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 bathing suit and towel! 8:30 am Meet Guests at Marathon accommodations. Head south on US 385 south from Marathon to Big Bend National Park. 9:30 am 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. 10:45 am We stop at Park HQ at Panther Junction to enjoy their excellent short video and shop for gifts. 12:00 pm Enjoy a picnic lunch in the Chisos Mountains Basin. "The Basin" is the center of the cool mountain highlands of Big Bend National Park. There is a lodge with 72 rooms, restaurant, convenience store, and visitor center/ranger station. It is 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. 2:30 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. 3:30pm 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.
4:30pm Short stops at points of historic or photographic interest 6:00 pm Drop guests at Marathon accommodations. 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. Tours originating in Marathon are $210 per person for 2-3 guests, $175 for 4-5 guests. For larger groups, contact mike@gobigbend.com or call 432 386-5635
Meet our Guests
Paleontology Exhibit
National Park Headquarters
Chisos Mountains Basin
Ernest Tinaja
Hot Springs Historic Area
Head to Marathon
Arrive Marathon
Please note
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