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Big Bend National Park Self-Guided GPS Audio Driving Tour

4.6(26)Rated 4.6 out of 5 from 26 reviews9 hFree cancellationBy Shaka Guide Apps
Big Bend National Park

About this activity

"Explore Big Bend National Park at your own pace on a self-guided GPS audio driving tour through the Chihuahuan Desert, Chisos Mountains, and Rio Grande. Follow turn-by-turn directions to dramatic viewpoints, scenic drives, historic sites, canyon trails, and iconic stops including Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive, Santa Elena Canyon, Chisos Basin, and the Rio Grande.

Shaka Guide tours are created by real people who know and experience the destinations they guide, bringing Big Bend to life through engaging stories, history, and local insight. Choose the stops and hikes that interest you, skip others, and spend as much time as you like exploring.

One purchase covers everyone in your vehicle. Download the Shaka Guide app and tour before you go; once downloaded, the audio and map work offline, and GPS-triggered narration plays automatically as you drive."

What's included

  • ✓Offline map and audio after download
  • ✓Flexible itinerary with optional stops, viewpoints, and hikes
  • ✓Stories, history, geology, wildlife, and local recommendations
  • ✓Turn-by-turn audio navigation that plays automatically as you drive
  • ✓Tour access does not expire
  • ✓One purchase covers everyone in your vehicle
  • ✓Self-guided GPS audio driving tour of Big Bend National Park

Not included

  • ✕Meals and Refreshments
  • ✕Transportation or rental vehicle
  • ✕Personal Expenses

Meeting and pickup

  • Terlingua, TX, near Gallery Chisos on Route 118, outside Maverick Junction entrance gate.

Good to know

  • Service animals allowed
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • This is a self-guided driving tour. Transportation and a driver are not included, so you’ll need your own vehicle or rental car.
  • Begin the tour from one of the designated starting points shown in the Shaka Guide app. GPS-guided directions will take over once you reach the tour route.
  • Download the Shaka Guide app after booking and use the redemption code provided in your confirmation to access your tour.
  • Download the tour over strong Wi-Fi before entering the park. Cell service is very limited throughout Big Bend; once the tour is downloaded, the audio and map work offline.
  • The itinerary is flexible. Stops and hikes are recommendations, not requirements. Skip stops, spend longer at places that interest you, or split the tour across multiple days. Shaka’s internal tour design specifically supports a highly customizable route through the park.
  • Big Bend National Park charges a separate entrance fee. Park admission is paid directly to the National Park Service and is not included with the Shaka Guide tour.
  • Visiting Boquillas del Carmen, Mexico, is optional. Travelers who choose to cross must bring the required valid travel documentation and pay any applicable crossing, transportation, or protected-area fees separately. Port operating days and hours can change, so check current conditions before visiting.
  • Hiking is optional, and trail conditions can change. At Santa Elena Canyon Trail, access requires crossing Terlingua Creek, which may be dry, muddy, or flowing depending on recent conditions. Follow posted NPS guidance and do not cross when conditions are unsafe.
  • Accessibility varies by stop. Because this is a self-guided tour using your own vehicle, accessibility depends on your vehicle and the locations you choose to visit. Some trails and outdoor stops may not be wheelchair or stroller accessible.
  • Bring a fully charged phone. A car charger is recommended for a full day of exploring.

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

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