Here are some frequently asked questions concerning Big Bend River Tours and the Big Bend.   Any questions we don't answer, use our feedback form.

Where exactly is the Big Bend?

Where can I stay?

When is the best time to come?

What else is there to do?

What do I need to bring?

What if the weather is bad the day of my trip?

How qualified are the guides?

How can I get to the Big Bend?

Are gratuities welcome to my guide?

I have special food conditions, can you accommodate?

How much does it cost?

The Big Bend is located in southwest Texas.  Approximately 250 miles southeast of El Paso, TX. and an almost equal distance southwest of the Midland-Odessa Area.  The Big Bend is a loose term describing a vast amount of land.  Including the towns marking the northern boundary of Van Horn, Balmorhea, and Fort Stockton, thousands of acres of land waiting for you to explore lie within the beautiful Big Bend country.

Big Bend River Tours is located on FM 170 just west of the Highway 118 junction.  Big Bend Motor Inn is within a quarter mile of our office,  Easter Egg Valley Motel is just west of us on FM170, Wildhorse Station is north of us on Hwy 118 as is Longhorn Ranch Motel and the entrance road to Terlingua Ranch.  If you need phone numbers or descriptions of any  of these accommodations please e-mail or call us.  We would be happy to help you find the appropriate place for your family or group.

Every season offers something unique, making it a hard decision about whether there IS a best time!  Whether it's the seasons flowers, the migrating  time of birds, or the temperature, each time has its own splendors.  Below, is a list of each season and some of the high points.

Spring:  The busiest time of the year, it offers views of wildflowers bursting with colors unlike anywhere else in Texas.  Warm temperatures up to 90 degrees make spring most pleasant.  Make your reservations early for March and April as we tend to book up completely months beforehand!

 

Summer:  Summer is hot but makes the water that much more inviting.  Late summer is the beginning of our rainy season.  Storms and rainbows add to your entertainment.

Fall:  Warm temperatures and fall blooming cacti rival that of the spring time.   The rainy season of summer leaves behind higher water on the river.

Winter:  Mild temperatures make winter a hot spot for those escaping from the colder weather elsewhere.  Cross-country desert hiking is perfect in winter.

 

Big Bend River Tours offers guided hikes, camp outs, overnight or multi-day backpacking trips, backroads tours on the dirt roads with no names, National and State Park Tours.  There is also a local riding stable right down the street if you would like to play cowboy (or cowgirl) for the day.  Or you could venture into Mexico at the small villages of Santa Elena, Boquillas or Paso Lajitas. It's quite fun to ride the rowboats across the river to our neighboring country for some great authentic Mexican 

cooking!  We would be happy to assist you in your trip planning.  We want your stay in our area to be a very special one!

 

For Sunday Worship in God's Country:

There is the Santa Maria y San Jose Mission which offers Episcopal services at 9 a.m. on Sundays; Non-denominational services at 11 a.m. on Sundays; and Catholic services at 4 p.m.  every other Sunday.  There is also the Big Bend Baptist Church in Study Butte which offers worship services at 11 a.m. on Sundays.

 

Big Bend River Tours supplies all the necessary equipment for your trips, excluding sleeping bags and pads for overnight trips .  All you need to   bring are personal items such as sunscreen, a hat, a camera, etc.  We provide you with a suggested packing list of things you might want to  bring.

 

First, bad weather in the Big Bend has several meanings.  A lot of times the "wet"  weather  does clear up rather quickly.  Inclement weather has it's advantages, such as giving you the opportunity  watch waterfalls cascade over the canyon walls and this can make any trip even more magical!  However, with dangerous weather, we will be happy to reschedule your trip.  Our guests safety is our primary concern.

 

All of our guides go through a company training program when they first arrive.   Each of our guides are certified  EMT's, Wilderness First  Responders, Wilderness Advanced First Aid or have at least a 40 hour Advanced First Aid certificate and a CPR certificate.  

Their knowledge of the geology, flora, fauna, and legends of the area will astound you.  All this and they cook great food as well.  Many of the guides hold degrees in biology, geology or other earth  sciences.  We hire only those with pleasing personalities and helpful attitudes.  We have several who are with us year round and others that are seasonal but come back to work here year after year.  All of the guides have a love for the Big Bend that enables them to share the magic that is found only here!

 

The nearest major airport to Big Bend is either El Paso, TX. or Midland-Odessa, TX.   Most folks that fly in rent a car at the airport and drive to Big Bend.  A bus route on Greyhound or a train ride on Amtrak go through Alpine, TX.  Arrangements to rent a  car can be made through Alpine Aeroflite.  For directions to Big Bend, you can also contact our office or  get information through NPS.gov., the Big Bend National Park  website.

 

Gratuities for your guide are always appreciated and it lets them how much they added to your enjoyment of your Big Bend adventure.  Industry standard is 15% to 20% of your trip cost.

 

Yes!  Please let us know of any known allergies or food preferences at the time of your reservation.  If there are specialty foods that are unavailable here that you must have , it would then be best to bring your own and we will store it for you in our food coolers for your trip.

 

 

Big Bend River Tours 

(800)545-4240    or    Fax (432)371-3034  Local 371-3033

P.O. Box 317,    Terlingua,  TX.    79852

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