Big Bend East features easy hikes to destinations in the mountains, the desert, and on the Rio Grande. Hike Lost Mine Trail to an overlook with a hundred mile view. Explore the geological wonders of Ernst Tinaja, and the fascinating history at Hot Springs Historic Area. Bring a bathing suit and towel! 8:00 am Meet guests at Alpine hotels. Can meet guests in Marfa or Fort Davis at 7:15 am, guests in Marathon at 8:45 am. Depart Alpine via US 90 east, then south from Marathon on US 385 south. 9:45 am This open-air museum guides visitors through millions of years of geology, with displays and sculptures depicting habitats of these remote times, and the creatures who once inhabited them. 11:00 am Enjoy a picnic lunch in the Chisos Mountains Basin. The Chisos Mountains Basin is in the cool mountain highlands of Big Bend National Park. There is a lodge with 72 rooms, restaurant, and convenience store. The Basin is the jumping-off point for a variety of wilderness trails. We will take a short walk on the Window View Trail, and then have a tasty picnic lunch al fresco. 1:30 pm Tinaja is Spanish for “small basin”. In Big Bend, where there are many hard rock dry creek beds, thousands of years of periodic flash floods have carved natural basins, some of which hold water year round. Ernst Tinaja was named for a turn-of-the-20th century entrepreneur who established a trading post nearby during the mining boom of that era. This is a fascinating, easy walk. 3:00pm 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 into the Rio Grande at 105 F. Langford developed a spa resort and hotel, remains of which today include a 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 del Norte.
4:30pm We stop at Park HQ at Panther Junction to enjoy an excellent short video and shop for gifts. 5:00 pm Drive through west side of Big Bend NP to Study Butte, then take TX 118 north 90 minutes to Alpine. 6:30 pm Drop Alpine guests off at their local accommodation. Deliver guests to Marfa, Fort Davis, or Marathon by 7:15 pm. Times are estimated. We are always happy to be 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. Originating Alpine, 2-3 guests, $200 per guest. 4-5 guests, $175 per guest, Originating Marfa, Marathon, Fort Davis, add $10 per guest. For larger groups, please contact mike@gobigbend.com or call 432 386-5635. Big Bend Texas Travel is licensed to operate tours by vehicle, on foot, by raft or canoe within big Bend National Park.
Meet our Guests
Paleontology Exhibit
Chisos Mountains Basin
Ernest Tinaja
Hot Springs Historic Area
National Park Headquarters
Return to Base
Arrive Alpine
Please note
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