There’s only one lodge within Big Bend National Park, but there are other accommodations outside the park, from 6 miles (9.7 km) to over 40 miles (64 km) in distance.
A view of the Chisos Mountains Lodge complex, Big Bend National Park / Rebecca Latson
The Chisos Mountains Lodge, operated by concessionaire Aramark Destinations, is the only non-camping option available within Big Bend. Located in the Chisos Basin and surrounded by mountains, this lodge is open year-round and offers three different types of rooms as well as six stone cottages, built by the Civilian Conservation Corp in the late 1930s.
The Rio Grande Motel Rooms are motel-style units where you can park your vehicle in front of your assigned room. These rooms include a full bathroom, coffee maker, mini fridge, microwave, hair dryer, air conditioning and heat. Ramp-accessible rooms are available upon request. Depending upon the season, Rio Grande Motel Rooms run for about $170.57 per night, not including taxes.
The Emory Peak Rooms are in two-story buildings near the Roosevelt Stone Cottages and away from the other lodge buildings. Four of the rooms have one double and one twin bed and are located on the lower level with roughly six steps upon entering the room while the other four feature one king and have about 30 steps leading up to them. They offer the same amenities as the Rio Grande Motel Rooms (heat only, no AC) but also include ceiling fans and stone floors and go for $229.15 per night, not including taxes.
Casa Grande Lodge Rooms are also located in two-story buildings and offer the same amenities as the Rio Grande Motel Rooms, with the addition of a semi-private balcony. These rooms are close to the trailheads and cost $176.95 per night, not including taxes.
A balcony view of the park from a Casa Grande Room at the Chisos Mountains Lodge, Big Bend National Park / Rebecca Latson
The free-standing Roosevelt Stone Cottages (two of which are built as a duplex) are located across the way from the Emory Peak Rooms and a slight distance away from the other lodging. Each cottage offers 3 double beds and a sofa with enough room to accommodate 7 people. The private bathrooms have a stand-up shower and the same amenities as the Rio Grande Motel Rooms (heat only, no AC), along with a back porch. Five of these cottages go for $251.40 per night, not including taxes.
The VIP Roosevelt Cottage has 1 king bed and a sofa to accommodate a total of three guests. Set apart from the other four cottages as well as from the Chisos Mountains Lodge complex, the VIP Roosevelt Cottage is still close enough to walk to the restaurant, visitor center, and trailheads. Amenities are the same as for the other cottages, and with a covered porch. This VIP Roosevelt Cottage costs $269.20 per night, not including taxes.
The view along a trail looking back toward the Chisos Basin and Chisos Mountains Lodge complex, Big Bend National Park / Rebecca Latson
Rollaway beds are available upon request for all rooms at this lodge.
Pets are only permitted in two of the Roosevelt Stone Cottages and nowhere else.
For ADA-accessible rooms and information, call the lodge at 866-499-2558.
You can view and download the lodge property map.
Note: Work on two large construction projects in the Chisos Basin will begin in late Spring 2025 and continue for approximately two years. Disruptions in visitor access to the Chisos Basin area of the park are expected. According to the Chisos Mountains Lodge website, they will be taking reservations through April 30th, 2025 (limited availability April 1 – 30th), then will be closed for the remainder of the time until the Chisos Basin projects are completed.
Lodging Outside The Park
Other Lodging Options are available outside Big Bend in the communities of Marathon, Study Butte (Stew-dee bewt), Terlingua, and Lajitas, Texas. Drive times depend upon the area of the park you enter. Marathon is about 40 miles (64 km) from the Persimmon Gap Entrance in the northernmost portion of the park. The other communities are located west of the Maverick Junction Entrance and vary from 6 miles (9.7km) to almost 21 miles (33.8 km) in distance from that entrance.
Visitbigbend.com lists the available lodging within each of these communities.
A personal favorite of mine is the Gage Hotel Resort and Spa, located in Marathon (pop 275 in 2022) at the intersection of U.S. Routes 385 and 90. The Gage Hotel is a large breath of cool air out in hot, sunbaked southwest Texas, with a first-class restaurant and a great margarita (the hotel bar offers several kinds).
While the hotel offers four types of accommodations (Historic Hotel, Los Portales, Captain Shepard House, Casitas), my vote goes to the Los Portales rooms. It’s a good idea to get reservations for either place far in advance of your trip. Rates run from $299 for a room in the hotel, $289 for a room in the Captain Shepard House, $329 for a Los Portales room, and $509 for a Casita during the summer, not including taxes. Rates are subject to change as the seasons change.
A Los Portales Room at the Gage Hotel / Rebecca Latson
A starry winter night over the courtyard and Los Portales Rooms at the Gage Hotel / Rebecca Latson
Where ever you choose to lodge during your visit to Big Bend National Park, you need to make your reservations far ahead of your visit - months ahead, even. This is especially important during the Texas Spring Break, a week-long vacation period from school during March.
