Major city · United States
Lajitas
Skip unless you're staying at the resort or golfing: one night is enough. Otherwise, base in Terlingua or Study Butte for Big Bend.
Lajitas is a tiny resort town on the Rio Grande, 14 miles west of Study Butte-Terlingua. Its main draw is the Lajitas Golf Resort & Spa, a 25,000-acre property with a golf course, airstrip and spa. Outside the resort there is little to see or do; the famous beer-drinking goat mayor is no longer alive. Most travellers use it as a quiet base for Big Bend National Park or Big Bend Ranch State Park, but Terlingua offers more character and cheaper beds.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Oct–Apr
- avoid Jun–Aug (extreme heat)
- Airports
- MAF · ELP
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Lajitas911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Lajitas, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyVery safe; the main risks are heat, dehydration, and wildlife on the road at dusk.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportMAF Midland International Air & Space Port (About 4 hours drive).
- Getting aroundYou need a car.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$3–5
- BeerBeer at resort bar$6–9
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi from Alpine to Lajitas$100–150 (check)
- Budget bedCabin or motel in Terlingua, a night, per roomUS$80
- Mid-range bedResort room (Lajitas Golf Resort), a night, per roomUS$300
- High-end bedResort room (Lajitas Golf Resort), a night, per roomUS$500
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$100 · Mid US$250 · High US$400
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- MAF Midland International Air & Space Port (About 4 hours drive) · ELP El Paso International Airport (About 5 hours drive)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Feb
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Mar
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Apr
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
May
not flagged
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Jun
Avoid
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
Jul
Avoid
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
Aug
Avoid
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
Sep
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Oct
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Nov
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Dec
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Best: Oct–Apr. Avoid: Jun–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jun (37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)), coolest Jan (2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C) low), wettest May (4 rain days), driest Mar (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Lajitas: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
3 rd
Feb
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
3 rd
Mar
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
2 rd
Apr
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
2 rd
May
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
4 rd
Jun
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
4 rd
Jul
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
4 rd
Aug
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
4 rd
Sep
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
4 rd
Oct
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
3 rd
Nov
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
2 rd
Dec
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
3 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
You need a car. The resort is walkable but everything else requires driving. FM 170 is the main road.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Big Bend National Park
goDoor to door: About 30 min to the entrance
Car via FM 170 east, then park entrance
Full day needed; entry fee per vehicle (check).
Big Bend Ranch State Park
goDoor to door: About 15 min to the entrance
Car via FM 170 west
Rugged; 4WD recommended for some trails.
Terlingua
goDoor to door: About 20 min
Car via FM 170 east
Ghost town, restaurants, and a lively bar scene.
Marfa
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Car via US-90 and SH-118, about 80 miles
Art installations, Marfa lights, and Prada Marfa.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Lajitas Golf Resort
The only accommodation in town; 103 rooms, golf, spa. Pricey.
Terlingua / Study Butte
15–20 min east; more budget options, hostels and campgrounds.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $100–150 excl. bed
- Mid
- $200–350 excl. bed
- High
- $400+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Resort room (Lajitas Golf Resort)1 × 1 night × US$300 | US$300 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$250 | US$500 |
| Car rental per day (Midland or El Paso)1 × US$60 · check | US$60 |
| Big Bend National Park entry fee per vehicle1 × US$30 · check | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$89 |
| Trip total≈ US$490 per person per day, bed included | US$979 |
check
2026 estimate in USD; flights and car rental excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $3–5 |
| Burger at resort restaurant | $15–25 |
| Beer at resort bar | $6–9 |
| Gas (per gallon) | $3–4 (check) |
| Taxi from Alpine to Lajitas | $100–150 (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No gas station in Lajitas; fill up in Study Butte or Alpine.
- Summer heat can exceed 40°C (104°F); carry water.Summer heat can exceed 104°F (40°C); carry water.
- The resort's private airport charges a landing fee for non-guests (check).
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
LajitasLajitas
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Midland Airport → Lajitas by car: about 4 h, 245 miles (check)
- El Paso Airport → Lajitas by car: about 5 h, 300 miles (check)
- Alpine → Lajitas by car: about 1.5 h, 90 miles (check)
Say or show
- Hello — Hello (hello)
- Thank you — Thank you (thank you)
- How much? — How much? (how much)
- Where is the bathroom? — Where is the bathroom? (where is the bathroom)
English is the primary language; Spanish is also common.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Lajitas. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Oct–Apr · avoid Jun–Aug (extreme heat) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for Big Bend National Park and Big Bend Ranch State Park with verified hours and fees.
- Eat pages for Terlingua restaurants with last orders.
- Verified shuttle or transfer options from Alpine and Midland.
- Seasonal road condition alerts for FM 170.
Sources
Ask about Lajitas
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