Big Bend National Park Self Guided Audio Tour Guide

By Shaka Guide Apps

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Free cancellation available

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Features

Free cancellation available
9h
Mobile voucher
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Overview

Welcome to Big Bend National Park! As your audio tour guide, let me paint a picture of this breathtaking landscape. Imagine rugged canyons, towering cliffs, and the winding Rio Grande River.

Listen closely to the calls of diverse wildlife echoing through the desert. Hike the trails, marvel at the stunning vistas, and soak in the serenity of this remote wilderness.

From stunning sunsets to star-filled skies, every moment here is a masterpiece of nature. So, sit back, relax, and let's embark on an unforgettable adventure through Big Bend National Park.

Download the Shaka Guide app to access your purchased tours.

Activity location

Mule Ears Viewpoint
- 79834, Big Bend National Park, Texas, United States

Meeting/Redemption Point

53629 A
- 53629 A
- 79852, Terlingua, Texas, United States

Multiple meeting/redemption points available, see location information for full list

Check availability

Big Bend National Park Self Guided Audio Tour Guide in English

Earn $0.48
9h
Opening hours: Sat 12:00am-11:30pm
English

Travelers

Language options: English

Price details

$15.99 x 1 Traveler$15.99

Total

What's included, what's not

Take the tour when you want
Tours NEVER expire
Audio narration that plays automatically as you drive using GPS
Freedom to explore at your own pace
Offline map (map and GPS work completely offline - no wifi or data needed)
Tour Start is Customizable
Turn-by-turn directions using GPS
Hours of audio narration with stories, travel tips and music
Parking Fees
Entrance Fees
Meals and Refreshments
Boquillas Crossing Fee

Know before you book

Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Travelers must have a smartphone compatible with the Shaka Guide app.
The app must be downloaded and the tour redeemed before arrival.
Strong Wi-Fi or cellular data is required to download the tour in advance.
Location services (GPS) must be enabled on the device
Travelers are responsible for securing any required entrance passes, reservations, or permits before starting
The tour takes between 1-2 days to complete.
The park is open 24/7.
$30 entrance fee per car, valid for 7 days. Credit or debit card only.

Activity itinerary

Sam Nail Ranch

In 1916, Sam Nail built a two-room house here, and together with his wife Nena, raised livestock, planted pecan, walnut, and fig trees, and raised a family. The trail from the road is really easy, about a half-mile round trip, and it takes you to what’s left of these orchards, and of the house.

Sotol Vista

This incredible view just off the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive takes in a 360-degree view of much of the western half of the park, including Santa Elena Canyon out in the distance.

Mule Ears Viewpoint

A parking lot provides an easy view of the unusual Mul Ears mountain, a volanic rock formation that looks like a pair of mule ears.

Tuff Canyon Overlook

Three overlooks offer a glimpse into this small canyon. A trail from the southern parking lot descends into the canyon. The hike is less than a mile round trip and takes about an hour. At the time of writing, this stop was temporarily indefinitely after some rock slides.

Castolon

Explore the remnants of this early 20th-century community near the U.S./Mexico border. Buildings like the Alvino House and La Harmonia store interpret what life was like for the multicultural community that lived here 100 years ago. While you're here, check out the visitor center to learn more about the area, and stock up on snacks and supplies at the store.

Santa Elena Canyon Overlook

This easily accessible viewpoint offers a stunning view of Santa Elena Canyon's mouth.

Santa Elena Canyon Trail

Enjoy the mouth of the imposing Santa Elena Canyon, with walls 1500 feet high, just a few dozen steps away from the parking lot. There is a trail into the canyon, but reaching the trailhead requires a water crossing that may not be advisable in high water or heavy mud. If you do reach the trail on the other side, it's a 1.6-mile round trip and considered easy, aside from a couple of places with steps.

Dorgan Sublett Trail

This easy, 1-mile round trip hike takes you to the remnants of two pioneer homes belonging to the Dorgan and Sublett families. The Dorgan family's adobe house provides an interesting playground for photographers, with a stunning background vista of rock formations and the Chisos Mountains.

Homer Wilson Ranch

A pulloff along the scenic drive provides access to a small observation deck to see the old Homer Wilson Ranch, what's left of a rancher's home from the early to mid-20th century. You can see the house from the observation deck, or take a 1-mile round trip hike to the house. The trail takes about 30 minutes and is considered easy, though it crosses two drainages that may flood.

Chisos Mountains

You could easily spend the day up in Chisos Basin, where the higher altitude means consistently cooler temperatures than the rest of the park. Start at the visitor center for a trail map, or the store to gear up on snacks and supplies. Grab a meal at the Chisos Mountains Lodge. Or take any of the several hiking trails. Everyone ought to take the 0.3-mile Window View Trail, a paved walkway that leads to a view of "The Window" in the Chisos Mountains. The 5-mile round trip, moderately difficult Lost Mine Trail is also popular.

Panther Junction Visitor Center

This is the primary visitor center in the park. Watch the park video, browse the gift shop, or check out the displays on the area's geography and ecosystems. You can also stroll through a garden of local plant life outside near the parking lot.

Fossil Discovery Exhibit

This unique outdoor museum showcases the diverse fossil collection that has been discovered in Big Bend. Browse the real and replicated fossils that span over 65 million years of history.

Dugout Wells

This oasis was once home to a school for the area's children. Today, you can take the half-mile Chihuahuan Desert Nature Trail loop that explores the oasis as well as the surrounding desert plant life. It's a bumpy dirt road off the park road to reach Dugout Wells.

Hot Springs Trailhead

Along the Rio Grande is what remains of a hot springs resort from the early 20th century. The hot springs are still there, along with the foundations of the bathhouse, accessible about a half mile down the trail. There are also some buildings left from the community, creating a small historic district. Additionally, along the trail is a spot with some old pictographs. The historic district, and trailhead, are accessible down a two-mile gravel road.

Rio Grande Overlook

This overlook stands above the Rio Grande Village area, with the greenery surrounding the river in plain sight.

Rio Grande Village Visitor Center

Learn about the Rio Grande at this visitor center just a quarter mile from the campground. You can also get information about the Boquillas Crossing and the area's trails from a park ranger.

Rio Grande Village Nature Trail

Located in the back of the Rio Grande Village campground, this 0.75-mile nature trail starts with a series of boardwalks through wetlands and then leads to the Rio Grande itself. This is an easy trail and a good one for wildlife viewing and birdwatching.

Boquillas Crossing

This official port of entry allows you to legally cross the Rio Grande and enter Mexico to visit the remote town of Boquillas del Carmen. There, you can experience a small sample of Mexican culture, eat a meal, and do a little souvenir shopping. Make sure to bring your passport!

Boquillas Canyon Overlook

Get a sneak preview of the Boquillas Canyon from this overlook that stands right over the Rio Grande. You can also look into Mexico and catch a glimpse of the town of Boquillas del Carmen.

Boquillas Canyon

Hike into Boquillas Canyon, with walls over 1300 feet tall, and stand on the border between the United States and Mexico. The 1.5-mile round-trip trail is easy, save for the small hill at the very beginning. The trail leads into the canyon, with the Rio Grande in the middle, the United States on one side, and Mexico on the other.

Location

Activity location

Mule Ears Viewpoint
- 79834, Big Bend National Park, Texas, United States

Meeting/Redemption Point

53629 A
- 53629 A
- 79852, Terlingua, Texas, United States
Persimmon Gap
- 79830, Brewster County, Texas, United States

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