Beyond the Bend — A Big Bend Expedition

Full Adventure: April 29–May 3, 2027 | Five Days, Four Nights
Weekend Warrior: April 30–May 2, 2027 | Friday–Sunday

Explore Big Bend’s mountains, desert, and river landscapes on a camping expedition featuring an Emory Peak summit attempt, wildlife observation, outdoor cooking, and a planned Rio Grande rafting adventure.

We’ll dedicate a full day to hiking toward the highest point in Big Bend National Park. Other outings bring us closer to the region’s birds, prehistoric history, and river scenery, with time for photography and evenings beneath the stars.

We’ll provide your tent-site camping, meals, cooking, nonalcoholic drinks, and drinking water. Between adventures, return to base camp to relax, share a meal, and enjoy games and conversation. Bring your own camping equipment or reserve an optional rental package for two.

Choose Your Adventure

Full Adventure — April 29–May 3

Enjoy the complete five-day, four-night expedition, including Thursday’s welcome activities and Monday’s final morning outdoors. This option gives you extra time to settle into camp and enjoy Big Bend.

Weekend Warrior — April 30–May 2

Can’t get away for the full expedition? Join us Friday through Sunday for the same activities and hosted amenities during your stay—including the Emory Peak summit attempt, weather-dependent rafting, meals, nonalcoholic drinks, cooking, and tent-site camping.

Weekend Warriors join the group’s Friday–Sunday itinerary, with two camping nights: Friday and Saturday. Plan your Friday arrival around the activities you want to attend; meeting times will be provided before departure.

Select Full Adventure or Weekend Warrior in the offering section when booking. Camping gear rentals and RV-site upgrades are additional-cost enhancements for either package.

Planned Itinerary

April 29 — Arrival & Welcome
Full Adventure guests

Settle into camp, meet the group, and enjoy an introductory walk or sunset orientation. Gather for dinner, a trip briefing, and an evening introduction to Big Bend’s night skies and nocturnal wildlife.

April 30 — Birds, Ancient Landscapes & Outdoor Cooking
Full Adventure and Weekend Warrior guests

Start with morning birdwatching and photography before visiting the Fossil Discovery Exhibit to explore Big Bend’s prehistoric story.

Enjoy a midday break and a hands-on Dutch oven cooking session, adapted to applicable fire restrictions. Finish with dinner and stargazing when skies allow.

May 1 — Summit Emory Peak

Start early for our guided attempt to summit Emory Peak, the highest point in Big Bend National Park.

The strenuous route covers approximately 10–10.5 miles round trip with around 2,500 feet of elevation gain. We’ll reserve the full day for the climb, breaks, photography, and descent.

The final summit section requires an exposed rock scramble using hands and feet. That section is optional and subject to guide assessment, conditions, and participant ability; reaching the summit is not guaranteed. Return to camp for dinner and a restful evening.

May 2 — Rio Grande Rafting Adventure

Head toward the river for a planned guided rafting outing with a local outfitter, enjoying a different perspective on Big Bend’s canyon landscapes.

Rafting depends on weather, suitable river levels, and outfitter confirmation. The route and watercraft will be chosen for conditions; whitewater rapids are not guaranteed. If rafting cannot proceed, we’ll adjust the day with suitable land-based exploration, photography, or camp activities.

Weekend Warrior guests depart Sunday after their scheduled activities. Full Adventure guests stay for a final evening at camp.

May 3 — One Last Morning Outside
Full Adventure guests

Enjoy breakfast and a final morning walk, birdwatching session, or photography opportunity before packing camp and departing.

What's Included

Both packages include the following during your booked stay:

• Guided hiking and nature exploration
• One planned Emory Peak summit attempt, conditions permitting
• Birdwatching and wildlife observation
• Landscape and wildlife photography opportunities
• Planned visit to the Fossil Discovery Exhibit
• Hands-on Dutch oven cooking session
• Stargazing and night-sky interpretation when conditions allow
• Tent-site camping: four nights for Full Adventure or two nights for Weekend Warrior
• Meals, with cooking and meal cleanup handled by our team
• Nonalcoholic drinks and drinking water
• Shared base-camp shelter, used when conditions permit
• Games and other camp activities
• Pre-trip packing information and general hiking preparation guidance

Planned River Activity: Both packages include participation in the planned rafting day, subject to suitable conditions. Final outfitter arrangements, equipment, transfers, and any separate rafting charge will be disclosed before purchase.

Optional Enhancements

Camping Gear Rental — For Two People

Camping gear rental is available at an additional cost. Each package is intended for two people. Select this enhancement when booking and review its equipment list to see which personal items you’ll need to bring.

RV-Site Upgrade

RV-site upgrades are subject to availability and campground vehicle requirements. If you want an RV site, you must select the RV-site option in the offering section when booking.

Standard reservations include tent-site camping. The enhancement covers the campsite upgrade, not an RV rental. Hookup details will be confirmed, and RV accommodations may be separate from the group’s tent-site base camp.

Important Information

• Full Adventure: April 29–May 3, 2027, with four camping nights
• Weekend Warrior: April 30–May 2, 2027, with Friday and Saturday camping nights
• Weekend Warriors receive the same hosted amenities and join the scheduled activities during their Friday–Sunday stay.
• Arriving after an activity begins may mean missing that activity. Confirm your arrival plans with us before departure.
• The Emory Peak outing is Moderate - Strenuous, with sustained climbing, rocky terrain, and a lengthy descent.
• Participants should be prepared for approximately 10–10.5 miles of hiking and around 2,500 feet of elevation gain.
• The exposed final summit scramble is optional. Separate guided alternatives are not automatically included; discuss participation concerns before booking.
• Late April and early May can bring significant heat, especially in the desert and along the river. Early starts and rest periods will help shape our schedule.
• Rafting may be modified or canceled because of weather, low or high water, or outfitter decisions.
• Wildlife sightings, clear skies, and a successful summit are not guaranteed.
• Driving is required between activity locations. Transportation arrangements, park admission responsibilities, and the final campground will be stated before booking.
• Guests bring their own camping equipment unless they reserve a rental package.
• Tell us about dietary restrictions before booking so we can confirm whether we can accommodate them.
• The first and last provided meals for each package will be identified in your pre-trip information.

What to Bring

• A full packing list will be sent out 2 weeks before the expedition. 
• We’ll also send preparation guidance with suggested walks, hikes, and ways to prepare for sustained climbing and descending. We are not medical professionals or certified fitness trainers. These suggestions are general guidance, not a personalized exercise program.
• Following preparation suggestions does not guarantee that the trip will feel easy or that you will reach Emory Peak’s summit.

Before Booking

• Select Full Adventure or Weekend Warrior in the offering section, along with any camping gear rental or available RV-site enhancement based on availability.
• Participants must review the physical requirements and sign the required waivers before participating
• Contact us before booking if you have concerns about the hiking demands or river activity.
• Transportation will be provided via a passenger bus. Details will be provided closer to the date of your experience. 
• Your guide may rearrange activities or turn the group around when conditions require it. Activities moved outside the Weekend Warrior dates may not be available to those guests.

Cancellation & Weather Policy

• Cancel at least seven days before your selected package’s scheduled meeting time for a refund. Cancellations made less than seven days before that time and no-shows are nonrefundable.
• This expedition runs rain or shine, provided conditions allow it to proceed safely.
• Our shared shelter, games, and other camp activities provide options during passing rain when conditions permit.
• Heavy, sustained rainfall, flash flooding, extreme heat, dangerous winds, park closures, or other unsafe conditions may require us to modify, postpone, or cancel the expedition.
• The camp shelter is not a safe refuge during every type of severe weather.
• If Echos of Texas cancels your package before its departure, you’ll receive a refund or have the option to reschedule.
• Changes to individual activities, including an unsuccessful summit attempt, do not automatically qualify for a refund if the expedition proceeds.

Why Explore With Echos of Texas?

At Echos of Texas, we believe the best way to experience Texas is through its stories, landscapes, wildlife, and people. Whether you join the Full Adventure or make the most of a Weekend Warrior getaway, this expedition brings those elements together through mountain hiking, river exploration, outdoor learning, and shared meals—from morning birdsong to the stars overhead.

Echos of Texas — A Nature Expedition Company.