Combination Tours: Hiking, Biking and Paddling

Desert Sports is unique in Big Bend in its ability to guide and outfit combination trips. As long time wanderers of this area, we have found that often you have to combine modes of travel in order to reach into the depths of the Chihuahuan Desert. Let our experienced staff lead you on an expedition from the Mountains through the Desert and into the Canyons of the Rio Grande, small groups and big adventure.

You can indulge dual outdoor passions, or maybe have an opportunity to try an activity you’ve always wanted to try while still engaging in your favorite outdoor activity. Desert Sports provides fully customized, guided trips to unique areas in Big Bend National Park and Big Bend Ranch State Park. All our guided trips include great food, informative and experienced guides, and unique itineraries. Each extended trip has a custom menu to make sure we can accommodate any special dietary needs of your group. All our trip leaders are guides with years of experience leading tours in the backcountry of the Big Bend and we specialize in keeping our trips small, allowing us to pay closer attention to the details that make your experience more rewarding and complete.

With a minimum of four people, any of the following trips can be scheduled on dates that accommodate your schedule. Also, contact us to put together any combination trip in Big Bend you can dream up.

Can’t make the minimum number for booking a trip? Check the sidebar for Featured Trip postings or contact us online with your dates and we will try and put you together with other folks to meet the minimum booking requirements.

Discounts – Groups of 8 or more receive 10% off. Add $150 per person per day for each day over pricing below.

Big Bend Ranch State ParkSolitario Combination

This trip combines two of our favorite tours in the state park, the “Solitario Solemente” mountain bike trip with the “Hike through Time”. Beginning the ride at Sauceda, the old ranch headquarters, our route takes us through rolling high Chihuahuan desert and up and over the rim of the Solitario. Our base camp is set up inside the ancient caldera. On Day 2, we will take off to cycle the interior loop of the geologically majestic caldera. Day 3 is our “Hike through Time” through the Lower Shut-up. The Lower Shut-up is a spectacular canyon that drains from the Solitario into Fresno Creek, taking us through millions of years of geologic history with the hike ending at the old Whitroy Mine.

Big Bend National ParkGlenn Springs/Mariscal Canyon

Mountain biking and boating in some of the most remote back country of the National Park, cycling through the historic Glenn Springs district, down the old Black Gap road and to our river access just upstream from Mariscal Canyon. The final day of this trip is spent paddling the bottom of the “bend” of the Big Bend. This is the classic pedal and paddle trip in the national park.

Big Bend National ParkMesa de Anguila/Santa Elena Canyon

“There is a maze of trails on the Mesa . . . travel(ing) through rough country and are suggested only for the most adventuresome and competent backpackers . . .”
Hikers Guide to Trails of Big Bend National Park

Hiking down to the entrance of Santa Elena canyon, our overnight camp is brought in by gear boat. Day two is spent enjoying the splendor of the canyon and the excitement of the Rock Slide rapid.