Big Bend Exploring and Hiking
Big Bend National Park
Primarily Hiking with a Day of Kayaking
Make It Your Adventure
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The Big Bend region of Texas is untouched, under-touristed, and just a little bit funky. This trip brings you into the heart of the region with hiking in Big Bend State Park and Big Bend National Park, paddling the Rio Grande and a trek up into the Chisos Mountains- a trail that Backpacker Magazines includes in their ‘100 Best Miles of Hiking in the US’. You will experience the eclectic style of West Texas people, nature, and history. This desert that on first glance seems so lifeless is filled with hardy vegetation and a myriad of desert creatures. We think the Big Bend Region is a world set apart and suspect you will too. We agree with the the folks in the Big Bend region- “West Texas is the Best Texas!”
Highlights
- Experiencing the breathtaking beauty of Big Bend National Park on foot
- Paddling along the Rio Grande River and admiring the natural border between Mexico and the United States
- Hiking in the Chisos Mountains along the South Rim Trail
- Star gazing in the desert darkness- Big Bend is part of the International Dark Sky Park
Inclusions
- 1 - 2 experienced AGC guides based on group size
- Seven nights lodging in a historic hotel, casita or similar
- All meals from dinner on Day 1 through lunch on the last day. We will go out to restaurants for most meals and the guides will prepare the others.
- Round-trip transportation from El Paso to the Park
- Park entry fees
Not included: Travel to and from El Paso, alcoholic beverages, guide gratuities and travel insurance
Trip Info
This trip is designed for women who enjoy hiking in the mountains and desert surrounded by breathtaking scenery. We will be hiking 6 - 10 miles a day in hilly terrain with steep ascents and descents, along rocky and uneven terrain. On Day 7 there is a 12.5 miles and 2,657 feet elevation gain/loss trail that makes this qualify as a level 4 trip but otherwise the hikes are level 3. There is a shorter option this day if you are not feeling up to this challenge. Previous hiking experience is extremely useful, as is having a sense of adventure and a good level of physical fitness. A rating of 3 requires aerobic conditioning for at least 40-50 minutes 4-5 times a week. Additional endurance exercise (e.g. going for a 2-hour hike once a week) and/or strength training is appropriate. Rating: 1 2 [3] 4 5.
This trip combines hiking with an immersion into the uniqueness of this fascinating area - there is no better way to understand the this park than by foot and from a kayak or canoe. Some of the hikes are quite challenging in terms of length and elevation gain, and it is an excellent trip for fit intermediate and experienced hikers who like hikes of intermediate or longer length.
The accommodations will include a historic hotel and a casita (little house in Spanish). The casitas will have a small kitchenette. There is an option at an additional cost to get a single room. You can select this option at registration.
Trip Resources
Below is the proposed itinerary for the trip. As is true on any adventure travel trip, plans for any specific day may be modified due to weather considerations, unforeseen circumstances, new opportunities, and group interests.
Overnight: Hotel in El Paso (D)
Hiking distance and elevation gain/losses: 2.2 mile loop, 335 feet elevation gain/loss
Overnight: Hotel Paisano
Leaving Marfa, we'll depart for Big Bend Ranch State Park. Along the way, we will visit Fort Leaton State Historic Site. Inside the park, we will hike in a canyon and be able to see unique geological features including hoodoos. This remote park has rugged mountains, steep canyons, and amazing views of the vast high desert. After our hikes we will continue to Terlingua Ghost Town, visit the Barton Warnock Visitor Center, and settle into our casitas. (B, L, D)
Hiking distance and elevation gain/losses: You can expect each hike to be about 1.5 miles with 100 ft gain/loss.
Overnight: Far Flung Casitas or similar
Hiking distance and elevation gain/losses: Santa Elena Canyon Trail: 1.6 miles, Elevation gain/loss: 80ft Mule Ear Trail: 3.8 miles, Elevation gain/loss: 880ft
Overnight: Far Flung Casitas or similar
Overnight: Far Flung Casitas or similar
Hiking distance and elevation gain/losses: Window Trail: 5.2 miles, Elevation gain/loss: 948ft
Overnight: Far Flung Casitas or similar
Hiking distance and elevation gain/losses: South Rim Trail: 12.5 miles, Elevation gain/loss: 2,657ft Lost Mine Trail: 4.8 miles, Elevation gain/loss: 1,131ft
Overnight: Far Flung Casitas or similar
4.6
(63 reviews)*These are the unfiltered reviews of women who have been on this trip in answer to the question "What made this trip special for you?". We take reviews very seriously and often tweak itineraries based on feedback. Please feel free to contact us about any questions you have.
Every trip I've done has had an exceptional group of women - and this was no exception. The guides chose wonderful experiences for us, from the restaurants to the cultural oddities of the area. Special in every way.
Fun people, interesting hiking.
I enjoyed seeing a different part of the country and desert terrain. I learned a lot about the plants and geology of the area.
The desert hiking was wonderful, and the guides were terrific. A memorable experience altogether!
The guides were very knowledgeable and flexible.
The beauty of Big Bend National Park
Wonderful camaraderie with the group of Aides and guides!
the women that participated!
Great guides, an amaziing national park, and wonderful travelers.
Neither of our guides had guided in Big Bend so it was a challenge for them and us with logistics and expectations. It would be helpful if AGC covered a scouting visit for new guides to an area.
Amazing group of women and stunningly beautiful scenery.
I have been wanting to hike big bend for several years and finally made it happern
Location!
The hiking, people and guides were all amazing. I really enjoyed the additional excursions to the fossil exhibit and the many visitor centers.
The sampler of what Big Bend offers was great. Every hike offered something different and the canoe day was a treat.
What made this trip special was to me was canoeing on the Rio Grande with new friends.
Loved our guides and the hikes. The meals they made were delicious.
The spectacular scenery and the wonderful group of women I travelled with.
diversity of experiences and hikes from desert to mountains to kayaking in river Jen the guide was awesome --- helpful and attentive.
The guides were awesome, my fellow travelers meshed together very well and the park is beautiful. Only wish the weather wasn’t so foggy and rainy, as I missed out on the dark skies and star gazing!
Very well organized, Very nice accommodations. Good variety of hikes.
The beautiful scenery, the lovely ladies, and the two great guides
Great women and guides. Beautiful place
The guides worked very hard to make it all go well. The group of people on this trip were wonderful.
These AGC trips are always great! Very well planned and organized. FABULOUS guides!!
It was great being with other women who like to do the same things I do.
I got to experience the desert and came away appreciating the uniqueness of the varying terrain and all that thrive there. I also had the opportunity to kayak for the first time and on the Rio Grande of all places. Wow, how memorable is that!
I got to check off another national park.
I had never visited Big Bend National Park before. Kayaking on the Rio Grande was the highlight of the trip for me.
I loved seeing this remote part o the country. I would not have gone here on my own. What a pleasure to see it with a terrific group of women.
Big Bend is a truly spectacular place. Our guides were competent and caring and as always, getting to know my fellow travelers was a treat. Seeing the Rio Grande from above and then kayaking on it was a lot of fun. Experiencing a totally different landscape than the Midwest made the trip extra special. Things I learned: it is DRY in the high desert, heavy-duty lip balm is a must. There is minimal shade on most trails so a wide-brimmed hat helps with the intense sunshine. Much of the trails have lots of loose rocks on them. Some of the trails involve steep climbs--altitude varies from around 2,000 to 5,500 feet most of the time. Be sure you're in shape!
met my expectations and then some!
Fun, easygoing and caring guides! Great hikes, good accommodations overall. Food was great. The people on this trip made it very special.
Seeing a new area of the country. Meeting and hiking with interesting women.
Seeing a part of the country I knew nothing about
The group wasn't too large and got along well. The guides were flexible and offered alternative hikes when possible.
Great guides, great group of women, beautiful area to explore! This was my first experience on a trip with AGC, and I loved it!!!
Experiencing a beautiful, remote part of the Southwest.
Fabulous group of women - no exceptions. Great views. Outstanding guides.
We had a very cohesive group of women. I enjoyed all of them. And it was fun to break in a new guide!
The people on the trip, the guides and places it took me
The guides and my fellow travelers were the absolute best part. As for activities, the hiking in Big Bend NP was spectacular. I also really enjoyed our Casitas in Terlingua.
Variety in hikes; dark skies; great group of women and guides
Hiking in such an exotic place, wonderful guides and a great group of women participants.
Perfectly planned itinerary to an unusual destination. I enjoyed every minute!
The location
The people on the trip.
Enjoyed the guides and all of the other hikers. I think for me, I would have liked to spend more time in the National park and less time in the State park.
Each day our guides had a mini meeting with everyone to discuss the day and what was expected for the upcoming hike.
I wanted to walk far and we did!
Since this was a 1st run trip, there were a few hiccups. But I thought our guides worked thru them very well. The town of Terlingua was really fun and unique. I really enjoyed the hike of the Mesa de Anguilla. The kayaking day was my favorite. The river was low, so it was just a float. The views of the canyon walls were just amazing. We had lunch on the bank of the river. It was a humorous and lovely day. There is substantial van time on this trip. This is a big NP and remote. So, it is part of the deal. The road from the Chisos Lodge to Marathon had amazing views of the park and was very enjoyable. Our group was fun. We laughed a lot.
Hiking in extraordinary Big Bend Ranch State Park and Big Bend National Park (especially the South Rim) and kayaking the Rio Grande in Santa Elena Canyon with the usual great group of participants and guides were definitely the highlights, though I didn’t consider it a “true” level 4 trip.
Enjoyed all of the hikes and the kayaking. The lodge and hotel were great. The tipis were interesting; the only downside was the trek to the washroom during the cold and windy nights. The guides were great!
The activities were terrific, accommodations were 2 out of 3 great, guides were fantastic. I was disappointed that there was not much socializing during our downtimes, and would have preferred less driving. Low light of the trip was the border crossing/hot springs--would have preferred another day of hiking or kayaking
I loved seeing the variety of the area but I was not expecting so much driving - albeit inevitable!
Worthwhile; varied; good mix of exertion and rest days. Beautiful place. I’m so glad I went. 12 mile hike in Chisos was the BEST. Kayaking in the canyon second.
- Where do we eat?
Most meal breakfasts and dinners will be in restaurants where you can order off the menu. Lunches will either be packed lunches (guides will put out lunch fixings in the morning) or picnic style. Some dinners will be prepared by the guides. -
What dietary preferences or restrictions can you accommodate on this trip?
We can accommodate vegetarian, lactose-free, and gluten-intolerant although we can not guarantee a completely gluten-free diet, if we know well in advance. If you’re severely allergic or if you have other significant dietary restrictions, please call the office before you register. If you’re vegan, you may want to bring some additional protein bars. -
I will be coming by myself. Do I need to pay a single supplement?
You only need to pay a single supplement if you want to guarantee you have your own room. Otherwise we’ll pair you up with someone and then switch roommates every time we switch lodging.
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