Summary: Ringtail Cabin: Economically Priced Solar Powered Cabin. Easy Access for All Vehicles. • Small Solar Powered Cabin with Covered Parking • Most Affordable Big Bend Vacation Rental • Easy Access for all Vehicles. Near Pavement • Evaporative Cooler Powered by Solar, No AC
The Space: MPORTANT DISCLOSURES. PLEASE READ BEFORE BOOKING: LIMITED AIR COOLING: -Cooling is provided by an evaporative cooler. Guests expecting inside summertime temps in the low 70’s or wanting to run the evaporative cooler constantly should consider a different property. We would be happy to recommend other lodging options. SOLAR-POWERED HOME: -No electronic devices other than those provided or chargers for phones and consumer electronics. -Absolutely no electric device with heating elements of any type. -If you rely on medically necessary electronics, we would be happy to recommend a different property.
Ringtail Cabin is small, but it has a full kitchen and large bathroom.
Spend less cash and burn less carbon.
Ringtail Cabin is an ideal vacation rental for budget minded visitors, anyone wanting to conserve fossil fuels, or anyone needing access for a low clearance vehicle or motorcycle.
Don't be fooled by the low price, solar panels, or easy access. This cozy cabin is very well appointed with a full kitchen and comfortable furnishings, the solar system is backed-up by a propane generator, and the nearest neighbor is over a quarter mile away.
Enjoy the mountain views, amazing sunrises, spectacular sunsets, and stunning starry skies from the Ringtail property, or drive into the nearby parks, Terlingua, or the Ghost-Town for all the adventure and entertainment that the Big Bend has to offer.
The Neighborhood: TERLINGUA RANCH: Located between Big Bend National Park and Big Bend Ranch State Park and including much of the town of Terlingua, Terlingua Ranch is a private subdivision of over 190,000 acres, divided into 9,500 tracts owned by about 5,000 individuals and crisscrossed by 1,100 miles of dirt and rock roads. Tracts range from five acres to several hundred acres. It is some of the most rugged and scenic land in Texas.
Back in the 1960’s, the Ghost Town and much of what later became “Terlingua Ranch” was owned by racing legend and car designer extraordinaire, Carol Shelby and some of his friends. The decided to promote the area by holding a chili cook-off in the then abandoned Ghost Town. That little stunt of a cook-off grew into CASI (Chili Appreciation Society International) which now hosts nearly 500 chili cook-offs around the nation and internationally, all leading up the championship cook-off every year in Terlingua. Shelby and friends later subdivided the Ranch and started selling it off to hunters and rugged naturalists. Over the decades, the area was reborn and an eclectic community of nature lovers, artists, musicians, adventurers, and folks just wanting to escape from “civilization” has grown and started to resettle this rough country.
People have come and gone. New buildings have risen while others have fallen, Dreams have been realized and others crushed. Through it all, the land remains. The harsh desert and vast openness encourages positive development and slowly swallows up and recovers from past abuses. The old cinnabar mine sites and ranching outposts persist as relics and ghost towns, some redeveloped, some carefully preserved, and others dissolving back into the desert. Abandoned dreams eventually become points of interests for those of us that stumble upon them decades later. Terlingua Ranch is a bizarre mix of old and new, good and bad, growth and decline, all completely unregulated. Modern homes with high values and stunning designs stand beside dilapidated do-it-yourself mistakes and abandoned ruins of the 1800’s and early 1900’s.
The landscape is even more varied than the people and the structures. Rugged mountains, deep canyons, wild arroyos, dry and wet creeks, peaceful valleys, breathtaking badlands, moonscape like mud flats, the remains of ancient volcanoes, and fossilized ancient seabeds. All of it nurturing a vast array of plant life and wildlife. Around every corner and over every hill lies new and unexpected surprises.
The Ranch is now home to a few hundred hardy souls. It is also dotted with a diverse array of vacation rental lodging options and campsites. Like the diverse land, they range in quality, style, value, and price. A few are amazing dream destinations. Some are good places to sleep. Others are the stuff of nightmares. (We don’t manage any in the nightmare category.)
Big Bend Vacation Rentals started out in 2007 and initially managed three of the first four vacation rentals in the Terlingua and Terlingua Ranch area. We now manage dozens out of a couple of hundred options. We represent dozens of property owners and have hosted tens of thousands of guests. You can trust us as managers, and you can rely on the properties that we manage. We have become very selective about the properties and the property owners that we add to our portfolio. Visit our website at www.BigBendVacations.com.
Interaction with Guests: We manage several properties and live few miles away. We are available by phone, text, email, or messages through Airbnb. We are typically only on site for cleaning or maintenance issues.
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• Children allowed
• No pets
• No Events or Parties Allowed
Important information
You need to know
Property # 572499vb
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
About the area
Terlingua
Located in Terlingua, this cabin is in the mountains. Many Stones is a local attraction and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Big Bend National Park and Persimmon Gap Visitor Center.
Big Bend Ranch State Park - 58 min drive - 72.9 km
Frequently asked questions
Is Ringtail Cabin: Economical & Solar Powered Cabin pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much does it cost to stay at Ringtail Cabin: Economical & Solar Powered Cabin?
As of 10 May 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Ringtail Cabin: Economical & Solar Powered Cabin on 8 July 2026 start from AU$128, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
How much is parking at Ringtail Cabin: Economical & Solar Powered Cabin?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Ringtail Cabin: Economical & Solar Powered Cabin?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Ringtail Cabin: Economical & Solar Powered Cabin?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is Ringtail Cabin: Economical & Solar Powered Cabin located?
Situated in the mountains, this cabin is within 25 miles (40 km) of Many Stones, Big Bend Library and Big Bend National Park. Persimmon Gap Visitor Center and Starlight Theatre are also within 32 miles (52 km).
Reviews
9.6
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
We enjoyed the quiet and the spectacular starry sky at night. The place was clean and comfortable. Hosts were easy to communicate with and responsive. Mattress is memory foam and very comfy. We spent our days at the Big Bend Park. It’s about 20 miles to Terlingua and then a few more miles to the park.
All as described, very peaceful and just what was needed. Easy drive to the park. The sky was phenomenal and the local javelinas and quail came daily to drink water from swamp cooler puddle outside the front door.
This property is a gem. The location is perfect. A short drive into town and to the National Park. Great view of the stars. We were greeted by a roadrunner as we pulled up. At night we would see javelinas outside and an unbelievable amount of stars. There is a cafe up the road with great food and cold beer. We will definitely return for another trip.
This is a great affordable place to stay for exploring the Big Bend area. The hosts are very communicative and welcoming. The cabin is simple but comfortable and we really appreciated being off the grid and being aware of our resource use. The night skies were spectacular and the majestic surrounding scenery made a wonderful boost for the soul and rest from the craziness of world at large. I would highly recommend a stay in Ringtail cabin.
We were very comfortable during our stay. I had questions about the heater, Daryl was quick to help me get it up and running. The property had everything we needed. Will definitely return!
I usually rent this for several days during the winter, as it's perfect as a home base for hiking, exploring, etc in and around Big Bend National Park and Terlingua. Nothing fancy here but it's great for having all the basics. Will return!
Excellent instructions and useful information provided by the host. Enjoyed the peace and quiet in the evenings, sleeping with all windows open, listening to the wind, watching the stars, eating my breakfast and dinner on the front steps. Great minimalist experience. I recommend the place.
We really enjoyed our stay at the property even though we were gone most of the day(s). The evenings were beautiful with the dark sky that gave a great view of the stars. The only drawback was that it was a long drive to Big Bend from the cabin….about 20 miles or so. However, if you like the solitude, then this is the place for you. We would stay again.
If you're like me and anxious about booking this stay: do it!!!! My boyfriend talked me into this, and I'm so glad we did! It was a great change of pace from the other hotels we stayed in during our roadtrip. The cabin was clean and well stocked, the directions provided ahead of time got us there with no troubles, and the views and star gazing were absolutely incredible. We'll be back!
Our stay was good. Propane heater lighting instructions are difficult for a novice (us) to deal with. Recommend replacing the futon with more comfortable option and maybe provide a couple of outdoor chairs.
We loved our stay here. It can feel warm when you enter for the first time, but there is some kind of special cooling system. It did make some noise. We preferred the cooling of the night and set the windows open. The kitchen was well equipped. We would have stayed longer if we were not on a schedule. At night we could see many stars. It was romantic.
I recently stayed in this cabin and will sun up by stat by saying I had absolutely ZERO issues with this accommodation. Do not be fooled by the price, this cabin is clean, nicely appointed, and has everything you would need or would want for your stay. For those who do not own a truck or SUV like myself, this cabin is accessible by car, so you do not need to waste money on rental truck/SUV like you might with some other properties in the area.
Lastly, as is typical with Daryl and Janet, they are extremely responsive and ensure that everything is clean, ready, and functioning, and they genuinely want to ensure that guests enjoy their stay. I definitely recommend this property and would stay here again.
We were visiting Big Bend and wanted a place close but still had privacy and solitude. This cabin exceeded on all accounts.
It has all the needed conveniences: living room with sitting space, full kitchen with basics for cooking and meal prep, great bathroom/shower space, and a comfortable bed. Our trip was the week before Thanksgiving so HVAC wasn’t needed. Covered parking was provided and would be great for summer. Directions provided were from Alpine but can easily reach from Terlingua as well. Entrance access worked flawlessly and internet was fantastic.
Highly recommend this location if you are visiting Terlingua or the Big Bend area!!!
Terlingua is about 15-20 min and has fantastic restaurants, shopping, and gas.
We stayed at Ringtail Cabin for 4 nights. It was even more spacious than I expected from the listing. The bathroom is quite large. The kitchen has everything you need. The views and vibe outside were spectacular. (If you want to see the milky way, go when it's a new moon. There was a beautiful full moon during our stay.)The shower was instantly hot. The cooling system worked great for us and was not needed at night. (You may want a small fan for the bedroom.) The bed was firm. The communication with the hosts was perfect. Just make sure you have the entry instructions saved before you leave because you won't have wifi on your phone anywhere near the cabin until you get in and connect to theirs.Terlingua Ranch worked well for us to do several day visits to Big Bend National Park, as well as into the town of Terlingua. This whole area is beautiful, infinitely interesting, and worth a visit! Overall, a perfect cabin for our needs and had every comfort.
Cabin was fine except two things. There was supposed to be a landline phone but it did not work - important because we had no cell service in this remote area. We did have wifi and were able, sometimes, to make wifi calls. The second issue was the floor of the shower it was very slippery and had a piece around the drain (looked like a previous repair job) that was coming up and was very sharp. This was definitely a safety concern. If these two issues were to get fixed I would recommend for others but not until then.