Entire cabin

Christmas Mountains Ranch: Classic 2br/1bth Cabin with Spacious Wrap Around Porc

Choose dates to view prices

your current months are December, 2024 and January, 2025.
December 2024
January 2025

Photo gallery for Christmas Mountains Ranch: Classic 2br/1bth Cabin with Spacious Wrap Around Porc

Outdoor dining
Property grounds
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
Exterior
TV, fireplace, stereo, offices

Reviews

10 out of 10

Exceptional

Entire cabin

2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 4

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Barbecue grill
  • Air conditioning
  • Kitchen
  • Fireplace
  • Outdoor space

Explore the area

Map
Terlingua, Texas
  • Many Stones
    46 min drive
  • Big Bend National Park
    55 min drive
  • Chisos Basin Visitor Center
    100 min drive

Room options

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire cabin to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Christmas Mountains Ranch: Classic 2br/1bth Cabin with Spacious Wrap Around Porc

Summary:
Christmas Mountains Ranch is the perfect home away from home for experienced or first-time visitors to the Big Bend Region of southwest Texas. Just a half mile from the restaurant at Terlingua Ranch Lodge. Located between the lodge and the Christmas Mountains, this vacation rental cabin with 65 acres offers solitude, adventure, and convenience.

Solitude comes easy with plenty of space to get away from everyday life and crowds. No city noise or congestion, no close neighbors, and no traffic. Just the solitude of the remote Chihuahuan Desert and the Christmas Mountains. Plenty of wildlife and diverse desert plant life. We even have trees along the arroyo out back. Relax inside, with air-conditioning, comfortable, and attractive furnishings, and modern fixtures. Enjoy all day shade and 24-hour views from the comfort of the wrap around cover decks, furnished with chairs, tables, lighting, and a grill.

Adventure is in abundance with the rugged and dynamic desert landscape. Follow the marked trail down to the arroyo and watch for birds and other wildlife. Enjoy the crystal-clear water of the Terlingua Ranch pool. Hike or drive (4WD) through the Christmas Mountains (register for free access at the Terlingua Ranch Lodge) for breathtaking views. That’s all in the immediate neighborhood. Drive a little further and take in all the wonders of Big Bend National Park, Big Bend Ranch State Park, Rio Grande River or the Terlingua Ghost Town. Local adventure outfitters offer river trips, jeep tours, guided hikes, bike rentals, horseback riding, sightseeing tours, and more.

Convenience is provided with WiFi, modern appliances, full bathroom, comfortable lodging and lodge restaurant. While the last four miles of roads are dirt, they are well maintained and easily driven by a typical car, without any need for high clearance or 4WD. We also provide easy reservation service and clear communication plus quick local service if there is ever a question, concern, or problem.

As an added bit of adventure and convenience, we even provide the option for you to fly in. The Terlingua Ranch airstrip is just a short walk away and can accommodate small private planes. Don’t worry about the noise, the strip is rarely used and only during daylight hours.

While the Big Bend region offers a wide range of lodging options for our visitors, very few vacation rentals can compare to Christmas Mountains Ranch as all-around great place to stay. The owners have taken great care to build and furnish a home base for their Big Bend visits. It was completed in 2020 and graciously opened up for others to enjoy. Our team at Big Bend Vacation Rentals is proud to manage it. As the one of the longest serving and the most established vacation rental management provider in the Terlingua Area, we are eager to serve as your host.

The Space:
Christmas Mountains Ranch is the perfect home away from home for experienced or first-time visitors to the Big Bend Region of southwest Texas. Just a half mile from the pool and restaurant at Terlingua Ranch Lodge. Located between the lodge and the Christmas Mountains, this vacation rental cabin with 65 acres offers solitude, adventure, and convenience.

Solitude comes easy with plenty of space to get away from everyday life and crowds. No city noise or congestion, no close neighbors, and no traffic. Just the solitude of the remote Chihuahuan Desert and the Christmas Mountains. Plenty of wildlife and diverse desert plant life. We even have trees along the arroyo out back. Relax inside, with air-conditioning, comfortable, and attractive furnishings, and modern fixtures. Enjoy all day shade and 24-hour views from the comfort of the wrap around cover decks, furnished with chairs, tables, lighting, and a grill.

Adventure is in abundance with the rugged and dynamic desert landscape. Follow the marked trail down to the arroyo and watch for birds and other wildlife. Enjoy the crystal-clear water of the Terlingua Ranch pool. Hike or drive (4WD) through the Christmas Mountains (register for free access at the Terlingua Ranch Lodge) for breathtaking views. That’s all in the immediate neighborhood. Drive a little further and take in all the wonders of Big Bend National Park, Big Bend Ranch State Park, Rio Grande River or the Terlingua Ghost Town. Local adventure outfitters offer river trips, jeep tours, guided hikes, bike rentals, horseback riding, sightseeing tours, and more.

Convenience is provided with WiFi, modern appliances, full bathroom, comfortable lodging, nearby pool, and lodge restaurant. While the last four miles of roads are dirt, they are well maintained and easily driven by a typical car, without any need for high clearance or 4WD. We also provide easy reservation service and clear communication plus quick local service if there is ever a question, concern, or problem.

As an added bit of adventure and convenience, we even provide the option for you to fly in. The Terlingua Ranch airstrip is just a short walk away and can accommodate small private planes. Don’t worry about the noise, the strip is rarely used and only during daylight hours.

While the Big Bend region offers a wide range of lodging options for our visitors, very few vacation rentals can compare to Christmas Mountains Ranch as all-around great place to stay. The owners have taken great care to build and furnish a home base for their Big Bend visits. It was completed in 2020 and graciously opened up for others to enjoy. Our team at Big Bend Vacation Rentals is proud to manage it. As the one of the longest serving and the most established vacation rental management provider in the Terlingua Area, we are eager to serve as your host.

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.

Other Things to Note:
From Christmas Mountains Ranch it will take you approximately 45 minutes to get to the west entrance of the Big Bend National Park.

Interaction with Guests:
We manage several properties and live a few miles away. We are available by phone, text, email, or messages. We are typically only on site for cleaning or maintenance issues.
  • Air-conditioned cabin with kitchen, fireplace, and balcony
  • 17.5 mi (28.1 km) from Many Stones and 21.8 mi (35.1 km) from Big Bend Library
This cabin offers its guests barbecue grills and a garden. The front desk is open around the clock.

This Terlingua cabin is smoke free.

Property manager

Janet Eby

Languages

English

Property amenities

Internet

  • WiFi available

Parking and transport

  • On-site parking

Kitchen

  • Fridge
  • Stovetop
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Toaster
  • Cookware/dishes/utensils

Bedrooms

  • 2 bedrooms
  • Bed sheets provided

Bathrooms

  • 1 bathroom
  • Shower
  • Towels provided
  • Hairdryer

Living spaces

  • Fireplace

Entertainment

  • TV with cable/satellite service
  • Stereo

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony
  • Barbecue
  • Garden

Work spaces

  • Office

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property

Location highlights

  • In the mountains
  • In a rural location

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector installed (host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector installed (host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • Fire extinguisher
  • First aid kit

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Minimum check-in age: 21

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession.
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
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions. You will also receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account which will enable you to manage your booking.

Property is also known as

5f52786390cf290029aa2cda

Christmas Mountains Ranch: Classic 2br/1bth Cabin with Spacious Wrap Around Porc Reviews

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 48 out of 52 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 4 out of 52 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 52 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 52 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 52 reviews" "

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Jill A.

Liked: Cleanliness
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2024

8/10 Good

Richard M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Location
The cabin is beautiful, modern with great views. We really enjoyed the cabin. I really hate to leave any type of a bad review for this place but I think you should know… We used the cabin as our base to go back and forth to Big Bend National Park and Terlingua. About a 45 minute drive total from the cabin. 30 minutes of the drive is off Hwy 118 to the cabin with 3 miles of it being an unpaved road that was like driving on a wash board, not very pleasant. So coming and going from the cabin can be very long. If you are staying at the cabin your entire stay you will love it.
Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Forrest D., WATAUGA

Liked: Cleanliness
Outstanding
It was super clean and a lovely place to enjoy.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jimmy C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing property and very clean
Location is excellent, the cabin is very nice and it was the cleanest rental I’ve ever had. Simple checkout process is nice too.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jim L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Bucket List Trip
Been ;looking for several years to get to Big Bend area for Dark Skies. The trip met every expectation starting with the Christmas House. Plenty of space to enjoy the property without worrying about any neighbors. We planned the trip for October hoping to get cooler temps, but didn't happen. That was ok b/c the night time was the "star" of the trip. Solar walk path was neat, but flashlights are required. Can't say too much about the local resort pool as we didn't use that. The Bad Rabbit on the other hand was disappointing to say the least. Plan your dinner in Terlingua and skip the Rabbit. I highly recommend the property for anyone looking for a quite and comfortable stay.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jason H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great house and view!
Booked the home for 4 nights with my 2 brothers. Wanted something private and with views and got just that. Home was newer and very clean - a/c was on when we arrived (nice since July). You will not be disappointed with the views! Lots of windows and lots of views! The outdoor patios extend from front to back making it easy to stay in the shade any time of day. Owner put in a lot of work to build a trail to an additional seating area far from the home - was great. Saw lots of local wildlife. Definitely recommend if you are looking for quiet, beautiful seclusion in a clean modern home. Will be going back.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Shauna H., Hideaway, Tx

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful!
The pictures don't do it justice; this property is absolutely beautiful. Perfect for our family of 2 adults and 2 young boys. Definitely off the beaten path and you want to make sure you have a decent car/truck to drive the dirt road. But that adds to the charm of the location. Will definitely visit again. Our boys loved the 'washer game' and the trail. Thank you again.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Frank V.

Liked: Cleanliness
Pleasant
We didn't much like the distance from 118 but that is what it is. Otherwise, we liked it a lot. The trail and chairs outside were an unexpected pleasure. The deck and speakers were great. This time of year worked out very well since so many cactus species were blooming. The cabin was very comfortable. We had a couple issues with maintenance and one of them was fixed a couple days in. Well stocked kitchen with utensils, pans and glasses. The grill was nice but we were only able to use it once because of the wind. Of course, the roads were not too great but I didn't really care. I lived in the country for 65 years and had no issue driving them. The local paved road was exceptionally smooth. Overall, we would highly recommend this cabin for anyone unless someone is driving a sports car. Plus for those not wanting to cook, the nearby restaurant is a big plus.
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tonie M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Relaxing and quiet
We have made coming out to Big Bend a yearly trip and decided to stay at Christmas Mountain this year. The cabin did not disappoint. The location was great and it was so peaceful and relaxing. We had such a great time relaxing on the patio and playing games and enjoying the stars at night.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ryan

Travelled with family and small children
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The pictures don’t do this place any justice. The views on the property are amazing! The cabin was clean and everything functioned well. The night skies were majestic as you felt like you were in space if you starred long enough. We weren’t there long but it left a lasting impression. We will definitely be back for a longer stay.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kelly C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Gorgeous & Peaceful!
Our stay at this cabin was absolutely perfect. The location is fairly remote, so the nights were quiet and the stargazing was phenomenal. It's over an hour away from the entrance to Big Bend NP, but I loved watching the sunset on the drive back to the cabin each night. I definitely did not want to leave this place and will, without hesitation, book this cabin if I'm ever out in that area again. Quite possibly the best place I've ever booked on VRBO.
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lisa-Jane S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Location. Location. Location
What an incredible place- beautiful landscape, restful vibe, very comfy ranch house, fantastic verandah/porch. Loved the walking path across the river bed to the chairs for scenic gazing. We had a great day out in Big Bend National Park. Spent two days at the ranch house because it was so restful and scenic.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Shailaja H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Spectacular views
Loved this property so much!! Wraparound porch with spectacular views on all sides, and lots of comfortable outdoor seating. Lots of space to walk around and explore surrounding desert. Terlingua Ranch Lodge only about a mile away with properties in sight, but far enough that it does not disrupt the feeling of wilderness. Both beds comfortable with plenty of soft blankets and good quality pillows. The pull out couch is not comfortable at all, which was not a problem for us. It’s a long 25 min drive down Ranch Rd back to 118, if that’s a problem for you (we didn’t mind). So about an hour to Big Bend Nat Park. WiFi worked well. Kitchen well stocked for cooking simple meals.
Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Joan

Travelled with family, Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Loved the wrap-around porch and views. Very comfortable and well-supplied. Nice to have the BBQ grill and big screen TV (for streaming) in the evenings. It was great to watch the gorgeous sunrises from the front porch. The last 3-4 miles to the house are on a washboard dirt/gravel road, which makes it a pain to get to and from, but even with that, it is only about 40-45 minutes to the entrance of Big Bend National Park. The hosts were very responsive and gracious. The Master bedroom is roomy and comfortable, and it has a closet and chest of drawers. A caution about the 2nd bedroom if you have 3 or 4 adults, however. It is very small so the bed fills most of the space, making it somewhat difficult to maneuver, and there is no closet in there, just a small chest of drawers.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Rosanne C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Best porch ever
Nice, well maintained property with the most beautiful wrap around porch and outdoor dining area. Comfy Adirondack chairs perfect for star gazing and a ‘secret’ path meandering through the back of the property with stunning mountain views. Inside was comfortable with a great kitchen and cookware. The only reason for 4 stars on location is the distance to the parks.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Connie P.

Liked: Cleanliness
Big Bend Getaway
We had the best time at Christmas Mountains Ranch. Well appointed, comfortable and secluded as well as being close to Big Bend National Park. Night sky was amazing! We definitely want to go back!!
Stayed 6 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Don W., Plano, Texas

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing place!!!
Beautiful and homey cabin with a great wrap around porch with a gas grill! Scenery is unbelievable!!!
Stayed 12 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Joseph G., Corrales, NM USA

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful place!
Exceptional property! Clean and nicely appointed. Location is remote with great views and dark sky. Big Bend National Park is a little drive but this place was wonderful to return to each day. Highly recommend.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Pamela M., Kalamazoo, Michigan

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful, quiet and remote location
We really enjoyed our week at this home. We thought it the perfect size for the two of us and loved the quiet and the sky at night. It was a bit of a drive to Big Bend National Park (at least an hour one way) but was worth it to stay in such a peaceful spot. The place was spotless when we arrived and the property managers were always prompt in replying and so helpful. We had a marvelous time!
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Diana W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Happy
Amazing view of Mountains.
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Joe I.

Liked: Cleanliness
Black-country derenity
The three days at this property definitely amounted to one of the most calming and fulfilling stays anywhere other than home. Just being able to see those stars so clearly took my breath away.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kim M., STURGEON BAY

Liked: Cleanliness
Outstanding Property
We stayed a week but regret not booking for two! The cabin has everything you’ll need. It’s well stocked, well appointed, and well maintained. Very clean and comfortable. We can’t say enough positive things about our stay. We explored and hiked both, Big Bend NP and Big Bend State Park and happily drove back to make dinner each night in the quality kitchen with the aid of a great Weber outdoor Grill. We were able to get a backcountry permit from the nearby Terlingua Ranch Lodge for a four hour Jeep drive to the top of Christmas Mountain. A bonus and something that can be arranged in advance of your stay if you come with a 4x4 vehicle. The stars were amazing, the beds comfortable, the deck and chairs perfect. And the 360 views are amazing. You feel safe but secluded knowing there are people around but not close enough to hear anyone. We absolutely recommend this cabin and we’ve stayed in many good ones around this great country of ours. Thank you to all those who keep the cabin so we’ll maintained.
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Tom S., Dallas, Texas

Liked: Cleanliness
Unexpected centerpiece of our vacation
I was looking for a comfortable place to stay, but found an awesome destination instead. The scenery and location of this home was equal to quality of the hiking and scenery we came to Big Bend to see. In fact we looked as forward to returning to the house each day as we did our day trip adventures. The house is setup perfectly and the porches and trails mean you can have a Big Bend day and never leave the property. Yes, it is off the beaten path and from what I saw of other rentals, that’s a huge bonus. Check in and out was super easy. Everything you need is there - we brought our own food and cooked every night. A far better option than the meager restaurant options in the region. I would happily stay here again. Thanks to the hosts for a thoughtful experience.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Nick R.

Liked: Cleanliness
A very special place.
Really beyond words. Complete and utter solitude in the raw Big Bend region wilderness. Surrounded by Texas mountains in every direction and with a huge wrap around porch that gives perfect viewing angles of them all. The nearest neighbors are FAR away -- which is exactly what I was looking for. I was there for 3 nights, explored the open desert wilderness behind the property and didn't see a single person while I was there. There's a long, beautifully kept walking trail behind the cabin that takes you pretty far into desert as well. At the end of the trail there are a couple of chairs where you can sit and take in the surroundings. It was awe-inspiring. I took several trips to the end of the trail (including once at night) and would just sit there and try to take it in as much as I could. The cabin also provides a solid wifi connection so you can still remain in touch with the world while you're there. The cabin has a nice TV where you can stream Netflix/Hulu/Amazon/etc. in between hanging out on the porch and exploring. It's an absolute gem of a place. Like I said, very special. One of my favorite and memorable trips I've ever taken in my life. Being roughly a ten hour drive away, it's not an easy trip for me to make...but I absolute would love to come back here again one day. I miss it dearly already.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Robert D., San Marcos, Texas, United States

Liked: Cleanliness
Nice Cabin!
Nice cabin in a beautiful area!! Can’t beat the outdoors, giant porches & outdoor furniture! Very attentive managers!
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2022