Why visit one park when you can tour two of West Texas’s rugged icons! This narrated, self-guided driving tour takes you through Big Bend and the Guadalupe Mountains, from the Big Bend entrance to the Chisos Mountains, Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive, Hot Springs, and Santa Elena Canyon, then on to McKittrick Canyon, Guadalupe Peak, Devil’s Hall, El Capitan, and the Salt Basin Dunes. Explore both parks with maximum flexibility, safety, and value—stopping whenever you want.
Purchase one tour per car, not per person. Everyone listens together!
After booking, you can check your email before downloading the Tour Guide App by Action, entering your unique password, and accessing your tour. The preceding steps require good internet/Wi-Fi access. Simply follow the audio instructions and the route from there.
New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.
This is not an entrance ticket to attractions along the route. Check opening hours before your visit.
Texas, United States
Big Bend National Park is Texas at its wildest, with desert drives, rugged mountains, and the Rio Grande carving deep canyons. Catch epic sunsets, quiet trails, and some of the darkest night skies in the country.
sos Mountains often peeking out behind it. A quick pull-off, a quick pic, and you’re officially in Texas’s wildest corner.
Texas, United States
Devil’s Den Hike — a fun, rugged trail that winds through desert terrain and narrow rock corridors before popping out into a dramatic “den” of boulders. Short and adventurous, but watch your footing and bring water, it gets hot fast.
off the Santiago Mountains into Big Bend’s wide-open north end. It’s a subtle but classic Chihuahuan Desert scene, creosote, hardpan, and big-sky views.
Texas, United States
Chihuahuan Desert — North America’s largest desert, stretching across West Texas and northern Mexico. In Big Bend, it’s a land of creosote flats, towering cacti, and surprisingly rich wildlife thriving in the heat.
ande in Mexico, forming a rugged backdrop to Big Bend. Its cliffs and canyons create one of the park’s most striking cross-border views.
Texas, United States
Chisos Mountains — the heart of Big Bend, rising like a green island from the desert floor. Cooler temperatures, forested trails, and sweeping views make this the park’s most scenic and diverse landscape.
A quick and fascinating glimpse into Big Bend’s prehistoric past.
It’s a lesser-known spot where the landscape feels raw, remote, and beautifully untouched.
Texas, United States
A stunning 30-mile route winding through colorful desert, volcanic formations, and sweeping mountain views. It’s the ultimate Big Bend drive, leading all the way to the edge of the Rio Grande at Santa Elena Canyon.
302 S. Highland Avenue, Marfa Visitor Center, Historic USO Building, Marfa, United States
Mysterious glowing orbs that appear on the desert horizon east of Marfa. Some say headlights, others say something stranger. The magic is in the waiting, scanning the dark sky for flickers that dance and disappear.
Ross Maxwell Road, Texas, United States
A quiet desert homestead tucked among cottonwood trees and an old windmill. The remaining adobe walls and orchard traces offer a peaceful glimpse into early ranch life in the Chisos foothills.
soaked in the 105°F mineral waters along the Rio Grande. Today, the ruins and warm spring blend history with a relaxing desert dip.
A short hike leads to the Burro Mesa Pouroff, where sheer canyon walls create a dramatic natural amphitheater.
Texas, United States
The weathered remains of one of Big Bend’s most successful early ranches, set against the dramatic backdrop of Blue Creek Canyon. A short walk reveals adobe ruins and sweeping desert views that feel timeless and remote.
As the light fades, the desert layers glow in shades of gold and crimson.
It’s one of the most iconic silhouettes along Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive, especially dramatic at sunrise or sunset.
Terlingua, United States
A quirky desert ghost town just outside Big Bend, known for its old mining ruins, colorful characters, and famous chili cook-offs. Rustic, artsy, and full of West Texas personality.
A short walk leads to the rim, with striking desert views and layered rock formations carved by time.
Its dramatic silhouette dominates the western skyline and glows beautifully in the late afternoon light.
Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive, Texas, United States
A small riverside settlement that once served as a trading post and cavalry outpost along the Rio Grande. Restored adobe buildings and La Harmonia Store offer a glimpse into Big Bend’s borderland history.
A short walk brings you right to the river’s edge and unforgettable canyon views.
One of the most dramatic vistas along Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive.
Towering limestone walls rise on both sides, making it one of Big Bend’s most iconic walks.
Texas, United States
Guadalupe Mountains National Park — home to the highest peak in Texas and some of the most dramatic desert-mountain scenery in the state. Rugged trails, fossilized reefs, and striking views make this park a true West Texas adventure.
Texas, United States
Part of the vast Chihuahuan Desert, Guadalupe Mountains National Park protects one of the highest and most rugged sections of this desert ecosystem. Here, desert flats rise dramatically into limestone peaks, creating a rare blend of cactus-dotted lowlands and forested mountain slopes.
Texas, United States
A scenic desert oasis trail known for its striking fall colors and shaded canyon walls. The nearby visitor center offers park info before you set out on this peaceful hike through one of Texas’s most beautiful canyons.
It’s part of the ancient Permian reef that once lay beneath a prehistoric sea, now towering above West Texas.
400 Pine Cyn, Salt Flat, Texas, United States
A restored 19th-century ranch house that tells the story of early settlers in the desert. Surrounded by orchards and a reliable spring, it offers a glimpse into how families once carved out a life in this rugged landscape.
Frijoles Ranch, Texas, United States
A small desert oasis fed by a natural spring, creating a quiet pond beneath cottonwood trees. It’s one of the few reliable water sources in the park and a peaceful stop with scenic mountain views.
These rugged ruins mark one of the few surviving stations from this early cross-country mail system.
Set at the base of towering limestone cliffs, it’s where many big mountain adventures begin.
Steep switchbacks lead to sweeping views across West Texas and into New Mexico, with a summit marker waiting at the top.
Texas, United States
A rugged canyon hike that leads to a dramatic natural rock staircase and narrow limestone corridor. It’s a fun, slightly adventurous trek through one of the park’s most unique formations.
From here, the peak rises sharply above the desert floor, showcasing the dramatic scale of the Guadalupe Mountains.
This iconic landmark once guided travelers across West Texas and remains one of the most striking silhouettes in the park.
Remote and surreal, this short hike leads into rolling waves of sand framed by the towering Guadalupe Mountains.
Remote and dramatic, it forms part of the vast landscape surrounding the Guadalupe Mountains.
Start on State Highway 54, just south of Guadalupe Mountains NP. You'll see a scenic overlook with a dirt and gravel pull-off area on your left. Head north toward the park entrance. The audio tour starts automatically as you pass the starting point. Check email/text for details.
Start on US Highway 62/180, just west of Guadalupe Mountains NP. It’s a quiet desert stretch, so download the tour in advance. Head east toward the park entrance. The audio tour will start automatically once you pass the starting point. No one will meet you in person. Check email/text for details.
Start at 5JFF+QGF, Whites City, NM. Head along US Highway 62, with Joel Volunteer Fire Dept on your left and Whites City Fuel on your right, and the audio tour will start automatically. Drive west toward the park entrance to begin the tour. Check your email/text for details.
Start at the Big Bend Entrance Sign (on the highway from Alpine, near Panther Junction—not in town). After booking, search your email or texts for "audio tour." The tour is VALID FOREVER, so set it up NOW over Wi-Fi or data. Do NOT wait until you're onsite.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Browse Big Bend National Park by category - skip-the-line tickets, walking tours, day trips, food experiences & more