Entire home
Casa Mariposa: Restored Rock Ruin in Ghost Town
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Reviews
9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 4
Popular amenities
Rooms & beds
2 bedrooms (sleeps 4)
Bedroom 1
1 Double Sofa Bed
Bedroom 2
1 Queen Bed
1 bathroom
Bathroom 1
Toilet · Shower only
Spaces
Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Office
Balcony
Garden
About this property
Casa Mariposa: Restored Rock Ruin in Ghost Town
Summary:
Casa Mariposa: Live Like a Local at this Restored Rock Ruin in the Historic Terlingua Ghost Town.
• Restored Ruin with Spacious Outdoor Living
• This is Our Quintessential Ghost Town Rental
• Located in the Historic Ghost Town
• Kitchen, Bedroom and Cozy Room
• Full Indoor Bathroom
The Space:
Casa Mariposa is tucked away on the Ghost Town hillside, surrounded by history. You will be a short trail walk away from all the Ghost Town has to offer: restaurants, art, shopping, and entertainment. This historic miners’ rock house has all the charm Ghost Town living has to offer. Conveniently located between the iconic Big Bend National Park and Big Bend Ranch State Park, Texas’s largest state park.
Spend some time in this restored limestone ruin from the historic Terlingua mining days. Using the original footprint, the house was partly remade in the 1970s. The owners completed an additional restoration in the 1990s and have continued refurbishments recently.
Casa Mariposa is equipped with a full kitchen, two bedrooms, and a full bathroom. The outdoor living space is spacious and tranquil. It is perfect for your morning coffee, outdoor dining, relaxing in the shade, admiring Terlingua’s incredible sunrises and sunsets, and star gazing. Relax with a campfire, and soak in the desert peace.
The 475 square foot interior has a full kitchen, 2 bedrooms, and a full bathroom. You will spend much of your time enjoying the breezy shade of the outdoor living area. There is a brand new indoor bathroom with hot water, shower, sink, and flushing toilet. Outside, there is also a semi-enclosed bath house has a shower and sink and a quaint outhouse with Chisos Mountain views.
The Master Bedroom - You’ll find a comfortable queen size bed and plenty of space for all your belongings. Large windows open out to the patio. Peruse the little collection of books of local interest. The master bedroom has its own entrance and shares a very thick rock wall with the kitchen and the Cozy Room.
It should be noted that there is not a connecting door between the main bedroom and the rest of the house. Guests need to going outside, on the covered patio, to move from one side of the house to the other.
The Cozy Bedroom - This simple hideaway behind the kitchen is my favorite room in the house, but it is tiny. The full-size futon just fits in the space. There is beautiful ceiling of vigas and sotol, a saltillo tile floor, and a little nicho for your knick-knacks. It maintains the tiny windows that were part of the original design of the miners’ home.
Kitchen - The kitchen features handmade cabinets and a handmade table along with stove, fridge, microwave, toaster, and coffee pot. Cookware, spices, etc. are available if you’re in the mood to make your own meals.
Please note:
Part of Terlingua Ghost Town’s fun is a bit of funk. It is rugged and remote country. While most guests prefer the new indoor bathroom, some adventurous travelers prefer to use the original semi-enclose bathhouse or the outhouse. Because we are located on the hillside, there are multiple levels. Be prepared to walk up and down short steps and dirt trails. There’s also a trail through the ruins to the famous Terlingua Porch.
Terlingua is in the Chihuahuan Desert in a remote and rural area. There are no streetlights, and the road to the house is about a half mile of unpaved road. Please drive slowly.
Please, do not climb on any of the ruins or remove any artifacts. It is a fragile area.
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.
Casa Mariposa: Live Like a Local at this Restored Rock Ruin in the Historic Terlingua Ghost Town.
• Restored Ruin with Spacious Outdoor Living
• This is Our Quintessential Ghost Town Rental
• Located in the Historic Ghost Town
• Kitchen, Bedroom and Cozy Room
• Full Indoor Bathroom
The Space:
Casa Mariposa is tucked away on the Ghost Town hillside, surrounded by history. You will be a short trail walk away from all the Ghost Town has to offer: restaurants, art, shopping, and entertainment. This historic miners’ rock house has all the charm Ghost Town living has to offer. Conveniently located between the iconic Big Bend National Park and Big Bend Ranch State Park, Texas’s largest state park.
Spend some time in this restored limestone ruin from the historic Terlingua mining days. Using the original footprint, the house was partly remade in the 1970s. The owners completed an additional restoration in the 1990s and have continued refurbishments recently.
Casa Mariposa is equipped with a full kitchen, two bedrooms, and a full bathroom. The outdoor living space is spacious and tranquil. It is perfect for your morning coffee, outdoor dining, relaxing in the shade, admiring Terlingua’s incredible sunrises and sunsets, and star gazing. Relax with a campfire, and soak in the desert peace.
The 475 square foot interior has a full kitchen, 2 bedrooms, and a full bathroom. You will spend much of your time enjoying the breezy shade of the outdoor living area. There is a brand new indoor bathroom with hot water, shower, sink, and flushing toilet. Outside, there is also a semi-enclosed bath house has a shower and sink and a quaint outhouse with Chisos Mountain views.
The Master Bedroom - You’ll find a comfortable queen size bed and plenty of space for all your belongings. Large windows open out to the patio. Peruse the little collection of books of local interest. The master bedroom has its own entrance and shares a very thick rock wall with the kitchen and the Cozy Room.
It should be noted that there is not a connecting door between the main bedroom and the rest of the house. Guests need to going outside, on the covered patio, to move from one side of the house to the other.
The Cozy Bedroom - This simple hideaway behind the kitchen is my favorite room in the house, but it is tiny. The full-size futon just fits in the space. There is beautiful ceiling of vigas and sotol, a saltillo tile floor, and a little nicho for your knick-knacks. It maintains the tiny windows that were part of the original design of the miners’ home.
Kitchen - The kitchen features handmade cabinets and a handmade table along with stove, fridge, microwave, toaster, and coffee pot. Cookware, spices, etc. are available if you’re in the mood to make your own meals.
Please note:
Part of Terlingua Ghost Town’s fun is a bit of funk. It is rugged and remote country. While most guests prefer the new indoor bathroom, some adventurous travelers prefer to use the original semi-enclose bathhouse or the outhouse. Because we are located on the hillside, there are multiple levels. Be prepared to walk up and down short steps and dirt trails. There’s also a trail through the ruins to the famous Terlingua Porch.
Terlingua is in the Chihuahuan Desert in a remote and rural area. There are no streetlights, and the road to the house is about a half mile of unpaved road. Please drive slowly.
Please, do not climb on any of the ruins or remove any artifacts. It is a fragile area.
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.
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House Rules
Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 11:00 AM
Children
Children allowed: ages 0–17
Events
No events allowed
Pets
No pets allowed
Charge may apply
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
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
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
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
About the area
Terlingua
Located in Terlingua, this holiday home is in a rural area and in the mountains. Homer Wilson Ranch is a local landmark, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Big Bend National Park and Big Bend Ranch State Park.

Terlingua Ghost Town, TX
What's nearby
- Starlight Theatre - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
- Big Bend Library - 10 min drive - 12.6 km
- Many Stones - 11 min drive - 16.0 km
- Big Bend National Park - 12 min drive - 16.0 km
- Big Bend Ranch State Park - 12 min drive - 20.9 km
Restaurants
- Chili Pepper Cafe - 9 min drive
- Venga - 13 min walk
- Starlight Theater - 7 min walk
- El Gordo’s Grill - 10 min drive
- Taqueria el Milagro - 11 min walk
Frequently asked questions
Reviews
9.6
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window9.6/10
Cleanliness
10/10
Property conditions & facilities
10/10
Check-in
9.8/10
Communication
9.8/10
Location
9.8/10
Listing accuracy
Reviews
2 Nov, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2025
10/10 Excellent
Maureen A.
25 Dec, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Maureen A.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2025
10/10 Excellent
Lee Ann S.
6 Jan, 2026
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lee Ann S.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2026
10/10 Excellent
Aaron T.
14 Mar, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Spring Break at Big Bend
Aaron T.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2025
10/10 Excellent
john
31 Dec, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, communication
john
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024
10/10 Excellent
Mary Beth B.
4 Apr, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Unique place close to Big Bend
Mary Beth B.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025
10/10 Excellent
Michael K.
11 May, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great Little Casita
Michael K.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023
10/10 Excellent
Bridgette P.
21 Jan, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amazing stay!
Bridgette P.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2023
10/10 Excellent
David T.
19 Feb, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, communication, location, listing accuracy
Weekend getaway
David T.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2023
10/10 Excellent
J N.
22 Apr, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Unique and perfect accommodations for hiking & jeeping
J N.
Stayed 6 nights in Apr 2025
10/10 Excellent
Colleen H.
24 Oct, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Authentic Big Bend Haven
Colleen H.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023
10/10 Excellent
Leah R.
1 Apr, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lovely Rental in center of Terlingua
Leah R.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025
10/10 Excellent
Brian L.
6 Jan, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great location
Brian L.
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2025
10/10 Excellent
Lisa M.
1 Nov, 2019
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Unique getaway!
Lisa M.
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2019
8/10 Good
Tobby T.
25 May, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Ghost Town Weekend
Tobby T.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023
10/10 Excellent
jamie a.
25 Dec, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Relaxing
jamie a.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2023
8/10 Good
Annie W.
6 Apr, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Authentic accomodation in an unique neighborhood.
Annie W.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023
10/10 Excellent
John M.
24 Mar, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful location
John M.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2023
10/10 Excellent
Amber M.
9 Nov, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Unique mountain house
Amber M.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024
10/10 Excellent
Paul K.
19 Feb, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Location
Paul K.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024
10/10 Excellent
Dara R.
3 Oct, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Casa Mariposa
Dara R.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2023
10/10 Excellent
Peter S.
23 May, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect Mix
Peter S.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023
10/10 Excellent
Megan M.
17 Jan, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amazing Outdoor Space
Megan M.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2024
10/10 Excellent
Nikki B.
17 Mar, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Spring Break to Big Bend
Nikki B.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2024
10/10 Excellent
Benoit L.
19 Feb, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Charming place in the desert !
Benoit L.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2023
About the host
Hosted by Janet Eby
Languages:
English
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
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