Season: Year around, Peak: March-April and October-November

With five major canyons in the 300 plus miles of smaller canyons and wilderness, Big Bend of the Rio Grande is completely unique in the American west, combining a relatively placid river with supreme wilderness values.

We are often asked which canyon trip is “best” or most scenic, which is a very difficult thing to asses!

Read below for a brief rundown on the various canyon options, though bear in mind that trip lengths and availability are dependent on flow. Because of this fact, it is often best to approach a Big Bend river trip with an idea of how much time you want to spend on the water, and then go from there.

Santa Elena Canyon is the 20-mile long prototype Big Bend Canyon (limestone). It features the famous Rockslide rapid (class III), and is the classic entry river experience for the lower Rio Grande river tripper. Santa Elena is the most popular and most accessible two or three day trip in the Big Bend. Combined with the Great Unknown section directly below, it makes for an amazing 8-10 day river adventure.

Mariscal Canyon, 10 miles, lies down a 25 mile rough dirt road, features two whitewater chutes, iceberg-like boulders and beautiful camping. When time and water allow, it combines well with Vicente and Hot Springs canyons for aa 31-mile desert and canyon four-day. A weeklong Mariscal/Boquillas canyon trip is a memorable 61-miler.

Hot Springs Canyon is one of our premier day trip sections. Join us for a wonderful float in Big Bend National park, riverside lunch, and a visit to the Langford Hot Springs!

Boquillas Canyon itself is a 33-mile 3-5 day trip on placid water, inside a varied canyon with the national park’s loftiest vistas and the location of the geological and hydrological “big bend”. This trip starts near Rio Grande Village, making a day trip to Boquillas, Mx a fun and culturally interesting addition to the river trip.

Temple Canyon is the most reliable wilderness 2-3 day trip in the Big Bend. 11 miles of desert canyons, views of the Sierra Del Carmen mountain range, and pristine night skies make this a great family or group getaway for all ages and abilities. Temple is also the first canyon of the Lower Canyons.

The Lower Canyons is Texas’ premier wilderness whitewater trip (east of the park). The 7-10 day, 85-mile trip contains several challenging rapids, supreme desert wilderness and wildlife, isolated side canyons, side hikes, and towering walls up to 2000 feet.