Texas: Big Bend National Park

You Are Here:

Home >> Travel >> Four More Desert Playgrounds

Today's Question
Where should I camp in Switzerland with my kids? answer

What's the best volcano to hike up in North America? answer

How can I plan a trip around riding the biggest, fastest roller coasters? answer

Online Favorites

Special Issues

Photo Galleries

Outside Traveler Winter 2005

Four More Desert Playgrounds
Texas: Big Bend National Park

By Kent Black

California: Anza-Borrego Desert State Park | Arizona: Saguaro National Park | New Mexico: White Sands National Monument | Texas: Big Bend National Park


	Cibolo Creek Ranch

The most popular Big Bend attraction is floating the Rio Grande through some of the country's most remote canyons, in the immense Chihuahuan Desert. Santa Elena Canyon, with its 1,500-foot limestone cliffs and Class III–IV rapids, is the most impressive and most frequently rafted, but some of the more isolated lower canyons are well worth seven- to ten-day trips.
SLEEP: Cibolo Creek Ranch began as three forts that cattleman Milton Faver built in 1857 to guard against Apache and Comanche attacks. Lodging is divided up among the forts, spread out on 32,000 acres: 22 rooms at El Cibolo, ten rooms at La Cienega, and a romantic cottage at La Morita. The guest rooms replicate 1880s style, with saltillo floors, cottonwood beams, and Mexican antiques. You'll enjoy the overwhelming fantasy—especially when guides take you on a cattle drive—that you're a very wealthy Texas rancher. (Doubles, $450, including meals; 432-229-3737, www.cibolocreekranch.com) PLAY: Rio Grande Adventures (800-343-1640, www.riograndeadventures.com) and Big Bend River Tours (800-545-4240, www.bigbendrivertours.com) offer rafting trips in the park from about $125 per person for one day to $1,400–$1,500 for ten days.
EAT: Drive 90 minutes north from the park to Marfa, a burgeoning art community and West Texas cow town, for a margarita at Hotel Paisano's 1930s-era bar (432-729-3669, www.hotelpaisano.com).

California: Anza-Borrego Desert State Park | Arizona: Saguaro National Park | New Mexico: White Sands National Monument | Texas: Big Bend National Park

•	Subscribe to Outside and get a FREE Gift!

•	Give the gift of Outside Magazine!

•	Subscribe to Outside Online's free weekly e-mail newsletter featuring gear reviews, fitness advice, galleries, podcasts, and more.