Included: One to two experienced local guides, depending on group size 8-day guided women’s hiking and paddling adventure in Big Bend National Park (7 days of activities) Accommodation for 7 nights in a historic hotel and casitas, with a private bed guaranteed for each guest All meals from dinner on day 1 through lunch on day 8 (restaurant meals and some guide-prepared dinners) A full-day Rio Grande paddling excursion with a local outfitter, including equipment and instruction Round-trip ground transportation between El Paso and Big Bend National Park All park entry fees Add-ons (pricing shown at checkout): Single occupancy room Not included: Transportation to Texas Meals outside those specified Personal hiking gear and sleeping bag (bring your own or rent in advance) Anything not mentioned in the ‘Included’ section above Insurance — recommended, available at checkout Guide gratuities — optional

How fit do I need to be?

In order to join this Big Bend National Park hiking tour, good to great fitness is required , as well as some previous hiking experience. The most you’ll hike within a day is up to 20 km (12.5 mi), with up to 810 m (2,657 ft) of elevation gain (a shorter alternative is available on the toughest day). You should be comfortable with aerobic exercise for 40 to 50 minutes, four to five times a week, and with hiking on rocky, uneven terrain with steep ascents and descents. Adding a weekly two-hour hike or some strength training in the weeks beforehand will help you feel ready.

What do I need to bring?

What to bring: Day pack large enough to carry everything you might need throughout the day (25-40L) Hiking poles — optional Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L minimum) Lightweight hiking boots or shoes with good traction on loose, rocky ground Comfortable hiking clothes, plus a swimsuit for the paddling day Spare clothes for layering Waterproof rain jacket Wide-brimmed sunhat Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, insect repellent, etc.) Headlamp or flashlight Sunglasses Camera — optional (but recommended, especially for stargazing) Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.

Group sizes and age requirements

Group sizes and pricing: For this Big Bend National Park hiking tour, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 6:1, or better, with two guides for full groups. The maximum group size is set at 12 participants . Big Bend National Park hiking tours can be arranged for larger groups — contact us to make arrangements. Min. age requirements: If you are older than 18 , you’re good to go. Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the Big Bend National Park hiking tour on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian. If your group has participants under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

Is a single occupancy room available?

The price for this Big Bend National Park hiking tour is based on twin-share rooms, but a single occupancy room can be arranged at an additional fee . You can add it to your booking at checkout. Please note that single occupancy depends on availability. Solo travelers are welcome —they can either share a room with another same-gender solo traveler at no extra cost, or guarantee a private room by paying a single occupancy fee.

Getting there and meeting location

The starting point of this Big Bend National Park hiking tour is El Paso, Texas . To get there, most people fly into El Paso International Airport (ELP) . From there, you can take a shuttle service, public transport, or rent a car to reach the trip hotel. You will meet your guides at 4:30 pm at the trip hotel near El Paso International Airport.

Safety measures and insurance

We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout. Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations! Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.

2026 is sold out — book 2027, or find a last minute deal.

Big Bend National Park | Texas

Big Bend National Park: 8-Day Women’s Hiking and Paddling Tour

Name: Big Bend National Park Hiking Tour: 8-Day Women's Trip
Brand: 57hours
Availability: InStock
Rating: 5 (9 reviews)

8 days | Moderate | 5.00

From $4,950 ()

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Big Bend rewards effort—canyons you hike into, a river you paddle to really see, skies that only reveal themselves once you’re far enough from anywhere else. We’re bringing together a small group of women who feel that same pull toward this remote stretch of West Texas, for eight days across its canyons, mountains, and the Rio Grande. We’ll trade boot prints for paddle strokes, watch sunset light hit canyon walls that don’t look real, and fall asleep under some of the darkest skies left in the country. Most nights end with dinner and laughter among women who feel like old friends by day three. If you’d rather earn your view than drive to it, this one’s for you.

Alicia

Adventure Highlights

Paddle the Rio Grande: A full day on the water beneath 2,000-foot canyon walls that mark the border between Texas and Mexico, led by a local outfitter
Relaxed women’s group vibe: Small groups, a shared appetite for big days outdoors, and dinners that turn into some of the best conversations of the trip
Comfy bed every night: No tents to pitch, no gear to haul—just real beds every night in a historic hotel and casitas, with the driving and logistics handled so we can focus on the trail

Duration

8 days

Season

February and November

Group size

Up to 12 people

The adventure, day by day

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This eight-day, women-only trip covers some of West Texas's best desert scenery, moving between hiking, paddling, and exploring at an easy-to-moderate pace with one seriously big day thrown in. Starting and ending in El Paso, the route swings through the art town of Marfa, the canyons of Big Bend Ranch State Park, and the trails and river of Big Bend National Park itself. Along the way, we hike through slot canyons, past hoodoos, and up into the Chisos Mountains, and spend a full day paddling the Rio Grande beneath towering canyon walls. Seven nights of lodging in a mix of a historic hotel and adobe-style casitas are included, along with all meals from the first dinner through the final lunch.

Day 1: Arrival in El Paso

Arrive in El Paso by 4:30 pm and check into the trip hotel, where we’ll all meet for the first time. After settling in, we come together for an orientation and a welcome dinner—a chance to get acquainted with the group and our guides before eight days on the road and the trail together.

Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel near El Paso International Airport

Day 2: Drive to Marfa, hike at the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center

We leave El Paso and drive roughly three hours toward Marfa, a small art-focused town known for its minimalist galleries and quirky desert charm. On the way, we stop for a short hike at the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center to stretch our legs and get a first look at the desert plants and terrain that define this part of Texas. From there, it’s a half-hour drive into Marfa, with time to freshen up before dinner in town.

Hiking: 3.5 km (2.2 mi)
Elevation: +102 m (+335 ft) / -102 m (-335 ft)
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Historic hotel in Marfa

Day 3: Explore Big Bend Ranch State Park

We head into Big Bend Ranch State Park, stopping first at the Fort Leaton State Historic Site before setting out on a canyon hike past hoodoos and other striking rock formations carved by centuries of wind and water. A stop at the Barton Warnock Visitor Center rounds out the day’s history and geology lesson, and by evening we settle into Terlingua, the old ghost town that serves as our base for the next several nights.

Hiking: 2.4 km (1.5 mi)
Elevation: +30 m (+100 ft) / -30 m (-100 ft)
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Casitas in Terlingua

Day 4: Santa Elena Canyon and the Chimneys

The scenic Ross Maxwell Drive takes us into Big Bend National Park proper, where we tackle two hikes in one day: first the Santa Elena Canyon Trail, which climbs right into the mouth of one of the park’s most dramatic canyons, then the Mule Ear Trail, a longer walk out to a pair of distinctive twin rock spires. We break for a picnic lunch between the two, with plenty of time to take in the desert scenery along the way.

Hiking: Santa Elena Canyon Trail 2.6 km (1.6 mi) and Mule Ear Trail 6.1 km (3.8 mi)
Elevation: +24 m (+80 ft) / +268 m (+880 ft)
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Casitas in Terlingua

Day 5: Paddle the Rio Grande

We swap hiking boots for paddles today, spending a full day on the Rio Grande with a local outfitter leading the way. The river winds beneath canyon walls that rise as high as 2,000 feet, marking the natural border between Texas and Mexico, and our outfitter fills the day with instruction and stories about the canyon’s natural history. No paddling experience is necessary, just a willingness to get out on the water.

Paddling: Full-day Rio Grande excursion
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Casitas in Terlingua

Day 6: Chisos Basin and the Window Trail

We stop at the park’s visitor center at Panther Junction before heading up into the Chisos Basin for the Window Trail, an out-and-back hike through Oak Creek Canyon that ends at a natural pour-off framing views out over the desert below. It’s one of the park’s most popular trails for good reason, with a payoff dramatic enough to make the climb back out worth it.

Hiking: 8.4 km (5.2 mi)
Elevation: +289 m (+948 ft) / -289 m (-948 ft)
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Casitas in Terlingua

Day 7: South Rim Trail or Lost Mine Trail

Today’s the big one, with a choice of two hikes depending on how your legs are feeling. The South Rim Trail is a 20 km (12.5 mi) loop with sweeping views of the Sierra del Carmen Mountains from the highest point of the trip, while the shorter Lost Mine Trail covers 7.7 km (4.8 mi) out and back with plenty of scenery of its own. Either way, we regroup back in Terlingua for a celebratory final dinner together.

Hiking: South Rim Trail 20 km (12.5 mi) or Lost Mine Trail 7.7 km (4.8 mi)
Elevation: South Rim Trail +810 m (+2,657 ft) / Lost Mine Trail +345 m (+1,131 ft)
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Casitas in Terlingua

Day 8: Return to El Paso

After breakfast, we begin the drive back to El Paso, breaking up the roughly five hours on the road with a stop in Alpine to stretch our legs and a final lunch together along the way. We aim to have everyone back at the airport by 2 pm, so plan flights departing after 3 pm.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch

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Lodging & dood

Hotels & casitas

For five nights, our home base are charming casitas in Terlingua, a real ghost town turned small desert outpost. Our casitas are small, private houses with their own kitchenette, just far enough off the grid that the stargazing feels like part of the stay. After a big day of hiking or a full day on the river, it’s exactly the kind of place we want to come back to: quiet, unfussy, and close enough to the porch that the desert sky takes over the second the sun goes down.

The trip also includes a night at a comfortable hotel near the airport in El Paso when we first arrive, and a night at a historic hotel in the art town of Marfa on the way in—both included, both easy, so packing and unpacking stays to a minimum before we settle into Terlingua for the rest of the week.

Meals

All meals are included, from dinner on Day 1 through lunch on Day 8. Breakfasts and dinners are mostly restaurant meals, with a few guide-prepared dinners mixed in. Lunches on the trail are packed or picnic-style, put together each morning before we head out.

Adventure, packed to go

Big Bend National Park: 8-Day Women’s Hiking and Paddling Tour

Adventure Brochure

Adventure brochure

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Meet your guides

Seasoned pros, local legends, and passionate adventurers—your trip is in the best hands.

5.00

Alicia

Alicia resides in Colorado, where she relishes the opportunity to ride her bike every day! She also enjoys hiking, backpacking, trail running, and snowshoeing, often accompanied by her family and dog (who famously proved that she is truly part border collie when she spontaneously herded 100+ head of cattle in Boulder open space!). Alicia has a well-rounded adventure background and a great appreciation for the friendships that can be forged among adventurous women, across different backgrounds and different generations. When not guiding, Alicia works in academia as a SAS programmer and data analyst.

5.00

Brenda

Brenda is a seasoned world traveler and guide, with trips from Everest to Machu Picchu under her belt. After working with women’s groups in Honduras and serving in the Peace Corps, she became a passionate backpacker, yoga instructor, and watercolor artist. She enjoys catching moments to sketch on trips and encouraging others to do the same.

5.00

Tori

Tori is a Professional Concert Dancer turned multi-certified, full-time Registered Maine Guide. With a passion for healing facilitation, she has worked to become a recognized Community Herbalist, Yoga Instructor, and Integrative Health and Wellness Coach. She blends her love for movement and holistic health with her knowledge of the outdoors to create well-rounded educational outdoor experiences. Her goal is to help you gain access to natural connection and to leave trips knowing more about yourself, the environment, and the bond between the two.

5.00

Lainie

Lainie has spent most of her adult life overseas, living and working across the UK, Papua New Guinea, Guatemala, Kenya, Turkey, and Mexico, which makes her a seasoned international traveler and adventurer. An avid hiker, she's tackled iconic routes like Kilimanjaro and Everest Base Camp, and recently summited two 19,000 ft (5,791 m) peaks in Peru with her 18-year-old son. She loves meeting new people and learning about their experiences, and has been guiding for close to 20 years.

5.00

Haley

Haley grew up exploring Minnesota's North Shore and has spent years traveling the world ever since, chasing new adventures like rock climbing, scuba diving, and whitewater rafting, though hiking and kayaking remain her favorites. She's biked across Southeast Asia, hiked the Himalayas, and spent a week in the Amazon. A certified yoga instructor and budding photographer, she's thrilled to share her love of travel and the outdoors as a guide.

5.00

Connie

Connie thrives on the thrill of new experiences and the beauty of the natural world. After a decade of teaching music, she made the jump to snowy Alaska, then sunny Mexico, and finally bustling Barcelona. Connie loves sharing the joy of outdoor adventures, helping others connect deeply with nature and discover a sense of personal empowerment. When not guiding trips, you can find her trail running, backpacking, rock climbing, slacklining, and dreaming up her next big adventure.

5.00

Carrie

Carrie has lived in Saranac Lake, NY in the Adirondack Mountains for 34 years. Her first guiding experience was when she was 20, a job that entailed taking US students to the USSR and Siberia. Her love of the outdoors comes from her parents. They taught her many outdoors skills and showed her how to hike, ski, row, sail and fish from an early age; in fact, the first peak she climbed was Camels Hump in Vermont at the age of 6! These days she is an avid downhill, cross-country and backcountry skier and is a licensed guide for whitewater rafting, hiking, camping and paddling.

5.00

Heather

Heather has decades of experience helping women and girls explore the Pacific Northwest. She's passionate about kayaking, sailing, hiking, and paddleboarding. When not guiding, she volunteers in K9 search and rescue, helping recover outdoor adventurers near her home in Seattle.

What others say about this adventure

5.00 (9 reviews)

Heidi B.

This was my first trip with this company or any such trip. I believe that you all set the bar high in all ways for my future adventuring! This trip showed me a way I can participate in life after retiring. I’m not there quite yet. This trip opened my mind to possibilities.

Sonja B.

Andre and Connie were great guides, all the ladies on the trip were curious, adventurous and had wonderful stories to tell. Big Bend was even better than I expected.

Shearon B.

Absolute beauty of the high desert!

Show all reviews

Things to know

Included:
- - One to two experienced local guides, depending on group size
  - 8-day guided women’s hiking and paddling adventure in Big Bend National Park (7 days of activities)
  - Accommodation for 7 nights in a historic hotel and casitas, with a private bed guaranteed for each guest
  - All meals from dinner on day 1 through lunch on day 8 (restaurant meals and some guide-prepared dinners)
  - A full-day Rio Grande paddling excursion with a local outfitter, including equipment and instruction
  - Round-trip ground transportation between El Paso and Big Bend National Park
  - All park entry fees
Add-ons (pricing shown at checkout):
- - Single occupancy room
Not included:
- - Transportation to Texas
  - Meals outside those specified
  - Personal hiking gear and sleeping bag (bring your own or rent in advance)
  - Anything not mentioned in the ‘Included’ section above
  - Insurance — recommended, available at checkout
  - Guide gratuities — optional
In order to join this Big Bend National Park hiking tour, good to great fitness is required, as well as some previous hiking experience. The most you’ll hike within a day is up to 20 km (12.5 mi), with up to 810 m (2,657 ft) of elevation gain (a shorter alternative is available on the toughest day).

You should be comfortable with aerobic exercise for 40 to 50 minutes, four to five times a week, and with hiking on rocky, uneven terrain with steep ascents and descents. Adding a weekly two-hour hike or some strength training in the weeks beforehand will help you feel ready.
What to bring:
- - Day pack large enough to carry everything you might need throughout the day (25-40L)
  - Hiking poles — optional
  - Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L minimum)
  - Lightweight hiking boots or shoes with good traction on loose, rocky ground
  - Comfortable hiking clothes, plus a swimsuit for the paddling day
  - Spare clothes for layering
  - Waterproof rain jacket
  - Wide-brimmed sunhat
  - Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, insect repellent, etc.)
  - Headlamp or flashlight
  - Sunglasses
  - Camera — optional (but recommended, especially for stargazing)
Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.

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Group sizes and pricing:
- - For this Big Bend National Park hiking tour, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 6:1, or better, with two guides for full groups.
  - The maximum group size is set at 12 participants.
  - Big Bend National Park hiking tours can be arranged for larger groups — contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements:
- - If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
  - Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the Big Bend National Park hiking tour on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.
  - If your group has participants under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
The price for this Big Bend National Park hiking tour is based on twin-share rooms, but a single occupancy room can be arranged at an additional fee. You can add it to your booking at checkout. Please note that single occupancy depends on availability.

Solo travelers are welcome—they can either share a room with another same-gender solo traveler at no extra cost, or guarantee a private room by paying a single occupancy fee.
The starting point of this Big Bend National Park hiking tour is El Paso, Texas. To get there, most people fly into El Paso International Airport (ELP). From there, you can take a shuttle service, public transport, or rent a car to reach the trip hotel.

You will meet your guides at 4:30 pm at the trip hotel near El Paso International Airport.
We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.

Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations! Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.
Secure your spot with a 30% deposit upon booking! The remaining 70% of the trip price must be paid 90 days prior to departure at the latest. If booking within 90 days of departure, the full amount is required at the time of booking.
- If canceled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
- If canceled 90 or more days before departure, a 70% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
- If canceled within 89 days of departure, no refund will be issued.
- Booking fees are non-refundable after a 48 hours grace period.

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