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Texas

On the Road: San Antonio to Big Bend National Park

Program No. 20562RJ
Immerse yourself in the best of Texas as you visit remote state and national parks, explore Fort Davis Historic Site and stargaze at the McDonald Observatory.
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National ParksRegional StudiesOn the RoadNature & Environment
Length
8 days
Rating (4.89)
Activity Level
Starts at
2,749

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Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
8 days
7 nights
What's Included
19 meals ( 7B, 6L, 6D )
2 expert-led lectures
13 expert-led field trips
An experienced Group Leader
7 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
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Activity Note
Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously).
Afternoon:
Program Registration: 3:30 p.m. After you have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table in the hotel meeting room to register with the program staff, get any updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived. Orientation: 4:00 p.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. This is a Road Scholar On The Road (OTR) program. This unique itinerary takes you through breathtaking landscapes and vibrant cultures, with ample time spent on comfortable coaches that allow you to soak in the scenery. As we traverse long distances, you'll enjoy curated onboard experiences, including educational stories and cultural presentations, making the journey as enriching as the destinations themselves. Each coach ride becomes an opportunity to connect with fellow travelers and share stories, ensuring that every mile brings you closer to unforgettable memories. Please read the Daily Activity Notes for more information regarding the time & distance traveled daily. A Texas Master Naturalist, along with our Group Leader, will serve as our Study Leaders throughout the program and provide educational information on the areas we explore, both on site and during travel and transfers. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/ conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. At 5:30 p.m., you are welcome to enjoy the “Kickback“ reception on the second floor of the hotel, with free hot food and cold drinks. We will continue to get acquainted over our group dinner.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
After dinner, the Group Leader will accompany those interested across the plaza to San Fernando Cathedral. The cathedral was built from 1738-50 by settlers from the Canary Islands who had been granted land by Spain’s King Philip V. Mexican general Santa Anna raised the red flag of “no quarter” from the church tower during the siege of the Alamo. Every Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, there is the light show by French artist Xavier De Richemont. This show tells the history of San Antonio, projected onto the cathedral, and is about 25 minutes long. It is free to the public. Continue getting to know your fellow participants, relax, and prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; riding about 400 miles, approximately 9 hours including stops. Walking up to one mile over the course of the day; standing at parks and rest stops.
Breakfast:
In the hotel’s second floor mezzanine.
Morning:
We will check out of the hotel, board our motorcoach, and head out on our educational adventure into the least populated area of Texas. We’ll make stops along the way as we cross scenic Hill Country and enter the breathtaking Chihuahuan Desert. En route, our Naturalist will talk about the geology, wildlife, and geography of San Antonio and West Texas. We'll stop this morning in the small town of Uvalde, for an expert-led exploration of the remarkable art collection at First State Bank Uvalde.
Lunch:
En route, we’ll have boxed lunches.
Afternoon:
This afternoon we'll make a stop at Amistad National Recreation Area visitor center where we'll view some exhibits that showcase the natural and cultural history of this area. The Amistad reservoir extends into Mexico and it's unique biodiversity is due to it's location within climate transition zones. It provides not only a home for migrating wildlife but a dynamic area for human recreation. Next we’ll board our motorcoach and travel on to our hotel in Alpine. After checking in, we’ll have time to freshen up before dinner.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; riding about 170 miles, approximately 3.5 hours total. Walking and standing up to 2 hours; some seating available. Climbing 5-10 steps for Star Party; dress warmly for the Star Party, which takes place outside for approximately 2 hours.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll hop on the motorcoach for a field trip to the Fort Davis National Historic Site. As the U.S. Park Service describes it, Fort Davis is one of the best surviving examples of an Indian Wars frontier military post in the Southwest. We’ll have a presentation by a park ranger about life here and begin to develop an appreciation of native inhabitants of the region, Buffalo Soldiers, early settlers, and the importance of mail coaches and freight wagons during the westward expansion of the United States. At the post hospital, we’ll get a glimpse of what frontier medicine was like. Next we'll head to the Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute for an expert-led exploration of this unique nature center. For over 40 years, the CDRI has served as a biological research station with the goal to encourage and promote research on the natural resources of the Chihuahuan Desert. We will explore the botanical gardens, cactus museum, and there will be time for independent exploration which could include a hike or learning more about geology and mining in the area.
Lunch:
Boxed Lunches at the Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we'll ride to the McDonald Observatory for a behind the scenes visit. We’ll begin with an introduction at the Observatory Visitor’s Center. We’ll set out on a walking field trip with observatory staff to observe and learn about the large, state-of-the-art telescopes and the important research conducted here. Afterwards, we’ll have some independent time to explore exhibits in the visitor center and contemplate advances in the world of astronomy.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
We’ll return to the McDonald Observatory for a Star Party. In the outdoor amphitheater, an astronomer will tell us about the observatory as well as visible planets and constellations. As we listen, we’ll gaze at the sky and see what we can observe with just the naked eye; far away from city lights, the stars, moon, and planets are visible with amazing clarity. Then, we’ll have an opportunity to view the magnificence through the myriad of telescopes around the plaza. Note: depending on the weather, the Star Party may take place indoors using virtual sky simulation software. Then, we’ll ride via motorcoach back to the hotel. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; riding about 200 miles, approximately 4 hours including stops. Standing up to 1.5 hours at museum; some seating available. Extent and duration of walking and other activities during independent time according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
After checking out, we'll ride to the Davis Mountains State Park where a ranger will give a presentation on Texas’ most extensive mountain range. We’ll learn about the formation of the mountains and how this unique landscape provides a home to a range of species from treefrogs to black bears. We’ll go on a short walk with our guide along the Skyline Drive Trail to observe some local flora and fauna before returning to the visitor’s center where we can observe birds from an enclosed viewing station. Next we’ll board the coach and head to the Museum of the Big Bend at Sul Ross University. On arrival, we’ll explore the museum with a docent and learn about the life, history, and culture of the Big Bend area and Northern Mexico. As we explore the exhibits, we’ll observe how the area was shaped by the confluence of cultures brought by Native Americans, Europeans, and U.S. citizens. As we eat our lunch, the museum curator will provide a lecture on the Buffalo Soldiers, a regiment of African Americans who played a key role in defending frontier settlements throughout West Texas.
Lunch:
At Museum of the Big Bend.
Afternoon:
We’ll then get back on the motorcoach and depart for Big Bend National Park. The park covers more than 800,000 acres, comprising spectacular geology and an amazing range of flora and fauna — with more types of birds, bats, and cacti than any other national park in the U.S. As we approach the North entrance, we'll notice the changing landscape while our naturalist points out some of the geologic features we've learned about thus far. We’ll continue through the park and pass the Chisos mountains where the main park visitor center is located. Please note: We will not be stopping at Chisos Vistor's Center as it will be under construction beginning in spring 2025. Upon arrival in Lajitas, we’ll check in at the resort with time to freshen up and relax before dinner. If you’re feeling up to it, you may enjoy taking a scenic stroll outside to soak up the surrounding natural beauty.
Dinner:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. You may want to eat at one of the resort restaurants, or walk to the nearby general store.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; riding about 150 miles, approximately 3.5 hours including stops. Optional hike approximately 1 mile uphill; rocky, natural trail, varied and uneven terrain in places with 50-60 steps to overlook.
Breakfast:
At the resort café.
Morning:
We'll begin our exploration of Big Bend National Park with a scenic trip by motorcoach down the Ross Maxwell Drive. We’ll be joined by a local expert who will tell us about the plants, animals, and ecosystems of the area as we ride. We’ll make a few stops along the way to take in the scenery and stretch our legs. One hundred miles from the nearest grocery store, we’ll marvel at views from the Sotol Vista overlook where we can see the entire western side of the park. We’ll then head to Santa Elena Canyon with its impressive cliffs rising high above Big Bend River. Those who wish may join our local expert on a walk up a trail to a canyon overlook. Those who prefer not to go up to the overlook can admire the exceptional views from the riverbank with our Group Leader.
Lunch:
Boxed lunches in the park.
Afternoon:
We'll reboard the motorcoach and continue exploring the remote beauty of Big Bend National Park with our local expert. We’ll make stops along the way to observe beautiful scenery and wildlife. As we ride, we’ll learn more about the plants and animals that call this park home. On our way back to the resort we'll drive past Terlingua. This ghost town was once a thriving mining community centered around the production of Cinnabar—an ore that is a source of mercury. Once the mines were no longer profitable, the town was abandoned. We'll have some time to relax and socialize before riding to dinner.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
We’ll ride back to the resort after dinner. The rest of the evening is at leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; riding about 240 miles total, approximately 5 hours including stops. Walking up to 1 mile.
Breakfast:
At the resort.
Morning:
After checking out, our first stop this morning will be in Big Bend Ranch State Park. An interpretive guide will meet us at the visitor’s center and give a presentation on the prehistoric and indigenous peoples of the area. Presence of early humans has been recorded in this region as early as 9,000 BCE. Experts believe nomadic hunter-gatherers were successful here for an estimated 7,500 years before the introduction of clay pottery allowed for a more agricultural lifestyle. More recent inhabitants include the Chisos, Mescalero Apache, and Comanche groups. We’ll hop back on the coach and make our way through the state park returning to the Fort Davis area. The drive through Big Bend Ranch State Park is one of the most scenic in Texas; take this opportunity to sit back and appreciate the remoteness of this rugged landscape.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
We will spend the afternoon driving the Davis Mountains Scenic Loop, a 75-mile trip circling a sky island, an isolated mountain range surrounded by a lowland environment. As elevation increases, we’ll observe changes in vegetation and wildlife; as we go up, the desert will be replaced with trees and greenery. Common flora are the alligator juniper and gray oak, as well as pinyon pine and quaking aspen which can’t be found anywhere else in Texas. Over 277 species of birds call this oasis home alongside an impressive array of large mammals including mule deer, black bear, and cougar. Almost 100,000 acres of this land is managed by the Nature Conservancy. On our way back down the mountains we’ll get a final glimpse of the McDonald Observatory and Fort Davis before heading to Alpine to check into our hotel. We will have some free time to relax before heading to dinner.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; riding about 400 miles, approximately 7 hours including stops.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll bid a fond farewell to the beautiful and remote Big Bend region, check out of the hotel, and board our motorcoach. Along the way, we’ll stop in a scenic Hill Country town to stretch our legs and have lunch.
Lunch:
At a restaurant in a Hill Country town.
Afternoon:
We’ll board our motorcoach and ride to San Antonio. En route, our Group Leader will share some final thoughts to wrap up our journey. Upon arrival, we’ll check in at our original San Antonio hotel. At 5:30 p.m., you are welcome to enjoy the Kickback reception on the second floor of the hotel.
Dinner:
In the hotel meeting room. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
Remaining in the meeting room, the Group Leader will conduct a final discussion and present a slide show of photos collected during the week. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Activity Note
Hotel check-out by 11:00 a.m.
Breakfast:
At the hotel. This concludes our program.
Morning:
If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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