Four to six days on the river is a relaxing, easy-paced journey. Sit back and enjoy yourself amongst the canyons, listen to the various birdsong or photograph some of the most spectacular scenery to be found in the Southwest. Come and explore:
COLORADO CANYON THROUGH SANTA ELENA CANYON, MARISCAL CANYON THROUGH BOQUILLAS CANYON, or BOQUILLAS CANYON
Colorado thru Santa Elena Canyon:
This
trip combines two wonderful, yet distinctly different canyons. Colorado
Canyon has multicolored volcanic rock formations with colorful cacti and flowers
growing from the canyon walls. Once out of Colorado Canyon we enter
another small canyon called Dark Canyon that lies below "Big Hill". Continuing
on, you'll pass through the Madera and Grassy Banks Area and past the Lajitas
Resort on the way to the majestic Santa Elena Canyon. Enjoy the view of
the mountains in the background as you leisurely float down the river to
Entrance Rapid and the beginning of Santa Elena Canyon.
Sheer
majestic walls, beauty and quiet grandeur, you'll find Santa Elena Canyon is
incomparable. It's canyon walls reach skyward over 1500 feet above you.
Santa Elena offers several class I and II rapids and Rockslide Rapid which can
be a class IV rapid if there is adequate water levels. Low or high water,
Rockslide will make your heart pound faster as you slide between house sized
boulders in the maze created by a massive rock fall. Santa Elena is the most
popular canyon trip on the Rio Grande.
- AGE RECOMMENDED: 8 + years
- LENGTH: 4 - 5 days
Mariscal* thru Boquillas Canyon:
Mysterious and intimate, Mariscal Canyon is the most remote canyon within Big Bend National Park. 1800 foot limestone spired walls rise majestically above you. Splash through the Rock Pile and Tight Squeeze rapids. Time permitting we may hike to the Hermits Cave, or in Cross Canyon. The trip continues through San Vicente Canyon and on to Rio Grande Village. Along the way enjoy picturesque scenery and perhaps a stop at the hot springs for a soak in the "healing waters". As we continue the journey past Rio Grande Village and the Mexican village of Boquillas you might see Mexican cowboys or goat herders tending their herds. And then its on to the entrance of Boquillas Canyon, delivering you into thirty-three miles of tranquility and beauty. Cutting through the Sierra Del Carmen mountains, Boquillas Canyon offers calm, gentle rapids with beautiful vistas and a multitude of side canyons to explore.- AGE RECOMMENDED: 8 years
- LENGTH: 5-6 days
Boquillas Canyon:
Boquillas
Canyon is the longest and most tranquil of Big Bend's major canyons. The
Rio Grande has carved into the Sierra del Carmen mountains, creating canyon
vistas rising thousands of feet from river to rim. At times, we see El
Pico, a 7,000-foot limestone pedestal, looming above us.
On
this leisurely multi-day float trip, you have time for nature study,
star gazing, campfires, and just plain relaxing. Boquillas' few
rapids are gentle class I and II. The scenery on this trip makes it a
photographers paradise. With adequate water levels this trip can be done in three days but
is preferred at four to five days giving you more time to explore the many side
canyons.
- AGE RECOMMENDED: 5 + years
- LENGTH: 3 to 5 days
- For a sample itinerary of Boquillas Canyon, click here!
- Overnight Trips:
- We provide a tent and waterproof bags for
all your personal items. If you do not have a sleeping bag or sleeping pad,
we have a limited amount of sleep kits for rent for $15. All meals from
lunch on the first day to lunch on the last day are included and our guides
are great cooks!
- For an overnight packing list, click here!
* Mariscal River Trips require us to go down the River Road in the National Park. This road can become inaccessible in rainy seasons. Please inquire about road and water level conditions the day before your trip by calling us!
For prices please look at the Price list.