BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK
PRE/POST TOUR
POST TOUR IS SOLD OUT
Pre Tour:
Available Space | 10
Length | 4 nights, arrive Oct. 16; return to El Paso Oct. 20 for start of core.
Hotel | Gage Hotel (Marathon), Big Bend Motor Inn (Study Butte)
Highlights | Gage Hotel, Gage Gardens, Los Caballos Outcropping, Big Bend National Park, Rio Grande Village, Chisos Mountain Area, Santa Elena Canyon, Hot Springs, The Window, Lost Mine Trail, Mule Ears, Panther Junction, Terlingua Ghosttown Cemetery, Fandango movie site, Fort Leaton State Historic Site – Big Bend Ranch State Park
Physical Ability | Level 2 (moderate)
Hiking is an integral part of this tour as well as the ability to swim
Cost:
-Active $400
-Associate $625
-Emeritus $650
-Spouse $650
Post Tour: SOLD OUT
Available Space | 10
Length | 4 nights, depart El Paso Oct. 24, return to El Paso to fly home Oct. 28.
Hotel | Gage Hotel (Marathon), Big Bend Motor Inn (Study Butte)
Highlights | Gage Hotel, Gage Gardens, Los Caballos Outcropping, Big Bend National Park, Rio Grande Village, Chisos Mountain Area, Santa Elena Canyon, Hot Springs, The Window, Lost Mine Trail, Mule Ears, Panther Junction, Terlingua Ghosttown Cemetery, Fandango movie site, Fort Leaton State Historic Site – Big Bend Ranch State Park
Physical Ability | Level 2 (moderate)
Hiking is an integral part of this tour as well as the ability to swim. Part of this tour’s itinerary will be a river trip – which means participants will get wet, and are advised to not bring any cameras or electronic equipment unless they are waterproof or protected. If participants do choose to bring equipment (small devices, in water resistant bags, for example) they will be required to sign a waiver that the outfitter is not responsible for any losses. All participants will be required to wear a life jacket and be required to know how to swim. There is no actual swimming on the river trip, it is just a risk assessment requirement since the activity is on water.
Cost:
-Active $400
-Associate $625
-Emeritus $650
-Spouse $650
Disclaimer: Tour is subject to change based on number of participants. Visit Big Bend reserves the right to cancel the tour or change the tour itinerary if necessary. Deadline for cancellation to be determined with guidance by SATW.
There will be no refunds for the pre- and post-tours as those funds go to the entities providing the trips.
Description
This four-night journey into one of the nation’s largest but least visited National Parks will reveal the rugged beauty of Far West Texas in a way most people never get to experience. Seasoned guides will take participants to areas of the Park that highlight the amazing desert, river and mountains regions of the only National Park in the U.S. to contain a complete mountain range inside its boundaries.
Pre Tour Day by Day Itinerary
(trip note – El Paso is in the Mountain Time zone while the rest of the itinerary will be in the Central Time zone)
Oct. 16:
Flights arrive El Paso International Airport by 2:00 p.m. MST
2:30 p.m. – Depart El Paso for Marathon (30 miles outside Big Bend National Park)
7:15 p.m. – Pit stop for sunset
7:30 p.m. – Arrive Gage Hotel in Marathon and check in
8:00 p.m. – Dinner: 12 Gage Restaurant
Overnight: Gage Hotel
Oct. 17:
7:30 a.m. – Sunrise at the Gage Gardens
8:00 a.m. – Tour Gage Hotel
9:00 a.m. – Depart for Big Bend National Park
Tour:
-Panther Junction Visitor Center
-View Park Overview Film
Hike: Lost Mine Trail
Dine: Chisos Basin Lodge Restaurant
Sunset at the Window
Overnight: Big Bend Motor Inn
Oct. 18:
All Day: River Trip through BBNP
(includes lunch and a soak at the Hot Springs)
Sunset Hike: Rio Grande Village Nature Trail
Overnight: Big Bend Motor Inn
Oct. 19:
Tour the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive including hikes at:
-The Sam Nail Ranch
-Sotol Vista
-Mule Ears Peaks
-Tuff Canyon
-Castolon Historic District
-Santa Elena Canyon
Overnight: Big Bend Motor Inn
Oct. 20:
Morning:
Depart for El Paso
On the Way:
Terlingua Ghosttown Cemetery
Ride the “River Road”
Stops at:
-“Dom Rock” overlook from the film Fandango
-Fort Leaton Visitor Center – Big Bend Ranch State Park
Arrive El Paso for SATW Conference: 3:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. MST
Post Tour Day by Day Itinerary
(trip note – El Paso is in the Mountain Time zone while the rest of the itinerary will be in the Central Time zone)
Oct. 24:
10am Depart SATW Convention in El Paso for Marathon
Along the Way:
Stop at Prada Marfa
Visit “Giant” Movie set art installation
4:00pm Arrive Gage Hotel in Marathon and check in
4:30pm Tour Gage Hotel & Gardens
7:00pm Dinner: 12 Gage Restaurant
Overnight: Gage Hotel
Oct. 25:
7:30am Sunrise at the Gage Gardens
8:00am Breakfast Oasis Cafe
9:00am Depart for Big Bend National Park
Tour:
Panther Junction Visitor Center
View Big Bend History Film
Hike: Lost Mine Trail
Dine: Chisos Basin Lodge Restaurant
Sunset at the Window
Overnight: Big Bend Motor Inn
Oct. 26
All Day: River Trip through BBNP
(includes lunch and a soak at the Hot Springs)
Sunset Hike: Rio Grande Village Nature Trail
Overnight: Big Bend Motor Inn
Oct. 27
Tour the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive including hikes at:
The Sam Nail Ranch
Sotol Vista
Mule Ears Peaks
Tuff Canyon
Castolon Historic District
Santa Elena Canyon
Overnight: Big Bend Motor Inn
Oct. 28:
7:00am Depart for El Paso
On the Way:
Sunrise at Terlingua Ghosttown Cemetery
Breakfast at Expresso Y Poco Mas
Ride the “River Road”
Stop “Dom Rock” overlook from the film Fandango
Return to El Paso Airport on Oct. 28 by 2 p.m., so make flights accordingly—3:30 pm or after.