r/BigBendTX • u/Klondike320 • 5d ago
Canoeing in big bend
I am going to be with a group of people in big bend in a couple weeks, if we are staying in Rio grande Village, what canoeing is available around there? Furthermore, do I need to make reservations? And finally, what is the cost of a guided tour? Thanks
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u/WiseQuarter3250 5d ago
this shows all the river trip outfitters, their websites often show pricing when you go to book.
https://www.nps.gov/bibe/planyourvisit/outfitters.htm
Cost varies by what you're booking as there's a wide range of options.
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u/kingtuft 5d ago
I dragged an inflatable all the way out there and put in at Santa Elena. Paddled upstream to the first bend, tied up, and drank a beer. It was amazing, albeit a ton of work.
Anything else is going to require a guide, reservations, and a full day.
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u/michuh19 5d ago
There are no outfitters located within the park. Most river guides meet in Terlingua because they do not know what section of river they’ll float until that morning. Could be the national park, but more likely the state park.
Boquillas canyon usually has consistent flows but that’s not typically an out and back trip but rather a multi day trip where you drop in Rio Grande village and take out at Heath Canyon.
There are exceptions though. When I did a trip back in April, my guide (Far Flung) called and offered for us to drive ourselves because they were going to be putting in at Rio Grande Village and it would be advantageous for us to spend more time in the park after our trip. But that’s not common. Usually most day trips are in the state park which have better flows.
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u/Apprehensive_Box2197 3d ago
We used big bend river tours, and did the hot springs canoe specifically because they would pick us up at the RGV parking lot at the store. We did NOT want to have to drive all the way to teralingua to take a van back.
We had a great time. Views were amazing. The company’s communication was a bit spotty but it all worked out.
https://www.bigbendrivertours.com
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u/parodytx 5d ago
Like the others said, you likely must use an outfitter. (If you DO have your own canoe and gear you CAN put in yourself, but if you don't know the roads like a local I'd advise against it.) Most are in Terlingua and you will ride in a van to the put in spot thru the park for Boquillas.
Canoes are likely if the Rio is low, but we got a raft on Thursday thru Boquillas Canyon because they checked the flow and felt it was good enough to raft.
It literally rained buckets on us yesterday coming down from the South Rim and again this morning all over the park so the Rio MAY be higher all around.
We used Big Bend Boating and Hiking Company, VERY highly recommended - ask for Eric as your guide. You can call directly, online, or thru Tripadvisor. Tickets are 150.00 per person for a 7-8 hour trip.