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 beautiful and rugged landscapes of Big Bend National Park, Carlsbad Cavern, and Guadalupe National Park . Discover the rugged beauty, ancient stories, and unique desert ecosystem of the American Southwest. This affordable extended trip program takes place during WVU's Winter Break and is the perfect opportunity to make the most of your time with friends, fun, and adventure.
- Trip Dates: December 27th, 2025 - January 9th, 2026
- Registration Fee: $795.00
- Inclusive of transportation, all group and technical gear, most meals, and entry into each of our locations.
We have new payment options!
- To help provide more flexiblity, students can now elect to pay a $95.00 initial deposit to secure their spot on the trip. This fee becomes non-refundable 30 days before our departure date.
- The remaining balance can then be paid over time, alleviating the need to pay the full amount upfront.
- Students will have the option to post their remaining balances to either their student account via a STAR Charge or opt into a periodic payment plan through our WVUGo platform.
- Both these options are subject to payment deadlines and other criteria.
- Payment deadline for Big Bend Winter Break is Friday, December 19th.
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Visit our Guided Trip Policy and Details page for additional information on registration and cancellation procedures.
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 Southwest.
- 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 an 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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