Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
THE CHAMPIONS OF CHILI
Every November, Terlingua is invaded by thousands of visitors with a hankering for homemade chili. This is no
small-town festival; the
Terlingua Chili Cookoff
is such a big deal that they actually have two events to accom-
modate the hundreds of entrants:
International Chili Championship
Held by the Chili Appreciation Society International (CASI;
www.chili.org
).
Original Terlingua International Frank X Tolbert-Wick Fowler Championship Chili Cookoff
(
www.abowlofred.com
)
Less competitive and more like a big, delicious party.
Don't expect to enjoy quality time with the locals during these events; they mostly go into hiding.
Sights & Activities
For many locals and laid-back travelers, the main activity in Terlingua is sitting on the
porch of the Terlingua Trading Co, drinking a beer and shooting the breeze while watch-
ing the sunset, an activity we highly recommend.
There's not a lot to see 'round here, except some stone ruins and an old cemetery from
the early 1900s. Many of the ruins are on private land, so remember: 'uninhabited' does
not equal 'open to the public.' The cemetery, however, is open to visitors, and it's one of
the most fascinating final resting places in the US. No manicured lawns or tasteful head-
stones here: these graves are piled high with local rocks that reflect the style of the nearby
ruins.
For more active types, Terlingua sits amid prime mountain-biking territory. Desert
Sports (
Click here
)
provides rental bikes, along with advice on the best places to ride. It
also offers raft, canoe, bike and combo trips throughout the Big Bend area.
If you'd like to explore the countryside on horseback, call
Big Bend Stables
( 800-887-4331,
432-371-3064;
www.bigbendstables.com
; Hwy 118 & FM-170)
, where rates run $40 for one hour, $60 for
two hours and $75 for three hours. (They don't actually go into Big Bend, which doesn't
allow commercial outfitters, but they do host a trail ride in the Terlingua area.)
Sleeping
You'd think lodging would be inexpensive out here; quite the opposite. Expect to pay a
little more than you think you ought to.
Big Bend Resort & Adventures
MOTEL, CAMPGROUND
$
