Big Bend Boating And Hiking Company

Join Our Big Bend National Park Hiking Tour

Nestled in the southwest corner of Texas, Big Bend National Park is situated along a 107-mile stretch of the Rio Grande, including the point where the river turns sharply to the north . This section of the Rio Grande is protected as a Wild and Scenic River and the spectacular limestone gorges through which the river flows are among the astonishing, varied natural features contained within the parks boundaries. The vast Chihuahuan Desert, extending northward from Mexico, dominates a considerable expanse of the park, but standing in stark contrast to the desert lowlands are the rugged, forested Chisos Mountains, whose peaks approach an elevation of 8,000. Without a doubt, Big Bend offers some of the wildest and unspoiled land remaining in the lower 48. This is the setting for our Big Bend National Park Hiking Tour.

Spring is an exciting season in this desert environment and one of the best times to visit this park. With an estimated 1,100 plant species, 450 species of birds and a wide range of other wildlife, including gray fox, Mexican black bear, mountain lion, and mule deer, Big Bend National Park is alive with activity, but still offers comfortable temperatures for exploration.

Member Clubs And Associations

Interested in joining Hike Ontario? Find out more about membership.

Ancient Forest Exploration & ResearchWebsite: www.ancientforest.org

Avon Trail100 km hiking trail from St Marys to Conestogo, northeast of Waterloo. The Avon Trail links the Thames Valley Trail with the Grand Valley Trail.Website: www.avontrail.ca

Bayfield River Valley TrailLocal walkers/hikers as well as visitors will all enjoy physical and mental benefits from their outdoor experiences along the trails that this group plans to develop along the beautiful Bayfield River Valley.

Bighead River Heritage Association A walking trail that travels through private property along both sides of the Bighead River.Website: www.trouthollow.ca

Bruce Trail ConservancyThe Bruce Trail is the oldest and longest continuous footpath in Canada. It runs along the Niagara Escarpment from Niagara to Tobermory, spanning more than 850km of main trail. Nine Bruce Trail Clubs support the Bruce Trail Conservancy. Each Club manages a section of the Trail.Website: www.brucetrail.org

CVT will be a 100 km pathway through the Credit River Valley, from the headwaters in Orangeville to Lake Ontario in Mississauga.Website: cvc.ca/creditvalleytrail

Elgin Hiking Trail ClubSouth Western Ontario’s jewel of trails with 41 kilometres of trails through the Carolinian Forests with trail elevations of approx. 70 metres.

Website: www.trailway.org

Discover The Diversity And History Of The South Rim Trail

Today we discover the most famous hike in all of Texas: the South Rim Trail. The biological diversity and geologic history add to the grandeur of the Chisosa true sky island surrounded by an ocean of Chihuahuan Desert. This is the only mountain range in the U.S. which is fully contained within the boundaries of a national park. Throughout the day we are rewarded with countless dramatic viewpoints, including those from the South Rim which spans miles into the distant Sierra del Carmen Mountains of Mexico and thousands of feet below to the Chihuahuan Desert oor. Returning to our lodge, we dine and take time for stargazing. All meals included.

Hiking up to 12 miles Elevation gain/loss: up to 2,000.

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Visit Barton Warnock Visitor Center

At the east end of the park near Lajitas, head to Barton Warnock Visitor Center for a one-stop opportunity to sign up for activities, explore, learn, and shop. Named for renowned Texas botanist Barton Warnock, the VC showcases an interpretative exhibit, desert garden, gift shop, and bookstore.

The Interpretive Center, called Una Tierra , resulted from a collaboration between national and state experts in Texas with their counterparts in Coahuila and Chihuahua – two states in northern Mexico. Here’s where you can explore exhibits that tell you everything you want to know about the history, geology, and culture of the state park. Wondering about the plant that produces wax ? Curious to know about the original people of the area? Seeking information about dangerous wildlife? This is your resource.

For information you can take away, buy a book from the gift shop and invest in a topo map. Adopt a stuffie of your favorite critter in the Chihuahuan Desert, or purchase a T-shirt that proves you made the scene.

At the visitor center, staff can answer your questions about the best places to visit, and sell you whatever you need to get around: day passes and permits for camping and river activities. Campers will find a dumpsite and access to drinking water on the west side of the ample parking lot.

Location Of Big Bends Best Canyon

Santa Elena Canyon is located in far southern Texas, within Big Bend National Park. It resides within the western portion of the park, closest to the West Entrance of Big Bend National Park, and in close proximity to the Cottonwood Campground. After entering the park from the West Entrance, it is approximately a one hour drive on the 30 mile long Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive road before reaching the parking area for the Santa Elena Canyon Trail and Rio Grande river access.

How to get to Santa Elena Canyon

Whereas some areas of Big Bend are slightly more high desert or forest topography, such as what can be found in the centrally located high elevation Chisos Basin, Santa Elena Canyon is surrounded by a mostly Chihuahuan desert ecosystem. That is what makes these enormous canyon ledges all the more striking, as they sprout unexpectedly from a mostly flat and brushy landscape.

The area surrounding Santa Elena Canyon

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Who We Want To Be Referred To

We are a small woman owned company in Big Bend, Texas. We love to share our knowledge of the Chihuahuan Desert and Rio Grande with all who come to visit. We offer tours in hiking, backpacking, rafting, kayaking, canoeing, and trips across the border into Mexico.

My twin sister and I started the business 3 years ago. We bought our first van and trailer and loaded it down with boats and equipment and took people floating down the Rio Grande. We have expanded to a new outpost and offer a variety of tours now.

Hike In Big Bend National Park And Experience The Chisos Basin

We set out for Big Bend National Park and our rst hike at Persimmon Gap Draw. This often-overlooked treasure features outstanding views of the oldest exposed geology in the park. We visit the parks Fossil Bone Exhibit, which celebrates 120 million years of paleontological history, and the Panther Junction Visitor Center. Our afternoon hike climbs through Panther Pass to the Lost Mine Trailhead where we take in spectacular views of the Chisos Mountains. We spend the next two nights at Chisos Mountains Lodge, nestled inside the mile-high Chisos Basin, completely encircled by towering pinnacles of volcanic origin. Big Bend is internationally recognized as a Dark Sky Park, so we take time in the evenings to stargaze. All meals included.

Hiking 6.8 miles Elevation gain/loss: up to 1,300 Transfers: 2 hours.

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Santa Elena Canyon Rafting Trip

The second way to enjoy this natural wonder, and perhaps a more intimate, unique, and physically challenging way, is to go on a Santa Elena Canyon rafting trip. The term rafting here applies to multiple forms of boating, including canoes and kayaks. I personally enjoy the responsiveness and agility of kayaks, so my preferred type of river trip is a Santa Elena Canyon kayaking trip.

Floating The Rio Grande

If you have the time and a spirit of adventure, you may want to consider a river trip. Seeing the park’s canyons from the middle of the Rio Grande can be an incredible experience. Depending upon the river levels, there are many possibilities including half-day floats or multi-day excursions.

Floating the Rio Grande can take you through miles of canyons up to 1,500 feet deep, where the sunlight may reach the bottom only briefly on winter days. As in other parts of the park, your ears may tell you more than your eyes. Listen for beavers crawling through the brush you might catch a glimpse as one slides down the riverbank into the water. Turtles, especially red-eared sliders, often sun themselves on rocks and logs just above the waterline. Great blue herons and green kingfishers are just some of the many birds you may see flying along the river.

Along the more open areas of the Rio Grande, you may see local people fishing, farming, and engaging in other traditional activities. These quiet stretches of the river offer expansive views of the colorful buttes, mesas, and mountains in both the U.S. and in Mexico. Far fewer people float the open water between the canyons, so it is possible to go for days without seeing another boater.

Local Outfitters

Information on guided trips, equipment rental, and shuttle services. For more information visit the outfitters page.

River Mileages

Water Quality & River Users

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Activity Level And Qualifications

This trip is rated Moderate . You should be capable of hiking with a daypack up to 12 miles with elevation gains/losses of up to 2,100′. Trails are composed of packed dirt, sand, large and/or loose rocks, with some steep sections and exposed overlooks.

Located in the southwestern corner of Texas, Big Bend National Park has long lured hikers with its iconic trails, uniquely diverse geology and ecology, as well as the peaceful, all-encompassing isolation from the daily hustle and bustle. Our journey begins and ends in the magnificent border city of El Paso. En route, we travel the Texas Mountain Trail, exploring both the natural wonders of Big Bend National Park and some of the regions most iconic towns Fort Davis, Alpine and Terlingua. Each night is spent in distinctively Texan accommodations, from gorgeous historic hotels, to a ghost town retreat, to a park lodge nestled high in the Chisos Mountains.

• Hike from the Chisos Mountains to the Chiuhuahuan Desert in Big Bend National Park
• Hike in Big Bend Ranch State Park
• Stay at historic hotels and visit small west Texas towns rich in character
• Expert local guides ensure you have an authentic Texas experience
• Opportunity to see diverse plant and animal life that call this region home

Background On Santa Elena Canyon And The Rio Grande

Santa Elena Canyon is the poster child for unique Texas topography. This natural wonder is a multi-layered limestone feat, created from continuous erosion from the Rio Grande River. Its walls tower at 1,500 feet at their highest, and at their narrowest are only 25 feet in width. Whether you plan to explore Santa Elena Canyon by land or by water, it is a fascinating tribute to one of Texass most impressive feats, in one of its most stunning surroundings.

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A Boomerang Trip Rafting The Rio Grande River

There are multiple tour companies that can operate a day use Santa Elena Canyon rafting trip, often referred to as a boomerang trip. A boomerang trip refers to launching from the Santa Elena Canyon River Access point, boating several miles into the canyon going upstream, then turning around and returning to the mouth of Santa Elena Canyon.

I found that the average cost of a full day guided river tour was approximately $150 a person, and that typically included transportation from a designated location outside the park, like the small town of Terlingua, park entrance fees, required permits, and all necessary equipment.

Looking for a recommendation on which boating company to use? I recommend Big Bend Boating and Hiking Company!

Or you can use your own personal boating and kayaking equipment for rafting the Rio Grande. There is ample parking available and designated spots for loading and unloading at the trailhead of the Santa Elena Canyon Trail. Since the walk from the trailhead down to the bank of the Rio Grande is just over a tenth of a mile along the trail, it is not a long haul to carry out a kayak or two. Just know that you will have to transport your capsule to the launch point from the parking lot.

What About Permits?

You can find more information on River Regulations in Big Bend National Park on the NPS website.

Are Pets Allowed on a Santa Elena Canyon Rafting Trip?

Shallow waters and a small beach area in the canyon

Graph And Paint The Landscapes

Get creative with your camera day or night, keeping in mind that Big Bend Ranch State Park is an International Dark Sky Park. Capture the stars against the park’s interesting structures. Take a video of activities happening on the Rio Grande River that flow like the river throughout the day and into the night. Set up your easel and capture an artist’s interpretation of one of the best state parks in Texas.

Connect with your inner Ansel Adams or simply whip out your phone for a selfie. This park offers some of the most dazzling backdrops – no photoshopping required. But where to go for the best photography spots? You will harness the softest light for your photos in the morning and late afternoon in places like the Contrabando Movie Set and nearby Contrabando West Trailhead, atop the “Big Hill” at La Cuesta , the Hoodoos Trailhead, and Guale #2 campsite.

No matter what medium you use to document it, no matter where you go, the landscape is breathtakingly beautiful, and being there can be a transforming experience.

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Visit The Museum Of The Big Bend And Hike Hancock Hill Before Returning To El Paso

This morning we begin our return journey to El Paso. We travel the Texas Mountain Trail back to Alpine where a visit to the award-winning Museum of the Big Bend provides further insights into the incredible region we have just experienced. Then the ascent of Hancock Hill offers one final taste of the Big Bends many incredible trails, with terrific views of Alpine and the surrounding mountains. Following a scrumptious lunch at a local Alpine favorite, we transfer to El Paso with a planned arrival time of 4:00pm. Breakfast and lunch included.

Hiking 2 miles Elevation gain/loss: 200 Transfers: 5 hours.

Although we do our very best to adhere to the schedule listed above, this itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control.

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Quick Facts On The Santa Elena Canyon Trail

Length: 1.5 miles out and back

The Santa Elena Canyon TrailSanta Elena Canyon Trail Elevation Chart

The entirety of the Santa Elena Canyon Trail is only a 1.5 mile roundtrip, out and back trek, but do not be fooled into thinking that the trail ends at the rivers edge. It is possible to take the Santa Elena Canyon Trail only a few tenths of a mile to the banks of the Rio Grande for a viewpoint, but it veers off the left just before the banks, crossing the small inlet of the Terlingua Creek to proceed up into the shadows of the canyon walls. This is where the elevation gain occurs as hikers climb up the stairs and ramps along the ledges of trail that overlook the Rio Grande.

The banks of the Rio Grande on the Santa Elena Canyon TrailThe canyon walls of Santa Elena

Insider Tip: there are occasions when Terlingua Creek is flooded, affecting access to the remaining portion of the Santa Elena Canyon Trail. If in doubt regarding the current conditions, it is always advisable to check with a ranger before departing.

Birds eye view of kayakers rafting the Rio Grande from atop the Santa Elena Canyon Trail

Experience The Chihuahuan Desert Landscapes

Weve structured this hiking trip in a manner that will provide the varied experiences that are the essence of Big Bend National Park. Well hike the high country of the Chisos, explore the dramatic landscapes shaped by erosion, experience the Chihuahuan Desert environment, and enjoy the breathtaking gorges carved by the Rio Grande. A boating journey on the Rio Grande within the park is another bonus feature of this program.

Indecisive? We also offer a large selection of hiking and biking guided tours for you to choose from all year round.

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Hike The Mesa De Anguila And Big Bend Ranch State Park

The Mesa de Anguila Trail is a hidden gem seldom explored by visitors to Big Bend National Park. The mesa sits high atop Santa Elena Canyon and marks the western border of the park. Our hike provides fantastic views of the bends of the Rio Grande, a brilliant example of how the park got its name. We visit the Barton Warnock Center to learn more about the regions incredible natural history, and then drive along the Camino del Rio. The road twists and winds with the Rio Grande, crossing arroyos, climbing mountains, and hugging canyon walls. Reaching Big Bend Ranch State Park, we discover the beauty and diversity of this massive 311,000 acre park. Returning to Terlingua, there is free time to explore the Ghost Town before we gather for a farewell dinner at the iconic Starlight Theatre. All meals included.

Hiking 6 miles Elevation gain/loss: 900.