Our trips range from casual family vacations to true wilderness expeditions. For any trip, it is important that you get the information you need to best prepare yourself for your experience . Below, we have a packing list that should be reviewed carefully before you embark on your journey. If there is information that you feel you are missing, please feel free to ask us any questions. Preparation is vital to success.

“A big part of the Wild experience is focused on moderation. We believe in having enough and not overwhelming ourselves with too much.”

What gear we provide

  • All boating equipment (Boats/paddles/PFD)

  • 3-season tent

  • Sleeping pad

  • Sleeping Bag

  • (1) Drybag for your daily needs

  • (1) Drybag for personal camp belongings (Clothes, Shoes, Etc.)

  • (1) Drybag for sleep kit


What gear you should bring

  • Water Bottles (It’s best to have more than one way of carrying water)

  • Sun protection

    • Big hats

    • Sun shirts and pants

    • Sunscreen

    • Sunglasses

  • Footwear (Your feet are a major contributor to your wilderness trip. It is VERY important that you do everything in your power to take care of them)

    • Sandals can be a great option, but it’s best to make sure they are of good quality. Chaco’s have stood the test of time and are a river guide’s standby. Flip-flops can be great around camp, but generally don’t hold up to the demands of wilderness trips.

    • Water shoes can also work really well and are a preferred choice for the more demanding trips. A shoe with a firm sole that can get wet is ideal and is what you will see your guides wearing. It’s best to use a shoe with very little insulation for ease of drying.

    • Rain Boots are a must-have for winter and fall trips. A higher profile boot is always better. Good rain boots will keep your feet dry and mud-free while getting in and out of the boat and your cozy, dry feet will bring your heart joy throughout the day’s adventures. It is very important that your rain boots are not insulated for the sake of drying them out each day. Xtratuf is a trusted brand, but any hardware store should have something that will do the trick.

    • Hiking Boots/Shoes can be very handy and are recommended on longer trips with a hiking emphasis. It is very important that your boots and/or shoes are well broken-in before you embark on your adventures. This additional footwear can also work nicely as camp shoes.

  • Rain Gear is a must-have in your drybag. The weather in Big Bend can change incredibly quickly and even though it is a desert, storms are possibly throughout the year. Rain gear is light and it is always better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it. There is a spectrum of quality for gear and what you use is up to you. We have found that Frogg Toggs, or something similar, are a good and affordable option.

  • Clothing can be a little confusing on a wilderness trip and can be approached many different ways. It is important that your items serve multiple purposes and are suitable for your specific trip (ie. Winter months demand warm layers while spring and fall trips may require more sun protection). Quick-drying and synthetic layers are a must. Some folks enjoy wearing the same thing every day while others like the ritual of a clean shirt every night. It is important to think this step through and to approach your choices with a plan. We have seen the approach of having a separate set of river and camp clothes work really well.

    • River clothes should always be quick drying in the winter months. Heavy cotton can be dangerous in cold weather and will stay wet for an impressively long time. There are several options of synthetic products available out there.

    • Camp clothes are not as important for functionality as they are for comfort. You’ll probably see your guide wearing cottons and fleece along with flip flops around camp.

  • Backpack is a very useful tool on longer trips with lots of hiking options

  • Camera

  • Toiletries