The Perch is a retro meets modern, fully off-grid “cabin-inspired” home — Set into the cliff edge of a 60+ million-year-old limestone plateau, you’ll have one-of-a-kind views overlooking the historic Terlingua Ghost Town and into the expanse of the Chisos mountain range of Big Bend National Park. Nestled on 20 acres of pristine Chihuahuan desert, it is the perfect property for couples, a small family, a group of hikers or anyone who wants to enjoy the solitude and wonder of the Big Bend region.
The space
★ 4 king beds, 2 lofts, 1 indoor bathhouse, 1 outdoor bathhouse
★ Indoor and outdoor shower + “cowboy” soaking tub
★ Fully equipped kitchen
★ Outdoor fire pit + chiminea
★ Fully Off-Grid - state-of-the-art solar system, battery storage and rain catchment
★ 10-15 minute drive to the heart of the Terlingua Ghost Town
★ Original artwork showcasing Texas artists and those inspired by the Big Bend region
★ Certified “Dark Sky Friendly” lighting by the McDonald Observatory Dark Sky Initiative
★ Partial proceeds donated to local charitable organizations and park foundations
** Cleaning Protocols ***
Living in Terlingua is difficult. We pay above the living wage standards; 100% of your cleaning fee is paid to the cleaners (i.e. no profit to us) and we insist on a professional level of cleaning between guests.
Guest access
The main access road is an unpaved dirt road maintained by property owners and the Terlingua Ranch, so please take it slow and drive the whole road to keep it packed and to avoid making ruts. We do REQUIRE a 4x4 or high clearance SUV or truck for access so please plan accordingly. After rains the roads can become muddy and potentially impassable until dried out over 24 hours, so please keep in mind.
Other things to note
The Perch sits at just over 3,000 feet above sea level on a 20-acre parcel of land.
The house was built over 3.5 years as a proof of concept using 2x 20’ shipping containers as the core bedrooms with a great room in between. The style mixes traditional Japanese summer homes, Brutalism, a little retro sci-fi and some Scandinavian prefab to form a utility-focused space. It utilizes a range of raw materials for maximum insulation with west and south facing walls being closed cell foam insulated+fiberglass and covered with EIFS stucco. Rusted steel is used on the north and east faces for maximum durability with a modern aesthetic. Additionally, it is angled south/southeast for best viewing of the Chisos Mountains and for capturing the sun for the solar array.
-BEDS & BATHS-
The Perch can comfortably accommodate up to 8 guests in three bedrooms and one open ladder-accessed loft bed, making it ideal for couples or friends. Each bedroom has a king-size bed.
In the detached bathhouse and outdoor bathhouse, you’ll find indoor and outdoor showers, a modern touch mirror, an eco low-flow water use toilet and a hybrid heat pump water heater that works like a reverse air conditioner - converting the exterior warm air to heat the water and spitting out cool air like an air conditioner to cool the bathhouse.
-KITCHEN & DINING-
Appliances include an electric induction cooktop, oven, solar insulated fridge/freezer, microwave, coffee maker, kettle, coffee grinder and the cabinets are stocked with dishes and cookware.
The kitchen faces a 4-seat commercial kitchen island, where you can enjoy sharing a meal or wander to the side patio dining table and enjoy the sweeping desert vistas.
-LIVING SPACE-
The Perch’s cozy great room has a communal vibe while also offering panoramic views from large sliding door that opens to the suspended deck. Kick back and relax on the couch, or set the screen doors and wander through the indoor/outdoor spaces.
-OUTDOOR SPACE-
Outside amenities include a fire pit area with 6 Adirondack chairs, a patio area with a propane grill and 10 person seating dining table, an exterior bathhouse with a repurposed galvanized stock tank turned into a “cowboy” tub for cool dips in warm weather, the original Perch "sundowner" bar and the main cantilevered deck with lounge seating, rocking chairs and a chiminea.
-OFF-GRID-
This house is entirely off-grid - meaning it is powered entirely by the sun and battery storage. All water is held in rain catchment tanks on site. All systems have been designed to more than adequately accommodate guests during their stay, but be mindful of water use, overtaxing or leaving appliances on, multiple cloudy days that inhibit solar performance, etc. Live-monitoring on site by way of remote app integration and on site battery bank camera in guest-restricted loft area.
-PARKING-
Parking is available for up to 4 vehicles at the top roundabout on the property, though we strongly recommend keeping the vehicle amount to 2 or lower to avoid wear and tear on the road.
• EVENTS & COMMERCIAL PHOTOSHOOTS: Are not permitted without prior approval, applicable permit and additional fees. We would love to host your special event and can offer advice for additional services/suppliers in addition to hosting you.
• PETS: Unfortunately, Big Bend National Park does not allow pets on trails and we stick to the same policy as there are unique and fragile materials and furniture that cannot accommodate the wear and tear from pets at this time, so please leave your furry companions at home for this one!
• SOCIAL MEDIA: If you plan on sharing your experience on social media, please mention us @ThePerchTerlingua!
• CELL SERVICE: Cell phone service availability and quality in the desert varies by service provider. You can expect a solid 3G signal at The Perch for most providers while some offer 4G signal - it depends on the carrier as cell phone towers and fiber optic lines are being brought to the region daily. Keep in mind cell phone signal can be sparse or non-existent in remote areas of the national and state parks.
Please contact us if you have any questions about the home or the area in general. We hope to welcome you soon!
