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 deli-style boxed lunch with a sandwich, fruit, chips, and cookies.

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.

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. Our multi-day trips provide a Groover-style bathroom.

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.