Entire home

Spectacular Mountain Views.

Photo gallery for Spectacular Mountain Views.

sunrise at tarantula ranch
billy, one of our juvinel deliquents....i mean burros
southwest view from hot tub
bedroom
kitchen

Reviews

8.8 out of 10
Excellent
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 6

Popular amenities

  • Pool
  • Kitchen
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Air-conditioning

Explore the area

View map
terlingua, TX
  • Place, Many Stones
    ‪44 min drive‬
  • Place, Big Bend National Park
    ‪51 min drive‬
  • Place, Starlight Theatre
    ‪55 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1

1 Double Bed

Bedroom 2

2 Double Beds

Bedroom 3

1 Queen Bed

Detached Unit

1 Queen Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Dining area

About this property

Spectacular Mountain Views.


............Spectacular mountain views and great sunsets Tarantula Ranch is located over a hill about two miles from the nearest paved road. Experience life at the end of the road inside a 320-acre compound. Tarantula Ranch sharpens your senses, the wildlife, the views, the smells, peace and quiet and of course the stars. BIG BEND has some of the darkest skies in the world. In the warm months it's nice to sit on the front porch and have coffee with Maggie a friendly burro who likes interacting with our guests, although you may have to share (she is the world's biggest beggar). I strongly recommend to get an traveler insurance if you cancel your booking after the cancellation policy. Tarantula Ranch has two cabins. The four-room cabin can sleep six and the one room cabin sleeps two. If you are a group of one to six you can rent the four-room cabin. If you are one to two people you can rent the small cabin. You have to book them separately. If you are a group of eight you will have to book both cabins. Four room cabin property number is 380716 and small cabin is property number 1283391. Both cabins have real "on the grid electricity", hot showers, toilet, septic tanks that work, kitchens furnished with stove, refrigerator, hot plates, toaster, convection oven, coffee maker, microwave etc. At this time because of covid-19, linens and towels are not furnished. We have Wi-Fi and dish satellite tv with the movie channels, propane gas heaters for winter and refrigerated air conditioning for summer. We are about ten minutes from one of the prettiest swimming pools in Brewster County, Texas which you can use for a small fee. Also, near the Terlingua Ranch pool is the Bad Rabbit Restaurant (also about ten minutes away) that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. In that same area there is a pay laundry. Personally, I wouldn't use it, I'd just bring a change of clothes for every day of my vacation. With both cabins we can sleep a party of eight. If you are only one person traveling alone or a couple and the large cabin is rented by someone else, you can rent the detached cabin as a separate party. The detached cabin has a queen size bed, kitchenette, refrigerator, indoor shower and toilet, Wi-Fi and satellite tv. You will have to contact me regarding the availability of the detached cabin.
Up on top of our western cliff we have a hot tub dug into the cliff and a deck that hangs out over that cliff for sun worshiping or just having a drink with sunset then listening for coyotes and finishing off the evening looking for shooting stars. About five minutes away I have a shooting range for target practiced or skeet only. The library allows only students. THERE IS NO HUNTING!!! You are welcome to bring your guns and practice.





























At the end of a day of playing in the big bend it's nice to kick back with a drink in our hot tub that sits on a cliff facing west, listening for coyotes and looking for shooting stars. We also have an observation deck that hangs out over that same western cliff that the hot tub is on. The big bend has some of the darkest skies in the world. Here at Tarantula Ranch you are an easy drive( by west Texas standards) to all the tourist attractions in the area, the National Park, the State Park, river rafting outfitters, horseback riding, jeep tours and the Terlingua Ghost Town where good food, good drinks, good music and good times are alive and well.

Keywords: remote, spectacular vistas, friendly burros and horse will interact with you, wide open spaces, great sunrises and sunsets. Also since we have real electricity we can offer all the electric appliances you need to make your stay comfortable, refrigerated air conditioning, kitchen appliances, satellite television. You will NOT have to walk across a parking lot or drive miles to use the restroom and shower. We have indoor plumbing!!!~ Also we have no traffic since we are more than two miles away from the nearest paved road AND inside a compound. Oh and you don't have to sleep on the ground in a tent (unless you want to). SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: DUE TO CORONA VIRUS-19 WE ARE SUSPENDING OUR SUBURBAN/JEEP TOURS FOR AWHILE. ALSO YOU WILL BE ASKED TO BRING YOUR OWN LINENS, PAPER PLATES, PLASTIC CUPS, FLATWARE ETC. SO AS TO NOT TO INFECT ANYONE WITH POORLY WASHED DISHES. I WILL GIVE YOU A COMPLETE LIST OF THINGS TO BRING WHEN I CALL YOU WITH DIRECTIONS. Dogs: are welcome!! I like dogs! Children are not allowed. You must be between the ages of 27 to 107 to come to Tarantula Ranch. Check in time is 4pm to 7pm or sunset whichever comes first. There is no outdoor fires allowed. We are a desert that is usually under a "burn ban".

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 27
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
Must be approved by owner.
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Pets

Pets allowed: dogs and cats (limit 3 total)
Aggressive dogs will not be allowed.
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
THE ABOVE RULES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED ONLY TO THE ABOVE RULES. OWNER RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MAKE AND ENFORCE RULES AS THE NEED ARISES.
Check in: 4pm to 7pm or sunset, whichever comes first.
No outdoor fires! We are a desert, and we are usually under a "burn Ban".

Important information

You need to know

Property # 380716vb
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
Note from host: must be approved by owner.
Long-term renters welcome
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 and a first aid kit

About the area

Terlingua

Located in Terlingua, this cottage is in a rural area and 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. Discover the area's water adventures with kayaking and water tubing nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with ecotours and hiking.
Map
terlingua, TX

What's nearby

  • Many Stones - 44 min drive - 40.7 km
  • Big Bend Library - 50 min drive - 49.4 km
  • Big Bend National Park - 51 min drive - 52.8 km
  • Starlight Theatre - 55 min drive - 56.6 km

Frequently asked questions

Does Spectacular Mountain Views. have a pool?

Yes, this property has a pool.

How much does it cost to stay at Spectacular Mountain Views.?

As of 9 May 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Spectacular Mountain Views. on 10 October 2026 start from NZ$355, 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.

Is Spectacular Mountain Views. pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows cats and dogs (limit 3 total).

How much is parking at Spectacular Mountain Views.?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Spectacular Mountain Views.?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Spectacular Mountain Views.?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Spectacular Mountain Views. located?

Situated in the mountains, this cottage is within 32 miles (52 km) of Many Stones, Big Bend National Park and Persimmon Gap Visitor Center. Big Bend Library and Starlight Theatre are also within 32 miles (52 km).

Reviews

8.8

Excellent

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 119 out of 179 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 35 out of 179 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 10 out of 179 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 6 out of 179 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 9 out of 179 reviews

7.6/10

Cleanliness

9.0/10

Check-in

9.4/10

Communication

8.8/10

Location

8.2/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Skylar C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great place

Great place environment and host beautiful view and feels like home
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jonathan H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Stay

Wonderful place to stay, with amazing views, gracious host, and the friendliest burro you'll ever meet!
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Hipposandhashbrowns S.

Liked: Communication, location

Rustic ranch retreat

Not for everyone but we enjoyed our stay on this private ranch and the host is worth getting to know.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025
Verified

6/10 Okay

Misty S.

Liked: Check-in, communication, listing accuracy

Wonderful view at night.

Very rustic cabin. Plenty of room for 4 to sleep. Just annoying having to bring your own sheets and blankets/towels but I get it. Roads are very bumpy and I recommend a truck because we had to use 4 wheel drive. We enjoyed our time. Host very friendly! So was Donkey!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 15 June 2025
Actually, this cabin sleeps 6 people. Regarding the roads in all of The Big Bend: We only have six paved roads in all of The Big Bend and three of those six roads are less than 27 miles long. One is ten miles long; one is 13 miles and the paved road that is The Ross Maxwell scenic drive is only 26 miles long. I told you that when you called for directions as I have all of my guests for the last 15 years when they call for directions. I may not have mentioned that I own seven vehicles, none of which is from the 21st century and three of those seven are not 4x4. One is a 1990 Cadillac Allante sports car, convertible, BRITE RED!!!! and it makes it just fine on these back country roads. Also, in my last fifteen years in this business I started keeping track of less than adequate vehicles after I realized 2% of the tourist were going to complain about the roads. I have had 24 Toyota prius electric cars here. They all made it here and were able to leave on check out day. I'm glad you enjoyed your time here as well as Maggie and myself. See you next time.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Richard D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Stay, Great Location, Great Host

We will be back. It was the most relaxing with the Family, from the morning hikes, the beautiful lunch picnics, late afternoon shooting practice, to the sunsets in the hot tub and the milky way views at night. Everyhing was amazing. The kids even made friends with the assistant manager, Maggie the Donkey. Great memories. We are looking forward to our next stay.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024
Verified

8/10 Good

Majbritt Jæger J.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Disliked: Cleanliness

Panoramic view

Fantastic place if you want to get of the grid and see the most beautiful sunrises and sunsets. Amazing property with a little cabin. Remember to lock the doors or Maggie will take it as an invite to enter. Good idea to dowload an offline map as there is no signal in the area.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024
Verified

2/10 Terrible

William B.

Liked: Location
Disliked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, listing accuracy
We had to chekout (2) days early due to mice and cleanliness of property. Requested a refund for the (2) nights and have not been compensated. Overall terrible experience.
Stayed 5 nights in May 2025
Verified

4/10 Poor

Rey H.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location
Disliked: Cleanliness, listing accuracy

Misleading description of lodge

Lodge needs updating to include pictures, accurate information of rooms in lodge rented such as ours was not a two bath,3 bedroom home with the beds listed. The lodge was not very clean and we took pictures to shows this. The view was very beautiful, and the host was very nice
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 20 March 2025
If this person knew anything about reading comprehension, they would know what we describe on our web site is correct. We have two cabins, one sleeps 6 people, the other sleeps two. Two different parties can rent them separately or a group of 8 can rent both. That would give the party of 8 two bathrooms, four beds, (not three as he miscounted), (looks like he has a deficiency in arithmetic as well) two tv's, two indoor cooking spaces, just to name a few. We clean our cabins with a product that hospitals use called Medi-clean. It kills all germs including covid-19. Also, I would like to point out that The Big Bend is part of The Chihuahuan Desert Wilderness back country, so sand is just a part of life here. Having said that, the cabin was clean when they checked in and it was disgusting when I went into clean after they left. There was feces smeared on the toilet, toothpaste spit on the bathroom sinks, some sauce or gravy spilled on the stove and in the refrigerator and some form of rotten vegetable in the kitchen sink. Pictures: I do have two inexpensive pictures in one of the bedrooms, but I have very expensive hand Vovan wall hangings on the walls and handmade appliques from Peru worth over a thousand dollars total. In my opinion his idea of classy art must be a picture of Elvis painted on black velvet bought on Juares avenue in Juares, Mexico. In conclusion, as a retired coach/educator of 43 years I would be interested in what school district he attended. They're glaring deficiencies in reading comprehension, arithmetic, art appreciation and health. (surely you must know that feces stuck to the outside of the toilet can't be healthy). Courses in night school might help.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Christa W.

family visit and Big Bend

My Husband, parents and our two small dogs had a wonderful time visiting Big Bend National Park, wild life, star gazing and learning more about geology through the scenery and Curt's knowledge from his tour. My dogs love the donkeys & horses on the property.
Verified

8/10 Good

Nicole H.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location

Friendly host and in the middle of nowhere. Bring your own supplies.

There were not many pictures of the inside of home and I was unaware that bedding and toilet paper were not supplied by host until we talked with owner. I may have missed those instructions on the listing. We ended up finding out just in time to make a stop at Fort Stockton and buying sleeping bags and supplies. Host was very friendly and helpful with lots of info about the area. Their pet donkey Maggie was a hit with our teen kids! The home was down a rough rock road and would be difficult for a small or low vehicle. Great views and serene area to visit.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 21 May 2025
I have friends who rent to tourist also and although we are competitors, one of the things we all agree on is a 4- star review is no better than a 1- star. We all work very hard to have nice, safe and clean accommodations for people who travel long distances to experience an "out back" wilderness area called The Chihuahuan Desert Back Country Wilderness and The Big Bend National Park. And of course, the roads are going to be rough in this ecosystem but not impassable. In 19 and 1/2 years I have had 24 Prius electric cars come here.This is not Trump Tower you are coming to. I think we do a pretty good job considering the remoteness. So, what does this person do? They complain about pictures of the inside. The inside of the cabin, which you said was cute, is like any other cabin. So that makes me wonder about the importance of inside photos since more than 99% of my guests come to experience what is OUTSIDE of the cabin. (That would be The Big Bend National Park.) You obviously never read my web site, or you would have known about bringing your own linens because of covid-19. You booked on Feb.26 2025. I sent you an email at that time to call me for directions. You finally called me from the road at 9:45 am on Ap.18,2025, YOUR CHECK IN DAY. I had made several phone calls to your voice mail saying to call me for directions and a list of things to bring. You did not prepare for this trip!! You also broke a chair, a knob to the gas stove and the tv remote.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Rachael M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A great escape

We stayed at Tarantula Ranch for an impromptu big bend adventure and we could not have been more pleased! Spectacular views, the darkest skies around, and all the comforts I was looking for in a big bend cabin stay. The location is close to Terlingua and Big Bend, but still offers the remote experience I was looking for. The owner, Curt, and his burro Maggie are the cherry on top of our amazing stay. I’m already planning my next trip! 10/10, highly recommend!.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Nicole H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Incredible experience

Curt was an amazing host and his property made for an incredible experience! His views are definitely something to brag about. We couldn’t have asked for a better host who cares about his property. Definitely recommend coming here and loving on Maggie the burrow :-)
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Leigh C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful stay!

Our stay was wonderful. Curt was very knowledgeable about the area & helpful with tips and tricks for packing & directions! The property is beautiful, my husband and I walked a road up a ridge line. It was gorgeous. The cabin is rustic & perfect for those looking for a comfy cozy place to stay after a day of adventuring in Big Bend National Park. Can not recommend Tarantula Ranch enough. It will always have a special place in our hearts!
Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2023
Verified

6/10 Okay

Kimberly C.

Disliked: Listing accuracy

Need better description for potential guests

The description should say that your vehicle must have high clearance and be good for off-roading due to the private property road to get to the rental cabin is mostly large broken rocks and occasional boulder surfaces. Should also mention property has livestock that live at cabin rental site.
Stayed 6 nights in May 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 1 June 2022
I did not mention that you must have high clearance in my property description and be good at off-roading because you don't need those things to get here. One of my former guests who loves it here has read reviews similar to this one and it makes his blood boil when they lie and embellish. He stated this in his first review. Re: The road, "anyone who has been driving for more than a day, the road should not be an issue." These things need to be pointed out. These individuals booked for six nights and seven days. If the road is described correctly by these guests, it poses these questions. How did they get here to check-in in the first place? How did they drive in and out for a week and then be able to check- out and get home to write this review? As I have said before, I am a retired high coach of 43 years in Texas and have had a lot of experience with immature people who are lying. I take this stuff seriously and I will find the truth. I have been in this business over ten and one-half years, as of last April I had the 23rd Prius electric car come down that road and I have never had anyone get stuck or break down. I own seven vehicles; none are from the 21st century. Three of them are Not 4x4. One is a 1950 Chevrolet sedan, the second one is a vintage 1990 Cadillac Allante sports car convertible, two - seater, BRITE RED!!! They make it just fine down my road. Now in the interest of full disclosure, the roads in the Big Bend are not smooth paved roads like the Santa Monica Freeway. They are Chihuhuan Desert Wilderness Back Country Roads and there are 1,200 miles of them and only three paved roads of any importance here in The Big Bend. Also, sometimes bad weather will have a negative effect on the roads but that's why you have me a long time local to advise you of road conditions. Regarding "should mention livestock", I have a rescue burro (donkey) and a rescue horse. Maggie the burro is mentioned twice. If fact she is the one that I advertise will interact with you. I mention the horse only once. She was abused in Mexico and just wants to stay away from humans like the folks who wrote this review. Yesterday I had three lovely young women check in driving some foreign car. They had read this review and informed me that thought my road was great and they were going to write a positive review about the road. You just have to drive slowly, if an animal has knocked a football size rock in the road just drive around it OR even better stop get out and move it.
Verified

8/10 Good

Jeri J.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

The view is amazing

You can't beat the starry nights in Big Bend. The view from this property is amazing. We enjoyed the company of the burros. The property owner was friendly and pleasant. It was helpful to have WIFI, as one of our kids had to be present for online school. I do suggest storing your food properly, as there are critters in the dessert that make their way into the cabin.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2020
Verified

6/10 Okay

Sarah T.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location

Tarantula Ranch stay

The property is on a beautiful spot. Very hard to get to from the main road. Look out for Curt’s (owner) burro. He will damage your car and walk into your place. Good bed but the futons are very old and not very comfortable to sleep on. Good Wi-Fi and nice owner.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 11 March 2023
Let's start with the road. As one of my repeat guests stated in one of her reviews after reading negative reviews about the road and getting tired of poor drivers complaining about the roads in The Big Bend of Texas, she said " anyone that has been driving for more than a day, the road should not be an issue". I have been in this business for over eleven and one-half years. I have had 24 Prius electric cars come here so far and one electric minivan with seven people. I own seven vehicles; one is a 1950 Chevrolet two door coupe and the other is a vintage 1990 Cadillac Allante convertible sports car (BRITE RED) and they make it on our roads just fine. Just a heads up, there are only three paved roads in all of the Big Bend of any importance, and they can be 40 to 80 miles away from each other. Those three roads are US 385, Texas State Hwy 118 and Ranch Road 170. There are three other shorter roads. One is The Terlingua Ranch Road, it is 13 miles of pavement. Then there are two more paved roads in the Big Bend National Park, one is 26 miles of Ross Maxwell scenic drive pavement and the last one is 10 miles of pavement that takes you up to The Chisos Mountain Basin (the high country). AND THAT IS ALL THE PAVEMENT WE HAVE HERE! So, guess what kind of roads are between the paved roads? One Thousand and two -hundred miles of "back country roads" Face it, some people should have never been given a driver's license much less consider coming to the Chihuahuan Desert Wilderness Back Country. MY BURRO: HER name is Maggie and I love HER and so do all of my "normal" guests. SHE, like all of my animals here is a rescue. SHE has never damaged anyone's car in eleven- and one-half years in business. She does know how to open car doors and steal your "goodies" and she likes to walk inside the big cabin and have her picture taken with the guest. I've taken hundreds of "Maggie/guests" Christmas card photos inside the big cabin over the years. You won't see that at the Hyatt Regency!! After the photo -op and the guest unpack their car, I have the guests park their car in the corral (about a 30 second walk away so wildlife won't damage your vehicle and Maggie won't open your doors, hot wire your car and take it on a "joy Ride". lol Maggie has always been a big hit with everyone. Tarantula Ranch offers a unique experience for urban dwellers to experience wildlife up close and personnel and a friendly burro (donkey) who likes to visit people in their ecosystem. If you think you may have any DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) similar to the author of this review, please don't come to THE BIG BEND. If WIFI is the high point of your day you have missed the adventure that is THE BIG BEND!
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Gloria D.

Home Away From Home

Our daughter and her husband as well as my husband spent four nights in this quaint cottage with all the comforts of home. Curt was very engaging and kept us updated on things in the area. Due to the lack of light pollution, we had of the stars at night we were fortunate to witness the meteor shower. Our purpose for staying in the area was to visit Big Bend National Park which we did every day. And Curt also gave us our own private tour including petroglyphs. What an adventure with comforts of home. A must stay place.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Justin M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect for That Famous Night Sky

The night sky from here is amazing! I mean, it's great everywhere out here, but we have stayed in a lot of places out here and this is at the top of our list. As advertised, you do need to bring your own pillows and linens, but we do that anyway so it wasn't a big deal. Essentially, plan on camping with a bed and a shower. The place was great, and Curt was very helpful. His knowledge of the area will really help you maximize your visit. Also, Maggie is super friendly! We had a great time and will definitely be back to stay again!
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2024
Verified

4/10 Poor

Leah E.

Liked: Location
Disliked: Check-in, listing accuracy

Difficult

The views were spectacular but the check-in process was not smooth. Difficult to communicate directly with the owner with my busy schedule before leaving for our trip. Also, bringing our own linens and dishware required an extra suitcase that we had to pay for with our flight. The equipment in the kitchen didn't work. Long dirt road. You had to navigate to get to property and your car was parked behind a gate that you had to walk to
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 18 April 2025
DIFFICULT: THAT'S THE UNDERSTATEMENT!!! But not on my part. She starts by saying that the Arrival date: was Sun. Mar 23. She checked in on the 24th. It seems she doesn't own a clock or calendar. She didn't even know her check in date, yet she expects my fellow Americans to believe this drivel. The first time I tried to give her directions she seemed upset, so I said, "I'm going to let you go and compose yourself. Call me tonight so we can finish this". She didn't call. She had two months, (60 days) to call me for directions. You would think she could have found fifteen minutes in 60 days to call me for directions. When a guest books, I immediately send them an e mail saying, "call me for directions." I told her she didn't have to bring dishes as she could just buy paper plates after they landed. The linens are because of covid, to keep guests healthy. Lest we forget, our ancestors brought all of their belongings in an animal drawn wagon, Not on an air-conditioned jet with movies and Margaritas. Parking, navigating, long road: I have people park in the corral to keep their car safe, OH! and the walk to your car is only 30 seconds. Navigating: I don't know how that applies to anything. Your pilot had to navigate to get you to Texas. Long road: The road is 2 miles long; all ranches have long rough roads. Equipment in kitchen. She just lied about that. Everything in the kitchen works. And finally, no period at the end of your review.
Verified

8/10 Good

Valerie V.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Very Rustic

The location was awesome! No one around us, but the property owner. You need to bring plates, silverware, seasonings and everything you plan on cooking with. He had a few pans and coffee mugs. There was a field mouse in the house. But that was to be expected, considering the age and location of the house. The kids had fun and that all that mattered. We would stay there again.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Erika O.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Practically Perfect in Every Way

I should have booked us for 2+ nights! 1 night, 1 sunset and 1 sunrise was simply NOT enough at this property. Aside from the cottage being absolutely cute beyond expectation, the V I E W S were to die for. Stay up on the front porch to watch the sunset before heading into town to visit the starlight theater. It is worth every minute! And when you’re ready with coffee in hand, enjoy the sunrise in the hot tub. We faced away from the sunrise to see the hues on the mountains ahead of us change from a brown to deep orange to yellow and eventually Moises our way back down to the cabin. Your host will be more than accommodating and provide more than enough comedic relief to make you feel right at home. We’ll be returning, without a shadow of a doubt!
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024
Verified

4/10 Poor

Mark C.

4/3/19

View is spectacular, especially on a clear night. 2 mile dirt road is very bumpy. Burros are cute but can be annoying. House is functional but not especially comfortable. If you want isolation, this is your spot. Don’t expect convenience
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 25 March 2020
I've noticed when my fellow competitors write a rebuttal to a negative review they generally start out by saying "thank you for letting me know" and /or "i am so sorry" etc.etc.I would do that also if i had wronged someone but so far after almost eight years in this business i can't remember that happening.(yet). The road is bumpy... BOO-HOO!! This traveler needs to be given some "bubble wrap"before coming to the Big Bend. I tell all of my guests that this is a Chihuhuan desert wilderness area. (it's on my web site) whether its my property or some of my friends/neighbors property who are competitors that rent their cabins to make a living.While we are on the subject of roads, i have been over this before I have written rebuttals on this subject before.... There are only 6 paved roads in the Big Bend.Three of those six roads are less than 30 miles in length. The rest of the roads are dirt roads, so brace yourself and don't come if you are going to whine.A few years ago a large ranch down here advertised "come to the Big Bend and drive 1100 miles of back country roads".You need to go to the Hyatt Regency in downtown Chicago on the corner of Wacker street and Michigan ave. if you want smooth roads. The cabins are rustic. having said that they all have real electricity,hot and cold running water, a/c and heat wi/fi, direct satellite tv with movie channals, a full functioning kitchen just to name a few, so i don't know what more to offer. Now regarding the burros... if you read the review just before this very negative review, you will notice they mentioned the burros were the highlight of their stay as do most of my guest. I'm really surprised this person wrote a review and how he would know anything about the burros or the cabin as they were only here about 8 hours. They checked in about 10pm went to bed and were gone by 8am.
Verified

2/10 Terrible

Raul G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication
Disliked: Location, listing accuracy

Beautiful but short of perfect

First, the host was as nice and accommodating as one could hope for. The views are breathtaking. Unfortunately, the entire area experienced a blackout during a storm so our stay had zero electricity and no water to shower from the desert heat the next morning. Not the host fault but extremely uncomfortable stay. With the storm also came no view of the stars, and an uncomfortable drive up hill to the house. The donkey was too funny and brought warm welcomed smiles as our night needed them. Very clean.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 30 June 2022
Finally, after almost eleven years in this business with vrbo I got a one star review that was accurate and not a lie. The Chihuhuan Desert Wilderness can be inconvenient and unforgiving at times. Regarding unforgiving: The only problem I think Raul will have is if God reads this and thinks he only got one star for his storm.
Verified

8/10 Good

Tracy Y.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beatiful views

Curt was an exceptional host and very friendly. He knew all about the area, gave us expert directions, and lots of tips. He even let us check in early. The scenic views are like no other if you're willing to go way off the beaten path and get out of your comfort zone. He even has a hot tub up the hill at his property which we enjoyed and a sweet donkey named Maggie. My only complaint were the bugs. The walls dont seem to be sealed good so we had many spiders, scorpions, ants, and other friends join us during our visit which totally freaked my daughters out!! Also, don't forget your sheets, paper towels, and toilet paper because none of that is included.
Stayed 1 night in May 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 22 June 2024
When you consider visiting an area it pays to do a little research on what type of an eco-system you will be visiting. Did you think you were coming to Disney World, where all animals are robots? The Big Bend is a back country Wilderness area so yes, there are ants, scorpions, spiders along with mountain lions and rattle snakes, rough roads and blowing sand. One of my fields is biology/ecology so maybe I'm not quite as much of a "wimp" as most people when it comes to wildlife. That spider you saw is protected. It is no danger to humans but feeds on the brown recluse spider which will harm you. Ants: I spray for ants between guests and when I cleaned your cabin that morning so you could arrive early there were no ants present then or when you arrived. There is a sign inside the door to that cabin saying, "please do not leave food out because it will attract pests". So, you left food out, attracted ants, and then "whined" about it. The scorpions (plural), If you saw a scorpion (singular), it would have been in the shower or kitchen sink probably. They come in through the drain sometimes (and by sometimes, I mean ONE every three years or so), scorpions travel alone unless it is a female with her babies on her back. But there's no need to overreact, just turn on the water and wash them back down the drain. I think you lied about seeing more than one scorpion. They mostly stay outside in the rocks.
Verified

6/10 Okay

Richard S.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location
Disliked: Cleanliness

Perception is key

We are not Texans so the 2 mile "lane" was interesting. Taking all linens, silverware, etc. was a bit of a pain. The night sky is amazing but having only a single chair that wasn't plastic seemed odd. Neither futon was in the upright position to use as anything other than a bed. It is 20 miles to the main park entrance outside Study Butte. I understand there is "rustic" and there is "rustic." The larger cabin needs some TLC and a deep cleaning.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 14 May 2022
The first four words "We are not Texans" pretty much explains it all.

About the host

Hosted by curt swafford

Host profile image
I am a native Texan. I am a retired coach. On my ranch I live with one dog, one horse , one burro and one cat. All the animals at Tarantula Ranch at this time are rescues You will meet them all when you come to Tarantula Ranch and will learn each of their stories.

Why they chose this property

I need to make a Porsha payment!!

What makes this property unique

Breakfast with burros, hikes to great vistas right out the front door, Hot tub on west cliff, Observation deck that hangs off west cliff, great sunrises and sunsets, spectacular mountain views.

Languages:

English
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