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General questions
We are located on Farm Road 170 about a half mile west of the intersection of Highway 118 and Farm Road 170. We are on the left hand (south) side of FM 170 as you travel towards the Terlingua ghost-town and Lajitas. Our office facilities are in a tan metal building with red trim. Look for the large yellow sign with our name and logo. If you want to see directions by train, plane and car please visit our location page.
Far Flung is on the river just about every day of the year – as we have been for over 30 years. We’re just not seeing the “violence” portrayed in the movies and news. Could it happen? Sure, but our trips have not experienced any contact with individuals who might be aggressive or confrontational. We might argue that you’re more likely to see daily violence in a big city somewhere.
Law enforcement in this area is top drawer and vigilant. Keep in mind that since we have two large public parks – Big Bend National Park and Big Bend State Park – our community is protected by Park Rangers, Border Patrol, Brewster County Sheriff’s officers and Homeland Security – just to name a few. Senior officials of the Border Patrol have indicated to us that they see most of the “violence” in urban settings and not in rural, remote locations like Big Bend.
If you’re interested in this topic and are looking to learn more, why not check out our blog post on border security?
We are open everyday of the year!
Maybe. Sometimes. Well, okay. In town you can get a signal, but get away from the Terlingua metropolitan area and forget about it. They are putting in two new towers next year, so we should see some improvement. But, after all, isn’t that what you’re wanting to get away from?
We do. Our cafe opened a couple of years back and our coffee and muffins have since got everyone talking. Come down and try them for yourself!
We don’t have an online shop – all sales/purchases are made in our on-site store. Get down to the Far Flung Outdoor Center, experience the place, and get the t-shirt to prove it.
We sure do, you can view it and download it here.
Lodging questions
Check-in time is at 3 p.m. Check-out time is at 11 a.m.
We don’t serve breakfast but your casita comes equipped with all the pots, pans and dishes you need to make your own!
Yes, there is.
No, but there is one just up the road from us!
Yes, we light it at dark-thirty.
Yes, there is. The selection can be limited so we recommend bringing any specialty food, meat, and produce you’d like to have during your stay.
No, we’ve got you covered!
We’ve got some great food in these parts. About 8-10 eating establishments depending on the time of year.
Yes, each casita is equipped with free WiFi.
River Trips Questions
Our guides are outdoor enthusiasts with many years of running rivers. They’ll haul the gear, organize hikes 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.
Many guests ask us whether tipping the guides is appropriate. If you believe the guides have exceeded your service expectations, please feel free to leave a tip (10-15% of the trip price is normal). Tipping is by no means required.
On our one-day trips we serve a “build it yourself” style lunch with deli meats, cheeses, bread, chips, salsa, condiments and a dessert.
Meals on our multi-day trips consist of a meat or fish entree, 2 vegetables, salad and dessert.
Big Bend is a scenic wonderland. We encourage you to bring a camera. We have waterproof bags available to store your equipment, but please remember this is a water activity, and there are no guarantees. Our retail store stocks a full complement of disposable cameras.
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.
Please refer to section below about what to wear. We also recommend you bring a windbreaker/fleece jacket (months of November – April), rain jacket or poncho (months of June – October), hat or cap (wide brim hats are preferred!), sunglasses, sunscreen and lip balm, and a water bottle (we have plenty of iced water!). Optionals include camera, binoculars, your own supply of soft drinks (no glass, please!), and small ice chest (no foam chests, please!)
Dress for the river is normally shorts, swimsuit, hat or visor, t-shirt, and river sandals or old tennis shoes for the warmer months. In cooler months, layering your clothing is strongly recommended. We will provide waterproof bags so that you can take off or put on clothes as necessary. Do not bring good shoes for the river – they will get wet! If you choose to wear sandals, they should have ankle straps.
Jeep Tours Questions
We use Jeep YJ Wranglers for all our 3-hour tours that have been specially designed for Far Flung. These “safari-style” vehicles have covered tops to protect against the sun and open sides for great viewing and picture taking. We conduct our longer day trips by Hummers or Suburbans in order to provide a more comfortable ride with air conditioning and heating.
All our 3-hour jeep tours are suitable for kids and families, but we find that our day trips can be a long day for younger ones. Check out the trip details on each of our tours to find out more about age requirements.
There is no experience required for any of 3-hour tours, but some of our longer tours are more suited to experienced explorers, a.k.a. Big Benders, who have a better idea of the roughness and sheer scale of the park. Check out the trip details of each tour to find out more about experience levels.
Yes, most definitely! Your guide will regularly pull over and take you on short walks to closer inspect points of interest, desert flora, geological formations, and viewpoints.
Deli meats, cheeses, condiments, dips, chips, fresh fruit, dessert, tea, and lemonade are always on the menu. Please contact us at least 48 hours in advance if you have special dietary needs. We will make every effort to accommodate your needs, however, please understand that our nearest full service grocery store is 150 miles to the north.
Although not essential, we recommend (for a full Big Bend experience) that you visit the park in a vehicle suitable for some degree of off-roading, a 4 wheel drive such as an SUV, Jeep, or Hummer.