Big Bend National Park, Texas

Texas singer-songwriter Butch Hancock, whose tunes have been sung by Willie Nelson and Emmylou Harris, provides entertainment along the way. For 20 years, Hancock has been joining raft trips run by local outfitter Far Flung Expeditions, which runs two or three musical Big Bend trips every year with homegrown artists.  (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)

Butch Hancock maneuvers a raft on the river.  (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)

The rafting group takes a break at the entrance to Santa Elena Canyon, one of three major canyons that cradle the Rio Grande as it passes through Big Bend.  (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)

Guide Patrick Harris helps Jodi Houlon down a rock face during a trek in Santa Elena Canyon.  (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)

Singer-songwriter Butch Hancock provides the soundtrack to a campfire scene along the river.  (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)

A rock cliff is reflected in the glassy surface of the Rio Grande.  (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)