Winter Break Big Bend
Explore the magic of the desert southwest, visiting 3 National Parks, culminating in a Big Bend NP experience!
Register Now for Big Bend Winter Break!We're Desert Bound!
Join Adventure WV as we explore the magical, rugged, and inspiring landscape of Big Bend National Park. Highlights of the trip include:
- Carlsbad Cavern National Park
- Guadalupe National Park
- Emory Peak: Enjoy breathtaking views of the Chihuahua Desert from the top of the park on one of the most brilliant peaks in the South West.
- Rio Grande Hot Springs: Relax and unwind in natural hot springs along the Rio Grande
Important Notes
- Experience Level: While this trip is suitable for any experience level, the hikes in the mountains may be moderately challenging. You’ll be carrying 30-40 pounds of supplies between camping
- Preparation: If you've never been hiking with incline, we recommend some basic cardio conditioning to prepare for the challenge.
- Winter Weather: Expect variable weather conditions, with possible snow and rain. Yes, you read that right, snow in the desert! Daytime highs can reach 70-80°F, while nighttime lows may drop to 30-40°F. Wind can be quite intense in the desert, so proper layering is essential to being comfortable.
- Backcountry Experience: While we are not "backpacking" in 2025, the desert southwest is remote and is considered a backcountry area. Access to the internet, running water, and other services is limited or unavailable.
- Eligibility: All participants must meet the Essential Eligibility Criteria.
Packing Information:
Big Bend is a serious expedition, so we take our gear packing seriously. Please browse this link to view other overnight trip packing lists, but note that we will send a specialized trip packing list home with you after your first pre-trip meeting. We will also conduct pre-trip gear checks to make sure everyone is adequately prepared.
Trip Itinerary:
| Day | What's Happening? |
| 1 | Depart from WV. Camp in Tennessee |
| 2 | Drive to and camp in west Texas |
| 3 | Drive to Guadalupe National Park, potential group afternoon hike |
| 4 | Carlsbad National Park cave tour |
| 5 | Travel to Big Bend Ranch State Park, group hike |
| 6 | Hike in Big Bend Ranch State Park |
| 7 | Hike in Big Bend Ranch State Park |
| 8 | Visit Terlingua Ghost Town, Enter Big Bend National Park |
| 9 | Day in Big Bend National Park: Rio Grande Village area |
| 10 | Hike to Emory Peak (Highest Point in Big Bend) |
| 11 | Day in Big Bend National Park: Castalon area |
| 12 | Morning in BBNP, begin drive back to WV |
| 13 | Drive to and camp in Tennessee |
| 14 | Return to WVU, clean and deissue gear |
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