November River Trip
Sat Nov 21 – Wed Nov 25, 2026 · from Austin · group of 4–6 · planning draft, nothing booked · prices checked Nov 6, 2026
Recommendation: a guided 3-day / 2-night canoe trip through Santa Elena Canyon on the Rio Grande in Big Bend National Park, with Angell Expeditions. About $650 per person including meals ($585 each for 6). Drive Saturday, paddle Sunday–Tuesday, drive home Wednesday.
Why not the Devils River
- The take-out is closed. The Dan A. Hughes Unit, where trips end at Devils Back, is closed for hunts from Nov 16 to Nov 27.
- The upper launch is closed. Baker's Crossing has been shut since January because the river is low.
- Permits book months ahead. Guided operators reserve Devils River permits about 5 months out, and payments are non-refundable.
- The open unit, Del Norte, is closed Tuesday–Thursday every week and has no drinking water.
Price per person
| Option | Base | All-in estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Guided Santa Elena, Angell Expeditions (4–5 people) | $650 | ~$800 |
| Guided Santa Elena, Angell Expeditions (6 people, 10% off) | $585 | ~$720 |
| Guided Santa Elena, Big Bend River Tours (old 2021–22 price) | $575 | ~$700 |
| Self-guided, rented canoes + shuttle | $110–$130 | $175–$300 with food |
| Guided Devils River, Angell Expeditions (4 days) | $1,400 | ~$1,650 |
All-in adds sales tax, a 15–20% guide tip and small gear rentals. Driving, motels and park entry are extra for every option.
Why guided
- Two of the group are beginners with only a few guided rafting trips.
- The canyon is remote. Its hardest rapid, Rockslide, is rated as high as Class IV, depending on the source and water level.
- A guide brings the boats, meals, shuttle and judgment. The experienced paddlers get to enjoy it instead of running it.
Confirm before paying
- Take-out access. The park lists the road to Santa Elena Canyon as closed "until further notice" (updated Nov 3). Ask how the trip gets out.
- Water level. The Castolon gauge swung from 3,880 to 414 cubic feet per second in a day in late October. Ask what the guide expects for Nov 22.
- Full run, not a boomerang. Confirm it is the downstream trip from Lajitas, not a paddle up into the canyon and back.
- Refunds. Angell deposits are non-refundable but can usually move to a later trip.
- Far Flung Outdoor Center is not an option: it runs no overnight trips Nov 22–30.
Day by day
| Day | Plan |
|---|---|
| Sat Nov 21 | Drive Austin → Big Bend area, about 7 hours. Motel near the meeting point. |
| Sun Nov 22 | Meet guide, launch, camp on the river. |
| Mon Nov 23 | Paddle into the canyon, second river camp. |
| Tue Nov 24 | Finish, shuttle back, motel. |
| Wed Nov 25 | Drive home. |
Next step: message the outfitter
Angell Expeditions · (432) 384-2307 · charles@angellexpeditions.com
Backup: Big Bend River Tours · ask for a dated 3-day Santa Elena quote.
We'd like a guided 3-day/2-night Santa Elena Canyon trip, launching Sunday Nov 22 and taking out Tuesday Nov 24, 2026. Group of 4–6: two adults and two to four teenagers. Two of us are beginners with a few guided rafting trips; the others have Scout river experience. Can you confirm availability, the take-out given the closed road, and expected water level? Please quote for 4, 5 and 6 people including tax, gear rental and park fees.
Still to decide
- Final headcount: 4, 5 or 6.
- Budget ceiling per person.
- Whether to rent tents and sleeping bags from the outfitter or bring our own.