Frommer's National Parks of the American West - Don Laine [40]
Ground fires are prohibited throughout the park. Rangers warn that backcountry water availability is spotty and changeable, and advise backpackers to carry enough water for their entire trip.
Other Sports & Activities
A local company that provides equipment rentals, shuttle services, and a variety of guided adventures in the park and the general area is Desert Sports (☎ 888/989-6900 or 432/371-2727; www.desertsportstx.com), located on FM 170, 5 miles west of the junction of FM 170 and Tex. 118.
Backcountry Driving. Big Bend has a number of unimproved roads requiring high-clearance and sometimes four-wheel-drive vehicles. Many have roadside campsites. Get details on current road conditions from rangers before setting out, and pick up the useful backcountry road guide, available at visitor centers. All overnight trips require backcountry permits. Far Flung Outdoor Center (☎ 800/839-7238 or 432/371-2633; www.farflungoutdoorcenter.com) offers four-wheel-drive tours of the area, including trips into the national park. The most popular trip costs $60 per person for 3 hours. The nearest four-wheel-drive rentals are in Alpine, Texas, 108 miles northwest of the park.
Horseback Riding. Horses are permitted on most dirt roads and many park trails (check with rangers for specifics), and may be kept overnight at many of the park's primitive road campsites, although not at the developed campgrounds. The Government Springs Campsite, 3½ miles from Panther Junction, is a primitive campsite with a corral that accommodates up to eight horses. It can be reserved up to 10 weeks in advance; call ☎ 432/477-1158. Those riding horses in the park must get free stock use permits, which should be obtained in person up to 24 hours in advance at any of the park's visitor centers.
Although no commercial outfitters offer guided rides in the park as of this writing, rides are available just outside the park on private land, at nearby Big
Bend Ranch State Park. Big Bend Stables (☎ 800/887-4331 or 432/371-2212) and Lajitas Stables (☎ 888/508-7667 or 432/424-3238; www.lajitasstables.com) offer a variety of guided trail rides, lasting from 1 hour to all day to 5 days. Some trips follow canyon trails; others visit ancient American Indian camps, ghost towns, or abandoned mines. The guides can also take you to see pictographs, fossils, and petrified wood. Both stables are under the same management, and the company also has access to facilities in Mexico. Rates are $35 for a 1-hour ride, $80 for a 4-hour ride, and $130 for a full day in the saddle. Multiday trips cost about $150 to $175 per day and include all meals and camping equipment. Novice riders and children 4 and up are welcome.
Mountain Biking. Bikes are not permitted on hiking trails but are allowed on the park's many established dirt roads. Mountain bikes are available for rent from Desert Sports (see above); prices start at about $30 per day. The company also offers 1-day and multiday guided trips, including a combination mountain-biking and float trip in the park (3 days, $450).
River Running. The Rio Grande follows the southern edge of the park for 118 miles and extends another 127 miles downstream as a designated Wild and Scenic River. The river offers mostly fairly calm float trips, but it does have a few sections of rough white water during high-water times. It can usually be run in a raft, canoe, or kayak. Bring your own equipment, rent equipment near the park (none is available in the park), or take a trip with one of several local river guides under permit by the National Park Service. Note: The water can be quite low in summer, so call ahead if this is an important part of your visit.
Those planning trips on their own must obtain free permits at a park visitor