The Goat Pens at Cigar Springs Ranch — Hotel in Manuel Benavides

This camp site was exactly as advertised and was really to find! Jeff, the host, was super nice and helpful and was very informative. We camped here for 6 nights and loved it! It was VERY windy the first few nights which threw sand everywhere, but if you know what to expect, it's very manageable. The land was beautiful with 40+ camp site options. The drive-up camp sites are accessible by any vehicle really.

The restrooms are way nicer than expected and were always very clean. The showers had warm water when sunny but when the sun starts going down, it all feels cold. Schedule your showers accordingly. SUPER nice having showers though!

Most places, including Big bend campsites are pack in-pack out... meaning you take out what you bring in including your own trash. We prepared for this and didn't produce much waste. You will also need to bring your own potable water. This camp ground does not provide it for you and is very clearly stated when you reserve a site. We saw several campers with empty dish water containers looking for water....

There are a few restaurants close by in Terilingua Ghost Town (they close earlier than expected though) and a country store on 118 going towards Big Bend called Cottonwood General Store. They literally have EVERYTHING you would need including water and fire wood. I would recommend going there instead of Dollar General.

We stayed at the camp site and hiked on the property one of the days and toured Terilingua Ghost Town another. The other days, we went into Big Bend.

Finally, the entrance to Big Bend on 118 is about a 15-20min drive from the pens. It's definitely close enough to drive in...

Very solid spot to camp for the night in Terlingua. The site is a large and flat stretch of land surrounded by picturesque mountains, but what really makes the Goat Pens worth staying at is Jeff and his welcoming personality (though the bathroom and shower is also a plus). When we arrived, he greeted us at our campsite and told us about his past and the history of Terlingua. It was a really nice way to start our trip. The Goat Pens are also conveniently located ten minutes from the local market and not much further from the entrance to Big Bend. Word of caution: it can get a bit windy at the site so I would recommend finding a camp spot towards the outer edge of the area. Not crazy windy, but the extra shielding by the hills are worth it late in the evening. ...

I ended up having major issues with my trailer upon arrival and Jeff never hesitated to help me out. Other campers at the site, who are friends of Jeff’s, provided their own time and resources to help load my trailer to get it over to a mechanic. Jeff knew a local mechanic who was able to drop what he was doing and fix my trailer so that I could get it home. Although it was very stressful, Jeff and the people of Terlingua helped me out tremendously and kept my spirits up. The campsite is beautiful and spacious. Having toilets and showers available was wonderful. Can’t speak more highly of this place...