Texas Big Bend National Park Hiking Tour

Your Guides

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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.

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.

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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                    [Headline] => Fossil Bone Discovery & the Lost Mine Trail, Big Bend National Park
                    [ActivityOverview] => 2-3 hours/4 miles hiking with 1,100\' elevation gain 
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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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                    [Headline] => Narrow Desert Gorges, the Rio Grande & Santa Elena Canyon
                    [ActivityOverview] => 6-8 hours/ 5-6 miles hiking with 600\' elevation gain 
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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.
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                    [Headline] => Summit Emory Peak in the Chisos Mountains
                    [ActivityOverview] => 6-8 hours/ 10 miles hiking with 2,440\' elevation gain 
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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.
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                    [Headline] => Visit Boquillas del Carmen Mexico & Hike to Hot Springs by the Rio Grande 
                    [ActivityOverview] => 6-8 hours/ up to 7-miles total hiking throughout the day with 750\' elevation gain 
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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.
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                    [Travel_Type] => 2 hour private van transfer round trip
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                    [Headline] => Discover Big Bend State Park & the Marfa Art Scene 
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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.
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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. 
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    [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.
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Accommodations

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

Hotel Saint George

Comfortable Hotel

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

Comfortable Hotel

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.

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