Day 1: Begin your journey at the Gage Hotel
www.gagehotel.com in
Marathon, an inviting and relaxing historic hotel with beautiful outdoor pool, gardens, fitness center, and spa. The gardens supply the Cafe Cenizo with fresh salad greens, herbs and vegetables. This is the perfect place to relax before heading to Big Bend National Park in the morning. Stroll through Marathon and visit galleries and Front Street Books, or drive five miles south to Post Park to see waterfowl.
Day 2:
Pick up last minute supplies and snacks at the French Co. Grocer in Marathon before getting on the road. Head down Hwy 385 and enter Big Bend National Park at Persimmon Gap. Slow down and take in the scenery on the drive to the main park visitor center at Panther Junction. Since you've made reservations ahead of time for the campground in the Chisos Basin you head directly for the upper elevations of the park. Check in, unpack and set up camp. Stretch your legs with a moderate 2.2 mile (one way) hike to the Window for a breathtaking view of the desert floor below.
Day 3:
This is your biking day! Pack your bikes, plenty of water, snacks and swim suits, towels and head to Panther Junction. Here you'll leave your bikes and shuttle one of your cars down to your ultimate destination, Rio Grande Village. From Panther Junction, the bike ride is a mostly downhill 20 mile ride, with an intimate view of the desert floor, and magnificent views of the Dead Horse Mountains to the east and the Chisos Mountains to the west.
At Rio Grande Village, change into your swimsuit and head to the Hot Springs to unwind and relax. Dangle one leg in the hot water in the ruins of the historic health spa, and the other in the cool water of the Rio Grande! This is the ultimate reward for your muscles after a day of riding! You can shower, if you want, back at Rio Grande Village. (Closed during summer)
In the evening, drive down Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive to take a short .80 mile (one way) hike through Santa Elena Canyon. If you're lucky you'll see more birds and wildlife as dusk approaches. Take your time on the drive back to your campground to enjoy the rosy light on the mountains at sunset, including Mule Ears!
Day 4:
Rising early to take advantage of cooler temperatures for one last hike, head east to Boquillas for an easy 0.7 mile (one way) hike through Boquillas Canyon. The road there will give you an excellent view of the tiny village of Boquillas, Mexico. Then, sadly, it is time to head home, leaving the park through Persimmon Gap.