One of the most remote, wildly beautiful, and peaceful places in America, Big Bend National Park is often a surprise even to native Texans. The daily hikes will cover a variety of landscapes and our three ecosystems - mountain peaks to desert springs and river trails. Throughout the week, field studies will be interwoven with the hiking. Geological history spanning millions of years, the search for edible plants that allowed human inhabitation for thousands of years, and a discussion of the "brief" era of the dinosaurs (a mere 20 million years) will add to the appreciation and mystique of what the early Spanish explorers called "El Desolado" - the empty land.

Daily hikes up to 6 miles a day; 5-6 hours of active physical involvement. Terrain varies from desert floor to mountain trails and is generally rocky and uneven. Elevation gains of up to 1,250 feet on some hikes. Due to the size of Big Bend National Park, full days with a field lunch are often spent away from the accommodations.

Program in association with Far Flung Outdoor Center.

Big Bend National Park

Bordering the Rio Grande, Big Bend is one of the largest and least visited national parks. Its dramatic canyons, desert expanses and Chisos Mountain range are home to exceptionally diverse plant and animal life. Big Bend offers a unique opportunity to experience an ancient and austere landscape in relative solitude.