Hiking Tours

Mesa de Anguila

The Big Bend is a big place! At Desert Sports we are always looking for special places that are well-hidden and aren’t mentioned in most guidebooks. Whether you are looking for a unique day hike or are ready get away from it all for a few days, we can help to plan a trip to get you there.

October through April is the recommended season for guided hiking tours. Plan your fall hiking tour now!

Desert Sports provides fully customized, guided hiking 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 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.

All trips start with a rendezvous at Desert Sports unless otherwise noted or arranged. Itineraries are subject to change due to weather, road and trail conditions and campsite availability.

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

Big Bend Ranch State ParkLower Shut-Up Hike Thru Time

This hike is a state park classic. It begins with the drive from the historic Terlingua/Lajitas mining district, along the Camino del Rio and into the state park’s interior road system. With interpretive and scenic stops along the way, we’ll make our way to our camp inside the ancient caldera of the Solitario. 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.

Trip Length / DistanceRatingNo. People: Cost
2 days/6-8 hours hikingIntermediate4 min/8 max: $575 each

Big Bend National ParkMesa de Anguila

“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” Hiker’s Guide to Trails of Big Bend National Park. This is a full day of hiking from the Lajitas Resort, up the saddle and onto the top of Mesa de Anguila in Big Bend National Park.

Trip Length / DistanceRatingNo. People: Cost
1 day/6 hours of hikingIntermediate2-3: $185 each
4-8: $150 each

Big Bend Ranch State ParkExplore River Road - Short Day Hikes

The River Road between Lajitas and Presidio has been ranked as one of the top 10 scenic drives in the United States. Join us as we spend the day enjoying the great scenery with some detours off the main traveled route with hikes into some of the known as well as hidden jewels of Big Bend Ranch State Park.

Trip Length / DistanceRatingNo. People: Cost
1 day/mileage variesAll Abilities2-3: $225 each
4-8: $150 each

Various Big Bend LocationsCustom Hiking Options

Desert Sports offers custom itineraries for backcountry hiking and vehicle supported hiking and camping. In Big Bend National Park, the South Rim, Pine Canyon, and Devil’s Den are just some of the options. New opportunities for exploring are opening up in the Big Bend Ranch State Park including Fresno Canyon, Contrabando Trail System, Closed Canyon and the Hoodoos. Call and we’ll design a custom trip to meet the needs of your group.