Big Bend Adventure

🏕️ Big Bend National Park Adventure

February 10–14, 2027 | 5 Days, 4 Nights | Departing from Houston

Trade the city for towering canyon walls, mountain trails, spectacular night skies, and five days with people who love getting outside. We’ll take care of transportation, campsites, meals, and trip planning. You bring your sense of adventure!

Our home base is tent camping in the Chisos Basin. We’ll explore the mountains and desert, paddle on the water, and spend evenings together at camp. You don’t need to organize a carpool, cook every meal, or convince your friends to come along.

Limited to 20 guests. Adults only. No dogs or RVs.

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What’s Included

🚐 Round-Trip Transportation from Houston

Ride with the group in passenger vans from Houston and to our planned trailheads. No long drive behind the wheel or hunting for parking at busy trails.

🥾 Guided Hikes and Flexible Options

Join guided group hikes led by our event leadership. If you prefer a shorter or less strenuous outing, self-guided alternatives will be offered. You can choose the experience that fits your ability and interests. The final guided hike schedule will be shared closer to departure.

🍳 Meals and Camp Kitchen

Group meals are included, with meal planning and camp cooking equipment handled by BCO. Food service begins with our departure from Houston. Everyone helps with shared meal preparation, cleanup, and camp duties. Bring your own beverages and any extra snacks you’d like.

Dietary needs? Include restrictions in your registration notes. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free requests can be accommodated with advance notice.

🛶 Half-Day Kayaking Adventure

Enjoy a beginner-friendly half-day paddling adventure with kayaking equipment included. The exact outing will depend on conditions and the finalized schedule.

⛺ Four Nights of Tent Camping

Your reserved group campsite in the Chisos Basin and national park entrance fees are included. Enjoy mountain scenery by day and Big Bend’s famous dark skies by night.

💪 Get Ready Before You Go

You’ll receive a pre-trip hiking training guide, opportunities to join group training hikes in Houston, and an in-person pre-trip meeting to go over logistics and meet your fellow travelers.

👥 A Small Group to Explore With

With no more than 20 guests and dedicated event leadership, this is an adventure with a built-in group. Come for the scenery and leave with new people to explore with.

🎒 Limited Loaner Gear

Some tents and ground pads are available to borrow on a first-come, first-served basis. Request these early. Bring your own sleeping bag and personal camping gear. BCO provides the shared camp kitchen, including stoves, fuel, cooking pots, utensils, and a French press for coffee.

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Your Big Bend Adventure: Pricing

BCO Members: $599 per person

Non-Members: $699 per person
Includes three months of BCO membership.

Five days of exploring without having to arrange the vans, reserve the campsites, plan the meals, or organize the group yourself.

Adults Only | No Dogs | No RVs | Tent Camping

RSVP below!

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Tentative Five-Day Itinerary

This is a sample of the places and trails we’re considering, not a promise that every listed activity will happen. Guided group hikes, self-guided alternatives, kayaking, driving times, and weather-dependent activities will be coordinated closer to the trip. You won’t be expected to complete every hike.

Wednesday, February 10: Houston to Big Bend

Meet at our Houston departure point, travel together to Big Bend, set up camp in the Chisos Basin, and settle into our first evening together. Activities on arrival depend on our travel schedule.

Potential trail: The Window | Moderate | Approximately 5.6 miles round trip. This trail descends through Oak Creek Canyon toward the dramatic Window pour-off. The return is uphill; use caution near the exposed, slippery rock at the pour-off.

Thursday, February 11: Chisos Mountains

Explore the mountain trails, with a more challenging guided hike and self-guided alternatives for those seeking a shorter day. Exact routes and group assignments will be confirmed.

South Rim | Strenuous | Approximately 12–14.5 miles round trip. A major mountain hike with roughly 2,000 feet of elevation gain and remarkable rim views. Seasonal trail closures may affect the route.

Emory Peak | Strenuous | Approximately 10.5 miles round trip. A steep ascent to the park’s highest peak, including an exposed rock scramble near the summit.

Lost Mine Trail | Moderate | Approximately 4.8 miles round trip. A scenic climb through mountain vegetation to sweeping views of Juniper Canyon. A shorter turnaround at the saddle is possible.

Chisos Basin Loop | Moderate | Approximately 1.8 miles round trip. A shorter walk with mountain and Window views.

Interested in an overnight South Rim backpacking option? Contact the organizer in advance. This would require separate planning and appropriate permits; it is not part of the standard guided itinerary.

Friday, February 12: Rio Grande and Desert Exploration

Potential outings include the Boquillas Canyon area, desert trails, historic sites, and the Hot Springs area, subject to road access and conditions. A visit to Mexico, if offered, is optional and requires the appropriate travel documents.

Boquillas Canyon Trail | Moderate | Approximately 1.4 miles round trip. Walk toward the river and canyon walls, with views across the Rio Grande.

Hot Springs Historic Trail | Easy | Approximately 1 mile round trip. Explore historic ruins and riverside scenery, subject to current access.

Hot Springs Canyon Trail | Moderate | Approximately 6 miles round trip. An exposed riverside and bluff route with little shade.

Other possibilities include Ernst Tinaja and nearby desert walks. Shower opportunities outside the campground, if available, will be communicated before departure.

Saturday, February 13: Santa Elena Canyon and Kayaking

Explore the Santa Elena Canyon area, with our included half-day kayaking outing scheduled as conditions and logistics allow. We may also visit Terlingua or stop at other desert viewpoints.

Santa Elena Canyon Trail | Moderate | Approximately 1.7 miles round trip. A Big Bend classic featuring dramatic canyon walls and a riverside path. Creek flooding can make the trail impassable.

Sunday, February 14: Breakfast, Pack Up, and Return to Houston

Enjoy breakfast, pack up camp, and ride back to Houston together.

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Camping, Facilities, and What to Expect

Campground: Group tent camping in the Chisos Basin. Space is limited, so please bring a two-person or small four-person tent only. No RVs.

Electricity: Do not plan on having electricity at camp. Bring charged power banks and charging cables.

Water and restrooms: Campground facilities and water availability have changed in the past. Please plan to bring your own drinking water until current arrangements are confirmed at the pre-trip meeting. We will communicate the verified restroom situation before departure.

Showers: No showers at the group campsite. Do not rely on off-site showers until current access is confirmed.

Weather: Expect variable desert and mountain temperatures. Bring layers for chilly mornings and nights, sun protection, and sturdy hiking footwear.

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What to Bring

• Small tent and sleeping pad or air mattress, unless you’ve confirmed loaner availability
• Sleeping bag, pillow, and camping chair
• Plate, bowl, cup, and eating utensils
• Personal beverages, reusable water containers, drinking water, and optional snacks
• Hiking shoes, camp shoes, and layered clothing
• Hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, long sleeves, and other sun protection
• Headlamp or flashlight, extra batteries, and power banks
• Toiletries, wipes, toothbrush, toothpaste, and towel
• Personal medications, basic first-aid supplies, and insect repellent
• Cooler if needed; no glass or Styrofoam
• Government-issued identification and any required immigration documents
• Passport and any required entry documents only if you choose an optional Mexico visit
• Optional games and earplugs for a more comfortable night at camp

Important border-area note: There may be an immigration checkpoint on the return route even if you never enter Mexico. Carry documentation appropriate to your status.

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Departure and Pre-Trip Details

Houston meeting point: Addicks Park & Ride. Exact meeting time and final departure instructions will be sent to registered guests.

View the Houston meeting point on Google Maps

We’ll hold an in-person pre-trip meeting to cover the final schedule, gear, shared camp duties, and any updates to park facilities. Activity signups and adjustments may also be coordinated during the trip.

Sign up for Big Bend trip updates

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Refund Policy

• Before January 1, 2027: 90% refund.
• On or after January 1, 2027: No refund unless we fill your spot, in which case 90% will be refunded.

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Ready for Big Bend?

Mountain trails, canyon scenery, kayaking, camp meals, and a whole group of people to experience it with. We’ll handle the logistics so you can enjoy the adventure.

BCO Members $599 | Non-Members $699 (includes 3 months of membership)

Sign up below!