One-Day Trip Notes
Thank you for planning a trip with the Far Flung Outdoor Center! If you have questions about your river tour, we’ll be glad to help! Give us a call at (800) 839-7238 or email us.
Starting Your Trip
Plan to arrive at 7:45 a.m. on the day of your departure at our office located in Study Butte, one-half mile west of Highway 118 on Farm to Market Road 170. See our travel tips to Big Bend.
We will depart our office at 8:00 a.m. Please call us if you are running late. Other guests who have already arrived will be more understanding.
Sample Itinerary
Departing from the FFOC office, we will make a drive to the put-in where the guides will take a few minutes to rig the boats, fit life jackets and conduct a safety talk. We’ll float until the noon hour where a buffet style lunch will be served at riverside. Much of the day will be in the canyon where the walls may rise to as high as 1500 feet. Takeout is late afternoon followed by the ride back to our office in Study Butte. You should expect to be back at our office around 5:00 p.m.
Packing List
- River sandals, water shoes or old tennis shoes (please, no flip flops)
- Fast drying shorts/swimsuit
- Long pants over fast drying shorts/swimsuit (months November - April)
- Short or long sleeved shirt
- Windbreaker/Fleece jacket (months November - April)
- Rain jacket or poncho (months June - October)
- Hat or cap (we like wide brim hats in Big Bend!)
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen and lip balm
- Water bottle (we have plenty of iced water!)
- Camera
- Binoculars
- Your own supply of alcoholic beverages or soft drinks (no glass, please!)
- Small ice chest (no foam chests, please!)
Many things come to mind when people contemplate a river trip. Here are some of the more commonly asked questions:
What do I wear on the trip?
Dress for the river is normally shorts, swimsuit, hat or visor, t-shirt and river sandals or old tennis shoes for the warmer months. In cooler months, layering your clothing is strongly recommended. We will provide waterproof bags so that you can take off or put on clothes as necessary. Do not bring good shoes for the river - they will get wet! If you choose to wear sandals, they should have ankle straps.
What is the weather like?
This is our most frequently asked question, so we'll tell you what the experts say:
Spring (March - April) Day: 75-90, Night: 45-60
Summer (May - September) Day: 85-100+, Night: 70-80
Fall (October - December) Day: 70-85, Night: 45-60
Winter (January - February) Day: 55-75, Night: 30-50
Rainfall averages 10-12 inches per year, with the majority of rainfall during the months of July - September
What about the guides?
Our guides are outdoor enthusiasts with many years of running rivers. They'll run the boats, haul the gear, organize hikes and, with a little encouragement, even provide entertainment. Realizing that personal involvement increases one's enjoyment of a trip, they will welcome your interest in learning how to row, paddle or better understand the desert plant and animal life. Our staff will enrich your experience by sharing their knowledge of Big Bend's extensive natural and human history.
Should I tip the guide?
Many guests ask us whether tipping the guides is appropriate. If you believe the guides have exceeded your service expectations, please feel free to leave a tip (10-15% of the trip price is normal). Tipping is by no means required.
What is the lunch like?
Our lunches vary based on current supplies, but expect a smorgasbord of picnic foods such as deli meats, cheese, fruit, chips, dips, pickles and cookies. Ice water will be available all during the trip with tea and lemonade mixes available at lunch. Because of our remote location, specialty foods are more difficult to obtain. Should you have a specific dietary requirement, please notifiy our office at least 48 hours prior to the departure date. We'll make every effort to accommodate your specialty menu.
Should I bring a camera?
Big Bend is a scenic wonderland. We encourage you to bring a camera. We have waterproof bags available to store your equipment, but please remember this is a water activity, and there are no guarantees. Our retail store stocks a full complement of disposable cameras.
What about the bathroom?
Because the trip will take us through primitive areas of Big Bend, bathroom facilities are limited. The put-ins and take-outs along the half-day section have compost type toilets. Our guides will carry a basic toilet system, but your choice of restroom will be "pink or blue bushes" or large rocks. You will have access to the Far Flung Outdoor Center restrooms before and after the trip.
Cancellations
All day river trips require a $10 non-refundable deposit per person with the balance due on or before the date of the trip. Cancellations 48 hours prior to the departure date forfeit the deposit amount. Cancellations (including no-shows) within 48 hours of the trip departure time forfeit the entire cost of the trip.
It is rare that FFOC will cancel a trip, but in the event we do, all moneys (including deposits) will be refunded.
Changes to the Schedule
FFOC reserves the right to alter, modify or cancel any trip or a portion of any trip due to weather, water levels or the safety and convenience of our guests. It is the intent of FFOC to operate the river tours in cases where the safety of our guests is not compromised. Guests should appreciate that inclement weather may not be cause for a trip cancellation.
Responsibility
Trip participants must understand and appreciate that river rafting, canoeing and wilderness travel involve certain inherent risks. These risks include, but are not limited to, loss of or damage to personal property, personal injury or fatality resulting from: capsize of raft or canoe, collision with a vehicle, vessel, rock, log, tree or other obstacles; falling while aboard a raft; accident or illness in remote places with limited or no medical facilities; and exposure to temperature extremes or inclement weather.
We require all of our guests to sign and Agreement and Acknowledgment of Risk before taking the trip. From time to time, we use photographs and videos of our trips for promotional and business purposes. By going on our trip, you consent to the use of your image, without compensation, for FFOC marketing activities. See you on the river!
Call us at 800-839-7238 or email us with any questions!
