A 27,000-acre West Texas resort on the Rio Grande, featuring Lanny Wadkins-designed golf, historic cavalry-post lodging, and a legendary saloon.
Lajitas Golf Resort spreads across 27,000 acres of rugged high desert along the Rio Grande, positioned between Big Bend National Park and Big Bend Ranch State Park. The property, currently owned by Texas businessman Kelcy Warren, has a rich frontier history that dates back to the early 1900s. The name Lajitas translates to "little flat rocks" in Spanish, referencing the Boquillas flagstone found throughout the area. Over the decades, the site transitioned from a quicksilver mining hub and a military outpost into a resort town under Houston entrepreneur Walter Mischer in the late 1970s. Today, the resort blends historic West Texas architecture with upscale accommodations, featuring its own private 7,500-foot airstrip to welcome travelers flying into this remote corner of the state.
Accommodations at the resort are divided into distinct pocket neighborhoods, each reflecting a different chapter of the property's past. The Badlands Hotel, situated on the main boardwalk in Old Town Lajitas, features second-floor rooms styled with "cowboy bordello" interiors, iron beds, and custom Mexican tile. Nearby, the Cavalry Post is built directly on the foundations of the 1916 military outpost commanded by General John J. "Black Jack" Pershing and George S. Patton during their campaigns. These pet-friendly rooms feature rustic wood accents, cowhide rugs, and corner fireplaces, all arranged around a central courtyard with a stone fountain. For golf enthusiasts, the Officer's Quarters sit at the end of the boardwalk, offering private terraces that look directly onto the greens or a quiet garden waterfall path. Families often opt for the spacious suites at La Cuesta, which sit adjacent to one of the resort's three swimming pools.
The centerpiece of the resort's recreation is Black Jack's Crossing, an eighteen-hole championship golf course designed by PGA Hall of Fame golfer Lanny Wadkins and architect Paul Cowley. The course winds through deep rock canyons, dry arroyos, and dramatic desert elevation changes along the Mexican border, consistently ranking among the premier public courses in Texas. After a day on the greens or exploring the desert on horseback, guests gather at the resort's dining venues. The Candelilla Cafe serves classic Tex-Mex and contemporary Southwestern dishes, while the adjacent Thirsty Goat Saloon provides a lively atmosphere for local musicians and cold drinks. The saloon's name pays tribute to Clay Henry, the legendary, beer-drinking goat who served as the honorary mayor of Lajitas for years. Additional resort activities include clay shooting, zip-lining, and guided jeep tours through the surrounding canyons.
The Starlight Theatre in Terlingua is 12 miles away. Enjoy live music, cold beer, and burgers on the porch of this historic ghost town landmark.
Where to Stay — Curated accommodations hand-picked by Basecamp West. Glamping, boutique hotels, historic lodges, and unique stays across the American West.