Texas Big Bend National Park Hiking Tour

Summit a Sky Island & Explore Canyons of the Rio Grande


Texas's Big Bend National Park is a vast and rugged wilderness of diverse landscapes, including majestic mountains, deep canyons, and winding rivers. Whether you're a seasoned hiker or a nature enthusiast seeking a warm-weather retreat when the rest of the country is frozen, Big Bend National Park offers something for every adventurer. Expert interpretive guides will lead you on incredible adventures each day, including summiting park's highest peak at 7,825 feet, wading deep into the Santa Elena gorge, and even on a hike across the Rio Grande River into old Mexico for lunch. Spend starlit nights around the fire pit or pool enjoying group dinner parties before retiring to your own private cabin. Cap off the trip at West Texas's only boutique hotel, located in art-filled and "mysterious" Marfa, TX. With its rich cultural history, diverse flora and fauna, and unique geologic formations, Big Bend National Park is an unforgettable destination that should be on every traveler's bucket list.

6 Days

From: $3,495

Texas's Big Bend National Park is a vast and rugged wilderness of diverse landscapes, including majestic mountains, deep canyons, and winding rivers. Whether you're a seasoned hiker or a nature enthusiast seeking a warm-weather retreat when the rest of the country is frozen, Big Bend National Park offers something for every adventurer. Expert interpretive guides will lead you on incredible adventures each day, including summiting park's highest peak at 7,825 feet, wading deep into the Santa Elena gorge, and even on a hike across the Rio Grande River into old Mexico for lunch. Spend starlit nights around the fire pit or pool enjoying group dinner parties before retiring to your own private cabin. Cap off the trip at West Texas's only boutique hotel, located in art-filled and "mysterious" Marfa, TX. With its rich cultural history, diverse flora and fauna, and unique geologic formations, Big Bend National Park is an unforgettable destination that should be on every traveler's bucket list.

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Highlights


  • Follow expert guides on an awe-inspiring hike into the Rio Grande's beautiful Santa Elena Canyon

  • Summit Emory Peak the highest point in the Chisos Mountains

  • Cross the Rio Grande to visit the village of Boquillas del Carmen in Mexico, then hike to hot springs

Texas Big Bend National Park Hiking Adventure

Start: Midland-Odessa, TX  End: Midland-Odessa, TX

Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.

Itinerary


  • Fossil Bone Discovery & the Lost Mine Trail, Big Bend National Park

    Day 1

    Welcome to Texas, are you ready for the ultimate Big Bend adventure? Your guides will pick you and your fellow adventures up this morning from your pre-trip hotel. After an orientation meeting, depart Odessa-Midland in the morning we will journey due south across the plains of West Texas. Once in Big Bend National Park we pause for a delicious picnic at the Dinosaur Discovery Center, where you can explore the park's rich cultural and natural history. After fueling up, enter the Chisos Mountains for the first time on the Lost Mine Trail. This challenging hike offers stunning panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and canyons, as well as a chance to spot some of the park's interesting wildlife. Along the way, you'll encounter unique rock formations and a variety of plant species, including the fascinating and hardy agave. The trail is well-marked and maintained, at the end of the trail you'll be rewarded with breathtaking views of the Chisos Mountains and the surrounding desert landscape. Wrap up your first day with a welcome dinner at the Starlight Theatre with a great mix of Texas and Mexican cuisine.

    Accommodation: Big Bend Casitas

    Activity: 2-3 hours/4 miles hiking with 1,100' elevation gain

    Transportation: 3.5- to 4.5-hour private van transfer

    Meals: Lunch, Dinner

  • Narrow Desert Gorges, the Rio Grande & Santa Elena Canyon

    Day 2

    Today you will explore some of North America's most incredible desert canyons via a collection of short hikes. After exploring Tuff Canyon and Lower Burro Mesa slot canyons, we will picnic by the Rio Grande. In the afternoon magnificent Santa Elena Canyon awaits. As you hike and possibly wade in the Rio Grande you'll be surrounded by towering canyon walls that rise up to 1,500 feet, creating a dramatic and awe-inspiring landscape. You'll encounter a diverse array of flora and fauna attracted to the perennial water, including cacti, yucca, and a variety of neo-tropical bird species. This experience is sure to be a highlight of your visit to Big Bend, an unforgettable journey through one of the most breathtaking natural wonders in all of the Southwest.

    Accommodation: Big Bend Casitas

    Activity: 6-8 hours/ 5-6 miles hiking with 600' elevation gain

    Transportation: 2- to 2.5-hour private van transfer round trip

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • Summit Emory Peak in the Chisos Mountains

    Day 3

    Summiting Emory Peak in the Chisos Mountains is an experience like no other. The hike to the peak is challenging but rewarding, taking you from 5,400-feet elevation through dense forests, rocky ridges, and steep switchbacks. At 7,825 feet elevation, the summit itself offers unbeatable 360-degree panoramic views of the Chisos Mountains and surrounding desert landscape. Reaching the peak is an accomplishment that leaves you with a sense of pride and fulfillment. Along the way, you may even have the chance to spot some of the diverse wildlife that call the mountains home. The hike to the summit of Emory Peak will take you through a variety of terrains, including dense forests, rocky ridges, and steep switchbacks. The trail is well-maintained and easy to follow, but the challenge of the terrain keeps things interesting and exciting. This is our most physically challenging day and everyone will be encouraged to attempt to summit, but it is not mandatory and there are scenic options for those looking for less of a challenge.

    Accommodation: Big Bend Casitas

    Activity: 6-8 hours/ 10 miles hiking with 2,440' elevation gain

    Transportation: 1- to 1.5-hour private van transfer

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • Visit Boquillas del Carmen Mexico & Hike to Hot Springs by the Rio Grande

    Day 4

    Boquillas del Carmen is a charming Mexican village, located just across the Rio Grande River from Big Bend National Park and surrounded by mountains. Cross the river in a small row boat, take a short hike, and enjoy a unique and rewarding village experience. Explore the village's narrow streets, visit its small shops, and interact with the friendly residents who are happy to share their customs and traditions. The village is known for its delicious food, including traditional Mexican dishes like enchiladas, tacos, and tamales. Enjoy lunch at one of the village's small restaurants and sample some of the local street food. After crossing back into the United States, burn those calories with a 6-mile hike along the river to hot springs or if water levels permit you may explore the Boquillas Canyon trail. Upon returning return to Terlingua, TX you will have the option to dine on your own this evening.

    Accommodation: Big Bend Casitas

    Activity: 6-8 hours/ up to 7-miles total hiking throughout the day with 750' elevation gain

    Transportation: 2 hour private van transfer round trip

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  • Discover Big Bend State Park & the Marfa Art Scene

    Day 5

    In Big Bend State Park hike among hoodoos and balanced rocks. The trail takes you through narrow canyons, over rocky ridges, and past towering spires of rock that have been carved by wind and water over millions of years. Hoodoos are tall and thin spires of rock, creating a surreal landscape that is unlike any other. In the late afternoon arrive at Marfa, TX a small desert town that has become a cultural hub for artists, musicians, and creatives from around the world. Known for its unique art installations, modern minimalist architecture, and stunning sunsets, Marfa offers a one-of-a-kind experience that you won't find anywhere else. Visitors can explore the town's many art galleries and studios, visit the famous Marfa Lights viewing station, or simply soak up the laid-back desert vibe. With a thriving arts scene, delicious local cuisine, and a stunning natural landscape, Marfa is perfect place to celebrate your accomplishments with the group at a farewell dinner.

    Accommodation: Hotel Saint George

    Activity: 2-3 hours/up to 3 miles hiking with up to 500' elevation gain

    Transportation: 2.5 hour private van transfer

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • Transfer to Midland-Odessa & Depart

    Day 6

    After a relaxing and leisurely morning head back to Midland-Odessa. The most common departing flights occur around 2:30pm so we will plan to arrive at around noon.

    Transportation: 3.5-hour private van transfer

    Meals: Breakfast

Download Itinerary

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You can access your download below.

Click here to download the Detailed Itinerary.

Dates & Prices


  • 2024
  • Go Private
  • Go Custom
  • Inclusions

2024

Scheduled Dates


The earlier you book, the more choice of available dates you’ll have and once you book, your price is guaranteed.

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Go Private

Go Private


Gather your favorite travel companions to share an MT Sobek adventure on an easy-to-book Private departure.

Call or email us to get the ball rolling.

*Private trips require a 25% non-refundable deposit.


Looking for a private family adventure?


This trip can accommodate guests with a minimum age of 16.

Private Trip Pricing:


2024 Pricing

2 guests from $6,995 per person double occupancy

3 guests from $4,995 per person double occupancy

4 guests from $4,495 per person double occupancy

5 guests from $4,295 per person double occupancy

6 guests from $3,895 per person double occupancy

7 guests from $3,795 per person double occupancy

8 guests from $3,595 per person double occupancy

*Seasonal rates may apply.

Additional Costs:


Private pricing excludes potential additional costs such as internal airfare, single supplement, or any park fees that may be required for the trip.

*Private trips require a 25% non-refundable deposit.

Take Over One of These Dates


Make Your Own Dates in These Months


  • January, February, March, April, September, October, November, December

Go Custom

Create Your Very Own Adventure


Dreaming of an adventure designed exclusively for you? With insider access and decades of experience, our travel experts create custom tailored adventures that are perfect for families, couples, and large groups. MT Sobek's custom adventures are designed to our exacting standards and led by our award-winning adventure guides.

When to start planning? Earlier is always better when designing a custom trip. More time allows for better availability of preferred accommodations, guides and your desired activities. Ideally, start the conversation with us at least 6 months before you want to travel. If you are looking for a custom trip that departs within three months, chances are greatly diminished in securing requested accommodations and the best guides.

*Custom trips require a 25% non-refundable deposit once an itinerary is agreed upon.

Start Planning

Inclusions

Price Includes


  • Expertise and services of our experienced adventure guides
  • All accommodations as noted in the itinerary
  • All breakfasts, almost all lunches and dinners as noted in the itinerary
  • Snacks and water between meals
  • Additional regional guides and experts on many trips
  • Comprehensive Trip Planner with detailed pre-trip information
  • Private guided tours at historic sites, museums, wineries and other select attractions as noted in the itinerary
  • Special events and other select attractions as mentioned in the itinerary
  • All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
  • Equipment and experienced guides for activities as described in the itinerary
  • Park and other entry fees (unless otherwise noted)
  • Fares for trains, ferries and other modes of travel as listed in the itinerary
  • Select transfers as mentioned in the itinerary
  • Baggage transfers and porterage

Price Does Not Include


  • International airfare, airport taxes, and excess baggage fees
  • Alcoholic beverages (MT Sobek provides wine at select events)
  • Gratuities for MT Sobek guides and guide-drivers
  • Travel Protection Program
  • Personal expenses

Contact An Expert


800-974-0300

Need help picking your next adventure? Call us to answer your questions.

Download Itinerary

Thank you!

You can access your download below.

Click here to download the Detailed Itinerary.

Your Guides


The best people to immerse you in a destination are the ones who live there, which is why we feature local Adventure Guides on our trips. Here are a few that you might meet on this adventure.

Joel C.

Joel C.

There’s an old saying here in the desert,” I once heard Joel say. “What you see in the desert is a reflection of your own soul.” Never without his old battered hat, given to him by his grandfather, Joel has a passion for the wide-open spaces of the West. He has thru-hiked the Pacific Crest Trail, the Continental Divide Trail, the Appalachian Trail, the Arizona Trail, and charted his own cross-country trek across the Mojave Desert, a total hike of approximately 10,000 miles. Joel is an experienced guide with four years leading horse rides in Southern Utah, and ten years leading adventure tours throughout the West. Despite it all, Joel doesn’t think of himself as a hiker per se. “Walking is just a nice pace to see the world,” he says. Off duty you’ll find him on the tennis court, playing ping pong, volunteering, and reading Western history alongside a cup of coffee.

Brad Indy H.

Brad Indy H.

Growing up in the Adirondack region of upstate New York, Indy was embedded with the love of the outdoors and desire for exploration. Now married for over 30 years with two adult children out doing their own thing for nearly 5 years, he decided to change life plans and travel the country to look, learn, explore, and enjoy life on a new level. And level up he did! Indy has been able to hike all over the US including tackling the Appalachian Trail, take on class 5 whitewater rapids, and throws in marathons when he's able to. So far, he's completed marathons in 30 different states. Even with all these adventures, his desire to explore and journey to new places is continuously growing. Adding guests to his ventures only heightens the travel experience where he can share in his knowledge and love of the outdoors.

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Welcome to Texas, are you ready for the ultimate Big Bend adventure? Your guides will pick you and your fellow adventures up this morning from your pre-trip hotel. After an orientation meeting, depart Odessa-Midland in the morning we will journey due south across the plains of West Texas. Once in Big Bend National Park we pause for a delicious picnic at the Dinosaur Discovery Center, where you can explore the park\'s rich cultural and natural history. After fueling up, enter the Chisos Mountains for the first time on the Lost Mine Trail. This challenging hike offers stunning panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and canyons, as well as a chance to spot some of the park\'s interesting wildlife. Along the way, you\'ll encounter unique rock formations and a variety of plant species, including the fascinating and hardy agave. The trail is well-marked and maintained, at the end of the trail you\'ll be rewarded with breathtaking views of the Chisos Mountains and the surrounding desert landscape. Wrap up your first day with a welcome dinner at the Starlight Theatre with a great mix of Texas and Mexican cuisine.

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[Breakfast] => 1 [Lunch] => 1 [Dinner] => 1 [Travel_Type] => 2.5 hour private van transfer [Quotation] => [Quotation_Attribution] => [Quotation_Location] => [Itinerary_Location] => [Latitude] => 30.309 [Longitude] => -104.025 ) [5] => Array ( [DayFrom] => 6 [DayTo] => 6 [Headline] => Transfer to Midland-Odessa & Depart [ActivityOverview] => [EstimatedLength] => [ActivityLevel] => [ItinBlock] =>

After a relaxing and leisurely morning head back to Midland-Odessa. The most common departing flights occur around 2:30pm so we will plan to arrive at around noon.

[Breakfast] => 1 [Lunch] => 0 [Dinner] => 0 [Travel_Type] => 3.5-hour private van transfer [Quotation] => [Quotation_Attribution] => [Quotation_Location] => [Itinerary_Location] => [Latitude] => 31.936 [Longitude] => -102.25 ) ) [ActivityHighlight] => Daily 4- to 8-hour hikes up to 10.5-miles on steep, uneven terrain with some moderate exposure to heights. Hikes will often be broken up across multiple different trails with rest breaks. The hike to the top of Emory Peak involves a strenuous climb of about 2,500 feet along a dirt and rock trail. The last 25 feet to the summit is optional and requires climbing solid rock without a rope, handrails, or other artificial handholds. [Trip_Level] => 3 )

Activity Level


This trip is rated activity level 3. Daily 4- to 8-hour hikes up to 10.5-miles on steep, uneven terrain with some moderate exposure to heights. Hikes will often be broken up across multiple different trails with rest breaks. The hike to the top of Emory Peak involves a strenuous climb of about 2,500 feet along a dirt and rock trail. The last 25 feet to the summit is optional and requires climbing solid rock without a rope, handrails, or other artificial handholds.
Learn more about activity levels here.

Activity Snapshot

Day 1

2-3 hours/4 miles hiking with 1,100' elevation gain

Day 2

6-8 hours/ 5-6 miles hiking with 600' elevation gain

Day 3

6-8 hours/ 10 miles hiking with 2,440' elevation gain

Day 4

6-8 hours/ up to 7-miles total hiking throughout the day with 750' elevation gain

Day 5

2-3 hours/up to 3 miles hiking with up to 500' elevation gain

Accommodations


Modern and relaxed three-star properties in five-star settings.

Hotel Saint George
Hotel Saint George

Hotel Saint George is located in the heart of downtown Marfa and features repurposed materials from the original Hotel Saint George built in 1886, melded with world-class contemporary art by local artists. The hotel's thoughtfully appointed rooms and suites have high ceilings, spacious modern bathrooms, and hand-crafted furnishings. The hotel also offers an outdoor pool, access to a nearby fitness center, a full-service bar, and the onsite restaurant Laventure which features wood-fired pizzas.

Big Bend Casitas
Big Bend Casitas

Located in Terlingua, each casitas (Spanish for "little house") offers 400 square feet of indoor space complete with full bath, two queen beds, kitchenette (with refrigerator, microwave, toaster and coffee maker) 32" flat screen satellite TV, maid service and free wifi. A porch to kick back and relax on after a full day of adventure and a courtyard with picnic tables and a barbecue pit. All casitas are non-smoking.

Weather


At 7825-feet elevation, Emory Peak in the Chisos Mountains is significantly cooler than areas of the park closer to the Rio Grande at 1,844-feet elevation. Come prepared for a wide variety of conditions with lows possibly below freezing in the Chisos Mountains. Highs can reach into the 80°Fs near our river corridor lodging.

 
Feb
Sep
Oct
Dec
Big Bend National Park 
High
Low
High
Low
High
Low
High
Low
Big Bend National Park
64
43
79
61
75
55
60
40
Midland-Odessa 
High
Low
High
Low
High
Low
High
Low
Midland-Odessa
63
34
87
62
78
52
59
32

FAQs


How should I train for my Texas National Park adventure?

The best training is hiking. Work up to hiking similar distances with your daypack loaded with the same weight and items you will be carrying on our day hikes.

Is there wildlife in Big Bend National Park?

Big Bend National Park is located in the Chihuahuan Desert of West Texas and is home to a diverse array of wildlife species. The park's most notable mammals include the black bear, mountain lion, javelina, coyote, and gray fox. There are also numerous species of reptiles and amphibians, including the western diamondback rattlesnake and the Texas horned lizard. The park is a prime destination for birdwatchers, with over 450 species of birds documented within the park's boundaries. Additionally, the Rio Grande River provides habitat for a variety of aquatic species, including several species of fish and turtles. Overall, Big Bend National Park's unique location and diverse habitats make it a haven for wildlife enthusiasts and biologists alike.

When is the best time to go on this trip?

The climate is classified as sub-tropical desert and the most pleasant times of year are fall, winter, and early spring.

Who is this trip perfect for?

This adventure is perfect for anyone who enjoys an active vacation focused on hiking in stunning landscapes, geology buffs, photography enthusiasts, and those who love history and the Old West!

What is the minimum age for this trip?
The standard minimum age for this trip is 18, but check out our private trip options for families and groups with younger guests.
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Guest Reviews


"MT Sobek took care of everything for our extended family vacation. Not a hiccup in the planning, the itinerary, the lodging or the guide. Everything in life should be so easy."

Kathy J.
MT Sobek Guest

"Traveling with MT Sobek is like gaining a new set of close friends that have shared an incredible experience together."

Mark N.
MT Sobek Guest