Boquillas is an historic mining town across the river from Big Bend National Park. Passport required. Tours include a row boat across the Rio, a ride to town via burro or pick up truck and tasty food from a local restaurant. Shop for arts and crafts before returning to the USA. Next, tour Hot Springs Historic Area, once a resort/spa/trading post. Bring bathing suit and towel!
ALPINE – Big Bend National Park Boquillas and Hot Springs
8:00 am – Meet our Guests
Meet at Alpine hotel. Depart Alpine via US 90 east to Marathon, take US 385 south into Big Bend National Park.
9:45 am – Paleontology Exhibit
This brand new museum takes visitors through millions of years of geology, with displays and sculptures depicting the creatures who once roamed Big Bend as well as their habitats.
11:15 am – Boquillas Crossing
Boquillas Crossing is an official US Port of Entry. From the POE, a 200 yard walk brings one to the banks of the Rio Grande, where a row boat takes you into another country and perhaps another century. Take a burro, horse or pick up truck into town, have an authentic northern Mexican lunch, perhaps a cerveza. Explore the village of 300 souls where local artists create a variety of items out of native materials with local motifs of snakes, birds, scorpions, tarantulas, and of course, burros. Passport required.
2:00 pm – Return to Texas, USA
Boquillas Port of entry is manned by Big Bend National Park law enforcement rangers. Passports and passport cards are scanned and relayed to US Immigration in El Paso. You are on camera; an agent asks you the basic questions via telephone; What was the reason for your trip to Mexico, what are you bringing? It is a simple and fast process.
2:30 pm – Hot Springs Historic Area
In 1906, J.O. Langford arrived in Alpine, Texas, and sight unseen contracted to homestead a property on the Rio Grande, in what is now Big Bend National Park. On this property was a natural thermal spring, flowing in to the Rio Grande at 105 F. Langford developed a spa resort and hotel, the remains of which today include the store, several hotel rooms, and the remains of the bath house where visitors can still soak in the healing waters on the shores of the Rio Grande/Rio Bravo.
4:00 pm – National Park Headquarters
We stop at Park HQ at Panther Junction to enjoy their excellent short video and shop for gifts.
4:30 pm – Return to Base
Drive through west side of Big Bend NP to Study Butte, then take TX 118 north to Alpine.
6:30 pm – Arrive Alpine
Drop guests at Alpine hotels
Please note
Times are estimated. We are always flexible with the itinerary; as long as we get you back in time for dinner. We are happy to arrange custom itineraries and exclusive trips, as well as help plan your complete trip to the beautiful Big Bend.
Price
Tours originating in Alpine are $225 per person for 2-3 guests, $185 for 4-5 guests. For larger groups, contact mike@gobigbend.com or call 432 386-5635
Prices do not include entrance to Big Bend National Park, which is $30 per carload, good for 7 days. There are a variety of different passes that are valid: America the Beautiful, Senior Lifetime, Active Military as well as Big Bend Annual Pass or National Park Annual Pass. If you don’t have one of those, we can save time by going to https://www.recreation.gov/sitepass/74331 and getting one in advance. It asks for vehicle information, simply list your own vehicle.