV Park

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    Camp Elena - vacation_rentals - Updated May 2026

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