We will never stay anywhere else! Thank you for the best stay in Big Bend! This is our 2nd time here and plan on many more trips! Santa Elena and the Window are definite “musts”, but this time we ventured to Balancing Rock & loved the views!
Trip Details
Price
$369 adults
$315 kids under 12.
This trip requires a 20% non-refundable deposit with the balance due 5 days prior to the date of the trip.
Required Minimum Age
5 years old
Children must be able to:
*Fit into a Type 5 personal flotation device (known as a PFD or “life jacket”) with a maximum chest size of 52″. PFD’s are critical river running gear and are required by the National Park Service.
* Be able to climb into and out of a raft or canoe which may have wet or slippery surfaces.
* Navigate uneven terrain on hikes, at camp and by the river’s edge.
* Carry your own dry bag, sleeping bag and pad.
* Use an outdoor, non-flushing, chemical toilet.
* Willingness to wear a hat, sufficient clothing and sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun’s rays.
* When the trip is run in canoes, a willingness and ability to paddle – not Olympic style – for extended periods.
Departure Time
8:30 a.m. — please arrive at 8:15 a.m.
Availability
Every Thursday in March.
2020 departure dates are: March 5, 12, 19, 26
Trip Details
Price
$369 adults
$315 kids under 12.
This trip requires a 20% non-refundable deposit with the balance due 5 days prior to the date of the trip.
Required minimum age
5 years old
Children must be able to:
*Fit into a Type 5 personal flotation device (known as a PFD or “life jacket”) with a maximum chest size of 52″. PFD’s are critical river running gear and are required by the National Park Service.
* Be able to climb into and out of a raft or canoe which may have wet or slippery surfaces.
* Navigate uneven terrain on hikes, at camp and by the river’s edge.
* Carry your own dry bag, sleeping bag and pad.
* Use an outdoor, non-flushing, chemical toilet.
* Willingness to wear a hat, sufficient clothing and sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun’s rays.
* When the trip is run in canoes, a willingness and ability to paddle – not Olympic style – for extended periods.
Departure time
8:30 a.m. — please arrive at 8:15 a.m.
Availability
Every Thursday in March.
2020 departure dates are: March 5, 12, 19, 26
Minimum group size
4 people
Meeting point
Far Flung Outdoor Center. Click here to see how to find us.
Tour duration
2 days, 1 night. Return to Far Flung Outdoor Center at approximately 3-4 p.m. on day 2.
Difficulty
Easy; paddling will be required on trips traveling by canoe
About the canoe/raft
Since our river flows are largely regulated by seasonal rainfall and dam releases from Mexico, our ability to predict water levels too far in advance is limited. When planning your multi-day trip on the Rio Grande, please understand that the trip may be conducted by canoe or raft.
About the guide
Certified in wilderness first aid and CPR, our guides are outdoor enthusiasts with many years’ experience of running rivers. They’ll haul the gear and, with a little encouragement, even provide entertainment. Realizing that personal involvement increases one’s enjoyment of a trip, they will welcome your interest in learning how to row, paddle or better understand the desert plant and animal life. Our staff will enrich your experience by sharing their knowledge of Big Bend’s extensive natural and human history.
Guaranteed Smiles All Round!
Remember when you were young and your parents took you on all sorts of family vacations? Admit it. You rolled your eyes when Dad said, “let’s load the car and go camping!” But now that you’re older and have children of your own, those memories are what make a childhood. Because Far Flung knows what makes a family trip special, we’ve created a fun-filled adventure that will impart the same knowledge and experiences to your children. This overnight trip is all about the young ones! Sure, we’ll feed and water you adults, but make no mistake – this trip is all about kid stuff – exploring, playing, swimming, imagining, and building memories. We time these trips to run during the spring break season, so mark your calendar and pack your gear for the time of your life in Big Bend!
* Since our flows are largely regulated by seasonal rainfall and dam releases from Mexico, our ability to predict water levels too far in advance is limited. When planning your multi-day trip on the Rio Grande, please understand that the trip may be conducted by canoe or raft.
Inclusions
INCLUDED |
NOT INCLUDED |
|---|---|
| Transport to the river (15-passenger van) | Sleeping bag, pad, and personal gear |
| The friendliest expert guides | Energy surcharge |
| PFD (personal flotation device) | Texas sales tax at 8.25% |
| Waterproof bags for personal items | Tips |
| Tents | |
| River equipment | |
| Stories of the river | |
| Kids games | |
| Safety talk | |
| All park use fees | |
| All meals* |
*See “accommodation and meals” tab for sample menus
What to bring
Comfortable, loose fitting clothing
Light jacket in cooler months
Long pants and warm socks for night
River sandals or old tennis shoes
One pair of shoes for camp
Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen
Insect repellent
Water bottle
Sleeping bag & pad (see sleeping arrangements below)
Small camp pillow
Small hand towel, soap, and toiletries
Moisturizer/skin lotion
Wet wipes (small package)
Personal medications
{Optional} Camera
{Optional} Your own supply of soft drinks (no glass, please!)
{Optional} Small ice chest (no foam chests, please!)
Accommodation & meals
We furnish tent lodging which sleeps two people comfortably. If you are traveling alone, you will have your own tent, however, you should bring your own sleeping bag and pad. We have a limited quantity of sleeping bags and pads for rent at $7/day each. Our pads are 2 inches thick and are much more comfortable than the traditional, thin pad you might take on a backpacking trip. Sleeping bags are 3 season and are freshly laundered after each use. Please contact our office(opens in a new tab) at 432-371-2633 to reserve a bag and/or pad.
Meals can vary, but below is a typical day of meals. Guests with food restrictions should let us know at least 7 days in advance so we can plan accordingly.
Breakfast: eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, fresh fruit, coffee, tea, and juice.
Lunch: a deli-style spread of foods such as meats, cheese, fruit, chips, pickles, cookies, and pasta or tuna salad.
Dinner: fish, chicken, steaks, pork chops, pasta, vegetables, salads, dutch oven dessert. Ice water will be available throughout the day and tea and lemonade mixes are available at meals. We also provide a range of kid-friendly meals such as pizza and spaghetti!
Frequently Asked Questions
Because the trip will take us through primitive areas of Big Bend, bathroom facilities are limited. The put-ins and take-outs along the half-day section have compost type toilets. Our guides will carry a basic toilet system, but your choice of restroom will be “pink or blue” bushes or large rocks. You will have access to the Far Flung Outdoor Center restrooms before and after the trip.
You will NOT need a passport or any form of identification to float the Rio Grande, however due to Homeland Security regulations, we won’t be stopping on the Mexican side of the river for hikes, snacks, or other activities.
If you are NOT a U.S. citizen, we strongly advise you to bring your passport, visa, or other related documentation which will not be required on the river but will be needed to clear Border Patrol checkpoints on your way out of the Big Bend area.
We have a retail store complete with t-shirts, shorts, hats, sunglasses, sunscreen, water bottles, and many other outdoor accessories. Our store will be open before and after your trip in the event you need to purchase any last minute article or trip mementos.
Multi-day river trips require a 20% non-refundable deposit with the balance due 5 days prior to the date of the trip. Cancellations 5 days prior to departure forfeit the deposit amount. Cancellations (including no-shows) within 5 days of the trip departure forfeit the entire cost of the trip.
(Specialty trips will have stricter cancellation policies.)
FFOC reserves the right to alter, modify or cancel any trip or a portion of any trip due to weather, water levels or the safety and convenience of our guests. It is the intent of FFOC to operate the river tours in cases where the safety of our guests is not compromised. Guests should appreciate that inclement weather may not be cause for a trip cancellation.
Trip participants must understand and appreciate that river rafting, canoeing, and wilderness travel involve certain inherent risks. These risks include, but are not limited to, loss of or damage to personal property, personal injury, or fatality resulting from: capsize of raft or canoe, collision with a vehicle, vessel, rock, log, tree or other obstacles; falling while aboard a raft; accident or illness in remote places with limited or no medical facilities; and exposure to temperature extremes or inclement weather.
We require all of our guests to sign an agreement and acknowledgment of risk before taking the trip. From time to time, we use photographs and videos of our trips for promotional and business purposes. By going on our trip, you consent to the use of your image, without compensation, for FFOC marketing activities. See you on the river!
We were a party of 10 with children starting at age 7 and We had an amazing time kayaking down the Rio Grande! Our guides were Awesome!!
Read more
Beautiful views, a stress free float on the river and our experienced guides offered great facts, tips and good storytelling![…] Thanks, guys…we had a great time!
Read more
On the day of the event, the instructions were clear and the guides were friendly and very knowledgeable. They made the excursion a safe, meaningful and overall fun experience. Super guys! No problems with the equipment.
Read more
Get Out & Explore
Fresh coffee & merch
While you’re at the Far Flung Outdoor Center, start your day off right by indulging in a fresh cup of coffee, homemade muffins, bagels, and kolaches at our on-site coffee shop. Once you’re recharged and ready to go, head on over to our retail shop, pick up some merch, and head out into Big Bend wearing your new threads!
