The Big Bend National Park Tour tour has 20 stops. Check out the itinerary here for a complete list of stops and if you’re looking for more information to help plan your trip, here’s what you need to know before you go! 

• Swimsuit for the hot springs and other water activities
• Changes of clothes to cross river for Santa Elena Canyon
• Passport for the Port of Entry to Mexico
• Cash (small bills) and a credit card
• Water, about one gallon of water per person, per day
• Cooler
• Hiking shoes and clothes
• Sunscreen
• Hat
• First Aid Kit
• Bug spray
• Salty snacks/fruits/nuts
• Phone charger/mount

What you spend depends on the activities you do, but here’s a list of entry fees for the tour: 

• Park entry costs $30 per car, valid for 7 days. Credit or debit card only.
• Boquillas Crossing - Modest fee to cross and enter Mexico and another fee for optional transportation to the village.
  



The park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Please note, although the park is open year-round, some visitor centers, attractions, and areas of the park have varying hours of operation and seasonality. Learn more here. 

Here are some hours of operation for visitor centers on the tour: 

• Castolon - Visitor Center open 10am-4pm November-April. Store open 10am-5pm daily year round.
  
• Chisos Basin - ​​Visitor Center open 8:30am-4pm daily, closed for lunch. Store open 8:30am-6pm daily. Lodge restaurant open 7am-8pm daily, closed 10am-noon.
• Panther Junction Visitor Center - Open 8:30am-5pm daily.
• Rio Grande Village Visitor Center - Open 10am-4:30pm daily, November-April. Closed for lunch.
• Boquillas Crossing - Open Wed-Sun 9am-4pm November-April. Open Fri-Mon 9am-4pm May-October

Yes! The tour has two starting points: Terlingua, TX, near Gallery Chisos on Route 118, outside Maverick Junction entrance gate and Persimmon Gap Entrance Gate, north of the park. Just make sure that you follow the numbers in chronological order from where you are starting from. If you don’t begin at one of the tour starting points you’ll miss a few stories, but you’ll still have a great experience.

There is no reverse direction, but from either entrance, drivers can take the tour in whichever order they want. It’s a very customizable tour.

Shaka Guide isn’t just about getting from point A to point B—it’s like having a local tour guide in your pocket.

As you walk, the app shares stories, history, local insights, and directions based on where you are. We’ve planned the route for you, but you can still explore at your own pace, pause the tour, skip stops, or spend more time wherever you like.

It’s not just about getting there—it’s about discovering the stories behind the places you’re visiting.

Still have questions? Send us an email at aloha@shakaguide.com or give us a call at (808) 201-8138.