>>Terlingua-Study Butte-Lajitas
Terlingua Ghosttown - photo by Beth Nobles, Texas Mountain Trail
Terlingua and Study Butte (pronounced stoodybyoot), both located a short drive from the west entrance to Big Bend National Park, began as mining camps around the turn of the twentieth century, and for over forty years grew and shrank in concert with demand for mercury, a metal refined from the abundant cinnabar ore found in the area. With the closing of the mines, these isolated settlements were virtually abandoned until the 70’s, when a new generation of entrepreneurs, river guides, urban refugees, and hardy retirees began to re-populate these abandoned outposts.
A scattered but thriving community, centered around the Junction of TX 118, and TX 170, Terlingua and Study Butte now boast a luxury resort with a championship 18-hole golf course, comfortable motels, restaurants, river outfitters, jeep tours, a bank, post office, and a modern school. Eclectic galleries display the work of local artisans, and the nightlife includes live music by hometown players. The remoteness and beauty of Big Bend has always attracted artists, poets, and musicians, and many have settled in Terlingua and Study Butte.
FEATURED EVENTS & ATTRACTIONS
Barton Warnock Environmental Education Center and Museum presents an archeological, historical, and natural profile of the Big Bend region. The book store and gift shop sells guidebooks, maps and other interpretational material.
www.tpwd.state.tx.us/park/bigbend/
Historic Terlingua
On Highway 170 five miles west of 118, Terlingua Ghostown holds the largest concentration of mining architecture in the area, restored as shops, restaurants and homes. Check in at the Terlingua Trading Company for walking tour information.
Outdoor Recreation
Choose from horseback rides, day trips or camping expeditions on the river, or jeep tours to the top of the world, around the bend, or around the block. See pgs. 48 and 55 for information about area outfitters.
Camino del Rio - The River Road
Highway 170 along the Rio Grande between Lajitas and Presidio is a renowned favorite among travelers with several primitive camping areas, river access points, and trailheads along the way. At places the road becomes narrow, winding and very steep, making it not suitable for some RVs, buses, and trailer rigs.
Ross Maxwell Scenic Loop
A stunning driving tour of the western side of Big Bend National Park, the loop passes many favorite trailheads and ends at the majestic Santa Elena Canyon. The improved dirt Maverick Road leads back to the park entrance at Maverick Junction.
Big Bend Nature Festival
A clever "cooker" at the Annual Chili Cook-Off
This annual festival offers nature tours and talks in Big Bend National park each August when summer rains and high elevation make the Chisos Mountains one of the most comfortable spots in
Texas.
Chili Cook-Off
Terlingua hosted the world’s first Chili Cook-Off in 1967. Today, more than 10,000 chili fanatics invade Terlingua on the first Saturday of each November. Local cook-offs are held the third weekend in February and the next to last weekend in August.
www.chili.org