Terlingua, Texas
Tiny Terlingua is just minutes from the historic Terlingua Ghosttown, conveniently situated between Big Bend National Park and Big Bend Ranch State Park. This solar powered house is tucked away privately on the corner of five acres with plenty of room for enjoying a campfire, viewing the night sky and watching an amazing sunrise. Come experience tiny house living powered by the sun.
Tiny Terlingua is a solar powered mini-home featuring a small kitchen, an upstairs loft bedroom, downstairs sleeper futon and a separate bathhouse. There is an air conditioner in the house and a swamp cooler in the bathhouse. The wrap around porch provides all-day shade for the house and outdoor living space.
KITCHEN - The kitchen area is small but has everything you'll need for a short stay - a three burner propane cooktop, a copper farmhouse vessel sink and a mini fridge. A coffee percolator / water kettle is provided as well as a french press for making coffee or tea. Coffee by Big Bend Roasters and a selection of teas are also provided. There are drinking glasses, coffee mugs, small plates, bowls, some flatware, a stainless steel skillet, a small pot and cooking utensils. There is also an outside stove and a grill.
LOFT - The bedroom is an upstairs loft which is accessible by ladder. Watch the stars from a super comfy full size mattress with big fluffy pillows. PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU ARE COMFORTABLE CLIMBING A LADDER BEFORE BOOKING THIS RENTAL. Climbing in and out of the loft bed on a narrow, steep ladder requires agility and balance. See the photos in this listing and consider whether you will be able to climb up and down from the loft without putting yourself in danger. There is a twin-size futon downstairs for lounging or for sleeping another guest. Additional pillows and sheets for the futon are available upon request.
BATHHOUSE - The bathroom is a separate building just a short walk from the house. Custom vanity, large rainshower and an evaporative cooler make this bathhouse super comfortable. Its just as big as the house! Towels and handsoap are provided but please bring your own shampoo, soap, etc.
OUTSIDE - Although there are solar lights positioned around the house outside, I strongly advise bringing a flashlight to get around after dark.
SOLAR POWER - The house is solar-powered and requires some management from guests in order to keep everything working continuously: turning lights off when not in use, turning the swamp cooler off when not in use and keeping the AC set at a low fan setting and higher temp when guests are not there. The AC keeps the house quite cool throughout the night if the power supply is managed properly.
I live on the opposite side of the property and am available anytime for questions about the area.
Other Things to Note:
- Tiny Terlingua is located on a bumpy dirt road but is accessible by most vehicles if traveled slowly.
- I share my space with three dogs. Monkey is an 11 year old black mouth cur weighing about 60 pounds. Kutsy is a three year old husky ridgeback mix weighing about 40 pounds. Banjo is the newest member of the girl pack. She is a one year old mixed bundle of joy. They are all shy but friendly when they warm up to you. They may bark at you but are big scaredy cats.
- Smoking is allowed but only outside. Please dispose of your cigarette butts in the ashtray provided,
- Must climb stairs - There is a sliding library ladder to access the bedroom loft.
Terlingua Ghosttown, Starlight Theatre, Terlingua Trading Post and Posada Milagro Coffee Shop are all a short drive from the house or a pleasant fifteen minute walk. The entrance to Big Bend National Park is about twenty minutes away and Big Bend Ranch State Park HQ is twenty minutes in the other direction. The Cottonwood Store is our local grocery store and carries just about anything you could need. Its a ten minute drive from the house.
HOUSE MANUAL:
The solar system by which the house is run is a substantial system. That being said, the power provided is not infinite and must be managed. Just a few cloudy days and leaving appliances run all day and night can cause a system fault. Learning to manage your power is an integral part of off grid living. Please do not bring a microwave, toaster oven, coffee pot or hot water kettle. All of these things require a lot of power and will either drastically deplete the power supply or fault the system. Likewise, a jet-powered hair dryer will not work. I have provided a small hairdryer that will do the job without consuming too much power.
BATH HOUSE SWAMP COOLER
The swamp cooler works best by opening the bathhouse door and positioning the cooler in the doorway. This way there is plenty of air to be drawn into the bathhouse for the swamp cooler to cool. By turning off the swamp cooler when you’re not there, you conserve power for use when you return. If you turn on the swamp cooler twenty minutes before you want to use the bathhouse shower, it should cool down enough to have a comfortable shower. If you are visiting during the hot summer months, the bathhouse is quite warm in the late afternoon.
AIR CONDITIONER
The AC in the house should be turned up to 85 and set on the lowest fan setting when you’re not there. This uses the least amount of power during the day while still keeping the house fairly cool. The house is well insulated and even on 115 degree days, it doesn’t take long for it to cool off. Just turn it back down when you return for the day. If the AC is left running all day at a 70 degree high fan setting, there will be a system fault at some point through the night and everything will shut down. After spending the day in 100-115 degree temperatures, believe me, 85 will feel cool when you return and once you turn the AC back down, it will cool off quickly.
LOFT LIGHTS
The upstairs sconce lights are not functional. And for whatever reason, the light switch in the loft operates the outlet in the loft. There are two battery operated push lights and some led string lights that are plugged into the outlet. Thanks for your understanding .
PROPANE COOKTOP
The cooktop requires a stick lighter for lighting which you will find in the utensils can on the countertop. The gas supply is located in an outdoor closet on the south side of the house. There is a spare gas tank in the bench on the west side of the house. If you are not comfortable changing out the gas tank, please let me know and I’ll be more than happy to change it.
DARK SKY
We love and cherish our night sky. Please do not leave the outside porch light on overnight.
NOISE
Voices carry a long way out here and depending on the direction of the wind, your conversations can be heard farther away than you think - and very clearly, I might add. Quiet time is between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m. No loud music, no parties and no yelling. Thanks!
MY FUR BABIES
Monkey (the red-head) and Kutsy (the blond) will occasionally come around to say hi and are quite friendly. Banjo is often in tow. More likely you will see them bolting across the desert in bunny rabbit mode. Please do not feed any of them no matter how desperately they look at you with hungry puppy dog eyes. Monkey is on a strict diet to help control her congenital heart failure and can be negatively affected by food outside her normal diet. THANKS SO MUCH!
CANCELLATION/EARLY CHECKOUT POLICY:
I have a NO REFUND policy for early checkouts and cancellations once you have arrived. The reason for this policy is that when you place the reservation you are "buying" the time at Tiny Terlingua and the dates are removed from the market for any other potential guests. An early checkout leaves me in a position where it is extremely difficult to rebook the remaining dates, thereby losing income. This is my business and my livelihood and last minute refunds have a substantial impact on that business.
This policy includes but is not limited to:
- Lack of understanding on your part about the house and its amenities (it is clearly stated in the description). If you have doubts or are confused about how to operate something, just ask. I’m only a text away.
- Weather issues. I am not responsible for heat, cold, rain, snow, etc. Please don’t hold me accountable for them.
- Health issues. While I am sympathetic to someone becoming ill while they are here, I cannot be held financially responsible for that illness. There are no “sick days” in this business.
- Family issues. Ditto. There are no “personal days” in this business.
- Creepy crawlies. Tiny Terlingua, as most homes located in rural areas, is subject to occasional invasion by flies, bees, wasps, ants and bugs in general. I ask that, if you are feeling invaded by such critters, please allow me to manage the problem before deciding to leave and waging refund war against me. Usually, given a short period of time, I can make them go away.
While I am fairly strict about this policy, I do understand that things happen and I’m not a complete hard-ass. So, if I am able to rebook the dates you are cancelling, I am absolutely willing to refund the difference and I have in many cases. This is not a guarantee but only a possibility. And, there will be a $25 fee associated with the management of your last minute cancellation.
I sincerely hope that you enjoy your stay at Tiny Terlingua and are satisfied with your choice to stay here. However, if things run amuck for whatever reason, let’s try to work it out like adults and communicate clearly in an attempt to appease both parties.
This place is awesome! It was perfect for two people. If you’re looking to just get away and want to hang out at the house it’s great... or if you’re just looking to use it as a base camp for adventures... also great. Very well though out and just an amazing experience.
High end cooking utensils and amenities. Coffee and water provided. Excellent directions and guidance to local restaurants and events. Friendly and responsive owner.
Quaint, cozy, charming. Two small for 2 people; solar power reserve insufficient; could not contact proprietor. Detached bathroom.
Carmen has created a tiny oasis in the desert by creatively utilizing resources at hand such as solar power and native flora/fauna. The tiny house is equipped quite cleaverly so that comforts do not compromise space. I was a bit concerned about the bath house but it was another lovely surprise about Tiny Terlingua due to Carmen's planning and design. This was the perfect base camp for our Big Bend adventures and we plan to make this a yearly stay.
This place is so cute and it’s run on solar power! It’s small inside, but there are great seating areas all around. I loved sitting outside and looking at the stars. We really enjoyed our time and will be back!
Amazing place to stay near big bend. Would highly recommend to anyone.
Loved staying in the tiny home. So close to the Starlight Theater. Checking out the stars at night is such a wonderful experience. The sunrise in the morning while enjoying your French press coffee is the perfect way to start your day in Terlingua!
We had a great stay in Tiny Terlingua as we used it as a base camp for access to the national park and were checking out stars from the property at night. Great use of a small space with everything needed to prepare small meals. Very clean and the owner had the solar powered lights activated for us when we were arriving at nightfall. The weather was starting to get hot (around 90 degrees), but the AC unit (even on solar power) was able to keep the home cool and comfortable through the night without issues. Overall a great experience and would highly recommend.
This tiny home is perfect for a semi secluded get away while visiting Big Bend. It is quiet,clean, and comes with everything you need.
Excellent stay with a perfect location for visiting the National Park and State Park. Carmen's description of the property was very accurate and she kept us updated on current closures and openings in the parks. Thank you
LOOOVED LOVED our experience. What a great little property. Right outside of big bend with quick access to restaurants and stores around town. The owner gave great recommendations for food and activities. Would 100% stay here again.
Cozy, cute, and immaculate property. Tiny house With lots of attractive features.
What a place! The sunset, stars, howling coyotes in the distance, cool fall breeze in the loft and remakable sunrise has made this a highlight of my cross country motorcycle trek. Thank you for sharing.
Tiny Terlingua was so clean and cozy. I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of my stay! Wonderful to shower and go to dinner close by after a weekend of camping. Place was quiet and just what I needed. Thank you!
Had a fantastic one night stay in this tiny house just a short hop from Terlingua. Everything was clean, neat, and tidy upon arrival, and we had no troubles checking in or out. We went in the middle of August and so it was definitely hot out but with the A/C unit things were fine. You can open the windows on both sides of the loft to get a nice cross-breeze going. The bathhouse was big (almost as big as the tiny house) and had no problems with water pressure or temperature. Great views of the night sky and milky way, and didn't see a soul pass by. WiFi was provided which was a big plus. Would definitely stay again if I'm ever passing through!
Tiny Terlingua made for a great place to spend our 1st anniversary (got married at the church in the Terlingua Ghosttown). The directions/instructions Carmen sent before our stay were very detailed (which is good, because GPS and cell service aren't very good in the area) . The house was EXCEPTIONALLY clean! I mean spotless. Floors, linens, bathroom, etc. were in great order (probably a challenge given the dust and insects in the area) Carmen has done a great job of outfitting the house. For it's size, it's got a lot packed in it. The layout, furnishings, supplies, and decor were all very carefully planned. Well done!!! While we only made coffee (local ground is provided, as are both a stove-top percolator and a French press), the kitchen looked to be pretty useful (nice supply of cooking utensils). There are also a couple of options for outdoor cooking (charcoal grill and propane stove). As you can see in the pictures, the bathroom seems comically large compared to the house. The bathroom only has a portable evaporative cooler, so be aware that it's going to be hot in the summer. Plan your showers accordingly! As also noted, you have to climb a ladder to the sleeping loft. Keep in mind that it's pretty steep. It didn't bother us, but the first trip down in the morning took some thought (didn't help that I was sore for hiking). The house is on solar power, but other than not leaving the AC running while gone, there isn't much to worry about (we were mindful to lights off when not in use). We actually found it interesting to watch the battery and load levels on the control panel. All of that was great, but the best part was the view once the sun was down. The stars out here are amazing. In fact, we had a better sky that night than two nights prior at the McDonald Observatory. We frequent the area, and will surely make Tiny Terlingua a regular spot. Thanks Carmen!
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