The Stillwell

If you're anywhere near the Big Bend you just have to stop by the Stillwell General Store and say hello. These folks are as friendly as they come. Conveniently located just outside the north entrance to Big Bend National Park, The Stillwell offers a friendly, relaxed place to stay for a night, a week, or the whole winter. This beautifully simple Old West setting will take you back in time to the 1950s and 60s. You can find solitude in this rustic, expansive land a piece of the last frontier where you can retreat from today's hectic pace.

The Stillwell offers a variety of accommodations to fit your needs, from primitive campsites, to full hook up RV spots, to rentals complete with kitchen and private bathrooms. Large or small groups, from college classes to family reunions, can camp together at Stillwells, with plenty of space for group activities as well as campfires at night.

Spend your days exploring Big Bend National Park and the surrounding areas by car, by motorcycle, by rafting the Rio Grande or hiking, there are also a variety of free activities available at Stillwells. The winter months bring nightly gatherings in the museum for live music, dances, movies and parties. There are also special programs such as nature talks by park rangers. Local experts and ranchers present life in the Big Bend, past and present.

Stargazers and astronomers will love the night sky at Stillwells. The Big Bend area is recognized as one of the best dark sky� areas in North America.

Evening campfires and potluck BBQ's offer the opportunity to get acquainted with fellow travelers. Advice on what to do, as well as when and how, is often shared at these gatherings. February brings an annual trail ride complete with chuck wagon cook, BBQ and dance.

The Hallie Stillwell Hall of Fame, home to a collection of memorabilia about that famous West Texas rancher and her family, is open daily for a visit. Just get the key from the store and wander through on your own. A variety of videos and DVD's about Hallie, her family, the surrounding area and its history are available for you to enjoy anytime your schedule allows.

With a general store, unique gift shop, laundry facilities, and free wi-fi, you can keep in touch with the rest of the world and attend to your personal needs. An occasional trip to town will get your city fix taken care of before returning to the peaceful retreat that is Stillwells. Alpine, home to Sul Ross University, is the nearest usual day outing to buy groceries and other supplies.

The Stillwell porch often beckons. There you can enjoy a cold drink while chatting with locals who stop by to get groceries, gasoline, mail, packages, and catch up with local news (sometimes via helicopter!). You will be joined on the porch by other travelers from around the country and around the world.

Relationships develop at Stillwells you will soon feel a part of the community. Some regulars who return year after year describe their Stillwell experience as feeling like being at summer camp.

No visit to Big Bend is complete without a stop at Stillwells. Visit the website. Call the store. Come for a day, a week, or a month. Be prepared to travel back to a simpler, slower and older West Texas time. You'll be glad you did.