Terlingua Ranch

[gmglenn]

Any recommendations on Terlingua Ranch.  I phoned and spoke to Kathy at the Ranch and she took her time to answer my questions on her dime.  Makes me want to consider this as a place to camp.  I know it's somewhat out of the way, but this seems to be owned by locals and run for all the right reasons.  This trip will be with a couple other families beginning March 19th or so for five nights.  Thanks for any insight.....

[homerboy2u]

Why don´t you ask Daryl :?: ..he´s from Terlingua

[Daryl]

Any recommendations on Terlingua Ranch.  I phoned and spoke to Kathy at the Ranch and she took her time to answer my questions on her dime.  Makes me want to consider this as a place to camp.  I know it's somewhat out of the way, but this seems to be owned by locals and run for all the right reasons.  This trip will be with a couple other families beginning March 19th or so for five nights.  Thanks for any insight.....

Terlingua Ranch is quite scenic and is a great place to live or own land.  However, BBNP or BBRSP are far better for camping IMHO.  TR Lodge has some nice cabins, full RV hook-ups and primitive hook-ups.  There is even a pool and a cafe.  However, The lodge area also doubles as the POA headquarters and a gathering place for property owners.  IMO this fact takes away from the remoteness and serenity I'm after when camping.  Also, the land is all private, so hiking options are very limited.

My suggestion is to camp in BBNP or BBRSP.  If you decide you want to live or own land in BiBe, TR is an EXCELLENT option.  Also, if your looking to buy land here, the TR Lodge is centrally located base camp for most of TR (except the Solitario).

[MarkB]

Daryl:

I noticed on your website that you built this house on the Terlingua Ranch which looks great from the photos. Can you give us an idea of cost from start to finish and the approximate square footage? One other question. I noted that it is built at an elevated level probably to keep it cooler in the heat of the summer. Doesn't haveing elevated however with obvious access points create a problem with wildlife, snakes, etc. taking refuge there, acknowledging the benefits of also having some space between the house and the sand with reference to the same concern.  I ask because a friend of mine did something similiar (not on Terlingua Ranch) and copperheads in particular camped under her house on a regular basis and would emerge in the early mornings and evenings---and she had several outdoor cats which they obviously were not afraid of.

[gmglenn]

We're really just looking for a place to park our bodies when the sun goes down.  We'll be in BBNP and BBRSP for day hikes and thought this would be a good central location.  It seems better to me than all the way to the East side of the park at RGV.  If it weren't for the fact that one of the families is pulling a small trailer, we'd be at one of the primitive sites.  Webshots.com shows some pretty good pics of a guy next to a swimming hole at the Ranch....goes by the name of D. B Smith.  That wouldn't be Dale would it??

[Daryl]

We'll be in BBNP and BBRSP for day hikes and thought this would be a good central location.  It seems better to me than all the way to the East side of the park at RGV.

By the map is appears central.  However, to get to BBNP or BBRSP from the lodge you will have to drive through Study Butte which is about a 45 minute drive from the lodge.  If you just want a centrally located place to sleep and park a trailer, I'd suggest the Big Bend Motor Inn or one of the other RV sites in Study Butte or Terlingua.  I've never stayed at any of them, so I can't give any personal recommendations.  Maybe others on this board can.  Staying in Study Butte or Terlingua (while not very remote) has the added advantage of easy access to a number of places to eat and meet some colorful locals.  

Webshots.com shows some pretty good pics of a guy next to a swimming hole at the Ranch

If you're looking for a swimming pool, TR Lodge does have a nice one (renovated about a year ago).  Longhorn Ranch Motel (on Hwy 118 about 15 mile north of Study Butte) also has a decent pool, good views, hotel rooms, RV hook-ups and primitive camping.  They are under new management (for about a year?) and I think their prices have gone up.  But the location is Central to Alpine, BBNP and BBRSP.  I couldn’t find their website (if they even have one anymore), but here is a site with some reviews and photos.

goes by the name of D. B Smith.  That wouldn't be Dale would it??

Robert (D.B.) Smith is a local who lives in Study Butte and (like me) buys and sells land on Terlingua Ranch.  He's a truly good guy.  I was lucky enough to meet him when I was looking for land down here.  One of the local realtors showed me a number of properties the were nothing like what I told them I wanted.  I then met DB.  He listend to my description of what I wanted then showed me four separate tracts.  They were perfect and I bought three (if I'd had more cash, I'd have bought all four).  My advice to anyone looking to buy land in TR is to check with me (because I'm usually desparate and my prices are low :? ).  If I don't have what you want, call D.B. (because he has the best inventory IMO).  His prices are usually higher than mine, but he is honest (again IMO and personal experience) and very good at matching people with property that fits their needs and interests.

[Daryl]

Daryl:
I noticed on your website that you built this house on the Terlingua Ranch which looks great from the photos.

Thanks for the compliment.  The guys that bought it from me rent it out for anywhere from three night to several weeks.  It stays fairly well booked.  Here is their rental website.

Can you give us an idea of cost from start to finish and the approximate square footage?

I sold that place about a year ago for about $80K (sale price plus improvements after sale).  I think it is about 700 sq ft, plus another 160 sq feet screen porch and 160 sq ft open porch.

One other question. I noted that it is built at an elevated level probably to keep it cooler in the heat of the summer.

Elevating it (post and beam foundation) was done for several reasons.  Mostly dictated by terrain, ground conditions, and difficulty (and expense) of having a slab on grade foundation poured.  That being said, the airflow underneath does seem to help keep it cool (assuming it is insulted underneath, as this home is)

Doesn't having it elevated however with obvious access points create a problem with wildlife, snakes, etc. taking refuge there.

Yes and no.  I’ve seen a number of jack rabbits and birds enjoying the cool shade, but no dangerous or destructive critters (so far).  There was one small diamondback rattler that took refuge under the steps, but not under the house.  I captured and relocated him about a mile away.  The key is that there is no real shelter (just shade) under the house.  It provides critters with a temporary retreat from the elements but no place to call home.  Most critters, snakes in particular, tend to seek shelter in fairly tight enclosures where they can easily regulate the temp and humidity as well as defend if necessary.

[SHANEA]

It's "fun" to read the inside squabbling of Terlingua Ranch and the POA.  Signup for their "chat/messageboard" @ Yahoo groups under TRANCHO.