Rio Grande Wild & Scenic River - Planning a float trip on the Rio Grande (U.S. National Park Service)

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Rio Grande Wild & Scenic River

Planning a float trip


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NPS\Big Bend National Park

Entrance to Boquillas Canyon at sunset

Proper preparation is the key to a successful float trip on the Rio Grande Wild & Scenic River.

Choose a Canyon

The canyons of the Rio Grande are the most popular float trips; included in the Wild & Scenic River are Mariscal Canyon, Boquillas Canyon, and the Lower Canyons. Upstream of the Wild & Scenic River, Santa Elena Canyon is inside the boundaries of Big Bend National Park. A number of guide books are available to help you decide and prepare for your trip.

Got gear?

Three options are available if you desire to make a river trip: you can bring your own equipment, rent equipment, or hire a guide service that will provide all permits, food, equipment, and shuttles.

Equipment checklist

Lower Canyons release form

All visitors who float the lower canyons are required to fill out the following release form:

Assumption of Risks and Agreements of Release and Indemnity form [40kb PDF file]

Big Bend National Park Daily Report
includes current river levels from Presidio to Dryden
more...

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			Did You Know? The river canyons that are a part of the Wild & Scenic River (Mariscal, Boquillas, and the Lower Canyons) receive only a small number of floaters each year, due to length & isolated locations. Santa Elena Canyon in Big Bend National Park is the focus of much of the river activity on the Rio Grande. more...

Last Updated: September 15, 2010 at 08:18 MST