United States
Texas (TX)
Big Bend National Park
Things to Do in Big Bend National Park
Terlingua
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Terlingua

See all things to do
See all things to do
Terlingua
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Town which was abandoned after the mercury deposits were depleted.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.0
263 reviews
Excellent
119
Very good
72
Average
43
Poor
21
Terrible
8
Darren B
Courtland, VA523 contributions
Not worth seeing
Jan 2021 • Couples
Not much here to see or get excited about.
After you've been thru Big Bend Park the "Ghost Town" is a "Let Down".
Stay in the park and spend more time at beautiful spots like Santa Elena Canyon on the Rio Grande.
Safe travels.
Written January 13, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Florida to Canada
Edisto Island, SC39 contributions
Provisioning Outpost!
May 2022 • Friends
We visited the town on a trip to Big Bend National Park. It was a small town, but so interesting. There are several restaurants, a grocery story, gift shop, liquor store and well provisioned gas station. The people were super friendly and we left wondering how they survive in the heat of summer. The history of the area was fascinating! We saw a road runner, lots of birds and rabbits near the Starlight restaurant. If traveling to Big Bend, you will most everything you need in this small town!
Written May 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Texgal2017
San Angelo, TX103 contributions
Not what expected
Mar 2021
Historically interesting-take the time to get a pamphlet from the general store and do the self guided tour. Hard to believe population was once over 2000 compared to about 80 now. A walk around the cemetery is interesting. As for Terlingua it might have been fun if I were a drinker to sit on the porch and have a beer.
Written March 31, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Linda Y
Frisco, TX5,665 contributions
North of the border, South of America
Apr 2021
I know what the map says, but I am still not sure where I was. Sort of like in a dream, lost in time, lost in space. If you are looking for something totally different, off-beat with an old-west/hippie feel, Terlingua Ghost Town is for you. You will either love it or hate it. Terlingua is a convenient location for exploring Big Bend Ranch State Park and the western portion of Big Bend National Park. Our group stayed two nights in the restored Perry Mansion. I was afraid it might be like Hotel California where “you can check-out any time you like but you can never leave”. We made it out! No ghosts in the cemetery (that we saw).
Written April 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Grover R
Pensacola, FL18,030 contributions
A Repurposed Ghost Town with Cool Cemetery
Mar 2021
Terlingua is both a viable functioning community and a ghost town at the same time. It is a ghost town because once in its history is was bigger than currently today and has abandon buildings from its time as a mining town. However, many of those structures have been converted to restaurants, hotels and other service venues to care for the tourist that now come to see Big Bend National Park. So much of what is called a ghost town is simply reconverted buildings. The one thing that does speak to the mining past glory days is an old cemetery that as one has said perfect for pictures. I visited the cemetery alone after our hike in the Chisos. It was interesting to read about the old community and cemetery. However, it was better to do what so many others had done to just walk through and take pictures. The combination of an old cemetery with desert views of the Chisos and other Big Bend favorites make it great for pictures. However, Terlingua is still very vibrant as we stayed here at the El Dorado and ate at High Sierra Grill.
Written April 4, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Deb M
120 contributions
Ghost town and livable town all at the same time
Jul 2021 • Family
It’s a ghost town and a current town in one. There are places to eat, places to stay and things to do (mostly Big Bend NP). All of these things interspersed among ruins of an old quicksilver (Mercury) mining town from the early 20th century. The ruins are not labeled, but are pretty cool.

The road to Terlingua is very quiet, at least in July. You will pass more border patrol vehicles and stops than any other passenger car. It really does feel like you hit the end of the world.
Written July 29, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lauren A
Austin, TX7 contributions
Not really a ghost town
Apr 2023
I love hiking Big Bend National Park, and normally stay in Marathon or Marfa on the way down. This was my first time in Terlingua and I can't say I'd come back. It's an old mining town, and mining is still going on between Alpine and Terlingua. There are a lot of tourist trap type attractions and it's much bigger than a ghost town. It's not walkable. Roads to Airbnbs aren't paved and the restaurants and bars are not worth going to. If you're looking for nature or relaxation, this ain't it.
Written April 3, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gran7
Crossett1,621 contributions
Great Gateway to Big Bend
Feb 2020 • Couples
Charm and history and outdoor activities fill Terlingua. Good restaurants and saloons add to the unique sounds of this Southwest Texas town. Small but big in character and atmosphere. Lots to see and do before or after your visit to Big Bend. For the outdoors adventurer there are opportunities for hiking and rafting.
Written April 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rick Kretschmann
New Braunfels, TX49 contributions
Not worth the drive
Aug 2020 • Family
I suppose our little family does what everyone else does and takes a trip to the Big Bend-Over (it was essentially closed) and also putzes about these little 'must -see' towns along the way. There is nearly nothing to do in the town except look at some old shut down mercury mines. The river is super muddy and kind of fast so it is not suitable for small children to swim in. The saving grace was the La Jajitas golf resort. We stayed there and it was a great stay with a really great restaurant. If you golf it may be worth checking out the golf packages but my 3 year old twins don't golf, yet.
Written August 31, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Susanne S.
San Antonio, TX17 contributions
COWBOY LIVIN
Apr 2022 • Friends
Texas style wild wild west for sure. I stayed in a Bed & Breakfast that ran off a generator and had no indoor plumbing and I must say I had the time of my life. I go there often and leave feeling like Belle Starr every time
Written April 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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