Big Bend & Guadalupe National Parks GPS Audio DrivingTour Bundle

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

• Big Bend National Park (Pass by)

  Big Bend National Park is Texas at its wildest, with desert drives, rugged mountains, and the Rio Grande carving deep canyons. Catch epic sunsets, quiet trails, and some of the darkest night skies in the country.

  Admission ticket free
• 1
  Big Bend National Park Sign

  Big Bend National Park Sign — your classic “we made it” photo stop, with the Chisos Mountains often peeking out behind it. A quick pull-off, a quick pic, and you’re officially in Texas’s wildest corner.

  15 minutes • Admission ticket free
• (Pass by)

  Devil’s Den Hike — a fun, rugged trail that winds through desert terrain and narrow rock corridors before popping out into a dramatic “den” of boulders. Short and adventurous, but watch your footing and bring water, it gets hot fast.

  Admission ticket free
• (Pass by)

  Santiago Draw — a rugged desert wash near Persimmon Gap, where dry gullies spill off the Santiago Mountains into Big Bend’s wide-open north end. It’s a subtle but classic Chihuahuan Desert scene, creosote, hardpan, and big-sky views.

  Admission ticket free
• 2
  Chihuahuan Desert

  Chihuahuan Desert — North America’s largest desert, stretching across West Texas and northern Mexico. In Big Bend, it’s a land of creosote flats, towering cacti, and surprisingly rich wildlife thriving in the heat.

  15 minutes • Admission ticket free
• Sierra Del Carmen (Pass by)

  Sierra del Carmen — a dramatic limestone mountain range rising across the Rio Grande in Mexico, forming a rugged backdrop to Big Bend. Its cliffs and canyons create one of the park’s most striking cross-border views.

  Admission ticket free
• 3
  Chisos Mountains

  Chisos Mountains — the heart of Big Bend, rising like a green island from the desert floor. Cooler temperatures, forested trails, and sweeping views make this the park’s most scenic and diverse landscape.

  15 minutes • Admission ticket free
• (Pass by)

  An open-air stop highlighting the ancient creatures that once roamed this region, from giant reptiles to early mammals. A quick and fascinating glimpse into Big Bend’s prehistoric past.

  Admission ticket free
• Avery Canyon (Pass by)

  A quiet desert canyon carved by seasonal water flow, with layered rock walls and classic Big Bend solitude. It’s a lesser-known spot where the landscape feels raw, remote, and beautifully untouched.

  Admission ticket free
• 4
  Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive

  A stunning 30-mile route winding through colorful desert, volcanic formations, and sweeping mountain views. It’s the ultimate Big Bend drive, leading all the way to the edge of the Rio Grande at Santa Elena Canyon.

  15 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 5

  Mysterious glowing orbs that appear on the desert horizon east of Marfa. Some say headlights, others say something stranger. The magic is in the waiting, scanning the dark sky for flickers that dance and disappear.

  15 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 6
  Sam Nail Ranch

  A quiet desert homestead tucked among cottonwood trees and an old windmill. The remaining adobe walls and orchard traces offer a peaceful glimpse into early ranch life in the Chisos foothills.

  15 minutes • Admission ticket free
• (Pass by)

  A small stone tablet marks the site’s early 1900s bathhouse era, when travelers soaked in the 105°F mineral waters along the Rio Grande. Today, the ruins and warm spring blend history with a relaxing desert dip.

  Admission ticket free
• (Pass by)

  A broad, flat-topped mesa rising from the desert, known for its colorful volcanic cliffs. A short hike leads to the Burro Mesa Pouroff, where sheer canyon walls create a dramatic natural amphitheater.

  Admission ticket free
• 7
  Homer Wilson Ranch

  The weathered remains of one of Big Bend’s most successful early ranches, set against the dramatic backdrop of Blue Creek Canyon. A short walk reveals adobe ruins and sweeping desert views that feel timeless and remote.

  15 minutes • Admission ticket free
• (Pass by)

  One of the park’s best sunset spots, with sweeping views over the Chihuahuan Desert and the winding Rio Grande. As the light fades, the desert layers glow in shades of gold and crimson.

  Admission ticket free
• 8
  Mule Ears Viewpoint

  A striking roadside stop showcasing the twin volcanic peaks that resemble mule ears. It’s one of the most iconic silhouettes along Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive, especially dramatic at sunrise or sunset.

  15 minutes • Admission ticket free
• (Pass by)

  A quirky desert ghost town just outside Big Bend, known for its old mining ruins, colorful characters, and famous chili cook-offs. Rustic, artsy, and full of West Texas personality.

  Admission ticket free
• 9
  Tuff Canyon Overlook

  A dramatic roadside stop where pale volcanic tuff cliffs drop into a narrow canyon below. A short walk leads to the rim, with striking desert views and layered rock formations carved by time.

  15 minutes • Admission ticket free
• Cerro Castellan (Pass by)

  A towering volcanic peak rising sharply above the desert near Castolon. Its dramatic silhouette dominates the western skyline and glows beautifully in the late afternoon light.

  Admission ticket free
• 10
  Castolon Historic District

  A small riverside settlement that once served as a trading post and cavalry outpost along the Rio Grande. Restored adobe buildings and La Harmonia Store offer a glimpse into Big Bend’s borderland history.

  15 minutes • Admission ticket free
• Santa Elena Canyon River Access (Pass by)

  The gateway to Big Bend’s most iconic canyon, where the Rio Grande slices between 1,500-foot limestone cliffs. A short walk brings you right to the river’s edge and unforgettable canyon views.

  Admission ticket free
• 11
  Santa Elena Canyon Overlook

  A panoramic viewpoint offering sweeping views of the canyon’s massive limestone walls before you descend to the river. One of the most dramatic vistas along Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive.

  15 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 12
  Santa Elena Canyon Trail

  A short but unforgettable hike that climbs above the Rio Grande before winding into the heart of the canyon. Towering limestone walls rise on both sides, making it one of Big Bend’s most iconic walks.

  15 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 13

  Guadalupe Mountains National Park — home to the highest peak in Texas and some of the most dramatic desert-mountain scenery in the state. Rugged trails, fossilized reefs, and striking views make this park a true West Texas adventure.

  15 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 14
  Chihuahuan Desert

  Part of the vast Chihuahuan Desert, Guadalupe Mountains National Park protects one of the highest and most rugged sections of this desert ecosystem. Here, desert flats rise dramatically into limestone peaks, creating a rare blend of cactus-dotted lowlands and forested mountain slopes.

  15 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 15

  A scenic desert oasis trail known for its striking fall colors and shaded canyon walls. The nearby visitor center offers park info before you set out on this peaceful hike through one of Texas’s most beautiful canyons.

  15 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 16

  A striking limestone formation that rises from the desert floor like a stone vessel frozen in time. It’s part of the ancient Permian reef that once lay beneath a prehistoric sea, now towering above West Texas.

  15 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 17

  A restored 19th-century ranch house that tells the story of early settlers in the desert. Surrounded by orchards and a reliable spring, it offers a glimpse into how families once carved out a life in this rugged landscape.

  15 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 18

  A small desert oasis fed by a natural spring, creating a quiet pond beneath cottonwood trees. It’s one of the few reliable water sources in the park and a peaceful stop with scenic mountain views.

  15 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 19
  Pinery Butterfield Stage Station Ruins

  The stone remains of an 1850s stagecoach stop along the Butterfield Overland Mail route. These rugged ruins mark one of the few surviving stations from this early cross-country mail system.

  15 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 20
  Pine Springs Trailhead

  The main gateway to the park’s most popular hikes, including Guadalupe Peak and Devil’s Hall. Set at the base of towering limestone cliffs, it’s where many big mountain adventures begin.

  15 minutes • Admission ticket free
• (Pass by)

  The challenging hike to the highest point in Texas at 8,751 feet. Steep switchbacks lead to sweeping views across West Texas and into New Mexico, with a summit marker waiting at the top.

  Admission ticket free
• 21

  A rugged canyon hike that leads to a dramatic natural rock staircase and narrow limestone corridor. It’s a fun, slightly adventurous trek through one of the park’s most unique formations.

  15 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 22

  A scenic roadside viewpoint offering a clear look at the highest point in Texas. From here, the peak rises sharply above the desert floor, showcasing the dramatic scale of the Guadalupe Mountains.

  15 minutes • Admission ticket free
• (Pass by)

  A dramatic limestone wall that rises nearly 1,000 feet above the desert floor. This iconic landmark once guided travelers across West Texas and remains one of the most striking silhouettes in the park.

  Admission ticket free
• 23

  Brilliant white gypsum dunes rising unexpectedly from the desert floor. Remote and surreal, this short hike leads into rolling waves of sand framed by the towering Guadalupe Mountains.

  15 minutes • Admission ticket free
• (Pass by)

  A rugged mountain range stretching across West Texas, rising sharply from the desert floor. Remote and dramatic, it forms part of the vast landscape surrounding the Guadalupe Mountains.

  Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• How To Access: After booking, you’ll get an email and text with setup instructions and password (search “audio tour” in emails and texts). • Download the separate tour app by Action • Enter the password sent by email and text. • MUST download the tour while in strong wifi/cellular. • Works offline after download.
• How to start touring: Open Action’s separate audio tour guide app once onsite. • If there is just one tour, launch it. • If multiple tour versions exist, launch the one with your planned starting point and direction.
• Go to the starting point No one will meet you at the start. This tour is self-guided Enter the first story’s point and the audio will begin automatically Follow the audio cues to the next story, which will also play automatically. Enjoy hands-free exploring. If you face audio issues, contact support. Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience.
• Travel worry-free: Use the tour app anytime, on any day, and over multiple days. Start and pause the tour whenever you like, taking breaks and exploring side excursions at your own pace. Skip anything you don’t care about or explore bonus content for everything that interests you

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