Terlingua, TX & BBNP

Travel

Jun 27

Morning:

Drive: We started our your journey from San Antonio, Texas, and head to Terlingua, Texas (~6 hours).
Lodging: Checked into the Lotus tents at Basecamp Terlingua. These tents strike a great balance between camping and glamping—clean restrooms and showers are just a short walk away. If you prefer more comfort, their Ocotillo Suite is also a fantastic option.

Tip: We visited midweek and had the campsite to ourselves for two days. It was peaceful but a bit eerie until other campers arrived!

Afternoon:

Lunch: Met friends at Taqueria el Milagro (210 Ivey Rd). Be sure to check their hours since they’re closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Evening:

Provisions: We stopped by Cottonwood General Store (53710 TX-118) to stock up on snacks and supplies.
Relax: Enjoyed a classic camping evening—made s’mores and watched the sunset at our campsite.

Morning:

Breakfast: Grabbed coffee and a bite at Venga (45 Kempf Rd), just 5 minutes from our campsite.
BBNP Bound: Drove to Big Bend National Park (~45 minutes). If you have a National Park Annual Pass, entry is easy. Otherwise, you can pay at the gate.
Stop: Checked out Lower Burro Mesa Pour-off —a peaceful trail where you can take great photos. We had the trail to ourselves at 10 AM.

Afternoon:

Hike: Headed to Santa Elena Canyon for one of the best hikes in BBNP. The trail is 1.6 miles with a 219 ft elevation gain, taking about 40 minutes. Not much shade, so pack a hat and sunscreen!

Pro Tip: If it’s hot, consider cooling off in the water on your way back.

Evening:

Morning:

Breakfast: Had breakfast again at Venga.
Hike: Drove 45 minutes to Lost Mine Trail (4.8 miles, 1,131 ft elevation gain). Started early (~7:30 AM) to snag parking. The hike takes around 3 hours, so bring snacks and plenty of water. My Arete 18 Camelback Hydration Pack from REI was perfect for this hike—lightweight but big enough for essentials.

Afternoon:

Relax: We made our way to the Big Bend Hot Springs Trail (1.2 miles loop) to soak in the hot springs and cool off in the Rio Grande. Water shoes (like Tevas or Chacos) are recommended! This was one of the highlights of our trip!

Evening:

Dinner: We ended the day with dinner at the Starlight Theatre (631 Ivey Rd). It’s a popular spot, so arrive early to join the waitlist. While waiting, you can enjoy drinks, appetizers, and check out the nearby shop.

Morning:

Breakfast: Another quick stop at Venga to fuel up for the day.
Hike: We drove to Balanced Rock via Grapevine Hills Trail (1.9 miles out and back). The trail is easy, with cool rock formations along the way.

Afternoon:

Explore: On our way out of the park, we ended up stopping by the Fossil Discovery Exhibit —an outdoor display with great views and a fascinating glimpse into Big Bend’s ancient history.
Refresh: Before heading home, we stopped at V6 Coffee Bar in Marathon for smoothies and coffee. Then we drove back to San Antonio!