Entire cabin

Big Bend Observatory: Private Observatory, SkyDeck

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your current months are December, 2024 and January, 2025.
December 2024
January 2025

Photo gallery for Big Bend Observatory: Private Observatory, SkyDeck

Aerial view
Exterior
1 bedroom, desk, WiFi, bed sheets
Property grounds
Miscellaneous

Reviews

9.6 out of 10

Exceptional

Entire cabin

1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 4

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
    Parking available
  • Barbecue grill
    Barbecue grill
  • Outdoor space
    Outdoor space
  • Kitchen
    Kitchen
  • Air conditioning
    Air conditioning
  • Business services
    Business services

Explore the area

Map
Terlingua, TX
  • Many Stones
    13 min walk
  • Big Bend Library
    6 min drive
  • Big Bend National Park
    8 min drive

Room options

Similar properties

About the area

Terlingua

In Terlingua .Stay at this Terlingua cabin and you'll be within 2 miles (3 km) of Many Stones and 6 miles (10 km) of Big Bend Library. Big Bend National Park is within 6 miles (10 km) and Big Bend Ranch State Park is within 20 miles (32 km).

What's nearby

  • Many Stones - 13 min walk - 1.1 km
  • Big Bend Library - 6 min drive - 5.8 km
  • Big Bend National Park - 8 min drive - 8.2 km
  • Barton Warnock Visitor Center - 27 min drive - 28.5 km
  • Santa Elena Canyon - 51 min drive - 31.1 km

Restaurants

  • ‪Terlingua ghost town Starlight theater - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪High Sierra Bar Grill - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Taqueria El Milagro - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Chili Pepper Cafe - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Boathouse Restaurant & Bar - ‬11 min drive

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire cabin to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Big Bend Observatory: Private Observatory, SkyDeck

Summary:
Big Bend Observatory: Private Observatory, Observation Deck, and Cedar Cabin Offers Celestial Views.
• Become our next Visiting Astronomer
• Roll Top Observatory w/ 6" Lens Scope
• Elevated Observation Sky Deck
• Open Kitchen, Dining, Living Room
• Just Minutes from Terlingua and BBNP

The Space:
Become our next Visiting Astronomer and enjoy a stellar vacation!

The Big Bend Observatory is the only vacation rental in the Terlingua area with a private observatory and an elevated Sky Deck. Just north of Terlingua and across from Willow Mountain, Big Bend Observatory offers a newly-built cedar cabin that sleeps up to four. Enjoy exclusive use of our elevated Sky Deck with giant binoculars, and our private observatory with a telescope and roll-off roof. The observatory and telescope are designed for easy use with simple instructions.

By day, enjoy scenic mountain vistas and wildlife viewing from the elevated Sky Deck, using our giant binoculars, your own equipment, or your natural vision. By night, be amazed by celestial views using our private observatory, your own telescope, or your unaided eyes. Our dark skies are unparalleled. The Big Bend Region is internationally acclaimed for having the darkest night skies and best astronomical views in the continental US.

Whether you are a professional astronomer, hobbyist with your own telescope, or someone that has never viewed the Milky Way, you will be inspired and astonished by the celestial views from Big Bend Observatory.

The private observatory has a roll-off roof with a fold-down southern wall for unparalleled sky views. If you are planning to attach a DSLR camera, you will need to purchase a T-ring specific to your camera model. These are typically available from any full-service photography store or website for less than twenty dollars. A 1.25 inch eyepiece adapter is available on-site which will screw into your T-ring and allow prime focus imaging.

The SkyDeck is located between the observatory and the cabin. It has a 7'x7' deck, 11' above ground level. It is equipped with a mounting point for the supplied pair of giant 11X80 Celestron astronomical binoculars. Outdoor AC power outlets are available at the observatory, on the Sky Deck, and outside the cabin itself. A professional tripod is available for steady unguided astrophotography. Guests are encouraged to bring their own telescopes and/or binoculars to take full advantage of the dark sky site.

Located just over two miles north of Terlingua and less than a half mile off Highway 118, Big Bend Observatory has easy access to Terlingua, Big Bend National Park, Terlingua Ghost Town, Big Bend Ranch State Park, the Rio Grande River, a variety of restaurants and bars, adventure outfitters, and all the local tourist venues. Enjoy everything Terlingua and the Big Bend has to offer, plus your own private cabin and observatory.

The vacation rental home at Big Bend Observatory is a newly built cedar cabin with an open floor plan. A small kitchen and dining area is open to the living room and sleeping area. The living room has a comfortable sofa and a desk with a computer that is available for guest use. The sleeping area has full-size bunk beds. There is a single bathroom with a flushing toilet, sink and vanity, and shower. The cabin is air-conditioned and heated for your comfort. A spacious covered porch provides shaded views to the west.

Once you visit here once, you will be eager to return again and again as a Visiting Astronomer. Big Bend Observatory will be your home away from home in the Big Bend and your own private window on the universe.

Interaction with Guests:
We manage several properties and live a few miles away. We are available by phone, text, email, or messages through Airbnb. We are typically only on site for cleaning or maintenance issues.

Property manager

Janet Eby

Languages

English

Property amenities

Internet

  • WiFi available

Parking and transportation

  • Onsite parking

Kitchen

  • Refrigerator
  • Stovetop
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Toaster
  • Cookware/dishes/utensils
  • Coffee/tea maker

Bedrooms

  • 1 bedroom
  • Bed sheets provided

Bathrooms

  • 1 bathroom
  • Shower
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Living room

Entertainment

  • TV with cable/satellite service

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony
  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden
  • Telescope

Work spaces

  • Computer station
  • Office
  • Desk

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property

Location highlights

  • In the mountains
  • In a rural location

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector installed (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector installed (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • Fire extinguisher

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Minimum check-in age: 21

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.

Important information

You need to know

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
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession. Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited. For guests' safety, the property includes a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, and a smoke detector in each accommodation.

Property is also known as

Big Bend Observatory: Private Observatory, SkyDeck Terlingua
Big Bend Observatory: Private Observatory, SkyDeck Cabin
5f4fd981f16996002b6cbae5

Big Bend Observatory: Private Observatory, SkyDeck Reviews

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 55 out of 69 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 11 out of 69 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 69 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 69 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 69 reviews" "

9.4/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Tracey S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Awesome Trip, Can't wait to go back.
Cabin was what we expected and more! We spent the days hiking areas in Big Bend National Park like the lost mine trail and other trails off the scenic routes in the park. Went to the Terlingua ghost town to check it out and had a nice time at the Boathouse Bar. While viewing the planets and stars in the observatory at night! The seestar there is easy to use after watching a simple youtube video. Hosts were great, we never had to contact them on any issues during our stay. But they were very responsive before during and after our stay. I will be going back for sure! Highly Recommend this place! Only thing I regret is only staying a week.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

DeAnne M.

Stayed 4 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Robin

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The quaint cabin was very clean and equipped with everything we needed during our stay. The day we arrived the power went out and apparently it impacted a lot of residents. Thankfully, power was restored within 20 minutes. Daryl followed up by calling and checking on us which was a very kind gesture. There aren't a lot of dining options throughout the area, so I suggest bringing your own food. The cabin's fridge is large enough to store a lot of groceries.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Marc L.

Liked: Cleanliness
The Views Are Nice
Like staying in an RV except with no wheels and more room and comfort. There is another property 100 ft away that was occupied for some of our stay, but we didn't see them, only their car. Otherwise, there's not much else in sight. The front porch faces due west and we enjoyed drinks and snacks while watching the sunsets. The bed and seating is comfortable. There were no measuring cups or spoons in the kitchen if you need them. They did have 2 counter stools in the kitchen that were very convenient. The driveway is very muddy after a rain and has some short steep hills.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023

8/10 Good

Desiree B.

Fabulous Night Sky
A great location to stay while visiting BBNP! This cabin has all the necessities and was a breeze to get to. The observatory was an excellent bonus! We will check this one out again if available when we visit the area again.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

pam s.

Liked: Cleanliness
Very peaceful
Really enjoyed out time at the cabin!
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Raoul G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Big Bend Observatory
Perfect place for serenity and stars Feels like the 1800’s or maybe Mars Host provides all you need Makes it so you won’t want to leave
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Susan D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Cozy cabin for two!
Gorgeous vistas, nicely sited and well-appointed cabin with fantastic sky viewing. Good proximity to Terlingua, Lajitas, Presidio, Big Bend, Mexico and more!
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Randy C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Dark Skys
Very nice, had everything we needed...great views
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023

8/10 Good

P. Terry S.

Excellent Location
Wonderful property at an excellent location!
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Gena G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Christmas vacation
We had a great stay far enough way from everything but close enough to still be convenient. Cabin worked great for a small family.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jim N.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great stay, great star gazing
A stay in this cabin is a unique experience given the location and star gazing amenities.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Owllamour C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Memorable life experience!
The place was beautiful and well equipped. The owners were nice and gave active communication and an easy way to talk to them if needed. Highly recommend staying here and would do it again!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2022

8/10 Good

Darlene H.

My Stay at Big Bend. Observatory
The property was as promised, beautiful view of the night sky. Beautiful terrain. I was disappointed in the cleaning. We moved the rugs and there were cobwebs and trash under them. We cleaned dead bugs and flies off the window sills, and we bought a candle and febreeze to take the smell from the cabin. An insect strip near the door would help as the door has cracks that small bugs fly in. If we had been warned about the bugs we could have bought insect repellents. The scorpion in the sink wasn’t as alarming as all the dead bugs on the window sills
Stayed 4 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Ernie B., Raleigh, USA

Liked: Cleanliness
Under the stars
The bunkbeds shook dramatically when you climbed into the top bunk, but they were sturdy. The owners left us binoculars and scopes for our use, this was very generous. It was only 6 miles from the entrance two big bend national park, and it was equally as close to the state park. It was as close as you can get without staying within the park.
Stayed 13 nights in Apr 2022

10/10 Excellent

Anoop A., Houston, USA

Liked: Cleanliness
Cozy cabin near Big Bend
Our family enjoyed our stay at this very cute and cozy cabin. It's only a 20 min drive to Big Bend entrance. It's very peaceful and remote setting. The cabin is well stocked and great amenities. We enjoyed the star-gazing as much as we could - the full moon was the only bummer!
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2022

10/10 Excellent

Lisa p.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect location
The location was perfect to both the national park and the state park and just 2 minutes from gas and groceries. We didn’t try the telescope but the night skies with the partial lunar eclipse was beautiful. We would definitely stay here again.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2021

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth P.

Liked: Cleanliness
Peaceful!
We celebrated our 31st. anniversary and couldn’t have been happier with the cabin and location! Every year we try to find a location that is unique, quiet & relaxing and BBO was perfect. Even with neighbors in the cabin next door we had no problem enjoying the peaceful view from the porch. We did struggle with the telescope, we tried it one night with no luck! We decided not to stress about it, it didn’t ruin our stay because the Sky Deck was awesome, from the amount stars to the number of shooting stars we saw, it was amazing!! The drive to Big Bend is so easy and convenient, we went everyday. You have stop by Many Stones on 118, for rocks and cactuses, the gentleman there is very kind, the prices are good too! Fair warning though, don’t leave your purchases on the porch, I woke up to find all of them gone 😆I had to go back and buy more!! The cabin was the perfect size for me and my husband, I would suggest bringing T.V. trays or bar stools, we ate our meals on top of our travel totes for a table, lol! As far as the water situation it’s common sense knowing where your at, water conservation is key and getting our water from a tank is something we are used to!! The owners make sure you have plenty of drinking water!! Which we greatly appreciated! We definitely plan on going back❤️
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2021

10/10 Excellent

Brent C., Euless, TX

Liked: Cleanliness
Outstanding
Our family of four had a wonderful time at this awesome dark sky cabin. Thanks so much for the hospitality. We will definitely be visiting again.

8/10 Good

Manny D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful Sunsets in Cozy Cabin
We very much liked the cabin. Only giving 4 stars because of the hefty price paid (incl the fees, etc....) for such a small place. Overall communications were top notch. The skies were indeed dark, with no nearby lights at all - perfect. The WIFI was the best we've had anywhere. Only 2 minor negatives I can think of. We were without electicity for several hours one morning, (and this means no water, no WIFI....), which wasn't fun. And the nearest neighbor has a wind chime "bell" that rang during wind gusts, disturbing the supreme silence of the area. Beautiful sunset from the covered front porch every evening!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2021

10/10 Excellent

Robert M., League City, TX

Liked: Cleanliness
West Texas Nature Solitude
We were very happy with this property...the owners truely included all the amenities...plus, plus!!! Communications with the property owners were excellent from booking to arrival, access and directions to the property were easy and without any issues. The property faces the west, so sunsets were marvelous and breath taking!!! The opportunity to star gaze was like nothing we had ever experienced, also over-all breath taking. The area offers an abundance of hiking trails, scenic site-seeing and water tours all located relatively close to this property. We did it all in three days!!! I would recommend the property to anyone wanting to experience and enjoy Big Ben National Park and/or Big Ben Ranch State Park.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2021

10/10 Excellent

alice h.

Liked: Cleanliness
Fantastic Cabin
The cabin was very well equipped. Had everything that we could have possibly needed! The observation deck was wonderful. Never seen stars that clearly! The location was perfect for easy access to the park! The telescope probably would have been amazing but we were not high tech enough to figure it out but we didn't need it.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2021

10/10 Excellent

Lupita T.

Liked: Cleanliness
Quiet and cozy cabin
We enjoyed our time at the cabin! The sky deck was great for viewing the landscape by day and stargazing at night. The observatory was perfect for observing the great conjunction as well as the moon and other clusters and nebulae. It was easy to use. Though we brought our own eye pieces for the telescope, there were a variety available. We brought a camera to attach to the scope, but if you want to do astrophotography with another telescope, you would need to bring your own mount because you can’t attach it to the observatory telescope. The binocular mount was nice for the large binoculars. The drive into Big Bend National Park was convenient and the cabin itself had everything we needed. Our two 7 year olds enjoyed the stay as well. We hope to return soon.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2020

10/10 Excellent

John C., Houston Texas

Liked: Cleanliness
Cozy. Clean. SeCluded
Middle of no where and it was great!! The cabin had everything we needed and a great view. We didn’t have much luck with the telescope. Our calls, texts, and emails to the owner were unanswered. I chalk it up to user error although we had read the manual beforehand. Regardless it was a great stay!!
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2020

8/10 Good

Gayla G., South Texas

Liked: Cleanliness
Rustic Cabin!
Great rustic cabin.....but needs to be sprayed for spiders! Oven doesn’t work but does have a small convection oven. Pretty well equipped. Instructions needed to operate telescope.....the instructions I received were more for installation....not use! We were not able to use! Needs another chair on front porch to enjoy the sunset! A bigger coffee pot is needed desperately! No table to eat meals at...needs a table or picnic table Very private and quite! WiFi was great! Plenty of drinking water supplied! Booking pretty easy and all my questions promptly answered by rental agency!
Stayed 6 nights in Nov 2020