Stargaze at Paisano Village RV Park & Inn Near Big Bend NP

RV Life

The United States is a huge country with plenty of wide open skies that are ideal for stargazing. But due to light pollution, cloud coverage, and other factors, it can be harder than you think to get a perfect view. If you’re looking for a camping spot with dark skies, Paisano Village RV Park & Inn in Terlingua, Texas, is for you!

Nearly everyone in the stargazing community agrees that Big Bend National Park is one of the best destinations in the country. It is certified as a protected Dark Sky location, with some of the clearest night skies you could hope for. Paisano Village RV Park puts you right on the outskirts of this park, so you can get the full view from the comfort of your campsite.

In addition to the stargazing appeal, this park also grants you easy access to plenty of outdoor activities and attractions. Big Bend National Park is the perfect place to set up camp to experience it all. The amenities within the park aren’t half bad either!

Overview

Paisano Village RV Park & Inn is located in Terlingua, Texas. This is a very remote area without many towns nearby except for Terlingua itself. If you’re looking for a big city, the closest option is San Antonio, which is about seven hours away. But for some campers, this kind of remote destination is the ideal.

After all, the distance from populated areas is what makes the dark sky possible. The fewer people there are, the less light pollution there is.

As is fitting for the remote setting, this campground is also fairly small. There are only 20 sites available, so you’ll want to be sure to book your spot in advance. Fortunately, every site comes with full hookups for water, sewage, and electricity. This comes in handy during those hot Texas days when you need to retreat inside to cool off.

Apart from the hookups, the sites are quite basic. They are leveled and paved with gravel to improve drainage. There aren’t any shade trees or shrubs by the sites because the park wants to keep the view of the sky completely unobstructed. It can get a little hot as a result, but the scenery at night is completely worth it.

Pricing

The nightly reservation rate is also quite budget-friendly. The RV sites cost $55 per night, with discounted rates for weekly and monthly stays. If you want to take your time to fully explore Big Bend National Park, this is the place to go.

But if the RV starts feeling a little too small, you can rent one of the available rooms or casitas. These little homes are cozy and fully furnished with all of the essentials. Guests can enjoy air conditioning, cable TV, linens, kitchen supplies, and more.

So whether you want to invite friends over to stay, or just need a night away from the RV, this is the perfect place for it. Prices for rooms or casitas range from $175–$310 per night (depending on the type of lodging you choose).

To reserve your spot or learn more about this campground, visit the park website at paisanovillagervparkandinn.com

Amenities

In terms of amenities, this park is fairly bare-bones. It has everything you need to stay comfortable, but don’t expect to find a spa out here.

As mentioned previously, each site comes with full hookups so you can enjoy all the comforts of home within your RV. But if you need to freshen up, you can also visit the on-site bath house. This building is fully air-conditioned so it’s the perfect place to cool down after a long day of hiking around Big Bend.

The sites also come with picnic tables, fire pits, and concrete patios that are perfect for setting up a telescope or a camp chair during your stargazing sessions. Wi-Fi is available throughout the park as well. This comes in handy when you’re camping in the middle of nowhere, especially if you want to stream a show or hop on for some remote work.

Pets are also more than welcome at the Paisano Village RV Park. There is plenty of open space for them to run around and get their energy out, as well as miles of trails that are perfect for walking and biking.

This list of amenities might not feel very impressive, but a lot of love and dedication goes into this park. Even though there isn’t a lot offered here, the things that are provided are in great condition. The hookups are reliable and easy to connect to, the bath house is regularly cleaned, and the managers are very helpful if you run into any issues.

Nearby Activities/Attractions

Now on to the fun stuff! Of course you can end each day with a spectacular stargazing session, but there’s also plenty to do when the sun is up. Big Bend National Park is enormous and there’s something here for everyone. There are strange plants, hundreds of different bird species, and rugged mountains as far as the eye can see.

If you want to enjoy the scenery from the comfort of your vehicle, be sure to take the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive. It overlooks the desert plains and the gorgeous Rio Grande River. The drive leads to Santa Elena Canyon, which is a short looped hike with a big payoff.

Those looking for a more challenging hike might enjoy the Window Trail or the Lost Mine Trail. These paths have amazing overlooks, as well as signs about the interesting features and history of the area.

Other highlights include the Fossil Discovery Exhibit, Chisos Basin, The Mountain View Restaurant, and Rio Grande Village. This park is also close to Mexico, so consider bringing your passport if you want to check out some of the attractions that are across the border.

Besides the park, you can also visit the little town of Terlingua. Many tourists love to visit the charming Starlight Theater for food and live music. There are also ghost towns in this region, which are fun and educational.

The Starlight Theater in Terlingua, Texas.

Reviews

Finally, let’s cover some reviews for this stargazing paradise. Although it’s fairly basic, most guests have walked away from their experience feeling satisfied. Paisano Village RV Park & Inn scores an impressive 9.2/10 on RV LIFE Campgrounds, making it a highly favorited park.

Naturally, one of the biggest appeals of this park is definitely its location. Guests remarked that they loved how close they were able to camp to Big Bend and all of the activities within its borders.

And despite the simplicity of this campground, visitors noted that it was clean and well-maintained. The bath houses were always in great condition, there was great water pressure at the hookups, and people were able to get what they needed during their stay.

More than 100 happy campers have left feedback about this RV park and almost all of it is positive. The only nitpicks that surfaced were fairly small, such as minor issues with leveling and the fact that there are no trees to block the sun and wind. But as long as you’re ready for a rustic campground, you won’t be disappointed.

If you’re interested in reading more feedback about the Paisano Village RV Park & Inn, visit its page on RV Life Campground Reviews.

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