The Road to the Rio Grande Rock House

Unexpected luxury in the Terlingua Ghost Town
in the shadow of the Chisos Mountains, where great stories begin

The Road to the Rio Grande Rock House

Fair Warning!
Before you go to the Rio Grande Rock house,
here are a few words about getting there safely.

Be careful!

You'll be driving on the "River Road," a winding highway that parallels the Rio Grande through, around, and over the mountains along the U.S./Mexico border.

It's an excellent and scenic road, with some possible hazards along the way. Again -- be careful!

Goat crossing the River Road.
Fallen rocks on the River Road.
Burros on the side of the River road.

  • You damn well may encounter loose livestock, wildlife, and falling rocks, all commonplace on this road.

  • Turkey vultures dining on road kill can be startled and fly into your car. Ugh!

  • Dark gray javelinas are particularly hard to see after dark and can wander in front of your vehicle.

Tarantula crossing the highway.
The neighborhood buzzards.
Javelina foraging.

If you're coming from Terlingua or Lajitas, at some point you'll want to drive beyond the Rock House and explore the "River Road".

Top of the Big Hill.

This is truly one of the great drives in the country and attracts people from all over the world.

Car climbing the Big Hill.

Beware. Some of them are watching the scenery, not the road.

The summit of the big hill on the River Road.

There is a steep hill.

We know you've driven up and down steep hills before, but probably nothing quite like this.

It prompts some of the most dreaded words in the Big Bend vernacular: "Turn off your air conditioning!"

Curves and dips on the River Road.
Big truck struggles up the Big Hill on the River Road.

This is a narrow, hilly road with many twisty turns, and you won't expect it, but there are sometimes trucks. Big trucks.

Tourists frolic on the River Road.

And there are people on the road in unexpected places.

But go anyway! It's a great drive that you'll be talking about for a long time.

Nature photographer.
The River Road parallels the Rio Grande.
Highway sign.
Hoodoos along the River Road.
Roadside rest area.
Climbing a hill on the River Road.
The River Road.

Email Us | Tel. 432-203-6929 (Please leave a message.)

The Rio Grande Rock House is Owned and Operated by the Bill Ivey family.

The Rock House has NO Cable Television. Enjoy the break.

Cell Phone service is only available via Wifi -- using fiber optic cable -- and a land line telephone is available.

Although breakfast is not provided, the Rock House has an excellent coffeemaker and lots of our special blend of coffee.

A mini-fridge and a microwave oven are available in every room.

Room Service is very expensive and requires 48 hours notice.

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