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    Home » Travel » US National Parks

    Published: Nov 18, 2019 · Updated: Sep 1, 2026 by JohnTillison · This post may contain affiliate links

    Chisos Mountain Lodge Big Bend Lodging

    TL;DR Don't have time to read the full article? Here are my top finds:
    🏨Chisos Mountain Lodge (In the park) or Additional Lodging Nearby
    📍Complete List of Tours for Big Bend National Park
    🐻 Save time! Buy your National Park Pass before your trip

    Chisos Mountain Lodge

    The Chisos Mountain Lodge is the only lodge in Big Bend National Park and is located in the Chisos Basin at 5,400 feet elevation. If you are looking for a great hotel to stay in Big Bend then this is it!

    There are multiple types of rooms and cabins available for Big Bend Lodging. Some of them include air conditioning and others do not. Depending on the time of year you are visiting the park this is huge!

    We visited in mid-May and the temperatures ranged from 90+ to 106 depending on where we were in the park. In the mornings we started the day at around 60 degrees.

    Chisos Mountain Lodge is uniquely located within the majestic Chisos Mountains. The lodge offers great access to hiking trails, walking distance to the Chisos Basin Campground, and a gift shop in the lobby.

    Make sure to keep an eye out for Mexican Black Bears on the road leading up to the lodge. We saw this sow and tiny cub on our way to the hotel. 

    Click Here to Book the Chisos Mountain Lodge

    Chisos Mountain Lodge Casa Grande Rooms

    We stayed in a Chisos Mountain Lodge Room with a king-size bed during our visit to Big Bend NP. The room was located on the 2nd floor of the hotel and included the bed, small desk/table, refrigerator/freezer, microwave, small bathroom, and a chair.

    The king-size bed was quite firm!!! Be prepared if you are not a fan of sleeping on a firm bed. The room is basic but in an amazing spot in the park. Located in the heart of the Chisos Mountains. We saw a Mexican Black Bear and Cub on our way to the lodge on our first night.

    The Chisos Mountain Lodge has air conditioning which is amazing when the park ranged from 90 to 106 degrees during our visit in mid-May.

    One thing to know is that you should ALWAYS keep your key in your pocket at all times! If you go out of the front door or on the balcony and close the door you are locked out. You have to have the key to get back in. My wife found this out at 5:30 am when she walked out the front door to look at the sunrise over the mountains.

    As she describes it she became very friendly with the local bats and bugs before the sun came up and the songbirds started arriving. It took her 90 minutes to wake me up from hibernating and realize that she was stuck outside. You can imagine how excited she was to be outside on the front porch in her pajamas, a sweater, and no shoes. Yep, I won husband of the year that morning.

    Amenities in the Casa Grande Lodge Rooms

    • Air conditioner
    • Hair Dryer (old school, attached to the wall hairdryer)
    • Small refrigerator, freezer
    • Coffee Pot, and coffee service
    • Tile tub and shower
    • Sink in the room
    • Shampoo and Soap available in the shower

    Book the Chisos Mountain Lodge Now

    Rio Grande Motel Rooms

    The Rio Grande Motel Rooms are part of an older building at the Chisos Mountain Lodge. There are 20 rooms in the Rio Grande Motel portion of the lodge. The rooms have a shared balcony that runs along the entrance to the rooms. The Rio Grande Motel Rooms feature two double beds.

    Rio Grande Motel Room Amenities

    • Two Double Bed
    • Hair Dryer
    • Air Conditioning
    • Heater
    • Tub and Shower
    • Coffee Pot
    • Refrigerator and Freezer

    Roosevelt Stone Cabins

    The Roosevelt Stone Cottages were built in 1941 by the Civilian Conservation Corps, CCC along with the Lost Mine Trail.

    The cabins at Big Bend are located above the Chisos Mountain Lodge and do not include air conditioning. The cabins can be reserved by cabin number to pick a specific cabin. Pets are allowed in a few of the cabins.

    Roosevelt Stone Cottages Amenities

    Cottages 101, 102 and 103 are freestanding cabins
    Cottages 104 and 105 are a duplex

    Pets can be brought into cottages 101, 102 and 103

    • Hairdryer
    • Private Showers
    • Coffee pot
    • Refrigerator and freezer
    • A ceiling fan, NO air conditioning!
    • Heater

    The cottages have a maximum capacity of 7 people with a rollaway.

    Reserve Your Room at Chisos Mountain Lodge

    Chisos Mountain Lodge Restaurant

    The Chisos Mountain Lodge Restaurant is open for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner at set times. Make sure you are aware of the times for each meal so you don't miss out. There is also a bar next to the dining room that offers cocktails and beer.

    The deck outside the Chisos Mountain Lodge Restaurant is the perfect place to enjoy the sunset. The bar can make a cocktail for you in a plastic cup that you can enjoy while watching the sun go down. Get there early to grab a chair and table because this spot is super popular for sunset.

    For breakfast, you have your choice of ala carte or the breakfast buffet. The breakfast buffet included biscuits and gravy, french toast, multiple fruit options, oatmeal, and bacon/sausage. It was the most popular breakfast choice while we were at the lodge.

    The breakfast burrito was fantastic and is huge! Super filling and tasted amazing. The pancakes were a bit bland and definitely needed syrup and butter to add to the flavor.

    We did not enjoy lunch at the Chisos Mountain Restaurant but love that you can pre-order lunch to take with you while hiking. There is a choice of sandwiches or wraps. Make sure and order them the day before you would like them.

    For dinner, the menu includes everything from a burger to pasta. The pasta was quite good and is served in a large bowl. The sauce is a bit bland but tasty after a day in the park.

    For dessert do not miss the Emery's Peak sundae! This sundae includes 4 pieces of brownie, vanilla ice cream and a cherry and chocolate drizzle over the top. The sundae will easily serve multiple people!

    Chisos Mountain Lodge General Information

    Wi-Fi is available on the balcony and in the restaurant. It can get quite slow at night when everyone is trying to log onto it.

    The convenience store near the lodge has quite a few snacks, bottles of wine, beer and extra toiletries you may have forgotten.

    There is a small visitor center near the lodge. You can pick up park brochures, Junior Ranger programs, and there is a small bookstore.

    Multiple hikes into Big Bend NP leave from the lower parking lot. Check with reception for a map and information on each of these hikes.

    There is quite a bit of parking near each of the lodge rooms. Many of the rooms do have stairs to access them. If you have mobility difficulties make sure and ask about the rooms and which room you should try to reserve.

    There is no phone or wi-fi in the rooms. There are no televisions in the rooms.

    Chisos Mountains Lodge offers a variety of overland tours and horseback riding tours through their guide service and local tour companies. 

    Chisos Mountain Lodge Reservations - Reservations can be made via the lodge website or over the phone. Make sure and know what type of room you are interested in and the dates you are looking for.

    Website - http://www.chisosmountainslodge.com

    Things to do When Staying at Chisos Mountain Lodge

    🏔️ Hike the Lost Mine Trail for sweeping panoramic views of the Chisos Mountains and surrounding desert
    🌄 Walk to the Window Overlook for one of the most photographed sunset views in any American national park
    🥾 Tackle the South Rim Trail, a demanding full-day or overnight hike with breathtaking views of the Rio Grande and Mexico
    🦅 Birdwatch for the Colima warbler, Lucifer hummingbird, and over 450 other bird species recorded in the park
    🚗 Drive to Santa Elena Canyon for a stunning walk into a sheer limestone canyon carved by the Rio Grande
    🏊 Wade or float the Rio Grande along the park's southern boundary with Mexico
    ⭐ Stargaze under some of the darkest skies in the United States; Big Bend is an International Dark Sky Park
    🍽️ Dine at the Chisos Mountains Lodge Restaurant, the only full-service dining option in the park

    Book the Chisos Mountain Lodge Before it Fills

    Big Bend National Park Tours & Activities

    Float the Canyons of the Rio Grande
    ⭐️ Rating: 4.9 out of 5 Stars (228+ reviews) | ⏳ Tour Length: 7.5 hours | 🚗 Check Rates and Availability

    The signature Big Bend water experience, this full-day guided float takes you down 6 miles of the Rio Grande by canoe or kayak through dramatic canyon scenery along the US-Mexico border. Guides provide expert commentary on the park's geology, plants, and history, and a soak at Langford Hot Springs is a highlight reviewers rave about consistently. Suitable for all ages and experience levels. Booked 10 or more times last month and likely to sell out on peak dates.

    Hot Springs Canyon Full Day
    ⭐️ Rating: 5.0 out of 5 Stars (15+ reviews) | ⏳ Tour Length: 7 hours | 🚗 Check Rates and Availability

    A perfect blend of paddling and hiking, this full-day tour with Far Flung Adventures takes guests through Hot Springs Canyon on the Rio Grande, with a visit to the famous 105-degree Langford Hot Springs on the riverbank. Professional guides handle all the logistics, a riverside lunch is included, and all river running and safety gear is provided. A newer listing with a perfect rating and free cancellation.

    Big Bend & Guadalupe National Parks GPS Audio Driving Tour Bundle
    ⭐️ Rating: Not yet rated | ⏳ Tour Length: 7 to 8 hours (self-paced) | 🚗 Check Rates and Availability

    Why visit one park when you can cover two West Texas icons for the price of a tank of gas? This GPS-guided bundle covers both Big Bend and the Guadalupe Mountains, from the Chisos Basin to McKittrick Canyon, Guadalupe Peak, Devil's Hall, El Capitan, and the Salt Basin Dunes. Priced per vehicle for up to 4 passengers, it's an exceptional value for road trippers spending multiple days in the region. Free cancellation included.

    Make sure to click here for a complete list of tours available at Big Bend National Park!

    Where to stay if Chisos Mountain Lodge is Full?

    There is limited lodging in the Big Bend Area. I would check out the lhotel below if Chisos Mountain Lodge is already full.

    ⭐️ 4.3 of 5 Stars - Lajitas Golf Resort and Spa - Click here for Rates and Availability.
    A jaw-dropping 27,000-acre luxury resort tucked between Big Bend National Park and Big Bend Ranch State Park, just 30 minutes from the west entrance to the park!
    Choose from Old West-themed rooms, lakeside cottages, or private villas, all with free WiFi, flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and coffee makers. Activities include an 18-hole championship golf course, world class 8-station zip line spanning canyon views, full-service Agave Spa, equestrian center, mountain biking, hiking, river rafting, shooting range, and birdwatching.
    Dining options include the Candelilla Cafe, Thirsty Goat Saloon with live music, Boardwalk Bakery and Pizzeria, and a general store deli. Two outdoor pools, fitness center, business center, free parking, and pet friendly!

    Click on this link or the map below to see additional hotels and vacation rentals near Big Bend NP

    Big Bend National Park Entrance Fee

    Park entrance fees are separate from camping and lodging fees.

    Park Entrance Pass - $30.00 Per private vehicle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)

    Park Entrance Pass - Motorcycle - $25.00 Per motorcycle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)

    Per-Person Entrance Pass - $15.00 Visitors 16 years or older who enter on foot, bicycle, or as part of an organized group not involved in a commercial tour.

    Annual Park Entrance Pass - $55.00, Admits pass holder and all passengers in a non-commercial vehicle. Valid for one year from the month of purchase.

    $30.00 for Non-Commercial Group (16+ persons)

    $25.00 for Commercial Sedan with 1-6 seats and non-commercial groups (16+ persons)

    $100.00 for Commercial Mini-Bus with 16-25 seats

    $200.00 for Commercial Motor Coach with 26+ seats

    Learn more about National Park Passes for parks that have an entrance fee.

    $80.00 - For the America the Beautiful/National Park Pass. The pass covers entrance fees to all US National Park Sites and over 2,000 Federal Recreation Fee Sites for an entire year and covers everyone in the car for per-vehicle sites and up to 4 adults for per-person sites.

    2024 America The Beautiful National Park Pass

    Buy your pass at this link, and REI will donate 10% of pass proceeds to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation, and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities.

    National Park Free Entrance Days  -Mark your calendars with the free entrance days the National Park Service offers for US citizens and residents.

    For additional Information on Big Bend National Park

    • Complete Guide to Big Bend National Park
    • Big Bend National Park Camping Guide

    Check out all of the Texas National Parks along with neighboring National Parks in Oklahoma, National Parks in New Mexico, Louisiana National Parks, and Arkansas National Parks.

    Make sure to follow Park Ranger John on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok

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    Filed Under: Lodging, US National Parks

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