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Discover the magic of Big Bend, Texas! Come and raft or
canoe the canyons, hike the desert or mountain trails, or four wheel to remote Indian
camps, old mines or forgotten homesteads. Walk the paths of your pioneer or Indian
ancestors and experience the freedom of the uncluttered, many colored, multi-textured
landscapes of west Texas, where rainbows wait for the rain.
Discover the magical Big Bend Country
Tucked away in a remote southwestern Texas corner lies a colorful, majestic, sparsely populated, magical area called Big Bend. Some say everything in Texas is big, but here the land truly lives up to the reputation it is given. You'll find big people with big hearts, big wide open vistas of desert and mountains, big thinkers and dreamers, big ranches and two big parks, one State and the other National. No one comes to Big Bend by accident and most would say it is a big effort just to get here. Once here, many decide that it is just big enough for them to want to stay a lifetime.
Big Bend National Park encompasses over 800,000 acres. You could stay forever and not see every nook and cranny. It is a little known desert paradise that most are unaware of. This is one of the least visited parks in our National Park system, so even the solitude and quiet are big. Big Bend Ranch State Park has nearly 300,000 acres with calderas, mountains, desert, and longhorn cattle. This park was a working cattle ranch since the pioneers came to the area in the late 1800's and on it's vast surface you'll find Indian pictographs, old Indian camps, tinajas, and waterfalls.
On hiking trails in both parks, of which there are many, most of the year you'll not encounter even one other person. If you venture off the main road on one of the backroads, you seldom see another vehicle. And on the river, that magical ribbon of life lined with trees, shrubs, and wildflowers, you can experience the true feeling of wilderness.
The river gave this piece of Texas it's name by bending like an elbow, to cradle the desert and the Chisos mountains in the "crook" of the Big Bend. Indians lived here for thousands of years before the Spanish took possession. But none have ever really "possessed" this country, rather, the country claimed them as it's possession. And so the land remains the same although the inhabitants have changed from Indian to Spanish to Anglo over the years. Man has not put asunder what God has made in the Big Bend.
The small communities that dot the desert like scattered jewels in the sands of time will never have fast food restaurants, Wal-Marts, shopping malls, or chain hotels. Instead the little mom and pop businesses flourish by serving the few travelers that find their way to this beautiful forgotten land.
The lucky few who find this hidden treasure take pleasure in the many activities offered by local outfitters. It's not enough to just drive through...no one can hear the whisper of the land from inside a vehicle. To experience the magic that is here it's necessary to walk the land, or ride a hose, or take a river trip through some of the most spectacular canyon scenery to be found in America. Water, over millennia, has coursed it's way through layers of limestone and volcanic rock to create the wonders presently called Colorado Canyon, Santa Elena, Mariscal, Boquillas, and the Lower Canyons. The Rio Grande is the lifeblood for the land it touches, for the wildlife that lives on the land and for the resident who makes his home in the Big Bend. Although the Rio Grande has diminished over the years from dams and upstream irrigation, Big Bend River Tours offers year round rafting or canoeing with gentle rapids, birds more numerous in variety than in any other park, legends of the ancient dwellers and the spectacular canyon walls that rise from rivers edge over 1500 feet or more to the sky. Go for a day, camp out under a canopy of the brightest stars in Texas on an overnight trip, or get away from it all for a multi-day trip that is sure to mellow your mind and delight the child that lives within. The memories of Big Bend are as everlasting as the land itself.
Time stands still...the land stands majestic, uncluttered.....the river lends it's magic and the soul is soothed.
Big Bend River Tours offers river trips, hiking and backpacking trips, back-road tours and interpretive tours of the State and National parks year round. We also carry a supply of outdoor gear in our retail store. Equipment rentals and shuttles are available for those more adventuresome who wish to "go it on their own". Advance reservations are recommended especially during our peak seasons. Our friendly and helpful office staff can assist you from 9 AM to 5 PM daily. We are open earlier and close later during peak seasons. We invite you to join us on an adventure where we will help you "discover the magic" of the beautiful Big Bend Country!
The Big Bend area of Texas derives its name from its location on the bend of the Rio Grande. The river creates a natural border that separates the United States from Mexico. It has carved out five awesome river canyons traveling the edges of Big Bend Ranch State Park, Big Bend National Park, and many miles of water designated in the Wild and Scenic Rivers program.
Part of the Chihuahuan desert, the Big Bend region offers a lifetime of wonderful memories. It is a unique world, diverse in geology, flora and fauna. From it's tree capped mountains to the pools of a waterfall, the desert stretches for miles, its legends and lore left for you to discover.
To help you learn about the Big Bend we have a section entitled Big Bend Info. This section includes information on plants, cacti, animal life, insects, birds, history, geology, and more on Big Bend, Big Bend National Park, Big Bend Ranch State Park, and the Terlingua, Lajitas, and Study Butte areas. We hope you find this information enlightening and that it helps you to understand and enjoy this unique, magical country!
Big Bend River Tours is located on FM 170 West, just after the Highway 118 junction. Our hearts remain true to the area, as we prefer to operate ONLY in the Big Bend. We are centrally located near several motels, restaurants, stores and gas stations and only 3 miles from the western entrance to Big Bend National Park. We are the oldest full service outfitter, offering you journeys by canoe, raft, kayak, van or jeep, on foot, and with combination trips, on horse as well. We are open 9AM to 5 PM year round and offer trips daily.
Our guided rafting trips , canoe trips, guided hikes and backroads tours are structured to give you information about the regions history, geology, wildlife and plant life through the expertise of our knowledgeable guides. Combination trips include the union of either a river trip, guided hike, or backroads expedition. Horseback trips can be arranged through the local stables as combination trips as well. Private shuttles and equipment rentals can be reserved to provide a wider array of options for those who would rather "go it on their own".
We also offer an assortment of specialty trips that may include a Valentine's Day Sunset Float ( bring your sweetheart), St. Patrick's Day Trip ( you must wear green), Mother's Day Trip ( bring your mom, she'll go for free), Father's Day Trip ( bring your dad and he'll go for free), August/September Big Bend Residents Special ( If you live in the Big Bend Region you will qualify for discounts all month), September Grandparents day (1 free or two at half price each), Thanksgiving "Feast on the Flow " party (traditional Thanksgiving feast supplied and cooked by our guides), Christmas Party overnight trip on the river (Everyone brings a gift to exchange and maybe Santa will attend!!!). And , to start each New Year off properly, an array of special overnight or multi-day trips to celebrate the upcoming new year (complete with party favors, entertainment and champagne at midnight!!!)
Please note that prevailing weather patterns can create low water situations, which makes it necessary to do our trips in canoes. Our guides are good teachers, so even novices can learn to canoe and enjoy one of our spectacular canyons. The water tends to be very mild and more lake-like than rapid river during lower water. We have listed the optional trips for low water boating, so be sure to check it out.
We also have a variety of other pages you may find interesting including a photo gallery, a merchandise section, our Big Bend Information section, and a page for related links which will give you lodging and other activity information.
For those who fall in love with Big Bend and wish to make "the move", there is information concerning employment opportunities available with Big Bend River Tours. We hire for year round as well as seasonal employment. Please visit our employment page for the information or to print out an application to mail to us.
Big Bend River Tours would love to be your outfitter of choice on a river trip, hiking or backpacking journey, backroads tour or National or State Park interpretive tour soon. Come "Discover the Magic" that is the Big Bend Country!!!
We take special needs into consideration, catering to you the customer. Our office hours are 9am - 5pm, 365 days a year. Call, email, write, or stop by anytime to find out more or just to say hello.
For a list of ways to contact us, visit our contact page.
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Northwest River Supplies, Inc. has many valued items for the Big Bend. There are a variety of items to help make your stay in the Big Bend that much better. They sell things from rafts and canoes, backpacks and sleeping bags, numerous camping supplies and much, much more. Click on the logo to find out more information about Northwest River Supplies.
Also be sure to check out www.visitbigbend.com about other area info.
people have visited our site since
October 13, 1999