Running a vacation home in the remote desert environment of Terlingua, Texas isn’t an easy task, but we are working very hard to offer you a unique vacation opportunity. Following are excerpts from emails and our guest book for our first seven years of operation, October 1, 2003 through December 31, 2010. Special thanks to the Young’s, our first guests, for providing the guest book.

December 2010
What a great return to Big Bend area and Terlingua House! We repeated a few favorite items and tried some new ones, Grapevine Hills was the favorite.

December 2010
We absolutely loved it here! We’ll be back for sure!! We’ve been to Big Bend 10+ times………This is our Heaven!............Thanks for becoming a new part of our Big Bend Adventure!!

October 2010
Four adults, three kids stayed here for 4-5 days. It was wonderful. We love the layout of the property.

September 2010
Most of all we would like to say thank you to the keepers of Terlingua House. You have made it possible to bring hearts and souls to the desert and kindle a oneness with the beauty that surrounds as far as the eye can see. An experience that will last a life time!

January 2010
The house was very comfortable ……….We appreciate how well equipped the house is.

October 2009
This was a perfect place to stay for 3 couples who have known each other for over 30 years! Everyday brought new adventures in the park, rivers and hiking trails. Our goodbye gift was the most beautiful sunrise over the purple Chisos Mountains. Hopefully we will return to this friendly comfortable adobe.

August 2009
Love the house, it was perfect for getting ready for a wedding.

August 2009
Terlingua House Rules!

July 2009
The home exceeded our expectations! We truly enjoyed the landscape and wildlife.

March 2009
6 guys had a great time for a bachelor party. Everything was amazing. Sorry for the stench, it must be the water…………..

May 2009
We thoroughly enjoyed Terlingua House. The unique way it is set up was enjoyable.

April 2009
I’ve spent a great deal of time in this area over the years but this was by far the best, and most memorable trip of them all. We came out here to bring my dad, who we love so much, home for good. He loved it out here and this is where he wanted to be. He will forever live in this desert and we will be back to visit him. Then, now, and forever he will always live through us, and through this desert his legacy will never be forgotten nor will this place that we have called home for these few days. It has all been truly inspirational and blessed and we will all never forget this house.

April 2009
The layout of the house was perfect and so much nicer than a motel or hotel

April 2009
Just got here from England with Mom and Dad. Me, Joel and Sophie, went mental. Chose our rooms, I got a double bed all to me! Can’t wait for tomorrow.

January 2009
Had a great time! The stars are awesome! The park is beautiful! Staying here was a real joy!!

October 2008
Would definitely recommend this place to others and return myself

October 2008
These Angels of Grace have helped to “lead” me home, spiritually and emotionally during this brief time as we made our home at Terlingua House.

August 2008
This is our second trip to Big Bend. Terlingua House made all the difference and much more pleasant stay than our last trip.

August 2008
Thank you so much for sharing your house, this has been our best family vacation ever.

July 2008
Love the house.

July 2008
The house was perfect for our family

May 2008
What a great house. You have put together one of the best Texas experiences there is. Well Done! - General Maxwell Stearns

April 2008
If one opens a sufficient number of mussels one just may find a pearl. Well, we found our pearl in Terlingua House.  Just awesome!

April 2008
The style and sophistication of these accommodations are a delightful surprise. It was perfectly scaled for our three couples and thoroughly enjoyed. We will happily recommend Terlingua House to any group headed out this way. Beautiful sunrises and evening stars.

April 2008
Lovely place, delightful space.

March 2008
This place is amazing, the stars are incredible. I will come back someday.

March 2008
We had a wonderful stay we found the accommodations, clean, roomy, and very convenient to Big Bend.

February 2008
We loved the House! Two of us just wanted to move right in. Comfortable, clean, fully supplied, beautiful. Thanks!

December 2007
Enjoyed our brief stay in your unique vacation home.

December 2007
Terlingua House holds lots of special memories of our first family vacation. Thank you!

October 2007
We brought our family with us and the Terlingua House was a perfect fit! A fun design and well stocked. Everything made our time here most memorable. Spacious rooms were a nice treat too. Beautiful night skies, gorgeous sunrises. Everything exceeded our expectations. Thanks for a great setting, we will be back.

October 2007
Just Married! We have arrived in style, as always, this evening to find our perfect getaway. I know memories will be made here, the place seems to exude it. We have plans to relax under the pretense of unavailability which seems most possible here.

September 2007
We drove in after dark, so you can imagine our amazement at the view when we woke up the next morning! This was our first trip to Big Bend and we love it! The Terlingua House has been wonderful and conveniently located between all activities we have done. Far Flung Outdoor Center are amazing and hospitable tour guides. Our ATV and river trips were awesome and educational too! We have had such a great time and can’t wait to bring our families back. Terlingua House and Big bend have FAR exceeded our expectations! Thanks so much!

September 2007
The moon was so bright I needed no light to roam outside for star and moon photos. Saturn was brilliant in the East. ………………Missed sunrise, the bed was so comfortable.

July 2007
Terlingua House perfect location for exploring all the parks round about.

July 2007
Terlingua House was an excellent base camp for all our adventures. Viva Terlingua!

July 2007
Terlingua House provided us with all the comforts of “home away from home”.

June 2007
WOW! What a beautiful and peaceful place. Had a great time.

May 2007
We couldn’t believe what an awesome place the Terlingua House is. Beautiful views all around. We will be back again. What a great time we had, don’t want to leave.

April 2007
What a find! Perfect for two families. Convenient well arranged and very well equipped.

March 2007
It was a blessing to be a guest and feel at home here at Terlingua House. Our stay has rejuvenated our hearts, minds and souls. We know there will be many future visits to this wonderful country environment. Until then take care our beloved Terlingua House.

April 2006
An oasis of shade,
A well of rest,
Like it sprang,
From the desert itself.

April 2006
A very magical place, the shooting stars, peregrine falcons, the colors changing on the Chisos.

December 2005
We had a fabulous Christmas at Terlingua House. We spotted the following birds on the property: Rock Wren, Cactus Wren, Scaled Quail, Black Throated Sparrow, White Crowned Sparrow, Pyrrhuloxia Cardinal, Golden Fronted Woodpecker, Ladder Backed Woodpecker, House Finch, Ruby Crowned Kinglet and the Common Raven.

February 2004
I just wanted to drop you a note to tell you how much we enjoyed our stay at Terlingua House. Everything was great, not one disappointment. The country was awesome, the jeep rental great and even the weather was superb.

D& K J - Oklahoma

March 2004
The area has much to capture our interest: the wildlife, geology and flora – often we would prefer to just stand and stare. We did some of the main features – the basin, the window trail and Santa Elena Canyon …. We recommend them all. However, at the end of each day - sometimes earlier, we were delighted to return “home” to Terlingua House for a nice cup of tea on the balcony at sunset, dinner, a game of scrabble and a comfortable night’s sleep. A truly relaxing, delightful place to stay.

JC – Surray, England

March 2004
Our Book Club had an absolutely great time here! We have traveled together many places during the past 10 years and this is the best place we have ever stayed! The rooms are so beautiful and had everything we needed. It was such a pleasure to sit on the (deck) and enjoy the view. We are hoping to come back with our families some day.

The Dallas Book Club – Dallas, Texas

November 2003
We took advantage of Veterans Day and brought our 7 and 9 year old boys for an adventure. It has been 10 years since we were here last . . . . Terlingua House is the best of both worlds. Outdoor beauty … coyote howls, and peaceful sleep, showers, and kitchen with all the amenities. We were surprised at how well supplied the house was.

SM – Austin, Texas

October 2003
A great time was had by all, grandparent to kids, even the weather was great! The house was very comfortable with a lot of thoughtful touches. We loved making coffee in our own rooms. You all have a nice vacation spot. We hope to visit again.

JY – Dallas, Texas

March 2004
We had a great time here and appreciated the clean, well stocked accommodations….We look forward to our next return. Thanks to the Johnson’s we have had a wonderful adventure. My son (who is 10) wanted to stay longer. The National Park is a must-see. We did have some rain that caused a waterfall in the park that has not been seen in 25 years.

DD - Lumberton, Texas

February 2004
Terlingua House is absolutely fabulous. You have thought of everything. The rooms are beautifully appointed, and everything looks like it belongs in this setting. The National Park and the Chisos Mountains are wonderful. The drive between Terlingua House and Presidio is breathtaking and worth the time spent. We enjoyed our stay. We’ll be back.

MM – Abilene, Texas

February 2004
Magnificent country! Stunning scenery! One of the most unusual places we have ever been to …. We were lucky with the weather, accommodations were outstanding. Overall- great memories!

DJ – Tulsa, Oklahoma

December 2003
What a great find! We were especially pleased with the peacefulness of the desert and the sunset from the back room … the park was fabulous and we slept well – warm and snug. Terlingua House reminds me of a micro-Austin in the 70’s it’s a real scene! . . . We hope to be back and will spread the word about your place.

CW – Austin, Texas

March 2004
Had a fine time. Covered lots of territory. Rode, hiked, ate, played cards, slept well, and everybody got along, too. A place to come back to. Probably will. The book “Rocks, River, and Thorn: The Big Bend of the Rio Grande” has been given to Terlingua House by its author/photographer Frank Armstrong.

FA and Guests - New York, Massachusetts, Texas

January 2004
This is a great place to listen, read, and feel God’s presence … Stars are very bright and weather was without rain and wildlife abundant. We enjoyed our stay and will try to return again (soon).

JB – Lincoln, Nebraska

November 2003
Your home has everything a person could want. We look forward to coming back in the spring ….

CF – New Braunfels, Texas

March 2004
We had a tremendously wonderful week here. The scenery, the town, the people were all wonderful.

SN – Long Beach, Mississippi

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