Big Bend National Park's southern border is a strip of oasis in the desert called the Rio Grande Wild and Scenic River. The river marks the U.S. and Mexican border and offers spectacular scenery as it traverses 118 miles and three major canyons. Rafting on the river is very popular for the scenery and the rapids that it provides. The National Park Service manages an additional 127 miles of river for preservation and recreational use. Activities to keep you in shape here are abundant.
Types
Big Bend National Park has 800,000 acres of desert, but the main reason many people come to the park is to ride on the river. Park officials and local outfitters make that as convenient as possible.
You have three options for rafting on the Rio Grande at Big Bend, and you have to get a free permit, which is available at any visitors center.
You may bring your own equipment and go off on your own adventure. You may also rent equipment at the park and go on your own. Finally, you may go with a guide service that will provide all the needed equipment.
Guides
Three private outfitters are recommended by the Big Bend Visitor's Guide. These outfitters have been giving tours on the river for years and have a good safety record on the river.
Big Bend River Tours is the oldest, but Desert Sports and Far Flung Adventure Center are also companies with good reputations.
National Park Service officials recommend a guide for people who have never rafted on the river or who have no experience rafting.
Outfitters offer canoe or rafting trips that can last a few hours or more than a week. Meals are provided, as well as lodging if it is a multiday trip.
The River
A variety of raft trips are available and you may mix and match sections to make your rafting trip as long or short as you like.
Colorado Canyon is the easiest and is a one-day or less trip of about 10 miles and is good for people with basic skills. Santa Elena Canyon is the most difficult with Class IV rapids. The trip is 20 miles and takes two to three days. Mariscal Canyon is the most difficult to get to but has the most dramatic scenery.
The lower canyons run for about 83 miles, have Class III rapids and are green and scenic. This section is also used by boaters.
Hiking
Big Bend National Park is a huge area, and nearby is the Big Bend State Park, which, with other public lands in the area, make it much bigger. Trails seem endless. You could hike from the river to the mountains in a day. Caution should be taken as many people have to be rescued when they fail to estimate how difficult the trails can be. One option is to get a combination tour from the rafting outfitters. You may get a guided raft ride and add a guided trail hike to your trip. These guides know the best areas for hiking. Biking tours are also available.
Eating
Far Flung River Tours has all the usual tours, including river rafting, canoeing, hiking as well as multiday trips. This outfitter also takes great pride in the meals it serves, promising gourmet cooking when you travel with them. Its motto is that if you think camping is roughing it, you are in for a surprise. The menu may feature rack of lamb or marinated shrimp. Music is provided around the campfire, along with brandy and coffee. On gourmet trips you are served on china with linen-covered tables.
It is important to watch your diet while rafting, biking and hiking in the desert. Avoid sugar and be careful to stay hydrated.
Other Adventures
Outfitters offer jeep tours, canoe trips and ATV trips. They will try to make just about any combination that you would like. Some of the outfitters offer seminars on topics such as natural medicine. There is also horseback riding. Occasional tours are also held at night for star gazing. At the national park headquarters park officials present educational programs and they lead tours as well.
Member Comments