Elderhostel Programs

There are no hours of classroom time here in the Big Bend. Too much to do. Join us on an active adventure in the majesty of Big Bend National Park. Just because you’re over 55 doesn’t mean that you have to give up experiencing the excitement of seeing some of the most unique landscapes in the world!

Whether it’s a river expedition, hiking, bird-watching or 4x4 exploring, our in-house naturalists will make the desert spring to life right before your eyes. And each of them undergoes wilderness medicine training, which is the gold standard today in many outdoor programs.

Search below for the program you want and click on the number to take you directly to the Elderhostel home page for registration. They offer over 8,000 programs in 90 countries, and we’ve been associated with them for the past eight years.

Elderhostel handles all program registration, but feel free to call us at 800-839-7238 or email us for more information.

Hiking the Unspoiled Beauty of the Big Bend

Program Number 11958

One of the most remote, wildly beautiful, and peaceful places in America – the Big Bend National Park often surprises even native Texans. The daily hikes will take you to mountain peaks, desert springs, and river trails. Throughout the week, field studies will be interwoven with the hiking. Geological history spanning millions of years, the search for edible plants that allowed human inhabitation for thousands of years, and a discussion of the “brief” era of the dinosaurs (a mere 20 million years) will add to the appreciation and mystery of what the early Spanish explorers called “El Desolado” – the empty land.

Dates:

  • January 17-22, 2010
  • January 24-29, 2010
  • February 7-12, 2010
  • February 14-19, 2010

Bold Hikes in Big Bend

Program Number 15655

Trek up to 10 miles a day across open desert and up mountain trails with elevation gains of more than 2,400 feet. Venture almost 8,000 feet above sea level to Emery Peak -- summit of the Chisos Mountains -- to absorb panoramic vistas stretching out nearly 75 miles. This program is for the true adventurer and ardent hiker, not for the casual visitor who just wants a little walk. As you hike to locations such as Mesa de Anguila – one of the park’s least-visited areas – we’ll cover millions of years of geology and take a closer look at the edible plants that nurtured civilization for thousands of years. Better get your boots on!

Dates:

  • January 31 - February 5, 2010

Birds and Botany of the Big Bend

Program Number 7418
Having the most bird species recorded in any national park – some 450 – plus 1200 known plants, truly puts the Big Bend at the top of the list for naturalists. We’ll introduce you to the huge diversity of bird and plant life, from the Rio Grande River to the Chisos Mountains. Then we’ll take you to Daniels Ranch and the Hot Springs on the east side of the park, the Cottonwoods and Lajitas Bird Sanctuary along the river, and finally into the mountains for some "Birding in the Basin”.

Field studies don’t stop at the identification of birds and plants, but delve into the interconnection and dependence of the two. Our best local guides will lead you and share their passion for out-of-doors miracles. The promise of spring wildflowers only adds to the flavor.

Dates:

  • April 18-23, 2010

Call us at 800-839-7238 or email us with any questions!