Big Bend: Hiking, Paddling, and Stargazing

Location: North America
Duration: 7 Days
Price: From $5,595
Activity Level: High Energy

Big Bend: Hiking, Paddling, and Stargazing

Location: North America
Duration: 7 Days
Price: From $5,595
Activity Level: High Energy

Overview

Explore Big Bend National Park in Texas, starting with stunning sunrises in the Chisos Mountains and canoeing the Rio Grande, experiencing both gentle and faster sections. Meet fellow adventurers and hike through majestic deserts and canyons under starry skies. Visit the Guadalupe Mountains National Park, hike, and enjoy a picnic amidst West Texas’ vast beauty. See the incredible Quetzalcoatlus northropi at the Fossil Discovery Exhibit.

Attend a famed star party at the McDonald Observatory and gaze at planets and constellations through telescopes. Conclude with a farewell dinner, sharing highlights of art, fossils, canoeing, hiking, and ghost town visits in this quintessential old-west adventure in one of America’s prized national parks.

Main Attractions

Attend a Star Party at the McDonald Observatory

Experience a guided tour of the night sky, observing planets and constellations through powerful telescopes.

Hike Santa Elena Canyon

Explore one of Big Bend National Park’s most iconic features with breathtaking views of the towering stone walls and the Rio Grande.

Canoe the Rio Grande

Paddle through the stunning scenery of Big Bend, with opportunities to see fossils and visit a ghost town along the way.

Map showing travel routes in Texas from El Paso to Guadalupe Mountains National Park, with stops at Fort Davis, Marfa, and Big Bend National Park. Includes icons for transportation and hiking trails.
Group of people holding an "Adventure Women" banner, posing joyfully in a canyon near a river.
Mountain landscape with cliffs and green vegetation partially covered by clouds, under a clear blue sky.
Close-up of a yellow cactus flower with red accents and spiky stems.
A person stands on a trail surrounded by greenery and cacti, with mountains in the background under a clear blue sky.
A group of people enjoying drinks by a riverside, some standing and others sitting in the water, surrounded by greenery under a clear sky.
Group of people holding an "Adventure Women" banner, posing joyfully in a canyon near a river.
Mountain landscape with cliffs and green vegetation partially covered by clouds, under a clear blue sky.
Close-up of a yellow cactus flower with red accents and spiky stems.
A person stands on a trail surrounded by greenery and cacti, with mountains in the background under a clear blue sky.
A group of people enjoying drinks by a riverside, some standing and others sitting in the water, surrounded by greenery under a clear sky.

Itinerary

Wall sign reading "Welcome to the Lone Star State" with a silhouette of Texas.

Arrive in El Paso, Texas

Arrive in El Paso, Texas (ELP) by 5:00 PM today and make your way to the Hampton Inn & Suites El Paso Airport Hotel on your own. A group transfer from the airport to the hotel will be provided when most guests arrive (exact time to be determined). Private transfers at other times are available for purchase. Get comfortable at your hotel before enjoying a lively Tex-Mex welcome dinner this evening. Share stories and learn about why each woman in your trip is excited to explore more of Big Bend!

Meals dinner
A winding road leading towards a rocky mountain peak under a partly cloudy sky.

Journey Through West Texas

After a hearty breakfast, meet your guide at 8:00 AM MT. Embark on a 2-hour drive to Guadalupe Mountains National Park, crossing into Central Time. Once there, you’ll begin your hike from the visitor center. Post-lunch, enjoy expansive West Texas views en route to Marfa. Stop at the famed “Prada Marfa” art installation, a fake Prada store located exactly halfway between the tiny communities of Marfa and Van Horn, Texas. Arrive in Marfa and settle into your historic hotel, once home to James Dean, Rock Hudson, and Elizabeth Taylor during the filming of “Giant.”

Meals breakfast, lunch, dinner
Night sky with a visible Milky Way galaxy, above silhouettes of rock formations.

Explore Fort Davis and Participate in a Star Party

After breakfast, journey to historic Fort Davis, Texas’ highest town at 5,050 feet. Established in 1854, it was home to the acclaimed “Buffalo Soldiers,” African American cavalrymen who protected emigrants during the western expansion. Explore the fort and learn about frontier life and native plants. Return to Marfa for lunch and immerse yourself in its vibrant arts scene. After dinner, it’s a quick drive to the University of Texas McDonald Observatory in Fort Davis to participate in one of their famed star parties along with the general public. Take a tour of the constellations and observe an assortment of planets and stars through various telescopes. Today’s total hiking will be 2 miles with 500 feet of elevation gain.

Meals breakfast, lunch, dinner
A woman with curly blonde hair poses smiling next to a large dinosaur skull exhibit on a wooden deck.

A Fossil, a Ghost Town, and a Scenic Hike

Drive south toward Big Bend, stopping at the Fossil Discovery Exhibit to see the astonishing Quetzalcoatlus northropi, the world’s largest known flying creature with a 36-foot wingspan! Enjoy a picnic lunch before continuing to Terlingua, a former mercury mining town that became a ghost town when the price of mercury collapsed in 1947. In the 1960s, it experienced a renaissance when artists, naturalists, and river guides moved there, reshaping the local economy. Enjoy a scenic hike near your hotel just steps from the Rio Grande. End the day with a lively group dinner. Today’s total hiking will be 4 miles with 500 feet of elevation gain.

Meals breakfast, lunch, dinner
A group of hikers stands in a rocky canyon surrounded by autumn foliage on a misty day.

Big Bend Adventures and Santa Elena Wonders

Today is all about Big Bend! Start with a one-hour drive to the visitor center to explore Big Bend’s natural and human history. After a 20-minute drive, hike an iconic trail in the Chisos Mountains to a scenic overlook. Following a bag lunch, drive 70 minutes to Santa Elena Canyon, a strikingly beautiful destination within the Park, boasting canyon walls that soar up to 1,500 feet. Enjoy a short hike before returning to the hotel. Tonight, dine at the historic Starlight Theater Restaurant, an adobe structure from the 1930s. Today’s hikes: 5 miles with 900 feet elevation gain, plus 2 miles with 200 feet elevation gain.

Meals breakfast, lunch, dinner
Three red canoes with people paddling on a calm river, under a clear blue sky and mountains in the background.

Paddling the Rio Grande

After breakfast, take a short drive to meet your river guide. Following a safety briefing, launch your canoe (or raft if water levels are high) and paddle down the Rio Grande, enjoying gentle waters and stunning scenery with some faster sections. Afterward, change clothes and drive three hours to Van Horn and its historic hotel. Settle into your room before a farewell dinner with your AdventureWomen friends. Reflect on cherished memories and celebrate the end of an amazing journey through this remarkable land.

Meals breakfast, lunch, dinner
A group of seven women sitting beside a sign for Big Bend National Park, holding a blue "Adventure Women" banner. The setting is outdoors with cloudy skies.

Depart

After breakfast, drive an hour and 45 minutes to El Paso International Airport (ELP) where you should arrive at 10:00 AM MST. We recommend scheduling your departing flight no earlier than 12:00 PM today.

Meals breakfast
Vibrant purple wildflowers bloom in front of a rocky hill under a clear blue sky.

Accommodations

Please note that all amenities were current when written and are subject to change at any time.

Line of motorcycles parked in front of The Hotel Paisano, with palm trees and an arched entrance.

The Hotel Paisano

A charming and historic hotel located in the middle of Marfa, the Hotel Paisano was built in the 1930s and has been the social hub of the quirky town of Marfa.

AMENITIES: complimentary toiletries, Wi-Fi, air conditioning

A small desert town with scattered houses, greenery, and a mountainous backdrop under a blue sky.

Lajitas Golf Resort

Nestled in the desert between Big Bend National Park and Big Bend Ranch State Park in Texas, Lajitas Golf Resort displays many enjoyable amenities, including an award-winning golf course, SUP Rio Grande, a thrilling zip line adventure, a relaxing spa, and various outdoor activities. Unwind by the pool or savor the stunning vista views at the resort’s casual outdoor restaurant.

AMENITIES: complimentary toiletries, flatscreen TV, safe, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi

Hotel El Capitan's building facade with a neon sign and an American flag on top against a clear blue sky.

Hotel El Capitan

A beloved historic gem in West Texas, Hotel El Capitan offers modern amenities and personalized customer service. Built in 1930 by the Gateway Hotel Chain, led by Charles Basset and designed by renowned architect Henry Trost, the hotel operated until the late 1960s. After serving various purposes, it was restored to its former glory in 2007 by Lanna and Joe Duncan. Originally part of Basset’s initiative to boost tourism within 200 miles of El Paso, it stands as one of the five Gateway Hotels.

AMENITIES: complimentary toiletries, flatscreen TV, coffee / tea maker, Wi-Fi, air conditioning

Hampton Inn.

Hampton Inn & Suites El Paso Airport

Conveniently located just five minutes from the El Paso International Airport, the Hampton Inn & Suites is a comfortable accommodation in which to spend the night after a day of traveling.

AMENITIES: complimentary toiletries, flascreen TV, Wi-Fi, air conditioning

What People Are Saying

I love National Parks but had no idea of the extent of the pure beauty of Big Bend! It feels fabulous to be out exploring and discovering again with such a great group of women!

What People Are Saying

This trip exceeded my expectations. So wonderful to travel with like-minded women. Experiencing activities that I probably would never have an opportunity to experience. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

What People Are Saying

This was truly hands-down a perfect experience!

Dates & Pricing

Start Date End Date Availability Pricing Booking Link
Nov 13 Nov 19
Space Available
$5,595
Standard Room, Single
$5,595 total, $800 deposit

Arrival: Arrive in El Paso, Texas (ELP) by 5:00 PM on Day 1.

Departure: Depart from El Paso, Texas (ELP) after 12:00 PM on Day 7.

What's Included

  • Accommodations as per itinerary based on single occupancy
  • All meals as listed in the itinerary
  • Guided sightseeing and activities as indicated in the itinerary
  • Airport transfers on arrival and departure
  • All ground transportation
  • Ample snacks throughout the trip
  • All park fees
  • All gratuities except for guides

What's Not Included

  • Meals not specified in the itinerary
  • Alcoholic beverages (unless otherwise specified)
  • Fees for passport, visas, immunizations, or travel insurance
  • Cost of hospitalization or evacuation
  • Items of a personal nature
  • Gratuities for guides

FAQs

Absolutely! We happily welcome all women regardless of race, creed, or sexual preference, as long as you are physically capable of doing the activities on your chosen trip. Our guests range from 18-85+! It is important to us to talk to each guest to make sure each woman chooses the right trip for her physical ability and interest.

You can process your registration on our online booking system or over the phone. Most deposits are $800. In many cases, and unless otherwise indicated, your deposit is transferable if you notify us in writing 120 before your trip departs.

Be sure to check the ‘What’s Included’ section of the trip you are interested in. Once you get to the departure city and meet the group, we often include most meals, all accommodations, all activities (although there might be an optional activity at an additional cost), transportation while on the adventure, qualified local guide(s) and some trips also include an AdventureWomen Ambassador. Our trips do not include airfare to/from the arrival and departure cities. However, internal flights are included in some itineraries so please read the itinerary carefully.

Absolutely! In fact, we encourage it! Many of the women who travel with AdventureWomen come solo. For those that do not choose a single supplement, we pair you with a roommate. Usually, when we change accommodations on a trip, we will change roommates if we can, so you get a chance to know others in our group. A limited number of single supplements may be available for an additional charge.

That depends entirely on the trip! AdventureWomen adventure travel trips are rated according to the physical fitness level demanded by the included activities.

  • Moderate: These adventures exercise your mind more than your body and are designed for women who prefer a leisurely, less rigorous experience. For example, you could walk up to 2 miles per day through cities and villages, stand in museums for a few hours, relax on a boat, or view wildlife from a vehicle.
  • Active: Adventures that get you on your feet! You should be in good physical condition where you are comfortable walking on uneven surfaces, such as cobblestone streets, biking manicured nature trails or kayaking calm waters.
  • High Energy: These adventures are designed for women who enjoy a physical challenge and crave being on the go! You should be prepared for itineraries that include (but are not limited to): a full day of biking on a rolling terrain, hiking 5-8 miles on moderate to steep trails, being active at high altitudes, whitewater rafting, or skiing.
  • Challenging: Adventures that get your heart rate pumping, these are demanding yet deeply rewarding and designed for seasoned outdoor enthusiasts. You should be in excellent physical condition, and be able to hike up to 10 miles, in steeper, more rugged terrain.