Notes from the host
White House Ranch
The White House Ranch offers visitors a rare opportunity to experience authentic ranch living on a private cattle ranch just 32 miles from Marfa, Texas. Here, you’re surrounded by the unspoiled desert region of the Big Bend — a landscape of wide-open horizons, rugged mountains, and a history that is deeply woven into the land itself. The ranch is in a Texas `Dark Skies` designated area and provides brilliant stargazing opportunities not found anywhere else in the continental US.
A stay at the ranch allows guests to experience the best of both worlds. You can enjoy the peace and privacy of the ranch during the day — wandering the desert, watching wildlife, or just soaking in the stillness — and then head into Marfa for world-class art, food, and culture when you’re ready for a change of pace.
While the stillness of the landscape allows guests to feel a sense of total privacy, the house balances that ruggedness. The 3000 square foot historic adobe ranch home was built in the 1880s and fully updated in 2020. The newly renovated space blends contemporary comforts with rustic authenticity, giving you a serene place to rest after days of adventure.
The 4 bedroom home sleeps up to 11 guests. Living and dining areas comfortably accommodate large groups, providing the perfect retreat for family gatherings. A beautiful yard includes multiple patios, a hammock, grill and firepit. The views are unparalleled, and guest have access to 1100 acres, including an artesian spring. For an additional fee guests can have guided tours, or hunts.
At the White House Ranch, you don’t have to choose between solitude and culture, or wilderness and comfort. You’ll find it all here: the untamed beauty of West Texas, the starlit quiet of the desert, and the best of Marfa within easy reach.
**GUESTS WISHING TO BRING A PET MUST INQUIRE FIRST AND OBTAIN PERMISSION. A PET FEE OF $75 PER PET, WITH A LIMIT OF 2 PETS, WILL BE DUE UPON BOOKING. PET POLICY IS OUTLINED IN HOUSE RULES**
Please note that this is an agritourism rental. We require guests to sign a rental agreement and liability waiver upon booking. You will receive a link to e-sign as soon as your booking is confirmed.
Check in/Checkout: Check in starts at 4pm. Check out is at 11am. If you are interested in an early check in or late check out, please message us! When possible for our housekeeping team to accommodate, we offer early check ins or late check out for a $50 fee.
Guests can access 1100 acres of property around the house.
32 miles outside Marfa, Texas, and 45 minutes to Big Bend Ranch State Park trailheads, Guests can enjoy the galleries and restaurants in Marfa, and stargazing at night. Fort Davis and the McDonald Observatory are an hour to the north, for astronomy buffs who want to explore the beautiful little town and take advantage of Dark Skies stargazing. For guests looking for a longer stay and willing to drive, The White House can serve as your quiet base for day trips to the Big Bend National Park, Alpine, Marathon, Lajitas, and Terlingua; all the magic of the Big Bend. Contact us for specific information about any of these destinations!
The Big Bend is beautiful, remote, and quiet, but mostly it is BIG! Make sure you research drive times to different destinations, and plan accordingly. Many people decide to extend their trip, just to reach all the places they want to see!
This property is remote, so plan accordingly! Marfa is 32 miles away and offers the closest stores, gas stations, and other supply stores. Guests will drive on about 5 miles of rough, graveled ranch road from the turnoff from HWY 169 to the house itself. A high clearance vehicle such as an SUV, crossover, or truck is needed to cross the two arroyos between then highway and the house. AWD and 4WD vehicles highly recommended!
Our cancellation policy is not shown accurately on this platform. We offer 100% refund if you cancel up to 14 days prior to the arrival date, and 50% (minus any service fee) if you cancel up to 7 days prior to arrival date. Contact us if you need to cancel.
