Big Bend Boating and Hiking Company — Local services in Manuel Benavides

I was referred to these guys off of the house I booked on Airbnb but the ghost town tour said it was booked. I sent a message to Erica and she called me right away and get me booked on the exact tour I wanted. She then told me about the river tour as well and we decided to sign up for that as well. She then sent me a very detailed email and itinerary about the tour and the river trip. It only got better from there. She also sent me another email about Big Bend National Park and several hiking and other options for my family and I. The ghost town tour that Erica provided us was both educational as well as entertaining. She shared so much knowledge about the history of Terlingua, as well as what keeps this little town around today. She covered everything and had us done just in time for dinner! The next day was our river trip and when we met up with the group, we had the privilege of meeting Erica's twin sister Erin. Aside from the different hair style, you could not tell these two apart. The incredible wealth of knowledge they have for this area is incredible. Erin and her team drove us about an hour to our put in and during that hour drive through the National Park, she talked about everything we were seeing (vegetation, mountain ranges, animals, etc.). She also talked about the town of Terlingua as well and added some things that Erica didn't mention so it wasn't repetitive at all. These women have done their homework!! Her team got us on the water in no time. Once we got on the water Erin and her two other guides had our safety in mind always. We never had any doubts we were in good hands. She continued to talk about what we were seeing and more about the canyon. We were sad to see the trip end because we had such an amazing time. These two sisters and staff that we had the privilege to meet are nothing short of first class. If you have a family, or are older, or just want to enjoy and learn what this amazing place has to offer you need to use this company. The state of Tennessee is nice enough to let Big Bend borrow these two for 1/2 the year and anyone who books a trip with them will be able to see why! My family and I can't thank you both enough for making our trip...

Amazing experience from the very beginning until the very end.

I was looking for a company to help a group of us float down the Santa Elena canyon to honor my mother’s first heavenly birthday. The Rio Grande was important to her as it is right in between Mexico and America, just like she was.

I’m so glad I called Big Bend Boating and Hiking company first. Erica quickly responded to my email and with a gracious heart, listened to my plans and helped me plan the canoe trip. She was very thorough in explaining the low water levels and warning me that this may be a more physically demanding trip as we would have to get in and out of the canoes. Due to the nature of this trip for us, she made sure to book us as a private party so we wouldn’t have to float with any other customers. I spoke to Erica the day before the float and she let us know that the road to get into Santa Elena was closed due to the rains the week prior. She let me know there was an option to start a mile before the canyon but it was going to be hard work as we were going to be floating (and kinda hiking) upstream. I expressed to her that I wasn’t letting anything stop me and she said great, the guide would help us.

We met at the headquarters at 9 in the morning. Read their email! Apple Maps took us 9 miles north. If I had read their directions, I would have known exactly where it was. Amanda was there to greet us once we finally arrived. I think she was the perfect guide for us. She was clear with her explanations and made us feel at ease. This was our third trip down to the Big Bend area and she gave us facts and history I’d never heard. She put it in a way that was interesting and understandable. She helped us navigate the low waters and gave us clear directions out on the river. We gave her a workout! She was pulling canoes and even tied her canoes to one of ours to help us paddle. She saved me when I got stuck in some very sinky mud. Amanda was amazing in the way she would let us have our moments of quiet and reflection as we remembered our mother.

What an amazing experience. I would definitely book with these great...

We recently had the pleasure of going on a canoe trip along the Rio Grande in Big Bend State Park, and despite some unexpected changes in plans due to the weather, I must say it was an incredibly enjoyable experience.

Unfortunately, we were unable to boat on the Santa Helena canyon as originally planned, but I have to commend the outfitter for making the best out of the situation. They quickly adapted and ensured that we still had a fantastic time despite the unforeseen circumstances.

One thing that really stood out to me was the effort they made to prepare a refreshing lunch for us. Good food is always a welcome addition to any trip, and it definitely added to the overall experience. It kept us energized and ready for the rest of the adventure.

What impressed me even more was the educational aspect incorporated into the trip. Andrew took the opportunity to share fascinating insights about the geology and culture of the area, enhancing the journey in a meaningful way. Learning about our surroundings and understanding the context in which we were exploring truly added depth to the experience.

Furthermore, I couldn't help but appreciate the laughter and good times we had along the way. Andrew’s friendly and engaging approach made a noticeable difference in creating a positive and enjoyable atmosphere. It's moments like these that make a trip truly memorable.

Overall, I have to say that despite the change in plans, Big Bend Boating and Hiking went above and beyond to ensure that we had an incredible time on our canoe trip along...