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Hotel Review: Ten Bits Ranch in Terlingua, Texas (Near Big Bend National Park!)

ByErin Burke Published on
Dusty road with desert plants leading to a cluster of low, old west style buildings. Behind the buildings are the rising red rocks of desert hills and rock formations.

When we were choosing where to stay for our trip to Big Bend National Park, we knew we wanted to stay somewhere unique. The closest spot outside the park most people stay is the nearby small town of Terlingua, where accommodations are all vacation rentals or small hotels.

We eventually landed on Ten Bits Ranch because it is such a unique spot made to look like an Old West ghost town. And since we were in West Texas, we figured we might as well embrace the full experience!

Ten Bits Ranch is a small hotel with rooms houses in separate buildings that make up the Old West town. It’s a beautiful spot with some of the best desert views! And it’s a perfect spot for relaxing!

However, it is a bit “off the grid” so you’ll want to make sure it’s the right spot for your family before making your reservation.

Small buildings meant to look like an Old West Town: One adobe buildings that says "Jail" above it. One building of stone and wood and a tin roof. Raised wooden boardwalk porch that runs in front of each of them.

Getting to Ten Bits Ranch

While technically Ten Bits Ranch is in Terlingua, it is actually about 30 minutes (17 miles) north of the town.

If you’re traveling into Big Bend, your total driving time to get to the entrance to the National Park will be about 25 minutes.

The most important thing to know about getting to Ten Bits Ranch though is that it truly is VERY secluded. And getting there involves a trek down a very bouncy dirt road.

To get to Ten Bits Ranch, you’ll turn off of TX-118 onto N County Road. Take this road SLOW because it will jostle you around! The total distance is 2.5 miles, but it actually takes about 7-10 minutes to get to the entrance of the hotel after you turn.

First Impressions & Check-In

When you first get to Ten Bits Ranch, you can generally pull up closer to your building to unload your luggage. However, after unloading you will need to go park your car in the parking lot at the entrance of the property. (It’s all very nearby though and not a far walk at all.)

We received our check-in instructions over email before our arrival along with lots of tips about our stay. This made the check-in process super easy, as we just had to unload our luggage, tap in the code on the door, and we were in!

If you can, I definitely recommend arriving here when it’s still light outside. Besides the fact that it gets VERY dark here, it has a big WOW factor when you first see the views.

After we had unloaded our luggage, I spent so much time just sitting on the porch admiring the view. And the sunset was absolutely spectacular!

Desert sunset with beautiful orange colors. Desert plants scatter the ground in front of you, and the edge of one of the hotel buildings can be seen.
Ten Bits Ranch Sunset

Accommodations

So let’s talk about the accommodations!

We stayed in the Bank Building, which is one of the older buildings on the Ranch. We had two king beds, a private bath, heat and A/C, a gas fireplace, and a TV.

Small adobe building with a covered porch in the middle of the desert. In the background are desert hills and there are lots of scrubby desert bushes in the yard.
Bank Building at Ten Bits Ranch

All the rooms are different though! Some have just one kind bed, some have additional kitchen amenities, and the Bathhouse room even has a private indoor plunge pool!

Find More Rooms Here!

Overall I thought the beds were really comfortable, and the views were amazing. And while the space was generally clean, because we were in one of the older buildings it did feel like it was due for a deep clean.

I also thought the space we were in could have used some updates. The newer buildings have a much more modern and sleek look though, while still fitting with the Old Western vibes.

Hotel room. There are two king beds in the L-shape layout of the room. In the "empty" space of the L, is the bathroom (you can see the toilet and a shelf with some bottled water). The room has a wood floor and a rug in the center.
Our room in the Bank Building.

Note: Big Bend Ranch is an “off-grid” property. While there is WiFi, they provide their own energy with solar panels. This means that turning off fans and lights and keeping the air set to certain temperatures is crucial for allowing them to provide the needed energy to everyone there!

Amenities & Property Features

In addition to the buildings that house the different hotel rooms, there is a communal kitchen (the Cantina) that guests can use. It also has a self-serve continental breakfast in the mornings. (We didn’t eat here though because we were always out the door too early in the morning!).

You are welcome to cook your own dinners in the Cantina, and they provide cooking equipment and dishes and utensils for the guests to use.

Dining room with wooden tables and chairs and a gas fireplace in an adobe style. Through the pass-through, you can see into the kitchen with cabinets. On the bar counter are disposable dishes and utensils for guests to use.
Communal Cantina at Ten Bits Ranch

One super important note: There is no potable water at Ten Bits! They provide you with lots of water bottles, and there is water in the kitchen. But you will need to make sure you bring LOTS of water with you!

There is also a firepit in the central area of the Ranch. It’s prefect for gathering around at night and stargazing!

And while visiting Big Bend National Park and Big Bend State Park are why most people are here, there are things you can do on the property.

Across from the entrance to Ten Bits, there is a hike to an Apache Cave where you can get a bird’s-eye view of Ten Bits Ranch. We didn’t get a chance to do this hike, but it’s a super popular one with the guests. Hiking to the nearby Chimney Rock is also a popular spot.

They also allow guests to bring their own horses (for a $25 fee) to explore the 550 acres of Ten Bits Ranch!

Rocky spires and desert hills near Ten Bits
Outdoor areas near Ten Bits Ranch

Dining While Staying at Ten Bits Ranch

Because Ten Bits Ranch is pretty removed from almost everything else, you’ll want to plan your meals ahead of time.

As I mentioned, guests can use the Cantina to cook their own meals in a full kitchen. There is also a continental breakfast set out for guests in the morning.

If you want to go out to eat, nearby Terlingua is where you’ll find dining options. We had some fantastic food there! Our favorites were The Starlight Theatre, Taqueria El Milagro, and DB’s Rustic Iron BBQ.

Our Pros & Cons of Ten Bits Ranch

Ten Bits Ranch is a unique stay near Big Bend and we had a great time there, but that doesn’t mean it’s going to be right for everyone. So here are the pros and cons of staying here.

Pros of Ten Bits Ranch

  • Incredible surroundings with beautiful desert views
  • Fun Old West town theming
  • Super dark night sky – we could see the Milky Way!
  • Small, secluded resort that feels so peaceful and relaxing
  • Comfortable rooms with plenty of space + budget friendly

Cons of Ten Bits Ranch

  • Water from sinks and showers in non-potable (meaning you can’t drink it!)
  • Some of the older rooms could use a bit of love
  • Somewhat longer drive to Terlingua than other rental options
  • Bumpy dirt road to get to the property
Wide desert space with a smaller new adobe building. There are rocking chairs on the porch and in the yard area there is a small firepit with four brown Adirondack chairs
Some of the newer buildings at Ten Bits Ranch.

Tips for Your Ten Bits Ranch Stay

Planning to stay at Ten Bits? Here are a few tips to make your stay smoother.

  • Bring LOTS of water. I recommend stopping at a big box store (like Wal-Mart or Target) before you drive in and stocking up on gallons of water. Not only is the water at Ten Bits non-potable, but in this desert climate you need to drink more than you normally do.
  • Pack flashlights and extra batteries. It gets DARK here at night!
  • Bring sun protection. The desert sun is no joke, so make sure you have sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, etc.
  • Bring firewood. If you want to build a fire in the fire circle bring your own firewood. There is firewood available to purchase in Terlingua, but it may be more expensive than what you can get before you come into town.
  • There is WiFi but it is slow. You will be able to do basic things like access email, but don’t expect to stream movies or shows. If you’ll want to watch something while you’re there, download it ahead of time.
  • Bring conditioner for your hair. While there was shampoo and soap in our bathroom, there was no conditioner in our shower.

Ready to stay at Ten Bits Ranch? Book your stay here!

STay at ten Bits Ranch!

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Erin Burke is a travel writer and the founder of Flying Off the Bookshelf. She has been blogging for over 14 years, has visited countries and cities all over the world, and loves to share detailed-itineraries and travel tips to help readers have the best travel experiences possible. She lives in Huntsville, Alabama, is a Visit North Alabama Ambassador, and her features include NPR, MSN, Modern Mrs. Darcy, and more.