StarStruck Glamping

A Dog-Friendly Guide to Exploring Big Bend

When most people think about visiting Big Bend with their dog, they immediately cross it off the list. Between the National Park restrictions, the desert environment, and the long drive to get there, it's easy to assume this just isn't a destination that's built for pet owners.

After spending three nights at StarStruck Glamping with our German Shepherd puppy, Cicuta, I honestly came away feeling the exact opposite.

StarStruck isn't just a beautiful place to stay. It's an incredible home base for exploring one of the most unique regions in Texas. Every morning we headed out to explore Big Bend, and every evening we came back to a place that still felt like part of the adventure.

If you're looking for a destination where the stay is every bit as memorable as the places you'll explore during the day, this one deserves a serious look.

The Boogie Breakdown

Every stay in the Holly Checks In series is scored using our Boogie Breakdown rating system. Each category receives a score from 1–5 Boogies based on both the human, and dog experience.

Because there's a huge difference between simply allowing dogs, and creating an experience that truly welcomes them.

Room Experience — 5 Boogies

From the moment we walked into the dome, it immediately felt cozy without sacrificing the adventure.

The dome was clean, thoughtfully designed, and surprisingly spacious. There was a full bathroom with a large shower that had excellent water pressure, air conditioning that had no problem keeping up with the West Texas heat, and a small kitchenette that worked perfectly for us—even while traveling with a raw-fed dog who immediately claimed every inch of freezer space.

The kitchenette includes a microwave, mini fridge with freezer space, a grill outside, and a few simple pantry items like oatmeal and popcorn. There isn't a stovetop or oven, so if you're planning a longer stay, I'd recommend keeping breakfasts and snacks at the dome and planning to grab lunch or dinner while you're out exploring Big Bend. That's exactly what we did, and honestly it worked out perfectly.

The bed wasn't the most comfortable we've ever slept on, but it also wasn't something that negatively impacted our trip. After spending all day hiking, driving scenic roads, and exploring West Texas, we slept just fine.

Overall, the dome struck a really nice balance between comfort and adventure. It had everything we needed for a relaxing three-night stay, and every evening it felt good to come back somewhere that was comfortable, quiet, and intentionally designed to let the surrounding landscape remain the star of the experience.

Service & Hospitality — 5 Boogies

Service and hospitality ended up being one of the strongest parts of this stay. Communication leading up to our trip was incredibly thorough, and we received plenty of information ahead of time to help us plan our visit. From check-in instructions to recommendations for exploring the area, everything was explained clearly, and made the entire experience feel seamless.

One thing I really appreciated was how much information they provided before we even arrived. Big Bend isn't the kind of destination where you can just wing it, and having all of those recommendations ahead of time made planning our days significantly easier.

The property itself was also exactly as advertised. Everything was clean, well maintained, and thoughtfully prepared for our arrival. We never ran into any issues during our stay, but knowing the hosts were readily available if we needed anything gave us a lot of peace of mind.

One small thing I'd love to see in the future would be furniture covers for the outdoor seating. We happened to visit during several days of unusually heavy rain, so the cushions stayed wet more often than not. That said, considering how uncommon that weather is in West Texas, it's a very minor suggestion rather than a real complaint.

Overall, StarStruck Glamping made the entire experience feel easy. Between the clear communication, thoughtful preparation, and welcoming atmosphere, this was exactly the kind of hospitality we hope to find when traveling with a dog.

Designed for Dogs — 5 Boogies

When we arrived, Cicuta was welcomed with her own dog bed, blanket, food and water bowls, poop bags, and even a toy waiting for her inside the dome. Those little touches immediately made it feel like she was genuinely considered as a guest rather than simply allowed to come along.

What really earned StarStruck five boogies, though, wasn't the welcome basket. It was how easy it was to include Cicuta in every part of our stay.

She could relax with us inside the dome, hang out on the patio while we enjoyed the view, and when the afternoon sun started heating things up, we could all move over to the covered outdoor kitchen without anyone feeling cramped or uncomfortable. At no point did we feel like we had to leave her behind, or choose between spending time with her, and enjoying the property ourselves.

The desert isn't naturally the easiest environment to travel with a dog, but StarStruck does a great job of making it feel approachable. Between the shaded spaces, easy potty breaks around the property, and thoughtful dog amenities, traveling with Cicuta ended up being much easier than we expected.

Gone Walkies — 5 Boogies

This category is honestly what pushed StarStruck from an amazing stay to our very first five-boogie review.

The biggest misconception about visiting Big Bend with a dog is that because dogs aren't allowed on the National Park trails, the trip somehow isn't worth taking.

I couldn't disagree more.

While the National Park restrictions are definitely something to be aware of, there is still so much you can experience with your dog that we never once felt like bringing Cicuta took away from the trip.

Big Bend National Park

Although dogs aren't allowed on the hiking trails, we still spent an entire day exploring the park together.

Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive was easily one of the highlights of our trip. The drive itself is absolutely breathtaking, with countless scenic pull-offs where you can safely stop, stretch your legs, take photos, and simply enjoy the landscape together.

If you have a four-wheel-drive vehicle, I also highly recommend taking Old Maverick Road. We happened to visit after several days of heavy rain, so the washouts, creek crossings, and rougher terrain made for a really fun off-road adventure without taking up your entire day. It ended up being one of my husbands favorite parts of the trip.

Big Bend Ranch State Park

If you're looking to actually hike with your dog, this is where you'll want to spend your time.

Closed Canyon Trail was, without question, our favorite hike of the entire trip.

Unlike a lot of short nature trails, this actually feels like a real hike. Walking through the canyon with towering rock walls on both sides was absolutely incredible, and it quickly became one of our favorite memories from the entire vacation.

If I were planning this trip again, I'd honestly throw a picnic lunch into a backpack and eat inside the canyon. There are plenty of flat areas where you could sit, relax, and enjoy the scenery before heading back.

Hoodoos Trail is also worth visiting, especially if it's your first time in the area. The overlook offers incredible views, and is absolutely worth the short walk.

The loop itself, however, was a different story during our visit.

By late June it had basically become mosquito central. We spent more time trying to outrun bugs than actually enjoying the trail. If you're visiting during mosquito season, I'd recommend walking to the overlook, soaking in the views, and skipping the full loop unless conditions are better.

Even with the National Park restrictions, we never felt like we were missing out by bringing Cicuta. Between the scenic drives, dog-friendly hikes, and simply experiencing such a unique part of Texas together, this ended up being one of the most enjoyable trips we've ever taken with a dog.

For us, that's exactly what the Gone Walkies category is all about, and StarStruck Glamping earned every one of its five boogies.

Taste of the Stay — Off the Menu

Because StarStruck Glamping is a private glamping experience rather than a traditional hotel or resort, there aren't any on-site dining options, room service, or complimentary meals to review.

Rather than unfairly counting that against the property, any category that isn't applicable to a stay is simply excluded from the final Boogie Breakdown score.

That said, it's worth mentioning that dining in the Big Bend region is a little different than what many travelers may be used to. Restaurants are limited, and depending on where you spend your day exploring, you may find yourself driving a bit for your next meal.

During our stay, we found ourselves grabbing lunch while we were out exploring, and keeping the dome stocked with snacks, breakfast items, and simple meals for the evenings. The kitchenette was perfect for that style of travel, and honestly, it fit the slower pace of the trip really well.

One of our favorite stops was Chili Pepper Café after a day of hiking. The food was simple, hearty, and exactly what we were looking for after spending the day outdoors. Just don't come to Big Bend expecting a foodie vacation. The scenery is the main course here, and the food simply helps fuel the adventure.

Before You Go

Big Bend is one of the most rewarding places we've ever traveled with a dog, but it's definitely not the kind of destination you want to show up to unprepared. A little planning goes a long way, and these are the biggest things we learned during our trip.

Plan for the Drive

StarStruck Glamping is intentionally tucked away, and that's part of what makes it so special. The trade-off is that you're going to spend a fair amount of time driving, but honestly, we ended up loving that.

The drive itself became part of the adventure. Every road seemed to have another incredible view, another mountain range, or another scenic pull-off that made us stop and soak it all in.

If you're planning to visit both Big Bend National Park, and Big Bend Ranch State Park, expect each one to be roughly an hour to an hour and a half from the dome, depending on which part of the parks you're exploring.

Grocery Shopping & Supplies

There is a small convenience store about 5 minutes away where you can grab basic necessities like drinks, and snacks, but if you're planning to cook or stock up for your stay, I'd recommend stopping at a full grocery store before arriving.

The nearest major grocery store is about an hour away, so forgetting something simple could easily turn into a two-hour round trip.

Bring More Water Than You Think You'll Need

This probably ended up being the biggest piece of advice we'd give anyone visiting Big Bend.

Bring water for yourself.

Bring water for pets.

Bring extra water for the truck.

Then bring a little more.

Even if you aren't planning long hikes, you'll go through more water than you expect simply because of the dry climate.

Four-Wheel Drive Is Worth It

You absolutely do not need a four-wheel-drive vehicle to enjoy this trip.

That said...

If you have one, bring it.

Between Old Maverick Road in Big Bend National Park, and the countless backroads throughout the area, having a truck made the trip even more enjoyable. We visited after several days of heavy rain, so getting to drive through washouts, and rougher terrain ended up being one of Elijah's favorite parts of the vacation.

Don't Let the Heat Scare You

Of course, take it seriously and be prepared, but don’t think: “hot summer = you can’t visit”. When we visited at the end of June, temperatures were well over 100 degrees F almost every day.

Surprisingly, it never felt nearly as unbearable as we expected.

Because of the lighter desert landscape, the constant breeze, and the ability to move between the air-conditioned dome and the shaded outdoor kitchen, we were comfortably outside far more than we thought we'd be. We kept the exploring to the mornings, and had hours before the heat got to be too much.

Cicuta did incredibly well. She joined us everywhere, enjoyed short sniff walks around the property, relaxed on the patio with us, and whenever she started getting warm, we simply moved into the shade or back inside for a bit.

Respect the Wildlife

Part of what makes Big Bend so incredible is that you're sharing it with some amazing wildlife.

While we personally didn't have any dangerous encounters, it's important to stay aware of your surroundings, especially if you're traveling with pets.

Keep an eye out for rattlesnakes, scorpions, coyotes, javelinas, and tarantulas, and always give wildlife plenty of space if you happen to come across it.

Choosing the Right Glamping Dome

One thing we noticed while driving around the area is that there are quite a few dome-based glamping properties scattered throughout Big Bend.

Some looked beautiful.

Others looked a little older, weathered, or simply less maintained.

One of the reasons we chose StarStruck was because it felt intentionally tucked away from everything else, and after spending three nights here, I wouldn't change that decision for anything.

Being a little farther from town didn't feel inconvenient, It felt immersive.

The longer drives became part of the experience, and every time we came back to the dome, it genuinely felt like we were escaping from the rest of the world.

Wi-Fi

Yes, there is Wi-Fi.

It worked alright, but wasn’t quite strong enough for multiple devices. That said, this ended up being one of those rare trips where we found ourselves wanting to put our phones down anyway.

Final Score:5 Boogies

StarStruck Glamping ended up becoming so much more than just a place to stay.

If all we wanted was a beautiful glamping dome to relax in for a couple of nights, it would have absolutely been worth the trip. But what made this stay so special was how perfectly it complemented everything around it.

Every morning we woke up excited to head out, and explore the Big Bend region. Every evening we came back to somewhere that felt just as much a part of the adventure as the parks themselves. Whether we were watching thunderstorms roll across the desert, grilling dinner after a long day of hiking, or simply relaxing outside with Cicuta, the dome never felt like somewhere we were just sleeping. It felt like home base.

No stay is ever truly perfect, and StarStruck certainly had a few small things we'd love to see improved over time. But none of those things ever took away from the overall experience. Instead, they were completely overshadowed by everything this property did exceptionally well.

If you're looking for the perfect home base to explore the Big Bend region with your dog, we truly don't think you can go wrong here.

For that reason, StarStruck Glamping becomes the very first property for Holly Checks In to earn a perfect five-boogie score.

& we'll absolutely be back!