My husband and I really enjoyed the half day kayak trip. Reed, our leader, was witty and knowledgeable. Caroline was great with assistance. Going down the Rio Grande was one of our favorite experiences while visiting the Big Bend area.
Two glorious days to experience the best of the Wild West, from the Rio Grande river which lazily winds through two countries, to deep valleys and craggy peaks. Escape the chaos of everyday life and reconnect with nature in this vast untamed landscape.
Trip Details
Price
$425/person, plus taxes and energy surcharge
$415/person for children 12 and under, plus taxes and energy surcharge
Departure Dates and Times
Trips depart on Tuesdays
Trips depart at 8:30 a.m. and return the next day around 4 p.m.
*Trips on days other than Tuesday may be available for parties of 8 or more booking at the same time.
Check your time zone against FFOC’s time zone here.
Included
- Transport to the river (15-passenger van)
- PFD (personal flotation device)
- Tents
- All park use fees
- Waterproof bags for personal items
- River equipment
- All meals*
*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.
Not Included
- Sleeping bag, pad, and personal gear
- Texas sales tax at 8.25%
- Energy surcharge of $5/person
- Gratuities (optional and only if our service exceeded your expectations!)
Meeting Location
Far Flung Outdoor Center (click here for directions)
Type of Boat Used
Canoes or rafts, depending on water levels
Recommended Minimum Age
8 years
Difficulty
Easy; paddling is required on trips traveling by canoe
Deposit and Cancellation
$50/person, non-refundable deposit at the time of booking.
Final balance is due 10 days prior to departure.
Other Terms and Conditions
Prices do not include energy surcharge, sales tax or gratuities
Off day trips may be available for parties of 8 or more bookings at the same time
Special Considerations
Please understand that this trip will be run in canoes, unless high water requires us to move to rafts.
Overnight trips are usually operated in Santa Elena Canyon, but depending on water levels and time of year, the trip may travel upstream from the mouth of the canyon exit or into another canyon along the Rio Grande.
Please check with our office to discuss current and future water conditions.
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 $50/person, non-refundable deposit with the balance due 10 days prior to the date of the trip. Cancellations 10 days prior to departure forfeit the deposit amount. Cancellations (including no-shows) within 10 days of the trip departure forfeit the entire cost of the trip.
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 canoeing, kayaking, rafting 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, canoe or kayak; 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!
The tour was very well organised & professionally run. It was a big group but we had several guides who ran the tour well. Erica & Reed in particular gave us lots of interesting information about Big Bend & the Rio Grande.
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If you like scenic river and mountain views, solitude, and camping out under the stars, the three day river trip was amazing. Hopefully we will be back again for a longer trip.
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The FFOC staff were over the top friendly and very knowledgeable. Most of our group was very inexperienced in this sport, yet everyone felt safe knowing the guides were always close by. I can not say enough good things about this company and the experience my mates and I had. I highly recommend FFOC to anyone who wants to float the river in the Big Bend area.
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A Preview of Your Trip
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!
