Big Bend Boating and Hiking Company

Jill Jacobs

2024-04

we did the morning float through the dark canyon on 3/10.it was so much fun!!! the staff that day were so attentive, i really appreciated all the work they did to make the trip so enjoyable. we took the van down with Bruce & Asher and they were both so great! their stories about the area were so entertaining/informative. the drive down was beautiful so try to get a window seat! on the water we chatted with Rye & Ryan (?) they shared interesting information about the area as well as recommendations.it was an amazing experience! west texas is so beautiful & the folks are so kind. i can’t wait to go back!

Poppy O'Neill

2024-03

We had such a great canoe trip with Big Bend Boating & Hiking Co. My family (two adults and two teenagers) did the half day tour through Dark Canyon. We had two tour guides who were wonderfully knowledgeable about the area and so open about sharing information and answering questions. We ended the tour a bit damp, dirty, and really happy. When we debriefed after our whole trip, all four of us counted the canoe tour as being one of our favorite parts!

Bradley Davis

2024-04

First off, ignore that Matt guy who left a one star . OMG he had to get out a canoe a couple times for low water. You’re canoeing through the desert not the Colorado mountains. Stop being a baby. Went on this trip a week later than him and yea we had to jump out the canoe a couple times to dislodge canoes, but that was fun to us. Erin and the crew killed it on everything. Food was on point, trip was well organized, the team was friendly and took care of everything we asked and more. This was our third year in a row with them and we will be back for a fourth for sure!!

Nicole Watson

2024-04

We enjoyed an awesome full day kayak trip in the Hot Springs Canyon. The guides were friendly/social, fantastic, and full of important river information. Highly recommend!

Lyndsey Kincer

2024-03

Took the all day canoe in the Santa Elena Canyon with Darren as our guide. This was an AMAZING trip. Darren was so knowledgeable about the park and the land. He shared so much history and local culture with us. It was a breathtaking experience.

Jake Pope

2024-03

We had an awesome morning canoe trip! The views were money and Asher, Johnny, and Katie were amazing! I don’t know what they’re getting paid, but it isn’t enough! We will definitely be back next time we come through Big Bend

Jeff Mann

2024-02

Did a day trip through the Santa Elena Canyon. My wife and I were the only ones on the trip, so we had a personalized tour. The views were incredible and the entire trip was well worth it. Katie was a fabulous guide - very knowledgeable of the park and geology and made the trip memorable.

Adriana Cadena

2023-11

Amazing experience from the very beginning until the very end.I was looking for a company to help a group of us float down the Santa Elena canyon to honor my mother’s first heavenly birthday. The Rio Grande was important to her as it is right in between Mexico and America, just like she was.I’m so glad I called Big Bend Boating and Hiking company first. Erica quickly responded to my email and with a gracious heart, listened to my plans and helped me plan the canoe trip. She was very thorough in explaining the low water levels and warning me that this may be a more physically demanding trip as we would have to get in and out of the canoes. Due to the nature of this trip for us, she made sure to book us as a private party so we wouldn’t have to float with any other customers. I spoke to Erica the day before the float and she let us know that the road to get into Santa Elena was closed due to the rains the week prior. She let me know there was an option to start a mile before the canyon but it was going to be hard work as we were going to be floating (and kinda hiking) upstream. I expressed to her that I wasn’t letting anything stop me and she said great, the guide would help us.We met at the headquarters at 9 in the morning. Read their email! Apple Maps took us 9 miles north. *If* I had read their directions, I would have known exactly where it was. Amanda was there to greet us once we finally arrived. I think she was the perfect guide for us. She was clear with her explanations and made us feel at ease. This was our third trip down to the Big Bend area and she gave us facts and history I’d never heard. She put it in a way that was interesting and understandable. She helped us navigate the low waters and gave us clear directions out on the river. We gave her a workout! She was pulling canoes and even tied her canoes to one of ours to help us paddle. She saved me when I got stuck in some very sinky mud. Amanda was amazing in the way she would let us have our moments of quiet and reflection as we remembered our mother.What an amazing experience. I would definitely book with these great people again.

Greg Harris

2024-04

We enjoyed our float even though the river is so low. Our guide, Ryan, was super knowledgable and so kind. We learned a lot about Big Bend and what other things to do in the area. The sisters run a great operation.

Jeffrey Wilson

2023-11

Erin, the owner/manager, and Asher, our guide, were super friendly and helpful. Asher was very patient in teaching us the basics of kayaking and helping us navigate Santa Elena for entire day. In addition, he was very knowledgeable of the entire region and eager to educate on us the regional land, flora, fauna, history, and culture. Also, Asher did all the heavy lifting of getting the gear ready and packing it all up, while we saved our energy for the kayaking.

Brittany Eck

2023-12

This was the trip of a lifetime! I've already floated the Santa Elena Canyon and was slightly disappointed there wasn't enough water to do it again, BUT we were able to canoe Temple Canyon instead and it was just as great if not better. It was super remote and you felt as though you were truly in nature. Our guides, Ry and Amanda, took excellent care of us. We had some experienced outdoors folks and utter newbies. They made sure we were comfortable with the canoes and treated us to some excellent meals on the river. They had everything we needed from tents, pads, and sleeping bags. There were camp chairs to relax in around a fire while we enjoyed the absolute beauty of the Rio Grande River and the landscape of the surrounding mountains. We even saw some wild Mexican donkeys climbing the hillside. I cannot wait to do it again and hope we get Ry and Amanda again. They have the best stories and hopefully will have new ones for our next adventure!

Kristen Soule

2023-11

We had the best time on the half day river float. Adam was the best guide. He’s very knowledgeable and fun! We highly recommend! Thank y’all so much for the wonderful experience, we’ll definitely be back! 😁

Matt Pascal

2023-12

Nov 18 - 20, 2023: I floated Boquillas Canyon (RG Village to La Linda/Heath Canyon) with my wife and two teenagers, utilizing shuttle and gear support from Big Bend Boating & Hiking. Owners Erica & Erin were the most friendly and helpful outfitters I could find in the Big Bend area (and I called a lot of them!), gave us a very reasonable price, and their shuttle drivers (Adam & Andrew) were excellent company for the long drives. I've done a lot of river trips and have utilized river outfitters all over the country and in Canada, and this operation is top-shelf!In the weeks leading up to the trip I was worried about low water being too much of a drag (pun!) but Erica & Erin both reassured me that we'd be doing short drags over shoals every few hours, but it would still make for a great trip. And they were right! The river was low (between 40 and 65 cfs) but three days was just enough to make the 34 mile journey with one canoe and two SUPs. It was a truly epic trip!And get this - we showed up at the outfitter with a low tire pressure indicator on our rental car, and when we got off the river 3 days later, Erica had taken our tire to be repaired We'd have been dealing with a flat tire for hours, but instead we had plenty of time to get to a nearby campground, set up camp, and go out to dinner! That's some amazing service!!If there were more than 5 stars I would give them to Big Bend Boating & Hiking! Thanks ladies; you have a great thing going!

Kim Wishart

2024-05

We did a full day on the Rio Grande today with Erin and Darren and it was a fantastic day! They made sure that even the least experienced was comfortable and were very informative about the river, the animals, the vegetation etc. The river levels were a little low and they made sure we all knew which side of the river to stay on and you could tell that they wanted all of us to have a wonderful time. I would book with this company (and Erin and Darren) anytime!!! Thanks for a wonderful trip!

maria wang

2023-10

We recently had the pleasure of going on a canoe trip along the Rio Grande in Big Bend State Park, and despite some unexpected changes in plans due to the weather, I must say it was an incredibly enjoyable experience.Unfortunately, we were unable to boat on the Santa Helena canyon as originally planned, but I have to commend the outfitter for making the best out of the situation. They quickly adapted and ensured that we still had a fantastic time despite the unforeseen circumstances.One thing that really stood out to me was the effort they made to prepare a refreshing lunch for us. Good food is always a welcome addition to any trip, and it definitely added to the overall experience. It kept us energized and ready for the rest of the adventure.What impressed me even more was the educational aspect incorporated into the trip. Andrew took the opportunity to share fascinating insights about the geology and culture of the area, enhancing the journey in a meaningful way. Learning about our surroundings and understanding the context in which we were exploring truly added depth to the experience.Furthermore, I couldn't help but appreciate the laughter and good times we had along the way. Andrew’s friendly and engaging approach made a noticeable difference in creating a positive and enjoyable atmosphere. It's moments like these that make a trip truly memorable.Overall, I have to say that despite the change in plans, Big Bend Boating and Hiking went above and beyond to ensure that we had an incredible time on our canoe trip along the Rio Grande.

Brenda Q

2023-05

We had a great morning kayaking with the tour group and guides Erin and Asher. Our driver is William and he give us an orientation of the State Park along our way to Le Cuesta River access point. Erin is very knowledgeable and knows the canyon and surrounding well and will share with us whenever possible. She is also professional to give us a quick lesson on the techniques to use the paddles and life vest safety. She also warn group not goofing around when potential dangers is observed. Asher is also very helpful, and friendly to guide and help us overcome obstacles along the way. They also provide the waterproof bag for items to carry on board. Car keys will be safe kept by them too. And suggested that wallets and valuable items shall be kept in car, just in case it goes into the River bank. We highly recommend this tour to tourist who are keen to explore the Big bend parks. Will join again if we every visit Big Bend Parks. Thanks for the experience.

marybeth w

2023-06

We booked a morning half day float on the Rio Grande through Dark Canyon, at Big Bend Ranch State Park. We had an awesome experience! Our guide, Andrew, was very friendly, super knowledgeable and worked hard to make our 4 year old feel included, from cheering her on down the low rapids to entertaining her with dino facts. He told us all about the region’s history, geography, and flora/fauna. Our family was in a canoe (with a low folding seat in the middle for our daughter) as well as another family with a kiddo, and the rest of our group were in kayaks. It was a great trip - highly recommend!

Andy Fashant

2024-03

Fantatsic experience paddling through the Santa Elena Canyon on a "boomerang" day long trip. The most reasonable prices of the local outfitters and we had a phenomenal guide, Darren (sp?).

Jeff Kuerbitz

2023-05

We did a 3 day self guided trip through Boquilas Canyon and rented our gear here. They were amazing. Super easy to work with. They outfitted us with our canoe and provided a shuttle to and from the river. They also helped us figure out how to obtain permits from the park and helped arrange permission from the ranch at the takeout site.

Nadja

2023-05

We booked a last minute raft on the Rio Grande, with Big Bend Boating and Hiking Company. They had an early afternoon raft at the Dark Canyon, at Big Bend Ranch State Park, and we decided to join the group. We had a great experience, and made me want to go back to see more of the park. We were the only boats on the river, and it was much quieter than the National Park. It was a unique experience to see the canyon from the river. Our guide Maggie was very friendly and professional. She entertained our group providing interesting information about the flora and fauna of the area, commenting about the geologic formations of the landscape and also on other cultural aspects of life in the region.

Chuck Bies

2024-02

We had a spectacular 2-day canoe and camping trip on the Rio Grande in Santa Elena canyon. Asher from Big Bend Boating and Hiking was the perfect guide! He was very well organized and did all the heavy lifting to get our gear from the van, into the canoes, and to our campsite. He selected a great spot along the river to camp and took us on an incredibly fun hike up a side canyon after we had camp setup. Asher cooked a delicious dinner and breakfast, and made sure we had a nice campfire going to keep us warm. He made sure everyone was comfortable and kept us entertained with his great stories. As a bonus, we got to see a full moon light up the canyon at night – it was magical! We highly recommend Big Bend Boating and Hiking for any adventure at Big Bend!!

Jennifer Nanney

2023-11

Had the best guides in all the land-Amanda and Cole! And shout out to Tim, our fearless driver. Best day on the Rio Grande with this company. 10 out of 10 would recommend!

Eileen

2024-03

Just completed a week long trip in Big Bend, Guadalupe Mountains & Carlsbad Caverns National Parks! Had a fabulous time with Erin and Andrew. Excellent guides. Learned a great deal about the Parks & the life styles in the Southwest. The hikes were as described. We were well fed & ready for a good night's sleep after a wonderful day! Would definitely do again! Highly recommend!

Colleen Graves

2023-05

What an amazing mom and daughter trip! Spent 3 days in Big Bend National Park, canoeing, swimming, and camping in Santa Elena Canyon with my teen daughter! Absolutely recommend Big Bend Boating and Hiking Company as outfitters- great guides, great food, amazing experience! 🚣‍♂️ ❤️Thank you Catie and Adam for your expertise and for making this trip so fun!

K Hlaing

2023-11

That was our first kayaking which was the amazing event. We used one day Canyon Float on the Rio Grande. Our tour guides Asher, Andre and Cole are very professional, patient and helpful as we don't have any experience. If I go to Big Bend again, I would definitely choose Big Bend Boating and Hiking.

Rebekah Armstrong

2024-01

We had a great afternoon float with this company, and our guide (“Rye”) was terrific. He shared wonderful history and stories with us from the region, plus he had a very relaxed and fun approach. The communication from the company was great beforehand. It’s hard to imagine not doing this, as it was probably our favorite part of our Big Bend itinerary. I also liked that this company felt like a slightly smaller operation than some of the other choices, because we were looking to have a small group experience vs. being part of the masses in town for the holiday week. Thanks for a special afternoon!

Sam Oseroff

2023-10

We booked a last minute full day float, and we are so glad we did (and so glad we bonded with this company!)The entire process from office to being on the river was quick and painless. Erin, Johnny, Cole, and all the other guides were full of information on the local plants/animals/geology, friendly and easy to talk to, and overall felt like going on a river trip with a bunch of my friends back home. If anyone is thinking of booking a trip I highly recommend you do!

Stephen McGlone

2024-04

Hiking the Big Bend, Guadalupe Mountains and Carlsbad Caverns was an excellent experience with Big Bend Boating and Hiking Co.The hikes were challenging and informative. The guides provided a wealth of information. They answered all the questions from our group. We saw some of the unique features in the area.

PCH

2023-05

The best !!Friendly staff and hilarious guide (George and Eric)George was keeping us entertained through out the ride to the river. Eric is very experienced and made us feel secured through the course.The whole activity has finished so quickly that we did not even notice the time.I highly recommend Big Bend Boating and Hiking Company.

Paul S

2023-05

We booked the full day kayak trip and were treated to the “boomerang” Santa Elena Canyon tour. You are shuttled to the canyon from their office in Terlingua and then you portage your kayaks (about a 5 min walk) to the river. Katie was a great guide with plenty of safety tips before starting, she explained the features of the canyon while kayaking and was friendly and engaging with the group. You kayak into the canyon for about 1.5 hours, stop and have the lunch you brought and then kayak back. They bring a cooler to store your food and have ice cold water to refill your water bottles. The canyon is drop dead beautiful with 1500ft walls with the slow moving Rio Grande lazy river. We saw a Berber Sheep family up on the rocks. Highly recommend this experience.