Big Bend Boating and Hiking Company

"We had such a great canoe trip with Big Bend Boating & Hiking Co. My family (two adults and two teenagers) did the half day tour through Dark Canyon. We had two tour guides who were wonderfully knowledgeable about the area and so open about sharing information and answering questions. We ended the tour a bit damp, dirty, and really happy. When we debriefed after our whole trip, all four of us counted the canoe tour as being one of our favorite parts!"

"Took the all day canoe in the Santa Elena Canyon with Darren as our guide. This was an AMAZING trip. Darren was so knowledgeable about the park and the land. He shared so much history and local culture with us. It was a breathtaking experience."

"We had an awesome morning canoe trip! The views were money and Asher, Johnny, and Katie were amazing! I don’t know what they’re getting paid, but it isn’t enough! We will definitely be back next time we come through Big Bend"

"Did a day trip through the Santa Elena Canyon. My wife and I were the only ones on the trip, so we had a personalized tour. The views were incredible and the entire trip was well worth it. Katie was a fabulous guide - very knowledgeable of the park and geology and made the trip memorable."

"Amazing experience from the very beginning until the very end. I was looking for a company to help a group of us float down the Santa Elena canyon to honor my mother’s first heavenly birthday. The Rio Grande was important to her as it is right in between Mexico and America, just like she was. I’m so glad I called Big Bend Boating and Hiking company first. Erica quickly responded to my email and with a gracious heart, listened to my plans and helped me plan the canoe trip. She was very thorough in explaining the low water levels and warning me that this may be a more physically demanding trip as we would have to get in and out of the canoes. Due to the nature of this trip for us, she made sure to book us as a private party so we wouldn’t have to float with any other customers. I spoke to Erica the day before the float and she let us know that the road to get into Santa Elena was closed due to the rains the week prior. She let me know there was an option to start a mile before the canyon but it was going to be hard work as we were going to be floating (and kinda hiking) upstream. I expressed to her that I wasn’t letting anything stop me and she said great, the guide would help us. We met at the headquarters at 9 in the morning. Read their email! Apple Maps took us 9 miles north. *If* I had read their directions, I would have known exactly where it was. Amanda was there to greet us once we finally arrived. I think she was the perfect guide for us. She was clear with her explanations and made us feel at ease. This was our third trip down to the Big Bend area and she gave us facts and history I’d never heard. She put it in a way that was interesting and understandable. She helped us navigate the low waters and gave us clear directions out on the river. We gave her a workout! She was pulling canoes and even tied her canoes to one of ours to help us paddle. She saved me when I got stuck in some very sinky mud. Amanda was amazing in the way she would let us have our moments of quiet and reflection as we remembered our mother. What an amazing experience. I would definitely book with these great people again."