Ranch House Dark Skies

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Entire home

Kitchen with 2 refrigerators, 2 stoves and double ovens.

Overview
Amenities
Policies
Location
Host

Exceptional

5 bedrooms3+ bathroomsSleeps 14371.6 sq m

Popular amenities

Washer

Parking available

Hot tub

Barbecue grill

Outdoor space

Kitchen

Explore the area

Alpine, TX

Sul Ross State University
28 min drive
Big Bend Regional Medical Center
28 min drive
Marfa Lights Viewing Center
52 min drive
Alpine, TX (ALE-Casparis Municipal)
30 min drive

Rooms & beds

5 bedrooms (sleeps 14)

Bedroom 1 Upstairs

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

1 King Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Single Bunk Bed and 1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 4

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 5 off the deck upstairs

1 Single Bed and 2 Double Beds

3 bathrooms, 2 half bathrooms

Bath 5

Toilet

Bathroom Jack and Jill

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Bathroom Main

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Bathroom Upstairs

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Shampoo

Off Pool Table Room

Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio

Kitchen

Garden

Dining Area

About this property

The Ranch House is located 8 miles south of Alpine and is home to lots of wildlife including mule deer, white tail deer, pronghorn, turkeys and Javelina. We have beautiful views from all over the property of Cathedral Mountain, Mount Ord, Haley's Mountain, McIntyre Peak, and the surrounding mountains. The house is located in a secluded spot on the ranch with trees in the yard. We are located close to Big Bend, Marfa and Fort Davis and the McDonald Observatory. Alpine is home to a Art Walk and Music Festivals.

Perfect for muti-generational families or a retreat for up to 12 people. Extra $15 per night for more than 12 people. Beds for 12 and air mattress for 2.
One of the bedrooms is off the deck by the primary bedroom and has a half bath,
Alpine Hotel Tax of 7% will be added to your quote.
We require a minimum of 5 night stay during Spring Break in March.

Local Activities include
Star Parties at McDonald Observatory year round on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Expanded activities in March for Spring Breakers.

http://www.texasmonthly.com/travel/trip-guide-alpine/

Visit the Alpine Chamber of Commerce for things to do in Alpine. http://www.alpinetexas.com/

Big Bend National Park http://www.nps.gov/bibe/index.htm

Property manager

Rennie Meriwether

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Hot tub

Kitchen

Washer

Dryer

Free WiFi

Air conditioning

Similar properties

Kitchen

Washer

Dryer

Free WiFi

House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM

Minimum age to rent: 25

Check out before 12:00 PM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

Events

No events allowed

Pets

No pets allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy

Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges

Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed

On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited

Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip

Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property

Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Alpine

Located in Alpine, this holiday home is in a rural area. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Kokernot Park and Shipman Park, while Kiowa Gallery and Museum of the Big Bend are cultural highlights. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.

Alpine, TX

What's nearby

Museum of the Big Bend - 27 min drive
Sul Ross State University - 28 min drive
Big Bend Regional Medical Center - 28 min drive
Kokernot Park - 30 min drive
Marfa Lights Viewing Center - 52 min drive

Getting around

Alpine Station - 28 min drive
Marfa, TX (MRF) - 58 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Ranch House Dark Skies pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Ranch House Dark Skies?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Ranch House Dark Skies?

Checkout is at 12:00 PM.

Where is Ranch House Dark Skies located?

Situated in a rural location, this holiday home is within 20 miles (32 km) of Sul Ross State University, Big Bend Regional Medical Center and Kiowa Gallery. Museum of the Big Bend and Kokernot Park are also within 20 miles (32 km).

9.6

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.

Learn more

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

10/10 Excellent

Candis G.

12 Aug 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family getaway for Dads birthday

My Husband and I along with our two grown sons and each of their spouses with all three of our granddaughters stayed for three nights and four days. It was a great house with plenty of room for the nine of us. Everyone had space and privacy in the evening but we were all able to gather during the mornings and the day in the large common areas and enjoy quality family time together. Worked out great. Gorgeous scenery and wildlife. Highly recommend this place.

Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Daniel Z.

14 Mar 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great property

The property worked very well for us with such a large group. (9 people) It was a drive to BBNP, but it worked for us. Remember everything it is a drive out there. The property is very centrally located in between all of the things to do around the area. We went from McDonalds Observatory and all over BBNP. We did some hiking on the property. The kitchen was fully stocked. Lots of extras in the house such as toilet paper, paper towels and trash bags. Did not have any issues with the property at all. Would highly recommend the property for anyone with a large group.

Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2024

8/10 Good

Clemencia B.

8 Nov 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Alpine Revisited

Picked this property because of number of bedrooms, amenities, location and proximity to town for our group. Looked great in photos. In actuality, ranch house is lack luster and encountered safety issues in outdoor spaces. There could be much better maintenance of outdoor areas. Kitchen could be stocked with paper towels and table napkins. Hand soap dispensers in some bathrooms with little or no soap. Views of the mountains are nice.

Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Robert R.

9 Oct 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

West Texas Vacation

We were a group of nine adults visiting the area for hiking and sightseeing activities. The property was great! We visited the Fort Davis National Historic Sight which was excellent. Across the street was the Rattlers and Reptile museum which was also a great activity as well as the Overland Trail Museum which was just up the street. We hiked the loop trail above the Historic Fort Davis which provided spectacular views. The Chihuahuan Desert Preserve has some wonderful hiking trails and an excellent Botanical Garden. The home was two miles off the highway near Alpine and it was large enough to accommodate our group. The home was clean, well equiped and very quiet!! This is a great place to stay and easy access to lots of outdoor activity options!

Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Stephen M., Austin, Texas, USA

1 July 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Spacious Family Retreat under the Stars

Plenty of space, comfortable beds, multiple living areas, bedrooms and bathrooms for our family gathering. Large kitchen with an electric and gas top ranges!! Double ovens…plenty of cooking supplies. The pool table provided great fun, as our family engaged in a tournament that the reigning Patriarch won! The only negative would be the long gravel road from hwy 118 to the house. In a truck, no worries. In a sedan, one must take it slow, but completely manageable. We highly recommend this VRBO.

Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Alicia C.

5 June 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Peace and Quiet Under the Stars

We wanted to get away to the dark skies to celebrate my husband's 40th and my father in-law's 75th. This home was the perfect setting to relax and take in the serenity and wonder of west Texas. The home has plenty of space, is very comfortable, and had everything we needed. It felt more like visiting a family member's home. Unlike some other rentals that are sparsely decorated and don't have enough kitchen utensils, this kitchen was well stocked and even has two stoves which made cooking for 8 people a breeze, and every room in the house is functional and comfortable. The kids loved the loft room off the upper deck which is great as a play room and has quite a collection of movies, although we had such fun in nature we didn't really have time for movies. The game room is awesome with a great pool table and dart board. We loved sitting out on the patio and roof top deck to look at the stars. The property is absolutely gorgeous and you'll only hear the sounds of nature out there, no light pollution, no noise pollution. It is an absolute dream, we had a fantastic time and would highly recommend to anyone looking for a quiet base for your Big Bend Adventures. Close enough to Alpine to enjoy the small town feel, and it's centrally located to make day trips out to Balmorhea, The McDonald Observatory and Fort Davis, Marfa, and Big Bend National Park. Rennie was super easy to contact, although we never needed anything because the house is that great!

Stayed 4 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Candice R.

25 May 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Awesome!

Beautiful property with plenty of solitude

Stayed 4 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kareem S.

20 Apr 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

So incredible

A beautiful spot. Perfectly situated for all the West Texas spots. We thoroughly enjoyed fires under a brilliant night sky.

Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Nathalie S.

29 Mar 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

civilization in the middle of nowhere

very comfortable and big house! I will recommend anytime!

Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Rishaal J.

21 Mar 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Excellent !

Property was located between Big Bend National Park and the McDonald Observatory , approx. 1.25hr to the park. Located off the main road, very quiet not a single car to be heard which made for good disconnect time. Star gazing was great, outdoor balcony provided a good viewing deck. House itself was a little confusing at first given its been renovated in parts but after a walk through it was fine - large kitchen, plenty of hangout space across the 3 lounges - we used only 2 - and enjoyed the pool table and dart board. Kitchen was very well stocked with, we did use both cooktops at times. Bathrooms were adequate, clean and well stocked also. No cellular coverage, we switched to calling over wi-fi. Host was responsive, need to follow driving and check in instructions that get emailed to you - GPS map was not accurate. Great stay overall, we would do it again if in the area.

Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Christopher B.

21 Feb 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Quiet and Secluded

The house was amazing and had all that we needed we had complete privacy and the dark skies were amazing. Recommend and would stay again.

Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Cindy H.

28 Oct 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing Property!

The house was spacious and comfortable with everything our group needed. The property has a great history and walking over the grounds was wonderful. There were several sitting areas as well as outdoor seating. It did help that the weather was perfect. The owner was prompt in answering all my questions and was extremely helpful. We all had a wonderful time. I’d love to return someday.

Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

vallery m.

18 July 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

PERFECTION

this is our second stay here.. love this place.. kitchen is great, lots of room for everyone..

Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jimmy M.

18 Apr 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Our stay in Brewster Cpunty

We had a wonderful time at this house. It is secluded, the stars were bright, the house was clean and accurately described. We would stay there again.

Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2022

10/10 Excellent

Nancy S.

19 Mar 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

We had a wonderful time. Big house so we all had our own space.

Fantastic!

Stayed 6 nights in Mar 2022

8/10 Good

Luios Lovelin Prabhu J.

14 Mar 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, listing accuracy

Great secluded place to stay

Great place for a retreat. Everything was great about this place . Loved the heating . Only downside is the road to ranch. It was a gravel road and thankfully we had new tires. But felt nervous travelling every time on it . This has to improve for sure . Rennie was an awesome host and was very prompt

Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2022

10/10 Excellent

Su T.

17 Feb 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely getaway

My friends and I stayed here for a girls' trip. There are a number of rooms to choose from. I got the room that cannot be entered from inside the house. It was slightly inconvenient because the closest door to the house opens to the loft bathroom. I was worried I'd wake up the person in the loft bedroom. However, my room had the best access to the upstairs deck, and the stars were amazing so it was totally worth the slight inconvenience. Also, since I was the shortest person in the group, it made the most sense to put me there, lol. The room next to the kitchen gets a lot of light so it's probably best for early risers. Since the loft is open to one of the living room areas, you might want to bring ear plugs if you sleep there. There were plenty of bathrooms and living spaces. The kitchen was extraordinarily well appointed, and we were grateful for all the space. We all agreed we'd stay there again without hesitation.

Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2022

10/10 Excellent

Dina R.

10 Jan 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Loved it

We had a great stay. The house had everything we needed.

Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2021

10/10 Excellent

Christine Y.

22 Dec 2021

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Spacious home with lots of amenities

We stayed here for a family trip to visit Big Bend and other nearby attractions. We had young children, and the house was comfortable and spacious (plenty of rooms and bathrooms). The kitchen is huge, which is nice if you're needing to cook or prepare food. It has three living rooms, a couple TVs, a pool table, and lots of fun activities to keep everyone entertained. The house was a little odd in terms of its design, almost like it had been expanded over the years, but overall it let everyone have their own space. We didn't use 2 of the 5 bedrooms: the upstairs loft with king size bed has a jacuzzi tub as the shower with a low roof, so it's not equipped for adults to shower in, but the bathroom in the center of the house has a huge shower with two faucets. The other upstairs bedroom was locked and none of the keys worked on it, so we never could gain access, but it wouldn't have worked for our situation anyway because it's only accessible from the outdoor upstairs deck. The property was a little tricky to find, but the owner's directions were extremely helpful. Basically follow GPS and keep left at any forks in the gravel driveway and you'll eventually get there. It was a beautiful and serene piece of property. We enjoyed stargazing and walking around the house.

Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2021

10/10 Excellent

Jody B.

19 Oct 2021

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

The stars are bright deep in the heart of Texas

We enjoyed a lovely stay on the Ranch. The kitchen was set up perfectly. The property is amazing. We had a great horned owl visiting nightly. Thank you for sharing your home with us!

Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2021

10/10 Excellent

Steve L.

2 July 2021

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Nice ,Clean, Quite , Getaway place to Relax

Very Good

Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Amanda J.

27 June 2021

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Good Time

My family enjoyed our stay.

8/10 Good

Sherman M.

21 May 2021

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful house & setting

This is a great house in a wonderfully secluded area. There is lots of room to roam and/or gather outside with a great fire pit and patio area. There are three large 'living room' areas in the house which is great if you want to spread out. The kitchen is huge with plenty of cooking and gathering space. Everything one would need for meal preparation is there! The only downside to the house that I may have missed in the listing info is that two of the bedrooms are actually upstairs. They are only accessible by using a spiral staircase and one of them is an outdoor spiral staircase. The bedroom with outdoor access has only a half bath, no shower. The other upstairs bedroom can be accessed inside which is better, but the 'shower' in that bathroom was not functioning. It was actually a jacuzzi tub in the slope of the upstairs that had been modified with a hand-held shower head and a shower curtain that hung mostly inside the tub due to the low ceiling. So both upstairs couples had to go downstairs each day to shower. We had air conditioning issues the last two nights, but as it was Sunday morning when we discovered the problem it is understandable that no one was available to do repair work. Luckily we had great cool nighttime weather and nice breezes. All in all we would stay there again in a heartbeat....just maybe not use the outdoor access room as a bedroom.

Stayed 5 nights in May 2021

10/10 Excellent

Trey B.

3 May 2021

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Stay at the Meriwether Ranch - Alpine, Texas

We had a great time there. House is very comfortable, and being that it is in a designated dark skies area, the evening star gazing was exceptional. There is an abundance of wildlife to see and hear. The kitchen was large and had all the amenities needed for meal preparation. There were no disappointments. Excellent stay.

10/10 Excellent

Kelli W., Southlake, TX

26 Mar 2021

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Country Charm

We had a wonderful time!! Such a fun property and was perfect for our extended family of 9.

Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2021

About the host

Hosted by Rennie Meriwether

The Meriwether Family has deep roots in the Alpine area. Our Great Grandparents settled on ranch north of town and then bought another ranch south which is called the Double Diamond Ranch. This is where you will be staying. We have been doing updates on the house with our rental income to enhance the house for our guests.

Why they chose this property

The ranch house is secluded with dark skies for stargazing. Walking around the property and from the patio and deck are amazing views. It is a working cattle ranch and you might see cows and horses on the road to the house depending on which pasture they are in during your stay.

What makes this property unique

We provide everything you need in the kitchen including 2 ovens, 2 stoves, 2 refrigerators and pots and pans. We provide a crock pot, air fryer, coffee maker and blender. Pantry items such as coffee, tea, sweeteners and spices.