The Best Paddle adventures in Rio Grande City, Texas

Big Bend Ranch State Park, located at 21800 Farm to Market Road 170 in Terlingua, Texas, United States, is a park and tourist attraction perfect for the truly adventurous. This remote park offers rugged mountains, steep canyons, amazing views, unparalleled night skies, and solitude in a high desert setting. Stretching along the Rio Grande on the U.S.-Mexico border, visitors can enjoy activities such as hiking, mountain-biking, backpacking, paddling, horseback riding, or exploring by vehicle on two- and four-wheel-drive roads. Designated as an International Dark Sky Park, Big Bend Ranch State Park is the biggest state park in Texas, offering 238 miles of multiuse trails, 70 miles of unmaintained dirt roads, and day-use access to the Rio Grande/Rio Bravo area. Campers can choose from drive-up or hike-in primitive sites, equestrian sites, or lodging at the Sauceda Bunkhouse. The park also has a paved airstrip for those flying in.

Lower Madera Canyon Campground is a part of the Big Bend Ranch State Park, located in Redford, Texas, United States. This remote campground offers a unique outdoor experience for the adventurous traveler. The park features rugged mountains, steep canyons, amazing views, and unparalleled night skies in a high desert setting along the Rio Grande on the U.S.-Mexico border. Visitors can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities such as hiking, mountain biking, backpacking, paddling, horseback riding, and exploring by vehicle on two- and four-wheel-drive roads. The park has been designated as an International Dark Sky Park, making it a great spot for stargazing. With 238 miles of multiuse trails, 70 miles of dirt roads, and access to the Rio Grande, there is plenty to explore in this vast state park.

Located in Terlingua, Texas, the Barton Warnock Visitors Center serves as the eastern entrance to the unique Big Bend Ranch State Park. Visitors can pick up permits for various activities such as backpacking and camping, as well as purchase river-use permits and licenses. The center also provides information about the Big Bend region and features a two-acre desert garden for visitors to explore. The park itself offers a range of activities including hiking, biking, camping, and paddling the river. The Fresno Divide Trail is a popular choice for serious hikers, while the Closed Canyon and Hoodoos trails are dog-friendly options for all visitors. The park is divided into two areas: River District and Interior District.