Big Bend Kayaking & Caverns

El Paso, Texas
6
DAYS
2/5
Intensity
FROM
$1979
Oct 23–Oct 28, 2023
Full with  Waitlist
Nov 1–Nov 6, 2023
Seats Available
Nov 10–Nov 15, 2023
Seats Available

November escape? Check. Off-season, all-skill-levels-welcome expedition kayaking? Check. Soaring 1,200-foot canyon walls and stunning scenery? Check. This is a good one, people!

This adventure follows in the footsteps of our crowd-pleasing Utah Kayaking & Arches Hiking trips. We kick-off with a visit to breathtaking Carlsbad Caverns, before making our way to the Rio Grande River for a three-day paddle through Boquillas Canyon. The kayaking is straight-forward with class I-II riffles, but features absolutely jaw-dropping views. We relish two nights of riverside backcountry camping under the stars.

Did I mention there are hot springs? On our final two days, we take on a pair of mild to moderate hikes in the Chisos Mountains, soak in hot springs along the river, and return to a comfy basecamp each night.

Join me to get your adventure-fix this November. Register today!

Matt Stan
Matt Stan, Bad Adventures founder

Is this for me?

Small Group

We keep it to no more than 12 adventurers plus 2 guides.

Accommodations

We spend the first night of the trip in a 2-star hotel. The second and third nights, we enjoy dark-sky camping in the backcountry on our self-supported kayak expedition. The final two nights we relax at a comfy Chisos Mountains basecamp in the heart of Big Bend National Park. Dome-style backpacking tents and self-inflating camping mattresses are provided.

Meals

Most of our meals are cooked together at camp. Your guides have prepared scrumptious recipes, will provision the trip, and lead meal preparations. This is sure to be a tasty affair!

Kayaking

We paddle single-person sit-on-top touring kayaks on days 2–4 of the trip. The physical activity is mild, but the paddling is sustained for a few hours each day. All kayaking gear is provided.

Hiking

On our final two days, we explore Big Bend National Park. The hiking intensity is mild. The scenery is jaw-dropping.

Traveling Solo?

This trip works well for couples, friends, and solo travelers. The adventures we plan seem to attract like-minded people. Odds are, you'll enjoy the company of your fellow travelers.

We provide solo travelers with cosy single-person tents for nights 2 through 5.

There is a $79 single traveler supplement to cover the cost of a single-person hotel room on the first night.

Here's the plan...

Day
1

Carlsbad Caverns

Your guides pick you up from any of our gateway hotels near El Paso International Airport between 7:00 and 7:30 AM.

We head to Carlsbad Caverns in the Guadalupe Mountains for a self-guided exploration of one of the highest-rated national parks in the US. We descend 750-feet via the Natural Entrance on our way to The Big Room, the largest subterranean chamber in North America! This limestone chamber is gigantic (it’s over 4,000-feet long with up to 250-foot ceilings!) and positively otherworldly. We return to the surface via elevator. No uphill hiking!

After dinner at a restaurant, our day concludes at our hotel in the town of Alpine, Texas. We organize our gear into the provided dry bags and prepare for our paddling expedition.

Meals Included: Lunch
Days
2–4

Boquillas Canyon Kayaking

We drive to our put-in at Rio Grande Village and finish arranging our gear for our 3-day self-supported kayak expedition. We load our boats and set off to explore 35-miles of the Rio Grande. Each day we cover 10 to 15 miles of dramatic landscapes along the Texas/Mexico border, full of distant mountains and soaring canyon walls.

Nights are spent sandbar camping along the river. Dark skies and breathtaking stars punctuate the adventure.

The kayaking is straightforward class I to class II river conditions, suitable for both new and experienced paddlers.

This is what it’s all about.

Upon reaching the take-out, we load the van, drive into the Chisos Mountains, and establish our basecamp for the final two nights of the trip.

Meals Included: 3 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, and 3 Dinners
Day
5

Chisos Mountains & Hot Springs

After a hearty eggs and bacon breakfast, we set off to hike Big Bend National Park’s Window Trail. We descend a drainage in a 5.6-mile roundtrip out-and-back full of desert panoramic views. Our destination is “The Window” rock feature.

Later in the day, we roll the van back to Rio Grande Village for a half mile hike to soak in natural hot springs along the Rio Grande River. This is the life!

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day
6

Lost Mine Trail

On our last day, we rise early for a hike in the morning light on Lost Mine Trail, exploring east from our base in the Chisos Mountains.

All good things must come to an end. Upon our return to the trailhead, we load up the van and point the wheels back toward our gateway hotels at El Paso International Airport. Please don’t book a flight home any earlier than 10:00 PM on the night of the last day.

Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

What's Included?

3-Day, 2-Night Kayak Expedition

Fully guided paddling trip on a class I-II river section.

1 Night of Hotel Accommodations

Double occupancy is included. Solo travelers can arrange their own rooms for a modest fee.

4 Nights of Spectacular Tent Camping

We stay at beautiful sites! Tents and camping mattresses are included.

Kayak & Paddling Gear

We'll bring a single-person sit-on-top touring kayak, paddle, lifejacket, dry bags, and more for you to use!

Services of a Guide or Two

Friendly, accommodating, fully credentialed, and always professional.

5 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, and 4 Dinners

We’re talking about meticulously planned yummy provisions.

National Park Admission and All Permits

Sit back and relax! We've got the red tape covered.

Transportation in Texas and New Mexico

Ride in style in a comfortable Ford Transit passenger van.

Group Gear

Medical kit, satellite phone, navigation supplies, and more.

Not Included:

Your flights or other transportation to and from El Paso, your accommodations the night before and the night after the trip, dinner on day 1, lunch on day 6, your personal clothing and gear on the packing list, travel insurance, and guide gratuity.

Important Details & FAQ

Let's Do This!
$399 to reserve your spot today.
Mon Oct 23 Sat Oct 28, 2023
Trip Full
$ 1979
Wed Nov 1 Mon Nov 6, 2023
Seats Available
$ 1979
Fri Nov 10 Wed Nov 15, 2023
Seats Available
$ 1979
Balance due 60 days before the trip.
Possible change of plans? You can cancel for a full refund until 90 days before the trip.

Real People.
Real Reviews.

I have many adventuring experiences with Matt Stan over the years. Matt has created a team of knowledgeable and...

Posted by Megan Lundy on Saturday, June 29, 2019

Meticulously planned adventures. World class guides. Friendly people. Delicious food. Spectacular sights. Epic experiences. I could go on....

Posted by Chris Nadovich on Sunday, June 16, 2019

Stay in the loop!

Subscribe to emails and learn about new trips and courses first. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

© 2013–2023 The Bad Adventure Company LLC. All rights reserved.