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We offer hot showers, porta-potties, WiFi, games, and more! Enjoy the picturesque Big Bend of Texas at The Hippie Crippler Ranch by pitching your tent or parking your recreational vehicle.
We are only a 30-minute drive to the west entrance of Big Bend National Park. Our campground is 5.5 acres and is located in the North Corazones area of Terlingua Ranch! Our property is loaded with native desert flora, including creosote, a few scattered mesquite trees, and a lone ocotillo. We are nestled in an area with picture-perfect views of Nine Point Mesa, Jack Eden Mesa, the Corazones, and Turtle Mountain, and have one of the best spots for stargazing at night. We’re just 20 minutes from Terlingua Ranch Lodge and Pool and Bad Rabbit Cafe.
Each site comes with a picnic table, fire ring, and a 5-gallon potable water dispenser. We understand the desire for a few creature comforts, so we offer off-grid communal toilets and showers, and free Wi-Fi. These amenities are offered to you for your convenience but don’t forget the simple pleasures of sitting outdoors and listening to Mother Nature around you. We want you to connect with nature! A simpler lifestyle that cuts out the everyday comforts of city life for a more primitive experience.
Living in the desert has brought a lot of peace into our lives. Upon arriving we weren’t sure what to think other than it was absolutely beautiful. As time went by, we found a strong connection to the land, the quietness, and the sound of nature all around. We are overcome with tranquility and a repeated sigh of relief every time we take a drive in any direction. It didn’t take long for us to want to share these experiences with whomever we could connect with.
We may be half an hour away from the local towns and parks, but you get to camp in pure nature. No loud cars zooming by, and The Ranch is not an overpopulated campground. Imagine hiking all day, especially if you’re visiting during a busy season, and all you want to do is get back to the peace and quiet of your camp. Well, we provide just that!
Whether this is your first, second, or third visit to the Big Bend area we hope you consider staying at The Hippie Crippler Ranch. The basic creature comforts we provide coupled with the tranquility of a primitive lifestyle lead to a perfect getaway for any outdoor enthusiast or lover of nature.
We know that the Big Bend area brings in thousands of people seeking adventure and exploration. Our passion is to explore every inch and corner of this world and connect with others, both alike and completely opposite of us. We welcome everyone to our campground and hope that you can take something back with you after your stay with us. Collecting memories not things is something we live by.
If this is your first visit to Big Bend, then we want to say thank you for choosing us for your accommodations. If this isn’t your first rodeo, we would also like to express our gratitude to you for giving us the opportunity to host you on your return.
We hope that you have the best time camping, hiking and just enjoying the great outdoors. The desert is a beautiful part of the world and should be explored!
It was a beautiful, expressive trip as usual. The state park seems wilder than the national and more open to bringing your own unique experience of the wilderness to the fore. Our campsite was by the river and there were a couple of hiking sites we made it to in less than an hour that provided us with some good exertion. I would not choose a campsite so close to a main road next time, but the traffic died down around midnight and didn’t really become obtrusive again until daylight.
This was a great drive in a vehicle. Not a good place to be in a large motorhome or truck & trailer. About 1 1/2 hours to Presidio from Lajitas, TX. Both Ft. Leaton & the BB Rand Headquarters are very interesting to go thru.
My family and I recently had the opportunity to visit Big Bend Ranch State Park, and although our initial plans to book an RV campsite were thwarted due to its newness, we decided to explore the park's other offerings. Despite the scorching heat reaching 110 degrees Fahrenheit, we made the most of our time and had a memorable experience.
We were initially disappointed to learn that RV spots were unavailable at Big Bend Ranch State Park, as well as at the neighboring Big Bend National Park. This made our accommodation search quite challenging. However, we didn't let this deter us from visiting the state park altogether. We opted to drive around and explore the park's Scenic Overlook areas and points of interest instead.
Due to the extreme temperatures, it was not feasible for us to embark on the park's walking trails. Our family's safety was paramount, and we decided to exercise caution and refrain from engaging in strenuous physical activity. Nonetheless, we did manage to explore an old movie set near the Rio Grande River. This unique location allowed us to take some captivating photos and engage our children in a fun educational lesson about the border between Mexico and Texas.
Continuing our drive, we ventured further and enjoyed breathtaking views from the Scenic Overlook. The natural beauty of the park left us in awe, and we couldn't help but appreciate the stunning landscapes that surrounded us.
Although our visit lasted only about an hour, we were captivated by the park's beauty and potential for exploration. We intend to return when the weather is cooler to fully immerse ourselves in the park's walking trails and delve deeper into its wonders.
Overall, Big Bend Ranch State Park left a positive impression on us. Despite the challenges of finding suitable camping options and the intense heat, the park's scenic beauty and the opportunity to experience the Rio Grande River firsthand made our visit worthwhile. We highly recommend planning a trip to this park, ensuring to choose a time when temperatures are more favorable for extensive exploration.
Note: Due to our limited experience within the park and our inability to partake in all activities, we have assigned a rating of four stars. We anticipate that upon returning for a more extensive visit, our rating may be subject to change.
Don't overlook this very large, lesser traveled state park, I enjoy it more than Big Bend NP. I cover this 300,000+ acre park in my book "TEXAS BADLANDS: The Ultimate Black and White Journey" (available on Amazon) extensively in Chapter 4 "The Other Side of Nowhere."
Be sure to purchase a Big Bend Ranch SP Topo Map at the Visitors Centers for precise location/navigation. The drive from Presidio, Texas to Lajitas, Texas on TX FM 170 is one of the most underrated drives in the United States.
This park is a hidden gem! One of the best state parks I've been to and we have hit a bunch! Primitive camping here is fantastic as the ones up in the high clearance 4 wheeling areas are by themselves and with some incredible views. Loved hiking here. Those dark skies are something else and those sunrises are just as amazing. The people at the visitors centers are so helpful. I can't say enough about it! I would say it's just as good as the National Park
