River Trips on the Rio Grande

Half day river tour (4 hours)

Join us for a half day river trip! With all the things to see in the Big Bend this trip is designed for those with limited time.

Wild adventure outfitters is happy to offer our high quality small group trip as a fun and relaxing half-day.

Daily departures from the Boathouse in the Historic TERLINGUA Ghost town.

Trip Length: 4 hours

Cost $90 per-person

Difficulty: This trip is great for the whole family

12 person Maximum group size

Day Trips

With almost 200 miles of Wild and Scenic River available for boating, we can always offer a Full-Day River Trip through the Rio’s canyons. Potential itineraries on these full day trips range from Santa Elena and Hot Springs Canyons in Big Bend National Park to Colorado Canyon and beyond in Big Bend Ranch State Park. Custom day trips can be made to accommodate special needs and desires.

Santa Elena Canyon

This 21-mile section of the Rio Grande meanders through gorgeous scenery that is rich in geologic wonders, flora and fauna, and human history, both old and new. At their full height, the walls of Santa Elena tower 1500 feet above the Rio Grande and are truly a sight to behold. Floating through this spectacular canyon allows you to fall into the rhythm of a multi-day river trip and affords access to places far from the beaten path. Hiking options include the Mesa de Anguila trails and drainages, visitation to landscapes altered by prehistoric peoples, and adventures to places inaccessible except by river. Take some time and let Santa Elena Canyon feel like home for a little while.

Trip Length: 2 to 4 days (21 Miles)

The Great Unknown

The Great Unknown is a seldom floated 75 miles of river. Meandering along the southern edge of Big Bend National Park, the Great Unknown offers big open vistas and interesting desert landscape. Floating this section of the Rio Grande can offer a sense of solitude like no other in Big Bend National park. With very few rapids on this section of the river, the Great Unknown lends itself perfectly to folks looking to spend a week paddling river miles and getting into the rhythm of a multi-day canoe trip.

Trip Length: 7 to 10 days (75 miles)

Mariscal Canyon

Enjoy time in one of Big Bend’s more remote canyons. This trip begins and ends along the remote River Road at the southern end of Big Bend National park and the drive is a scenic and exciting adventure in and of itself. Mariscal Canyon’s narrow passage and towering walls are spectacular and the southernmost piece of the “Big Bend” of the Rio Grande lies along its path. This canyon is one of our least visited and contains fascinating remnants of unique human history along with a bounty of natural wonders. Hiking in Mariscal offers elevation gain and breathtaking views, fascinating visits to places of human occupation, and access to places that is only available from the river.

Trip Length: 2 to 3 days (11-21 Miles)

Boquillas Canyon

Covering a total of 33 miles, the Boquillas Canyon Trip takes you past the small village of Boquillas, Mexico and into the dramatic canyon that has cut its way through the Dead Horse Mountains. Beginning at Rio Grande Village, this river trip allows for deep exploration of the east side of Big Bend National Park. This trip is a hiker’s dream, with miles of remote side canyons and overland hikes made accessible by the Rio Grande. A few rapids make this an exciting stretch of river and the vegetated banks along the shorelines make camping very enjoyable. Boquillas Canyon is also filled with interesting human history that ranges from the Spaniards and Apaches to the rugged settlers of the present-day.

Trip Length: 4 to 6 days (33 Miles)

Temple Canyon

This 11-mile river trip is for those looking to get away from it all, but who don’t have a lot of time to spare. Beginning at Heath Canyon Ranch, Temple Canyon offers all of the beauties of the Big Bend region in one of the more remote sections of Rio Grande River corridor. Temple boasts large limestone rock monoliths that rise high above the canyon floor and many opportunities for hikes through side canyons where you might glimpse evidence of previous Native American occupation. In addition to its Wild and Scenic River designation, this stretch of river is home to Black Gap Wildlife Management Area where Desert Bighorn Sheep restoration is actively taking place. Look and listen carefully and you just might see one!Length: 2-3 Days (11-14 miles)

Trip Length: 2-3 Days (11-14 miles)

The Lower Canyons Expedition

In our opinion, the Lower Canyons is one of the best wilderness river trips around, featuring high adventure, incredible remoteness, and unparalleled landscapes. Floating along 83 miles of the protected Rio Grande Wild & Scenic River, this stretch is noted for its outstanding geologic, recreational, and scenic values. Seven days is the minimum amount of time needed to navigate this section of river while also taking advantage of opportunities for adventure and exploration. The Lower Canyons contain several stretches of rapids, some of which require lining or portaging, all of which add to the high adventure of this trip. Frequently, we encounter no other people along this section and this unique isolation in the beauty of rugged wilderness makes the Lower Canyons a truly wild trip.

Trip Length: 7 to 14 days (83 Miles)

Difficulty: Intermediate