Most of these trips are going to be our backcountry tours that require a minimum number of folks to book. If you have wanted to go on one of our mountain bike, hiking, or combination tours and cannot put together a group to meet booking requirements, this is your chance.

We also posted dates for our Lower Canyons 8-Day River Tour. This is one of our favorite river trips anywhere, and we have featured it with a couple of dates over the next few months.

You can check the dates for these trips in the sidebar here on the BLOG page or in the sidebar for each type of tour. Aside from being able to join with a group of folks that enjoy the same interests as you, we are also able to offer the Group pricing for everyone joining the tour. Final tour prices will be based on the total number of people on the trip. Check our Reservations page for details on booking.

Have a trip you want to do and don’t see it on the list? Let us know and perhaps we can get some dates posted. Check back frequently for updated postings of our Featured Trips – we’ll be adding itineraries and dates throughout the year.

The following are direct quotes from the letter we received from Big Bend National Park:

“First, a U.S. Passport is not required to use the river in Big Bend National Park or the Rio Grande Wild and Scenic River. Additionally, a U.S. Customs declaration form is no longer required for river trips.

Second, visitors and river outfitters may not use the Mexican bank of the river, as international border crossing is only legal at a Port of Entry. Visitors may not hike into Mexico or the side canyons of Mexico. Visitors additionally may not plan a trip to camp in Mexico or on the Mexican shore. The exception is in cases of emergency: visitors may land on the Mexican side of the river to scout rapids, to bail out a boat, to repack gear, and for other safety reasons.”

These policy changes were presented to us in a letter dated August 20, 2010.

If you have questions on how this new interpretation of the regulations will affect Desert Sports river trips, give us a shout (either email or give us a call). While these changes will have an effect on some of our camps and hikes, we are still able to visit the fantastic canyons of the Rio Grande. Stay tuned for more updates.

If you have questions on the new enforcement of these regulations and how they affect the current NPS policy changes we suggest contacting the following folks:

Bill Wellman, BBNP Superintendent; bill_wellman@nps.gov

David Elkowitz, BBNP Chief of Interpretation, david_elkowitz@nps.gov

Bill Brooks, Customs and Border Patrol, Marfa Sector, william.brooks@dhs.gov

Again, we do not have information on the duration of the Mexican Release and have no idea how long we can expect to have good flows in the Rio Grande. If you are planning a river trip for the fall, come on down while the river us UP!

Mexico is releasing water from a reservoir on the Rio Conchos. Just yesterday, 8/6/2010, in the late afternoon the release hit the gauge at the Presidio Bridge. The Rio Grande is flowing at 1145 cfs (cubic feet per second) this morning, up from 215 cfs yesterday, past the Bridge and should be reaching the Lajitas area in the next couple of days. The release is coming from the last of the reservoirs on the Rio Conchos and as of yesterday is flowing at almost 2000 cfs. We have no information on the duration of the release, but based on information from the International Boundary and Water Commission, it looks like there is quite a bit of water behind the dam.

This is a great flow rate for the Rio Grande and allows us to do all our river trips through the Big Bend area of Texas. If you are planning to visit the Big Bend in the next week or so, give Desert Sports a shout.

We’ll keep you posted as we get updates.

All photography, unless noted otherwise, is by Crystal Allbright: photographer, painter, musician, and guide for Desert Sports.

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There have been several different policy statements made to try and address the issues.  At present, the good folks at the Marfa Sector of US Customs and Border Patrol are trying to work with river runners to come up with a solution that allows them to keep doing their job and allows us to keep doing quality river trips. There was even a small contingent of Border Patrol folks on the last “Down River Seminar”, hosted by BBNP, and they got a chance to see first hand what goes on during a river trip.

What we are doing now? As per our instructions as to what is an acceptable method to deal with this situation, we are submitting a Customs Form with a manifest for each of our trips. This form is submitted to US Customs and, so far, allows us to keep doing river trips as we have in the past. At present, US citizens are not required to have a passport number for the form. If you have a passport, go ahead and bring it with you and we’ll use the number on the form, it makes their job easier. If you are not a US citizen, you will need your passport number to submit on the form (you will want to have your passport while traveling in Border regions).

That is the accepted solution at present. Stay tuned for future changes. It is possible that we could see an increase in regulation and enforcement that could result in what would basically be a closure of the river. We, being citizens of the United States, could lose access to what should be thought of as one of our National Treasures.

It would be nice if some of these lawmakers could come down and do a river trip with us, just to see what it is that they are regulating.

For those of you that are planning on taking part in a guided tour with Desert Sports, we’ll take care of all the details; from getting the proper permit to making sure we have all the right equipment to abide by these rules. Desert Sports, as an outfitter is required to follow all these R&R’s as well as a handful of other requirements specific to commercial operations. We take pride in working with the National and State Parks to protect this wonderful resource and to enhance the experience that our visitors have while on tours.

Forms & Permits

If you are planning on doing the trip on your own, what we call a Self-Guided Trip, it would be a good idea to get to know all these R&R’s. Even if you have been coming to the Big Bend for river trips for a while and have a good knowledge of these, it is worth noting that there have been a couple of recent changes that can affect your trip. One thing that has been going on for a couple of years now is that multi-day trips require a $10 fee for your Trip Permit, day trips are still free. There is also the requirement for submitting a Customs Form for each trip, as we have been doing for the last few years.

Waste

There are a couple of rule changes that are new and have recently been added to the River use R&R: Every overnight river trip is required to have some sort of Toilet System. One canoe or kayak only trips are no longer exempt from this requirement. You can use one of the approved chemical bagged waste containment systems or a dumpstation compatible waste containment system. Desert Sports has the bagged system for sale (recommended for most small trips) and we also rent a small dumpable system. Every overnight river trip is now required to carry some sort of Firepan, even if you do not intend to have a campfire. No diameter is specified but it does have to have sides at least 2” high to conform to the requirement. You can only burn dead and downed wood or charcoal and you are required to carry out all floatable debris. It is worth looking at these changes on the page linked to above, just so you can see it for yourself in the words they use.

Firearms

One other item worth noting, with the changes in legalities in carrying Firearms in the park, is referred to in the River use R&R. The use or discharge of firearms is prohibited within the park. It is also worth noting that possession of firearms or ammunition in Mexico is a felony and this includes the Mexican side of the river. Because of this, Desert Sports does not allow any firearms on any of our guided trips. You cannot do a river trip without at least getting into Mexican waters, even if you never touch the Mexican shore. I tell people that if you feel like you need a gun for protection on your vacation that perhaps you should be going somewhere different. In over 20 years of guiding I have never felt that a gun would make the situation better and see no reason to carry one on trips.

These are all the new changes that we have noted. Even if you are a veteran of the Rio Grande, it is worth reviewing the River use Rules and Regulation from time to time just to stay current and make sure there are no surprises when you arrive for your trip and find out there are new requirements to get your permit. We keep ourselves in the loop with the folks at the park and will continue to pass along any further changes.

This reach of the Rio Grande is a part of the Wild and Scenic River that was established in 1978 and is administered by the good folks over at Big Bend National Park. The Lower Canyons trip is just over 83 miles of some of the most spectacular desert and canyon country of the Chihuahuan Desert and is one of the least run sections of the Rio Grande in the Big Bend.

The Lower Canyons of the Rio Grande is one of our favorite river trips anywhere. The guide staff of Desert Sports has dedicated themselves to getting to know this portion of the Rio Grande. We have some of the most knowledgeable and experienced guides in the Big Bend Area with a special, personal interest in learning the Outstandingly Remarkable Values of this stretch of the river.

Due to the lower water levels we have been seeing over the last few years, this trip is more often done as a canoe trip. If you are a fit person with a bit of canoeing experience, this can be a great chance to hone your skills. Frequently it is difficult for us to schedule, in advance, a rafting trip for any reach of the Rio Grande here in Big Bend. This is especially true for the Lower Canyons.

The shortest trip we offer on this reach of the river is 7 days. We recommend stretching this trip to 8-10 days, especially if you want time to explore and visit some of the more remarkable hikes and vistas along the way. Our 12 day version of this tour allows ample time to slow down to the proper pace and really get to know this special corner of the Big Bend.

Lower Canyons “Traditional” by Raft or Canoe

This is the classic Lower Canyons trip, a true wilderness experience for 7-10 days. You’ll have the opportunity to hike side canyons and trails for stunning vistas of incomparable beauty. The scattering of class II-IV rapids provides an excellent arena for improving your canoeing skills. Relax each evening at one of the many fabulous campsites.

Lower Canyons 12-Day Special

“Some say you cannot call yourself a true Rio Grande river rat until you have floated the rugged Lower Canyons.”
River Guide to the Rio Grande: the Lower Canyons.

Our “deluxe” 12-day trip allows ample time for side canyon exploration and layover days. A beautiful, relaxing raft trip when the river is up and one of our favorite canoe trips in the southwest at most water levels. You’ll be able to exchange your everyday routine for the endless rhythm of the flowing river. You’ll know Asa Jones’s water works, Hot Springs Rapids and the hike to Burro Bluff. You can call yourself a true Rio Grande river rat. A once-in-a-lifetime experience, this is our river guides’ favorite trip.

If you make a reservation with Desert Sports, then the day trip will be based on the water levels on the day of your tour. If one of these options does not work for you, then we suggest contacting Desert Sports about a week before your date. We will then have an update on river conditions, but will be unable to guarantee availability.

Higher Water Levels Santa Elena Canyon Downstream Raft Trip – 20 miles

The first part of this trip meanders through scenic low mountains, bluffs and washes before entering the dramatic cleft in the limestone mesa that is Santa Elena Canyon. The trip descends into the depths of its 1500-ft canyon walls and the notorious Rockslide Rapid. After 8 miles of awe-inspiring canyon, the trip emerges into the open with a dramatic view of the Chisos Mountains as the trip winds towards the take-out near Castolon.

Mid-Water Levels Colorado Canyon Downstream Trip – 10 miles

The only igneous rock canyon in Big Bend, Colorado Canyon winds through numerous small rapids and includes some interesting side hikes. Travel this stretch in a raft, canoe or inflatable kayak. We also offer a challenging day for those who want to sharpen their paddling skills with one of our instructional canoeing trips. Colorado Canyon at higher water levels also makes a great ‘shorter’ day trip and is suitable for the young ones.

Low Water Levels Santa Elena Canyon Upstream Canoe Trip – 6 miles

Our Santa Elena Canyon upstream canoe trip is a low-water opportunity to visit one of the major limestone canyons in the Big Bend National Park. This very active day starts at the Santa Elena hiking trail, where we carry our boats to the river and paddle upstream with a stop for lunch. We’ll hike one of the scenic side canyons on the Mexican side of the river (time permitting) before paddling back downstream to our starting point.

For a group of 4 or more, the tour cost is $125 per person plus tax. For 2-3 people, the cost is $135 per person plus tax. This includes lunch, transport from our shop to the river and back, and an experienced, qualified guide. We meet at 8 am for our one-day excursions and return about 5 pm.