Self Guided Driving Audio Tour of Big Bend National Park

Texas , USA

Self Guided Driving Audio Tour of Big Bend National Park

Active

20h - 22h

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Instant confirmation

Mobile or paper ticket accepted

About this experience

Download GuideAlong’s self-guided audio tour of Big Bend National Park and discover its wild beauty of vast deserts, towering mountains and dramatic canyons. Walk through ancient history at the Fossil Discovery Exhibit, soak in the Hot Springs Canyon’s warm waters, see towering limestone walls carved by the Rio Grande at the Santa Elena Canyon, and take in expansive desert views at Sotol Vista.

Along the way, hear stories of frontier history, lost treasures, and untamed landscapes as you journey through this rugged and unforgettable terrain.

Enjoy the freedom to explore offine at your own pace.

Stories, tips, and directions play automatically based on your location
Travel at your own pace
Tour offline using GPS. No cell service or WiFi is needed
Suggested itineraries for half, full, or multi-day use
No time limits or expiry, and free updates
Like having a tour guide along for the drive

Purchase one tour per vehicle.

Available options

Self Guided Driving Audio Tour of Big Bend National Park

What's included

Support: Toll free phone, chat and email

Easy To Use: Pre-download and tour offline

Trip Planners: In-app, web and PDF

Location Based: Stories, tips & directions that autoplay

One-Time Purchase: No time or date use limit or expiry

GuideAlong (GyPSy Guide) Audio Tour: 125+ Points

Flexible Routes: Suggested itineraries or create your own

Detailed itinerary

The Fossil Discovery Exhibit offers a fascinating glimpse into the ancient life that once thrived in what is now a rugged desert landscape. Located in a region celebrated for its rich paleontological history, this exhibit showcases an array of fossilized remains, highlighting species that roamed the area millions of years ago.

The Hot Springs Canyon Trail in Big Bend National Park is a moderately easy, 3-mile round trip that offers a blend of history and natural beauty. Starting near remnants of an early 20th-century health resort, the trail meanders along the Rio Grande, providing stunning views of the surrounding canyon.

Stop 3

Santa Elena Canyon Overlook provides visitors with one of the most dramatic and picturesque views in Big Bend National Park. The overlook offers a stunning vista of the Santa Elena Canyon, where the Rio Grande has carved a deep, narrow gorge through the limestone, creating sheer cliffs that rise up to 1,500 feet above the river.

Mule Ears Viewpoint showcases striking rock formations that resemble the ears of a mule, dramatically rising against the skyline. These iconic peaks are a testament to the area's volcanic history.

Sotol Vista Overlook is a renowned scenic viewpoint that offers expansive, panoramic views of the surrounding Big Bend National Park landscape. Named after the sotol plants that flourish in the area, this overlook provides visitors with a stunning vista that includes vast desert expanses, rugged mountain ranges, and intricate canyons.

Tuff Canyon Overlook offers a stunning view into a deep, narrow gorge formed by volcanic activity. The canyon walls, composed of compacted volcanic ash called tuff, showcase layers of natural history.

Stop 7

The Chisos Mountains stand as a stark contrast to the arid expanses that surround them, culminating in the lofty heights of Emory Peak at 7,825 feet.

What's not included

Entry Fees, National Park Passes, Reservations

Transportation, Parking fees.

Available languages

Audio guide

Important information

Public transportation options are available nearby

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

How to Access: After booking you’ll receive an email and text with instructions (search “Download Audio Tour”). Click the link in the email/text to sign in with your preferred Apple or Google account and redeem your voucher code ahead of time.

Download The GuideAlong App: Download the free app over WiFi or cellular data and sign in with the same Apple or Google account.

Download The Tour: Download the tour in the GuideAlong app under 'My Tours' over WiFi or cellular data.

Start The Tour: Open the tour in the GuideAlong app to preview the start locations, tour route and trip planner, or start the tour.

Location-Based Stories: Audio commentary plays automatically as you drive using your phone’s GPS chip. Wherever you are and whichever direction you’re going, you’ll hear the best stories and tips.

Flexible Travel Date: Tours are a one-time purchase with no expiry or date/time limit. If your plans change to a different day, there’s no need to change your travel date.

Tour at Your Leisure: With GuideAlong, you control the pace. Start, stop, and resume the tour any day, anytime, adapting it to your schedule.

Driving Tours: Group Savings: One purchase covers everyone in the vehicle, making it a cost-effective way to explore.

Works Offline: No internet or cell service is required once the audio tour is downloaded to your phone, so you can relax and tour offline.

Bring A Charger: Pack a USB/C car charger for charging and easy sound connectivity, and make sure your device is fully charged.

Technical Support: The GuideAlong support team is available daily by toll-free phone, online chat, and email.

Meeting point

Start at (U.S. Highway 385, heading south.) or join anywhere along the tour route. After booking, search your email for “Download Audio Tour" and follow the instructions to download now over Wi-Fi/cell service. Then, preview the start location/s and tour route in the app.

Important notes

STEPS TO GET YOUR GUIDEALONG AUDIO TOUR:

1. SIGN IN + REDEEM your VOUCHER CODE: https://store.guidealong.com/voucher
2. DOWNLOAD the GuideAlong App
3. SIGN IN to the GuideAlong app with the same Apple or Google account as Step 1
4. DOWNLOAD the Audio Tour NOW

FIND YOUR VOUCHER CODE AND INSTRUCTIONS
- Email: Search your inbox for “Your Tour Operator Sent You A Message” and “Instructions for GuideAlong Audio Tour.” Check All Mail and your junk/spam folder.
- Text: Check for a text message from +17817732638.
- This Ticket: Find the voucher code at the top under the QR code and redeem at Step 1.
- Viator App: Open your booking and select Contact Support > Contact Tour Operator.
- TripAdvisor App: Open your Account and select Messages.
- Need help? Call GuideAlong toll-free on 1866-477-1791.

DOWNLOAD THE GUIDEALONG APP & TOUR NOW
You must pre-download both the GuideAlong app and audio tour to your phone over reliable wifi or cellular data before you drive out of signal. If you can OPEN your tour and see the START TOURING button, your tour is downloaded. No service is required while touring.

FLEXIBLE TRAVEL DATE
There’s no expiry, date or time limit for your tour, so download the GuideAlong app and audio tour now. If your plans change to a different day there’s no need to change your travel date.

CHARGING & SOUND
We don’t recommend connecting your phone to the vehicle's USB port. Instead, use a USB/C car charger adapter in the auxiliary power outlet (cigarette lighter) to prevent an automatic secondary pairing and keep your phone charged. CarPlay and Android Auto are not yet supported, so listen to the tour through your phone’s speaker or pair it to your car stereo via Bluetooth: guidealong.com/travel-tips-bluetooth/.

HELP & SUPPORT

- FAQs: Check the offline Help menu in the GuideAlong app or online FAQs at guidealong.com/faq.
- Contact GuideAlong Support: Call toll-free 1866-477-1791, chat online at guidealong.com, or email info@guidealong.com.

About Texas

Texas is the second-largest state in the United States, known for its rich history, diverse landscapes, and vibrant culture. From the bustling cities of Houston and Dallas to the natural beauty of Big Bend National Park, Texas offers a unique blend of urban excitement and outdoor adventure.

Top Attractions

The Alamo

The Alamo is a historic mission and fortress compound in San Antonio, famous for the Battle of the Alamo in 1836. It's a symbol of Texas independence and a must-visit for history buffs.

Historical 1-2 hours Free (donations appreciated)

Big Bend National Park

Big Bend National Park offers stunning landscapes, including deserts, mountains, and the Rio Grande. It's a paradise for hikers, campers, and nature lovers.

Nature Multiple days recommended $30 per vehicle (7-day pass)

Space Center Houston

The official visitor center of NASA's Johnson Space Center, Space Center Houston offers a fascinating look into the U.S. space program. Visitors can see spacecraft, meet astronauts, and explore interactive exhibits.

Museum 3-4 hours $29.95 for adults, $24.95 for children

Must-Try Local Dishes

Brisket

Slow-smoked, tender beef brisket is a Texas barbecue staple, often served with pickles, onions, and bread.

Main Course Not vegetarian or vegan

Tex-Mex

A fusion of Mexican and Texan cuisine, featuring dishes like fajitas, enchiladas, and nachos.

Main Course Can be vegetarian or vegan with modifications

Chicken Fried Steak

A breaded and fried steak, typically served with cream gravy, mashed potatoes, and vegetables.

Main Course Not vegetarian or vegan

Popular Activities

Hiking in Big Bend National Park Whitewater rafting in the Guadalupe River Mountain biking in Barton Creek Greenbelt (Austin) Spa treatments in The Woodlands Beach relaxation in South Padre Island River cruises in San Antonio Visiting museums in Houston and Dallas Exploring historic sites in San Antonio

Best Time to Visit

Spring (March to May) and Fall (September to November)

Spring and fall offer pleasant weather and are ideal for outdoor activities and festivals. The state's wildflowers bloom in spring, and fall brings cooler temperatures and vibrant foliage.

15-30°C 60-85°F

Practical Information

Language

Official: English
Widely spoken: Spanish
English: Widely spoken

Currency

US Dollar (USD)

Time Zone

Central Time Zone (CT) or Mountain Time Zone (MT) depending on location

Electricity

120VV, 60HzHz

Safety Information

Overall Safety Rating: Generally safe

Texas is generally safe for travelers, with low crime rates in most tourist areas. However, petty crime and scams can occur, so it's important to stay vigilant and take precautions.

Important Precautions:

• Keep valuables secure and out of sight
• Be cautious of strangers offering help or services
• Use ATMs located inside banks or reputable establishments

Getting there

By air

Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport • 25 km from Dallas city center
George Bush Intercontinental Airport • 40 km from Houston city center

By train

Union Station (Houston), Union Station (Dallas)

By bus

Greyhound stations in major cities

Getting around

Public transport

Public buses are the primary form of public transportation in Texas cities. METRO in Houston and DART in Dallas offer extensive bus and rail networks.

Taxis

Available • Apps: Uber, Lyft

Rentals

Car, Bike, Scooter

Neighborhoods

Downtown Austin Deep Ellum (Dallas) The Woodlands

Day trips

San Antonio River Walk

130 km from Austin • Half day to full day

A scenic network of walkways along the San Antonio River, lined with restaurants, shops, and historic sites.

Fredericksburg

130 km from Austin • Full day to overnight

A charming German-inspired town known for its wineries, historic sites, and annual events like Oktoberfest.

Galveston Island

80 km from Houston • Full day to overnight

A barrier island off the coast of Texas, known for its beaches, historic sites, and amusement park.

Festivals

State Fair of Texas • Late September to mid-October Austin Film Festival • Mid-October Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo • Late February to mid-March

Pro tips

Visit during the spring or fall for the best weather and wildflower season
Try local specialties like brisket, Tex-Mex, and chicken fried steak
Explore beyond the major cities to discover Texas' natural beauty and small towns
Book accommodations and tickets in advance for popular events and festivals
Use navigation apps to get around, as some areas can be confusing for first-time visitors