Big Secret, Big Bend

The Chihuahuan Desert & Rio Grande

Overview

Tucked like a hidden treasure into a sweeping turn of the Rio Grande in far West Texas, Big Bend National Park is one of the least visited and most pristine wilderness areas in North America. Encompassing more than 800,000 acres, the park includes three distinct environments: the Chihuahuan Desert, the Chisos Mountains, and snaking river canyons.

On this adventure you dig deeply into the region’s cultural and natural history with your naturalist guide. You’ll find yourself exploring sandy washes and the dramatic limestone formations of Boquillas and Santa Elena canyons, walking cottonwood-lined riverbanks, hiking mountain trails, and birdwatching for painted buntings and vermillion flycatchers. Each night, stargaze under the darkest skies in the lower 48 and listen for the distant howl of coyotes from the Chisos Mountains Lodge in the heart of the park.

Don’t miss out – your opportunity to visit this gem of the National Park Service is limited! After OBP’s spring 2026 departures, the Chisos Mountain Lodge will be under construction, shutting down access to the entire Chisos Basin for two years. OBP will not return to Big Bend National Park until both reopen.

Price From

$5,495 USD
Trip Type

Small Group Adventure
Departure Dates

Apr 9 - 16, 2026
Mouse over or tap the departure dates to see trip prices.
Duration

8 days / 7 nights
Trip begins/ends
El Paso, Texas / El Paso, Texas

*Price per person based on double occupancy. Trip price includes all lodging, meals, ground transportation, guide services and activities as described in this itinerary.

Call Toll-Free 800-445-2995

Do you want to customize this trip?

We customize trips all the time! Email us today: [email protected].

Trip Details

Trip Highlights

What’s Included? Everything you need, plus everything you want.

Unique Wildlife: As you explore, you might see black bears, javelina, roadrunners, collared lizards, deer, golden eagles, and other creatures that find refuge in the wild expanse of the Chihuahuan Desert.
Desert Nature: The vast Chihuahuan Desert is one of the most biologically diverse arid regions in the world, thanks in part to elevations that range from 1,000 to over 10,000 feet.
Buffalo Soldiers: Visit the restored cavalry post where the African-American “Buffalo Soldiers” were stationed after the Civil War.
Seasonal Highlights: Spring brings a flow of neotropical migrant birds, and wildflowers bloom in the fall after the monsoons have passed.

The Essentials

Big Secret, Big Bend

Trip Type: Small Group Adventure

Territory: North America

Region: Desert Southwest

Trip Price: From $5,495

Single Supplement: $1,175

On-Trip Airfare: $0

Duration: 8 days/7 nights

Trip Begins/Ends: El Paso, Texas / El Paso, Texas

Minimum Travelers: 2 travelers

Maximum Travelers: 16 travelers

Select Terms & Conditions

Pricing detailed for this Small Group Adventure is based upon double occupancy. Additional charges for single travelers and any on-trip airfare required for the trip apply. A booking deposit is required to reserve your space. Small Group Adventure pricing includes all lodging, meals (unless otherwise noted), activities, baggage handling, transportation, and guide service. Not included are travel costs to/from gateway cities, guide gratuities, and personal incidentals including, but not limited to, trip cancellation/interruption insurance, alcoholic beverages, and laundry service. Travel with Off the Beaten Path requires agreement to our standard Terms & Conditions.

Energy Index

No Sweat - 1-2 miles of walking or hiking per day, plus easy activities

Nice & Active – 3-6 miles of hiking or walking per day, plus physically active exploration

High Five! – 5-10 miles of hiking per day, plus possible peak bagging or other action-oriented fun

Big Secret, Big Bend

The Energy Index for this trip is “Nice & Active”, at elevations ranging from 3,740 to 7,625 feet. Activities include hiking 3 to 5 miles per day, with elevation gain/loss not typically more than 1,100 feet. (1,600 to 2,000 feet on an optional hike). To fully participate in this trip, you must be able to walk up and downhill on rocky, uneven terrain. Contact a Travel Advisor for more details.

Make It Private

Make this trip all yours!

Most all of our Small Group Adventures can be made private to just your traveling troupe. Just give us a call at (800) 445-2995 and tell us that you would like to “make it private”!

Generally, there are two ways to make a small group adventure private. First, you could capture one of our published departure dates for just your group. In order to achieve this, we have to have sufficient space available to create a separate private trip. Second, we could take the details of this itinerary and fashion it for just your group on dates of your choosing. For this, too, we just need to review your interest, group size, and preferred timing in order to create the trip.

In all cases, the process begins with a phone call so give us a ring at (800) 445-2995 and after just a few minutes gathering information, we can set to the task of making your trip a reality!

Trip Highlights
The Essentials
Energy Index
Make It Private

What’s Included? Everything you need, plus everything you want.

Unique Wildlife: As you explore, you might see black bears, javelina, roadrunners, collared lizards, deer, golden eagles, and other creatures that find refuge in the wild expanse of the Chihuahuan Desert.
Desert Nature: The vast Chihuahuan Desert is one of the most biologically diverse arid regions in the world, thanks in part to elevations that range from 1,000 to over 10,000 feet.
Buffalo Soldiers: Visit the restored cavalry post where the African-American “Buffalo Soldiers” were stationed after the Civil War.
Seasonal Highlights: Spring brings a flow of neotropical migrant birds, and wildflowers bloom in the fall after the monsoons have passed.

Big Secret, Big Bend

Trip Type: Small Group Adventure

Territory: North America

Region: Desert Southwest

Trip Price: From $5,495

Single Supplement: $1,175

On-Trip Airfare: $0

Duration: 8 days/7 nights

Trip Begins/Ends: El Paso, Texas / El Paso, Texas

Minimum Travelers: 2 travelers

Maximum Travelers: 16 travelers

Select Terms & Conditions

Pricing detailed for this Small Group Adventure is based upon double occupancy. Additional charges for single travelers and any on-trip airfare required for the trip apply. A booking deposit is required to reserve your space. Small Group Adventure pricing includes all lodging, meals (unless otherwise noted), activities, baggage handling, transportation, and guide service. Not included are travel costs to/from gateway cities, guide gratuities, and personal incidentals including, but not limited to, trip cancellation/interruption insurance, alcoholic beverages, and laundry service. Travel with Off the Beaten Path requires agreement to our standard Terms & Conditions.

Energy Index

No Sweat - 1-2 miles of walking or hiking per day, plus easy activities

Nice & Active – 3-6 miles of hiking or walking per day, plus physically active exploration

High Five! – 5-10 miles of hiking per day, plus possible peak bagging or other action-oriented fun

Big Secret, Big Bend

The Energy Index for this trip is “Nice & Active”, at elevations ranging from 3,740 to 7,625 feet. Activities include hiking 3 to 5 miles per day, with elevation gain/loss not typically more than 1,100 feet. (1,600 to 2,000 feet on an optional hike). To fully participate in this trip, you must be able to walk up and downhill on rocky, uneven terrain. Contact a Travel Advisor for more details.

Make this trip all yours!

Most all of our Small Group Adventures can be made private to just your traveling troupe. Just give us a call at (800) 445-2995 and tell us that you would like to “make it private”!

Generally, there are two ways to make a small group adventure private. First, you could capture one of our published departure dates for just your group. In order to achieve this, we have to have sufficient space available to create a separate private trip. Second, we could take the details of this itinerary and fashion it for just your group on dates of your choosing. For this, too, we just need to review your interest, group size, and preferred timing in order to create the trip.

In all cases, the process begins with a phone call so give us a ring at (800) 445-2995 and after just a few minutes gathering information, we can set to the task of making your trip a reality!

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in El Paso, TX

Meet your guide and fellow travelers in El Paso for a welcome dinner.

Day 2: El Paso to Fort Davis

Get to know your guide and traveling companions on the 200-mile drive from El Paso to the little town of Fort Davis, through the wide-open ranching country of West Texas. The first stop in Fort Davis will be the McDonald Observatory - one of the world’s leading centers for astronomical research, teaching, and public education and outreach. Tonight, gather for a group dinner.

Day 3: Fort Davis to Big Bend National Park

The day begins with a visit to Fort Davis National Historic Site, an extensively restored West Texas cavalry post where African-American soldiers - named "Buffalo Soldiers" by the Cheyenne and Comanche - were stationed. This afternoon, the drive takes you through through Persimmon Gap into the hauntingly beautiful topography of Big Bend National Park. Imagine a prominent landscape where rugged mountains, deep river canyons, and stretching desert vistas are all within view. Then, it's time to settle into your accommodations in Chisos Basin at the heart of the park.

Day 4: Big Bend National Park

We venture out to Big Bend’s legendary Rio Grande Village area this morning to walk amid the huge cottonwood trees lining the river corridor. A nice picnic lunch and little siesta in a shaded campground refreshes your senses for a visit to the dramatic limestone cliffs of Boquillas Canyon.

Day 5: Big Bend National Park

Today's hike takes you into the Chisos Basin, under the gaze of the Chisos Mountains, an “island” mountain range. Extensive shrubs at these higher elevations provide habitat for the Carmen Mountain whitetail deer, as well as mountain lions, bobcats, and other unique wildlife. After dinner, stroll into the desert to stargaze and listen for coyotes and common poorwills.

Day 6: Big Bend National Park

Another fine day awaits, beginning with a hike along the massive walls of Santa Elena Canyon, a magnificent limestone gorge carved by the Rio Grande. The afternoon features a "guide's choice" hike. Enjoy the subtle evening desert colors and first stars after dinner this evening.

Day 7: Big Bend National Park to Marfa

A final early morning hike sets the panoramic views of the Chihuahuan Desert into your memory. Bidding adios to Big Bend, we make the 2.5-hour drive to our historic hotel in Marfa. Tonight, celebrate the trip with a festive farewell dinner.

Day 8: El Paso for Departures Home

After breakfast at the hotel, depart for the El Paso International Airport for early afternoon flights home.

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Lodging

The Plaza Hotel Pioneer Park

This iconic landmark property, first built in the 1930s, embodies both its glamorous past as well as its modern revival. Each well-appointed room draws inspiration from the Pueblo Revival Art Deco architectural style with luxe details throughout for a comfortable stay. Located in the heart of El Paso's beloved arts district (known as Las Plazas), guests are perfectly positioned to take advantage of all that the neighborhood has to offer - including the El Paso Museum of Art, San Jacinto Plaza, Plaza Theatre, Abraham Chavez Theatre, and Southwest University Park. From the rooftop bar, guests can enjoy panoramic views of the city, surrounding mountains, and on a clear day, beyond the border into neighboring Mexico and New Mexico!

The Hotel Limpia

Located in Fort Davis, the Hotel Limpia is a historic and restored hotel originally built in 1912 nestled in the scenic Davis Mountains. This charming old - world hotel features 31 rooms, courtyard gardens, and a glassed-in veranda, the perfect place to relax.

Chisos Mountains Lodge

Chisos Mountains Lodge sits within the quiet, remote desert country of Big Bend National Park. Chisos’ seventy lodge rooms include cottages, motel-style, and lodge rooms, all comfortable with no frills—but who needs frills when you are surrounded with such natural beauty? All rooms have a private bath, microwave, refrigerator, coffee maker, hair dryer, and air conditioning or a ceiling fan. There are no televisions or telephones, though televisions may be rented. Cell service is very limited, and WiFi is available in the lobby and outside on the patio. The Chisos Mountains Lodge Restaurant, which is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and which also dishes up the best view 'in the state of Texas'! There is a small convenience store and gift shop on the premises. You may very well see wildlife out the door—keep your eye out for deer, eagles, javelinas, and roadrunners.

Hotel Paisano

This charming and historic 'Texas cattleman’s elegant' hotel originally opened in 1930. It served as the headquarters for James Dean, Elizabeth Taylor, and Rock Hudson in 1955, during the filming of Giant, directed by George Stevens.