by Maleeha Sambur
El Cosmico was designed with nomadic traditions in mind, and as such, feels like a very appropriate rest stop for those making an art pilgrimage to Marfa. Sprawled across 21 acres, it offers a variety of kitschy accommodations to suit every budget (choose from teepee, tent, yurt, trailer, or BYO), an on-site bar, a mercantile stocked with a selection of vintage wardrobe finds and plenty of Palo Santo, bikes, woodfired hot tubs to rent, and a "hammock grove" for lazing about beneath the glow of string lights. The vibe is a bit like adult summer camp, and, if I'm to be honest, I thought it might be really annoying, but the kind folks here somehow manage to pull it off without eliciting eye rolls.
El Cosmico organizes several workshops throughout the year, as well as an entertainment program that includes movies and live music. It also plays host to the Trans-Pecos Festival every September, a weekend-long event with Americana-meets-psychedelia leanings, showcasing the local food scene and great live acts in an intimate setting (this year, St. Vincent made a surprise appearance, joining Jenny Lewis onstage for a cover of Deee-lite's "Groove is in the Heart," because weirdly wonderful stuff like that just happens at Trans-Pecos). There are also classes and seminars on everything from camp cooking to folk herbalism, shibori dyeing to cowboy roping. If you're music-festival-averse, I'm told the energy here is completely different, and worth checking out. If you're looking to stay at El Cosmico through the festival though, you'd be wise to book well in advance. Ditto if there's a wedding in town.
For more things to do in Marfa, click here.