River Running: Guided Tours by Canoe or Raft

The Rio Grande runs through several beautiful canyons where both peaceful floats and exciting whitewater can be found.

We offer canoe and raft trips in the canyons of Big Bend Ranch State Park and Big Bend National Park. You’ll find leisure and scenery punctuated by a few intriguing rapids on this stretch of the Rio Grande in West Texas. The rapids vary according to the amount of recent rain, but under normal conditions, they range from class I-IV.

As with all of Desert Sports’ guided trips, great food, informative and experienced guides, and unique itineraries are part of the package. Desert Sports’ livery includes canoes, inflatable kayaks and rafts, along with all the accompanying gear such as life vests and paddles. Custom paddling trips can include any of the areas listed below, described in more detail in Canyons of the Rio Grande. With a minimum of two people on selected trips (minimum of four people on a one-day Mariscal Canyon), you can schedule your date for a river running adventure.

Can’t make the minimum number for booking a trip? Give us a call 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 OR reservations made 90 days out receive 5% off. Add $125 per person per day for each day over pricing below.

Big Bend Ranch State Park Colorado Canyon

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.

Big Bend National Park Santa Elena Canyon

Desert Sports offers one-day and multi-day options on this very popular section of river. 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. On multi-day trips there will be time for exploring the canyon further, as well as relaxing around camp. 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.

Big Bend National Park Santa Elena Canyon Upstream

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. The trip 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. Overnight trips leave more time for exploring and our three-day upstream excursion allows an opportunity to visit the famous Rockslide Rapid.

Santa Elena Canyon Reserve/Big Bend National Park The Great Unknown to Rio Grande Village

The river from the end of Santa Elena Canyon to the beginning of Mariscal Canyon is seldom traveled, thus the name “The Great Unknown”. Our trip continues past this section through the marvels of Mariscal Canyon, San Vicente Canyon and Hot Springs Canyon as we enjoy vistas of the southern ridge of the Chisos and numerous other mountain ridges in the Mexican Reserves to the south. A full seven days of relaxation, this is truly a trip for those who want to get away and escape the crowds.

Big Bend National Park Mariscal Canyon

The most remote canyon in the national park, in Mariscal the river forms the bottom of the “bend” of Big Bend. Access to this canyon can be difficult but well worth the effort. The sculpted limestone walls rising 1,800 feet above the canyon floor give the night sky that “river of stars” look from our camp on the banks of the Rio Grande. The three-day itinerary takes in the seldom seen canyons of San Vicente and Hot Springs, which we pass on the way to our take-out at Rio Grande Village.

Big Bend National Park Boquillas Canyon

Boquillas is the longest, most varied canyon in the national park. The river has cut its course through the Sierra del Carmen, creating magnificent views into both Texas and Mexico. Desert Sports offers Boquillas Canyon trips with either three or four-day options. Both are peaceful and relaxing, but the four-day itinerary, allows even more time for relaxing or exploring the back country and interesting, side canyons along the way. Longer trips available.

Big Bend National Park Mariscal/Boquillas Canyons

The combination of these two great canyons allows ample river time to enjoy over 60 miles of river running. The trip takes us through four different canyons (including San Vicente and Hot Springs Canyons) on our way to the take-out at Heath Canyon Ranch.

Rio Grande Wild & Scenic River The Lower Canyons of the Rio Grande

“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.

A once-in-a-lifetime experience, the Lower Canyons trip is our guides’ top choice. This 83 miles of river encompasses the wildest, most remote reach of the Rio Grande Wild & Scenic River. You’ll need at least 7-10 days to navigate this stretch, but we encourage 12 days to experience the stunning side hikes and to enjoy the endless rhythm of the flowing water. Each day brings the challenge of class II-IV rapids and the chance to explore the several canyons that comprise the trip. We love this trip so much, we gave the Lower Canyons its own web page. More info on our Lower Canyons River Tours page.