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    Big Bend River Tours

    4.5 (39 reviews)
    Closed 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

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    This should be Big Bend River Tours marketing picture!!! We had the best time!
    Jessica B.

    This post is extremely late but I just found these pictures! We went down to Big Bend for my birthday back in September 2020. Big Bend River Tours was by far our favorite part- we even bought t shirts afterwards! It is such an incredible feeling to say you're kayaking between Texas and Mexico!!! Especially during covid when you can't cross the border We ended up doing a tandem kayak because I was a little scared lol. It was SO much fun. We had one stop where we took pictures and can BYOB! The rapids were exhilarating and we survived 3/4 rapids together. I feel terrible forgetting our guide's name (I'm sure my fiancé remembers) but he was AMAZING! (I took a picture of them together below and it should totally be their marketing picture!) I felt safe and knew to lift my feet if and when we flipped on the rapids. He knew so many interesting facts and details. He was also hilarious! I have to mention, I loved that it was an intimate group. There were only two others with us, that actually took a different tour the day prior with too many people. They loved this one so much more! 10/10 will be back!!!

    April Z.

    My hubby and I did a three day paddle from Rio Grande Village to La Linda through Boquillas Canyon and we used these guys to shuttle us and our sea kayaks back to our start point in Big Bend. First off, our driver Doug was fantastic. He offered us snacks and drinks when we boarded, entertained us with river stories, helped load and unload the kayaks and showed up an hour early to our meeting point (which was awesome since we showed up 2 hours early). That said, the boat trailer he brought along left a bit to be desired. It was metal, rusty, without pads of any kind and the attached rubber bungee cords were worn and did not look secure. Doug joked that him and the other guides wouldn't put their own boats on there. Hahaha -- NOT! Doug was able to dig up some better straps from the van and I had brought some loading straps, too, so between the two of us we were able to avoid the questionable bungees. Padding was tougher. We ended up repurposing two bilge sponges and a camp pillow I had for my boat. My hubby's fiberglass boat ended up going bare on the metal and there was an audible and cringe-inducing crack when we cranked down on the loading straps. Knowledgeable, friendly, and punctual service but because the shuttle service was the very service we were paying for, the state of that trailer really marred our experience. If you plan on using these guys for shuttle services, I'd recommend bringing your own loading straps and pads. We never used their guide services but if Doug is an typical example of one of their guides, I bet their tours are fantastic.

    Ernesto
    Jeffrey H.

    We did the full day raft trip today. Our guide was Ernesto. The man is a treasure; full of information on geography, history, wildlife, plant life. We stopped for short hikes and for lunch. Jim was the guide in the other boat. Very personable and energetic. We'd definitely book with BBRT again.

    Clare L.

    A wonderful way to see the river and surrounding landforms, vegetation and wildlife. We did the one-day ride down Colorado Canyon (in Big Bend State Park) with our cool guide, Cassidy. We encountered several small runs of rapids which our pilot navigated expertly. No-one fell in and we felt safe. Lunch was provided. All in our party behaved and it was a memorable part of our trip (good memories). Only minus - my sons (11 and 13) thought it was boring (iPads are more thrilling than this river) - so for this age set, a half-day tour would probably be better. Otherwise, I highly recommend BBRT to all nature lovers who want to get closer to the Rio Grande.

    Eric C.

    We had a great time are we guide Jared was very helpful and knowledgeable of the land around us our lunch on the beach with very good

    The views were pretty

    We were signed up for a Saddle Paddle with BBRT and the Lanitas Stable. The Saddle portion, operated by Lajitas Stables was AMAZING! Magnificent views, great horses, great food. We were picked up from the stables and taken to the river bank where we meet the rest of our group. We were given dry bags and taught basic canoe safety. This is where it went downhill (literally). First, it took forever to get everyone in the water. Then, there was a rapids right in the beginning and we tipped over. Definitely our fault but it didn't help. After going down the river for all of 5 minutes, we were pulled over for an awkward snack. I don't even really understand why this is part of the trip. Who gets hungry five minutes after canoeing? After taking a 30 min snack break, we continued down the river and eventually got out to be driven back to our cars. I guess my biggest issue is that we paid for 3 hours of canoeing and only got 1 (even if that). With the driving and the snack (completely unnecessary) it just felt like a waste of money.

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    6 years ago

    We LOVED our tour with Niq! Amazing views of the state park and loved learning about the area. Highly recommend.

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    9 years ago

    Doug was a phenomenal tour guide who added much color with his rich knowledge of the area.

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    Ask the Community - Big Bend River Tours

    Review Highlights - Big Bend River Tours

    We canoed up the Rio Grande, ate lunch, hiked to and swam in some natural springs, and then canoed back down.

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    Tarantula Ranch - Small cabin in the snow.

    Tarantula Ranch

    4.1(7 reviews)
    31.6 km

    Misleading property description... I sent this message to the owner whole we were on his property…read more He never responded. We are working with VRBO to get this resolved. Hi Curt. We have checked out and left the place better than we found it. We swept up about 4 pounds of hair and dust. We could not contend with the mouse infestation, cleaning up several dead mice, and lots of droppings, despite keeping our food in storage. Maggie, the burro, is a sweet girl but she limited what we could do on the property. She wouldn't move when we needed her to and she wouldn't let us out of the house. The vrbo description led us to believe it would be very private with a hot tub. We felt like we were eye to eye with our neighbors. We are relocating to another property and that is costing us additional funds that we did not intend to spend. We'd like a refund for the 2 nights that we will not be staying on the property. Thank you

    If solitude is what you want 5 Stars I asked ahead of time…read moreif a Hyundai would make it down the road to this cabin. at less than 5 MPH for 2 miles we made it. An AWD or a truck would be more suited.We wanted to visit local attractions so in 3 days we traveled this horrible stretch of road 3 times in and out. Shower head repaired with duct tape and kitchen tap also in need of repair. Shelf under the TV has not been cleaned in ??? $75 cleaning fee Seriously The Donkey cute friendly but do not feed her. She gave the front door a head butt I was in the shower and my wife was left to deal a large animal trying to enter our cabin.The rest of our stay we used the dead bolt BTW a good GPS will find this cabin Curt gave me directions from Fort Stockton over the phone. BTW the hot tub cover is weighted down with 6 ten lbs rocks and the donkey will probably join you here as well.

    Photos
    Tarantula Ranch - Sunset at Tarantula Ranch.

    Sunset at Tarantula Ranch.

    Tarantula Ranch - View from the hot tub area.

    View from the hot tub area.

    Tarantula Ranch - Bill welcomes us home after a hike.

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    Bill welcomes us home after a hike.

    Big Bend National Park - Big Bend Welcoming

    Big Bend National Park

    4.7(155 reviews)
    36.2 km

    My husband and I made a trip out to Big Bend National Park before the Texas summer heat.....but it…read morewas unfortunately unseasonably hot this year. The dessert was beautiful and the park as a whole was very well taken care of! Old Mine Trail: Since we went around "Spring Break", the parking lot was very busy and spaces were limited. I would recommend downloading the "All Trails" app to gauge how busy the trails are. By 7:30, all the spots in the small parking lot were already taken. The trail itself was very well managed. Although the parking lot was busy, the trail was not bad! We were pretty spaced out between hikers! Take lots of water and snacks! The views up top are spectacular. Star Gazing: We were at Sotol Vista (for panoramic stars). The stars were especially beautiful inside the park because there was no light pollution (aside from the headlights from passing cars down below us).

    I once hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and spent a few nights camping down there. While…read moredown there, an elderly man easily every bit of 70 years old asked me if it was my 1st time down at the bottom. I told him that it was and asked him if it was his 1st time. He chuckled and said, "No this is my Sanctuary". After my 3rd visit to Big Bend in 12 years, I think Big Bend may be my sanctuary. Big Bend is in the middle of nowhere. You do not just stumble upon Big Bend; it is a planned destination. You won't find a Gatlinburg like town next to it or an exit sign off the interstate saying 8 miles from here. It's miles from anything. The type of place you don't pass a gas station, and you carry a case of water in the vehicle. We have hiked various trails before and canoed Santa Elena Canyon, but I will focus on the trails we hiked this visit. Note: I have only done day hiking here, so no Insite in this review about backpacking although I would love to at some point. We started off at the visitor's center at Panther Junction as everyone should do in my opinion. Rangers can give you up to the minute updates like telling us the Hot Springs road was still closed because of a flood this past July (2025). She said we could still hike it but it would add an additional 4 miles (2 each way) to our trip. Good Insite. Our 1st hike was a short one in Boquillas Canyon. It was a short 1.4-mile round trip up a small cliff and back down to the Rio Grande river. It was an extremely easy hike that anyone who can walk can do. we then did a forementioned Hot Springs hike. This is a very cool spot with old, abandoned buildings from a time when the area was a resort. There is still a hot spring alongside the river that had people soaking as we walked past. The only downfall of the area was it still hadn't been repaired since the flood, so picnic tables were under sand, and I don't want to tell you what the bathroom looked like. The next day we did the Window Trail and it's a 5.6 miles hike right in the middle of the Chisos Basin. This one was I guess I would call moderate, but I am also an overweight old fart. It's really not bad except if it's hot out because you will be in the direct sun and the small number of switchbacks on your return trip. Other than that, the views are gorgeous. Just don't slide off the rocks at the "window", it's a long way down. The last hike we did was the Grapevine Hill's Trail aka The Balanced Rock. This one is a little more challenging to get to as you have to drive miles down a dirt road that is a little rocky. You don't need a 4-wheel drive, just don't be a speed demon. The hike itself is short, 2.2 miles each way and 95 percent of it is easy. The last little bit is a rock scramble up to see the balanced rock. It is worth it. Amazing views. We had the whole area to ourselves for most of the hike but saw lots of people on the way back so go early. Big Bend is amazing but requires some planning. Don't wing it. Bring lots of water and be smart. Cell service is limited but a lot better than 13 years ago.

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    Big Bend National Park
    Big Bend National Park - Octillo blossom

    Octillo blossom

    Big Bend National Park - Ernst Tinaja | Instagram: @telephonesmoothie

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    Ernst Tinaja | Instagram: @telephonesmoothie

    Big Bend River Tours - tours - Updated May 2026

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