Santa Elena Canyon Reviews

Santa Elena Canyon was worth the drive to the far end of the park (plus you get all the scenery on Ross Maxwell Drive). Other than the steps at the beginning, it's an easy walk totaling 1.8 miles round trip (it's an out and back trail that follows the canyon to a dead end). There's also a small beach at the start and it's a great place for kids to play in the water. We were there during peak season and it was controlled chaos. The parking lot was full mid day and ranger were telling people to park a mile away at a scenic viewpoint and walk to the canyon entrance. So I'd recommend going early or late in the day. I'm surprised to see it's ranked #1 of things to do in BBNP though because I wouldn't rank it my number one activity out of the week's worth of things we did. I wouldn't bother with the hike though if you plan on taking a river trip through it (a canoe or kayak trip in the canon is a must do in my opinion).

Beautiful hike which you can do a portion of or continue down the canyon. Stunning and picturesque. Appropriate for most hiking levels.

One of the most beautiful places in America. We did a canoe trip through the Santa Elena Canyon. It was just stunning.
I would recommend it. Be advised it is strenuous.
No restrooms. Pink or blue bushes or in the river.

Drive to the end of the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive and park, then cross the river to get to the canyon trailhead. There is no bridge, so bring shoes that you can get wet. The rocks in the river are sharp. Many people cross barefoot, as we did, but it is painful for tender feet. The hike itself is short and intriguing.

The Santa Elena Canyon on the Rio Grande is the crown jewel of Big Bend Park. I'd drive the 45 + miles thru the park just to visit this spot.
Where else can you literally be a stone's throw from Mexico's border?
We marveled at the 1500 ft tall canyon walls.
Well worth the trip!
Safe travels.

We visited in June and it was HOT! We did all our hiking in the mornings so it was bearable. Once we made the slow, long drive to the canyon we found it was a very small hike to the canyon. It was beautiful! We didn't cross the creek to complete the hike because the water was very dirty and had lots of debris. (If I hadn't seen Lonesome Dove where the guy was attacked by the snakes in the water I wouldn't have been so hesitant.) Definitely a must see when visiting Big Bend N.P.

If you do the Santa Elena Canyon Trail, you can get a close up experience of the Rio Grande. The trail is 1.5 miles with 610 feet elevation gain. We did this hike on Saturday, October 30.

I was worried about the river crossing due to some reviews I read on AllTrails but by the time we went, I guess there was less water and there were rocks you could step on to avoid getting wet. You could really avoid stepping into the water with hiking poles.

We came at 10:30 am. Part of the trail is in the shade which was appreciated since it was starting to get very hot. At the beginning of the trail, you have to climb up.

We did 2 other trails along Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive (Tuff Canyon and Lower Burro Mesa Pour Off) and this one was the best. However, when you get to the end of the trail, there are no longer views and you just come to a dead end.

We finished this trail in an hour and did enjoy the views of the Rio Grande. We even saw groups of people taking canoes down the river.

If you're in the Big Bend area, take the time to visit Santa Elena Canyon. It's worth the drive more than you could ever imagine...

As much as we would have liked to, we were not prepared to hike the canyon. To access the canyon you have to cross Trelingua Creek which has water up higher than your knees.
The overlook was not much but down by the river was a much nicer view.

Equal to the main attraction in the most popular NP's. It's a must see. If you only have a short time in the park, the drive to the canyon will only increase your anticipation.

We really enjoyed this hike and the views. It's quite a climb up, but well worth it. It was nice and peaceful at the end of the trail. It wasn't that way for us, but i understand sometimes the river is too high to get across to the trail...unsure

This was the highlight of our trip. Make sure you don’t miss it if you’re visiting Big Bend. We loved the hike and the view.

An impressive canyon, Mexico on the left and the US on the right with the Rio Grande in the center (Rio Bravo for those from the left side of the canyon. We didn't tube or canoe the canyon, but that is a reason for a future trip. The "preset" will require me to hit July 2019, but the trip was actually in July 2015.

If you are lucky enough to take this hike, you will never forget the beauty and the splendor. The views are world class. If you enjoy photography, you will be thrilled.

I loved the rugged desert and moutain scenes on the Ross Maxwell scenic drive and kept hearing the theme to The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.

Wading in the Rio Grande is a wonderful reward, as you gaze across the water to Mexico. We completed the round trip on May 5, 2024 on a morning that was relatively not hot but the heat was a consideration. Thinking it was a short hike, I grabbed 700 mL of water and at the last second, added another 700 mL, having been influenced by "always take more water than you think you need." It was barely adequate. Take more.

The various reviews I read of this hike greatly underestimated the time it would take to complete it. We had to walk a ways to cross the creek where it was dry and then there was an extremely difficult section, where you have to somehow gain about 2 narrow and vertical meters with crude dirt steps incised into the earth. We weren't even sure if it was the official path but we could find no others. We are in our late 60s and fit and we somehow managed to scramble up these narrow, irregular, high steps. On the way down, I threw my pack to the ground before descending, and that helped. Trailheads are well marked, but after that, frequently one is left wondering which path to take.

The middle part of the hike is paved and there are steps up and down that are doable for seniors who are in shape. If you have trekking poles, take them.

I would never rate this trail as "easy", as it is frequently rated. One ranger explained to us that heat makes an easy trail moderate, a moderate trail strenuous, etc.

Gorgeous, near sunset, the light streaming in. Breathtaking. May is hot 🔥 but not crowded at all. Just WoW. Long drive but so worth it.

This is an absolutely stunning trail and a must do hike. The towering mountains on the sides of the trail make you feel small. It is invigorating and humbling. We saw goats grazing on the Mexican side and saw some unique flora. A truly breathtaking journey!

One simply cannot go to Big Bend and miss this feature. Only downside is that if the Terlingua Creek is not dry it makes it considerably more difficult to access the trail into the canyon. Once there, though, the views are amazing.

For us this was the second best spot in the Big Bend. It is really nice to see those big rocks forming the canyon. We saw it af the car stop on top and on the ground. It also has a trail, but is was way to hot for us to follow the trail.

Go early to see sunrise reflect in canyon- also limited parking.
Pretty short trail but goes up and down some steps- have to do this both out and back.

We took the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive to the end, this is where the trail starts. It is a 30 mile drive, taking around 1 hour. You can also use Maverick Road, but that one requires 4 wheel. Parking is good, and there are restrooms and picnic area. To start the trail, you have to cross a creek. We took off shoes and socks. The water went over the ankles. After crossing you have to climb up 1 meter, since the other is higher. Not much to hold on to, so a little difficult, but possible. From here on, the trail is easy to walk on. At first it is going up, but later it becomes flat. The Canyon becomes quite hot, so do recommend you to go in the morning, and bring plenty og water. We went 9 AM, first half was in the Sun, but second half in shade. In total it took us 1 hour, not rushing anything. The hike is Great and the views Nice.

The Santa Elena Canyon was one of our first stops at Big Bend National Park. The iconic view of the huge cliffs being cut through by the mighty Rio Grande had been on our bucket list. It did not disappoint! The hike is short and very well worth it to get down in the Canyon. From sandy river level to heights along the US boarder of the cliff and back down again, it was unlike anything else. Amazing to think this is the division of countries! Absolutely beautiful!

One of my favorite places in the world! Always beautiful and breath-taking. I wish every American could see this stretch of the border.

Santa Elena canyon was my top choice in Big Bend Park. At the entrance of park, we paid 25 $ (valid for a week, there is no daily fee). My visit was in early July an I arrived there at 2 pm and the weather was scorching hot. Remember to bring enough water with yourself and be prepared for sunburn. Other than that, I enjoyed hiking in the canyon.

Terlingua Creek was up on Nov. 4th. Like the vast majority of other visitors that morning, we did not wade across the knee-deep Creek, but enjoyed the view from the edge of Terlingua Creek.

The exit of the Rio Grande.from Santa Elana Canyon is the most majestic place of earth, at least to me. I’ve visited it dozens of times and never get tired of it even though it frequently changes.

Our last hike for the day was a short five minute drive down the road to Big Bend National Park's iconic Santa Elena Canyon. Naturally, being one of the park's biggest attractions, this was the hike where we encountered the most people for the day--five people.

After getting out of the car, we walked down a path leading towards a boardwalk. Because Santa Elena Canyon has the Rio Grande River running through it, the trail to reach the canyon can be muddy with run off from Terlingua Creek.

After a short walk, less than a mile, we saw our first views of the spectacular canyon. On the right side of the canyon is Mesa de Anguila, a large mesa in the western portion of Big Bend. On the left side is the Sierra Ponce--the northern boundary of Mexico.

The Santa Elena Canyon was carved by the Rio Grande, patiently wearing away at the rock over many, many years. The canyon has walls up to 1,500 feet tall. While it is not known for sure, the canyon is said to have been named by Louis Ramirez, founder of the nearby Mexican settlement of the same name.

The canyon was one of the last features of the park to be surveyed as many early surveyors believed that their boats could not navigate it.

The Rio Grande is one of the most important features in the park. The waters originate high in the mountains of Colorado from snow and springs. By the time the river reaches the park, the majority of the water has been stopped in reservoirs and irrigation; however, the Rio Conchos from the Sierra Madres revitalizes the water source as it reaches Big Bend.

In addition to the Rio Grande, there are over 180 springs and natural wells that provide water to the plants and animals in the area. Because of the climate, areas with water are usually visible from a distance because of the abundance of plant life.

While we had hoped to continue our hike a little bit further, the swampy mud made it difficult to reach the next leg so we decided to call it a day and head back to Terlingua.

I wasn't thrilled with having to cross the river and get mud up to my ankles, but it was totally worth it! Took our shoes and socks off, crossed, put them back on and enjoyed the hike. The canyon is breathtaking!

Great day hike. Plan on a couple of hours overall. Be prepared to ford the Terilingua Creek if the river is high.

Bit of a hot day (110) but down in the Rio Grande it was much cooler. Water was low and we hiked a mile up the river. Beautiful views! Can't wait to do it again next year.

Not sure why it is marked as #1, there are much nicer hikes; It is fun to walk into the canyon, put your feet into the Rio Grande, and with the right sun angle see great reflections; it is a very easy and safe short hike.

We hiked this trail the week of Christmas. The Rio Grande was between knee and waist deep. We watched a few people try and cross, but get stuck and turn around. The problem was not the depth or the flow of the river itself but the mud! The mud is thick and deep and sticky! We passed one woman on the trail who mentioned she had tried to ford the river and lost her shoe because the mud was so sticky!

There was a make shift path a ways down to the right where the river was almost dry. In order to get to the trail, however we had to traverse a cliff. It looks more intimidating than it actually is. We had a party of 9 ranging in age from 9 to 67 and we all made it both up and back without too much trouble.

The amazing gift of this hike is the beauty once you traverse the switchbacks and begin the descent into the canyon. The temperature drops and it feels like you've traveled into another dimension due to the shift in climate which goes from desert rocks to tropical rain forest type feel.

This was probably one of the more traveled and popular trails we hiked on our trip. I'd recommend coming prepared with hiking boots (in case you have to climb like we did) or water/hiking shoes if you wind up having to ford the river; depending on what time of year. We saw many people turning back and not doing the climb.

Must visit, if you are visiting Big Bend National Park. It is to easy access and has beautiful views.

One can see the entrance to the canyon from a long way off. That increases the anticipation. The high canyon walls along the river in Mexico can be seen from a distance also. The short trail leads to the Rio Grande River on level ground. Then the trail leads up a steep path for a short ways to wonderful views of the river and steep canyon walls. Usually there are kayakers and canoers doing their float trips. Gives a great perspective for pictures. It is cool in the canyon so on a hot day that would be a great place to go. Be sure to do the entire trail. Some people turned back rather than descend to the river level at the end. But it is worth the climb back up to return. Don't miss!

Feels like the far end of the earth. Once you cross the Rio Grande (super cold), you can walk like a mile into the canyon. The first 1/5 mile is steep uphill but past that it’s super scenic and worth it. Just wear waterproof shoes or sandals

We had to use a makeshift “hike” to get to the trail/canyon and it was HARD. But, once we got on the actual hike, it was absolutely amazing - we all agreed it was one of the coolest things we have ever seen.

We took an 8 hour canoe excursion run by Far Flung Tours. The tour company and guides were pretty well flawless. Canoes are definitely the way to see Santa Elena Canyon. Water was low in several places, requiring them to be dragged over the shallow bars. Those in marginal physical condition might keep this in mind. The canyon itself is just stunning. We would do this again in a heartbeat.

Put-in at Lajitas, Caught an excellent flow of about 300 cfs. Far Flung outfitted us (kudos to this operation). First day (say, 8-10 river miles) through low mountains, wide valleys. Camped on Mexican side. Second day into the canyon, traversed the Rock Slide, camped in US on a glorious spit with 5-600 foot walls on both sides of the river. Phenomenal star show in this bit of remote wilderness. Came on out of the mouth of the canyon far too soon on day three. Sigh. Glorious.

We drove down from Chisos Mountain Lodge. It's a slow drive but beautiful scenery. Don't stop at Castolon unless you need the bathroom. The water was very low and slow moving when we were there. There are bathrooms at Santa Elena. We walked part of the trail - same view just different elevations.

Easy hike. Beautiful views. A must.
But be warned... You must cross a small creek of knee deep mud to access the trail. This mud is deep, thick and you have no idea what you are stepping on beneath. When you cross the creek, there is no place to wash off until you reach the river at the end of the hike. My suggestion is to wear river shoes, hiking sandals or old shoes and just hike with mud on your feet. Wearing regular shoes and removing the shoes & socks before crossing barefoot results in a muddy mess with no way to clean your feet. So you end up putting your mud coated feet in your shoes.
In the end, the hike resulted in a great experience with amazing photos. But the mud crossing was a challenge that the family disliked - a lot.

The water wasn't high enough for us to raft down this canyon, so we had to be content with hiking into it -- an easy walk, as described by other reviewers. It is so beautiful -- do not miss this on your visit to Big Bend!

Beautiful view! Definitely a must see! Download the Just Ahead up for a guide and park info as a travel through Big Bend and explore!

I didn’t like the hike in because heights scare me. But once you are there it’s so absolutely awesome, you can’t even fathom it’s beauty. I just walked around, mouth agape

I only viewed the canyon from the end point, as the river exits the plateau. Next time I will take a raft trip from one of the small towns/outfitters on the other end. Traveling through the canyon must be a marvelous experience!

It is quite a drive to get there, but definitely worth it. We didn't cross the river for the whole trail, but loved the views we did get. Know there are bathroom facilities there.

Loved Santa Elena Canyon. Remember to bring your water shoes and a small backpack so you can hike way back into the canyon if the water levels are low enough.

Watch the meandering river move slowly through the steep walled canyon. Kayakers maneuvering through the slow moving and some places shallow waters add to the majesty of the location.

This is a great place to visit while in Big Bend. It is a bit of a distance from the lodge, if you are staying there, but the drive is very scenic. There is a small carpark then a short walk to the stairs, then you can climb up to get the views of the valley and the river. It gets very hot there so take plenty of water and wear a hat.

Well, the scenery was beautiful and the weather in Sept. was lovely and it wasn't crowded. But, it is so far out of the way and though scenery is excellent there are more convenient parks with as good as, or better scenery and park amenities. I wouldn't go there there in summer.

Nice hike a short ways into the canyon. There is a quick creek crossing and your shoes will likely get wet. After that a climb up a small bank, and then some quick switchbacks to get going. After that it is all pretty easy, and very impressive. The Rio Grande flows between two canyon walls which is very dramatic. The hike is relatively short, and is usually pretty busy.

This trail is moderately difficult, with a steep stairway in the middle. The first part and last part are on fairly level ground. The Rio Grande river is right next to the pathway, and there are areas where the river was only 20 yards across and knee deep! The rocky canyon wall on the Mexico side of the river is gorgeous!

Worth every step! From the parking area, follow the wooden mats to crossing—beware that you could get stuck in mud! Park people lay down branches when it’s muddy, but be careful and bring walking stick if you have one. Once across, you ascend a rather vertical set of switch backs—but not too long. Then it’s a gentle descent to the river bed where the desert gives way to a soft, lush landscape on a powdery little trail. Stunning views and lush vegetation. It’s just magical...

Wonderful walk but you have to like steps and handle a steep drop off. You start by going up a bank of a creek to get to the path. Follow path to the canyon wall and proceed up paved steps while passing fossil rich limestone. When you get to the top there is a path to go into the canyon for great views. A must do while visiting Big Bend National Park.

The drive down to the canyon is a huge reward in itself and then the hike into the canyon is quite spectacular. It involves quite a few steps to get within the canyon walls but when you do you realise it was worth it as the red rocks of the canyon wall tower above you. On a hot day the river offers a good way to cool down by taking a paddle in the water. Remember to bring fluids and snacks and wear sun protection and allow plenty of time to enjoy it !

We visited the Santa Elena Canyon a couple times. Once near sunset, and again to hike the trail a couple mornings later. At sunset it was pretty, but note that looking into the canyon you are looking mostly west, so we couldn't really get pictures from the nearby lookout point, since they were straight into the sun.

From the parking area, you walk down to the beach right at the mouth of the canyon, where there were a number of people enjoying the water. To get to the trail, you head right, and then can either cross the creek or head upstream. In October when we were there, the creek was not running; although it looked like there was water it was just the Rio Grande backing up it. By walking a few hundred yards away from the river, we reached a dry spot and were able to cross without getting wet. This crossing does add time to your hike, and there are some steep spots on the opposite side, but we were happy with the added exploration.

After crossing the creek and getting back to the Rio Grande itself, the trail switchbacks up and then heads down until you are at water level again inside the canyon. The trail ends at solid rock, but you can go perhaps half a mile or so before that point. It took us right about half an hour to get to the end of the trail, and then another half hour to return.

We enjoyed this hike and seeing the river from this perspective, although we did like the Boquillas Canyon trail, at the opposite side of the park, a little better (perhaps because it was less crowded?). I would recommend doing both if you have time.

Santa Elena is easily the most spectacular site to visit in Big Bend. You must squeeze it into your trip. Ross Maxwell scenic drive gets you there, and it's a near 2nd.

I was initially puzzled by the difference in trail length listed in different placed. When I took the hike, I realized it is a function of how high or low the river is. When we went, it was very low, so the hike was a bit longer into the gravelly base of the canyon. One of my travel companions bailed out, though, since parts of the trail are very steep and there are no rails. Be prepared!

You can view it from afar, or up close, but the best way is to raft through the canyon, You will have canyon neck before you have finished the rafting trip, but the experience will be something you will cherish long after your vacation has ended. Guaranteed!!!

What a hike! Elevation gain at the start while we were still fresh and enthusiastic and then mostly level; scenery was gorgeous and awe-inspiring. This is a hike where the views during the journey are as impressive or more impressive than the view at the end.

Wading through the shaded river with fresh water was such a pleasant experience. And the setting is gorgeous

Beauty and serenity meet here. You can just imagine the animals and peoples who have crossed this canyon through the centuries. What an experience. We were so grateful to spend time here. Be sure to take the drive even if hiking isn’t In your plans at Big Bend

Didn’t know what to expect in real life but was amazed by the size and sight of the canyon. We waded around in the river and debated crossing to start the trail but the mud was almost shin deep

The Saint Elena Canyon hike is an easy one for groups of all ages. The terrain is relatively flat, alongside the Rio Grande. There is an area where you have to climb up some steps, but there are railings, if needed. It is totally worth it. The silt in the water has worn away a rift between rocks over thousands of years so that now there are two high cliffs. The trail takes you within the narrow space. This accompanying photo does not do it justice! It is easy to see why this is the #1 attraction in the park. But since Big Bend is the least visited national park due to it's being 4+ hours from any airport, it is never as crowded as the others. We were there in February and it was between 70-80 degrees everyday and 50-60 degrees in the evenings.

This is an incredibly beautiful and striking place! If you are going to Big Bend dont miss it, even if you dont do the trail stop by the river & take it in!

This is a gorgeous must see area of Big Bend National Park. Thankfully we consulted the rangers ahead of time to know that we should be being water shoes in order to do creek crossing on the trails. The water is super warm and soothing. We went right at scorching midday and it was still okay because there was a strong breeze soaring through the canyon. Make sure to walk all the way to the end of the trail because there is a beach area with some shelter and you can wade all the way across the river. Be warned- there is shoe sucking clay and we lost two shoes that could not be found in the mud. Either use a shoe with straps or go barefoot!

Amazing view of Santa Elena canyon at the end of the drive - lots of view points on the way down. Take your time and slowly go down to Santa Elena Canyon. There are 2 view points - one from a couple of miles away and one a short walk from the parking lot. This was one trip that we were really glad we made whilst staying in Big Bend - I would allow most of the day to do this trip plus the visitor centre and the stops- mule ears etc.

Big Bend is full of spectacular scenic sights and Santa Elena Canyon may be the most breathtaking of them all. The drive to get there offers striking desert scenery and the canyon at the end of the road is glorious. You haven't seen Big Bend until you've seen Santa Elena Canyon.

Santa Elena Canyon is one of the signature sites of Big Bend NP. The huge walls are visible from most places in the Western half of the Park. The hike into the Canyon is not difficult, but allows you to see these massive walls up close. There are fossils, huge rockfalls and birds to view along the scenic route. This should be the first stop on any visit to Big Bend NP.

We got here around 9 in March. The lighting was great and we were the only ones in the canyon until we were on our way out. There is a "bridge" across a tiny stream than a short climb up and down to get into the canyon, then it levels out to a nice sandy trail. It was mostly shaded and there was a lovely breeze when we were there. The birds were singing and reads taller than us were swaying in the wind. Very peaceful. In my opinion this is the pretiest of the canyons.

Consider this one of the must do sites in the park. I recommend you either arrive early in the AM or visit later in the afternoon when it starts to cool off. Even though it was April, by the time we finished our hike around 11am it was already quite hot. The views driving to the site and during the hike are stunning. We saw many lizards and kangaroo rats in the vegetation along the river. We really loved this whole area.

High water prevented us from getting all the way into the canyon but view was still great. Canyon walls are beautiful.

This is a must see in the Big Bend Park as it is outstanding!!! It’s quite a drive from the park entrance but along the way you see an abundance of beautiful scenery & the journey is worth it.

A very pretty hike through an impressive landscape, but unfortunately also very popular and correspondingly crowded. The journey is quite long, but offers beautiful views and scenery. If you visit Big Bend, you should definitely come here.

Great easy to moderate hike. The views exceeded my expectations. Depending on recent rains you may have to wade through a creek to get to the trailhead.

Simply a Beautiful Sight, not to miss we hit it at sunset and it was amazing, lots of wildlife and much cooler.

A little bit of climbing for a whole lot of beauty! Do not miss this hike. The steep cliffs on the Mexican side, wow just gorgeous!

This is an easy hike with probably the most bang for the buck of any trail in Big Bend National Park. It’s 1.5 miles out and back with 80 feet of elevation, and it takes you into the canyon along the banks of the Rio Grande river, with 1500 vertical feet of limestone cliffs towering above the trail. The only problem is that to even start this trail you have to first cross Terlingua creek, which connects with the Rio Grande River right after the trail head. You have three options here:

1. Visit Big Bend when there has been little to no rain and the creek is dry.

2. Take off your shoes (or put on water sandals), hike up your pants, and wade across the creek. This is a great option if the creek is low, but when we visited in early November, Terlingua “creek” was about 50 feet wide and maybe 2 ½ feet high. At that point I would call it a river! I only saw one person wade across when we were there.

3. When you reach the creek, turn right and walk down a little ways until the creek turns into a thin stream. Then walk across and look for a steep, narrow little path that goes up the banks of the creek. Climb up this path (it’s about 20 feet up) and then scramble through the rocks and plants at the top until you reach the start of the trail. When I was there, that’s pretty much what every hiker did, including one man who managed it while holding a baby. I’ve posted pictures with this review that show what this unofficial path looks like.

Hopefully they’ll build a bridge over the creek at some point, but for now I think the unofficial path is the best bet during the rainy season. This is a great trail with stunning views, and it’s well worth the rather difficult start.

I wanted to visit Santa Elena early in the day before it got crowded and was treated to a spectacular sunrise along the way. Check out the desert overlook a few miles before Santa Elena off of Ross Maxwell Drive if the sun is rising. The overlook is just a couple minutes walk from the parking area and offers terrific early morning views. I've attached a couple of photos. As to Santa Elena, I was the first one there at about 7 a.m. on an early March morning and had the canyon to myself for about an hour. For me, at least, having few, if any, other people around greatly enhances the outdoors experience.

Amazing place at the end of a long ride. The river snakes through the high walled canyon in a peaceful way. This is how the boarder should be. Beautiful on all sides without some artificial barrier, and open to all to enjoy if you can get there. It's beautiful country no matter who it belongs to. It rained the night before and probably the day before so we were unable to cross the stream to the real canyon hike but it was so peaceful and beautiful it didn't matter. We saw a coyote, a javelina, tons of birds including the road runners. Monarch butterflies on pretty flowers. Really beautiful place.

This trail takes you to the Santa Elena Canyon. To be honest, we were exhausted at this point and ready to head to Marfa, so we just hiked up to the canyon, grabbed some photos and hiked back. The whole trail is 1.7 miles round trip and takes you through the canyon to the water’s edge.

Santa Elena Canyon is a very scenic place to visit with amazing views at the top. The hiking trail started with easy walk on the sand and leads you to the river. From there, the trail goes up with steps. You may want to bring wind breakers just in case it becomes windy at the top.

This was one of our favorite hikes in Big Bend. The river was high, so the normal trail was flooded. Although the makeshift trail head was a little treacherous, it was not too bad. Once you are on the main trail, the views are spectacular. The destination is a bit of a let down, but you get the same views on the way out and they are worth the whole trip.

This was probably my favorite part of Big Bend National Park that we visited. We got to the trailhead near the end of the park road in the late afternoon and enjoyed walking the trail up to the high point where you can see north towards the flood plain, as well as look into the canyon’s high walls as the Rio Grande proceeds south around a bend into Mexico. Even in winter, the area around the Rio Grande is lush, and the river itself adds color and reflection to photos from up there. If you plan to take this short hike, bring some decent shoes, as you may have to traverse a small creek and a muddy area. There are other overlook stops along the way with interpretive signs about past habitations and developments that were previously in this valley.

The first half of the hike is quite steep. Many older people chose not to try it. But it's not bad and the trail heads down to the water level at the end of the trail. Take lots of water!

great park with a massve amount of animals and nature. good mixture of rocks, rivers and plants wirt lots of tracks to choose

It's hard to believe that the muddy Rio Grande River has a location that looks like this (we live in deep south Texas). The hike is very short and easy. Best time to go is in the evening as the sunset allows for some gorgeous pics. You can cross a small creek (pretty deep mud) to access some other picture areas, but even if you don't, it's worth the walk to check this place out.

Considering how hot it was the visit to the canyon was worth it! It was so easy to get to with amazing sights along the way. My youngest was fascinated by skipping rocks in the river. You don’t have to be a hiker to enjoy the the canyon.

Big Bend was my first visit to a major National Park and it didn't disappoint! My only regret is that we naively gave ourselves one day to get to explore the park as we had no idea how truly massive the park was. Santa Elena Canyon was the first landmark that we saw when visiting the park. To our surprise it was a short hike to get to the beginning of the canyon and take in the amazing views. We did see others take the uphill hike around the canyon however we didn't fell like we were experienced enough hikers at the time to take on the challenge. The views were still breathtaking after the short hike to make the whole experience still worth it!

River was high so we could only look from outside but these massive 1500 ft cliffs were very impressive.

To start walking into Santa Elena Canyon everybody has to cross Terlinqua creek. There is no bridge and water was too high to cross using rocks and branches. Sandals, barefoot or waterproof boots will work. The trail runs on the site of the canyon and offers great views.

We were in Big Bend on a misty fall day. This was a highlight of our trip! Be sure to walk the short distance to the Rio from the trailhead/parking lot and wear good hiking boots! Beautiful views. On a better weather day, there is river access just up the road where you can let in a canoe or kayak. We will be back!

My husband and I came between Christmas and New Years. We happened upon great weather. And while the park was technically closed and blocked off to drivers, there was a spot to park 2 miles from the start of the hike. We rode our mountain bikes there then hiked. It's not a long hike. It's mostly shaded and the views are gorgeous. While there are steps, I would not call this a strenuous hike. It's only 1.7 miles round trip. It is definitely worth the views.

A very very beautiful place. The hike is not too bad, but good weather will certainly help. One way about 3/4 miles.

We parked in a lot not far from the trail. It was an easy walk to the bank of the Rio Grande. In order to hike into the canyon, you had to wade across Turlingua Creek which was too high for us to wade across. The views into the canyon were nice but would have been better had we been able to go up further. We did eat lunch at a picnic table not far from the trail head.

While it is an uphill hike and not a walk, this is an easier hike for your family members of almost any age. This was our first hike in the park and can see why it is ranked #1. Rio Grande was more beautiful than we imagined it would be and the canyon was impressive. Only thing better than hiking this canyon would be to float it. Had lunch on a shady ledge halfway up. Our 9 and 13 year old boys thoroughly enjoyed this hike. Highly recommended for the whole family.

Beautiful scenery for sure but as others have said, to get on the trail you have 2 options from the beach area. You can walk across the river or walk a little further down to the dry crossover but be aware that you will need to navigate a few minutes of somewhat treacherous terrain (short steep descending rocky paths) to get to the flat part of the entry to the trail. Water was about 3 ft deep today and we didn't have water shoes so we took the harder route. I've seen this hike is rated easy but that is only if you enter the trail thru the river.

Although it is a long drive to the canyon, I think you should have it on your must see list. Park and walk down to the river at least. You can walk further into the canyon as well. It’s a beautiful sight and well worth your time.

WE drove the 30 or so miles on Ross Maxwell scenic drive making several stops for pictures and viewing along the way. The bluebonnets were spectacular.

We got to the end of the road to a semi crowded parking lot at about 330 or so on a 90 degree day. There is a small restroom here if you need it. But remember to bring your own drinking water.

We followed the wooden trail for about a hundred yards or so until it dropped us out onto the sand and gravel where the Terlingua wash meets the Rio Grande. Crossing the wash we got back on the trail, a good portion of which is concrete and steps at least until you get to the top of the trail. There are several switch back as you climb up still facing out of the canyon for much of the climb.

Once you get tot he top follow the trail as it parallels that river and eventually drops down to river level. It is nice to get back into the shad of the canyon once you get lower. There were several people here that were kayaking, canoeing, and hiking. But, it never seemed too crowded.

Nice hike, not to0 strenuous. My 12 and 9 year old were able to do it. You do have to wade across a river to get to the canyon. Gorgeous views that are worth it.

A beautiful place. A Grand Canyon right here in Texas. The river and canyon walls were a site to see. A hiking trail goes across (or around) a part of the river and up onto the Canyon wall (on the U.S. side). Mexico is right across on the other side. The hike is about 1 1/2 mile long and well worth the effort. After walking up the dirt trails and stone steps you emerge in a cane shaded trail which is about 10 degrees cooler then when you are on the side of the canyon wall. You are able to go all the way down to the river between the canyon. Great for families but you need to watch the little's because in some places there is no fence or wall from the path down to the river as it flows through the canyon. We left our preschooler grand-kids (with their parents) down on the river banks where they skipped rocks and played in the water until we returned. Our high-school granddaughter loved it. There were a number of hikers on the trail and all were courteous and respectful of the wonderful surroundings. Take drinking water as there are no facilities or fountains anywhere on the trail.

We took this hike to go into the canyon. It was a surprise to hike/wade through the mud across the creek. I suggest not wearing shoes across the creek. My 6 year old was too short so my husband carried him. On the opposite side there are ants but no one was bitten. There is some shade on the trail but not a lot. We had a great time and got some good photos on some of the big boulders.

Very beautiful canyon on the border with Mexico.Very high canyon walls and the Rio Grande flowing in the middle.

This hike along the canyon was the highlight of our trip. We loved the river and walking alongside it. It was cool and pleasant. It was an easy hike. It had fantastic views of the rest of the park. You can hike up all the way until the canyon turns. There are some wonderful rock climbing opportunities. My son enjoyed it. It's a short hike about 1 mile.
The water is so beautiful and you can see the levels the water has risen in the past. It was very enjoyable.

this was a short super fun hike. it did go pretty much straight up at the beginning but don't be discouraged from finishing it. one you get to the top you have a gradual descent along the river and after about half you way work your way into the shadow of the canyon and the temperature drops about 20 degrees. lots of photo opportunities along the way to the trails end and once there the peace and quiet are well worth the effort to get here.

This is the signature feature of Big Bend and it exceeds expectations. There are places where pictures simply can not capture the experience and this is one of those, especially at sun rise. My Friend Kent and I started our well before dawn to experience sunrise here. It was incredible. The canyon is beautiful at any time but at dawn with the sun lights the entire wall the entire canyon comes alive. Realizing that the Rio Grande cuts through this geological upwelling is unreal. The hike is not bad. You do climb as series of stairs and switchbacks to climb like 100 feet before trail just goes into the canyon and descends to the water. However, the rise gives you incredible view of the desert below that simply beyond the words and pictures. I would get up before dawn every day if I could see this again and again. It is that amazing.

Really enjoyed this hike into Santa Elena Canyon! Up a small hill entering the canyon, after crossing a small creek.

Wow what a stunning place to visit. The Rio grande is a welcome relief from the desert. It gets very hot out here but well worth a visit. The small Hike to the river is very easy everybody can do it. The hike into the canyon is a little more challenging but our 4 year old managed it without a problem. It’s worth talking a few hours a beautiful place

Hike into the canyon. Better yet, do a canoeing trip deep into the canyon. Awe inspiring scenery that you will never forget.

When I saw pictures of this national park, Santa Elena Canyon was the main attraction. This destination did not disappoint me whatsoever. The Rio Grande cuts through the mountains between the United States and Mexico, and this hike was moderate to take. This hike took me approximately an hour to finish. There were some major elevation changes during this hike. This hike got very crowded, and it was difficult to get parking. There were bathrooms by the parking lot. Visitors should take water, and they should wear sunglasses, hats, good shoes, and sunscreen. I saw many birds and a plethora of flowering desert plants. It took an hour by car to reach this destination from the entrance which led to Alpine. I did not see any migrants during this trek, and I felt completely safe. It was so incredible that Mexico was starring back at me from across this mighty river.

Not a long hike, but a bit strenuous at the beginning then back down to the Rio Grande. We had a Mexican serenading us from the other side of the river (with a tip jar on the park side of the river). There were also handmade trinkets for sale that had been brought over earlier in the morning by a group who sat under a tree and waited for purchases to be made. The 'NO WALL' koozie handmade by Mexicans was good for a laugh if nothing else.

We did not have time for a float trip, but we did see people coming out. They all seemed to really enjoy it. This is really a beautiful area to visit. We went at the recommendation of friends who have been there several times, and they love it. We live in Illinois, so it is a good trek. We camped outside the park in our camping trailer. Big Bend National Park is a great place to visit.

On the scenic drive in Bend Bend Park the last stop is Santa Elena Canyon. We had to get our shoes wet to make it across the river but it was worth it. Man-made anythings can never compare to what nature has prepared for all of us to partake in.

The photos will not do it justice.

This is very lovely. I was disappointed that I couldn't make the hike up to the top. There was no way to get to the trail due to flooding. Not what I was expecting.

Unfortunately the river was very high so we could not take the trail right into the canyon. However the views of the tremendous cliffs and the perpendicular split of the canyon right through them was absolutely amazing. Well worth the drive down through the desert.

Online pictures don't do it justice. There is a little bit of a climb a the start of the trail (turnbacks with railing; not hard but will get your hear rate up) but very easy after that. Then the sides of the canyon tower over you. Unbelievable. And then at the end of the trail what an incredible view. I felt like I was looking at the cover of Texas Monthly. An incredible site. Saw someone go by on a paddle board and was jealous but so awesome taking in the reflection of the canyon on the water. It seemed to never end.

My husband and I drove to the Santa Elena Canyon during our visit to Big Bend National Park. He hiked the Santa Elena Canyon Trail and felt it was a highlight of our visit.

We arrived at the parking lot for Santa Elena Canyon Trail (2.0 mi. RT) around 4pm midweek this past February. We had to park a few hundred feet down the road as the parking lot was completely full. The hike was simply breathtaking even though it was certainly the busiest trail during our visit to Big Bend NP.

Because the river levels of the Rio Grande were so low, we were able to hike further than normal and reached a point where we could go no further where we had the views all to ourselves. Simply amazing. It was great seeing the fading sunlight light up the canyon from behind.

Don't miss this hike in Big Bend!

This experience must be one of the top 3 things in the park that you must do. Very much enjoyed it. Wade down river a little beyond the trail's end is available. We were not prepared for that.

In spite of heat was interesting
Quite beautiful but would not suggest trip
in may
Scenery repetitive to uninformed visitor from the north
Would recommend coming anytime other than summer

Although we had heard that some felt that the wade through 12 inches deep or so clay mud was not worth the while to see the canyon from within, we definitely disagree as did everyone on the other side who decided to make the mud wade. Take off your shoes, and carry them to the other side and maybe get some help if needed scrambling up the very slippery muddy bank. Have some water back at the car to rinse off your feet and legs when done. The short hike in the canyon to actually get inside and view the steep cliffs is definitely worth it. This was a highlight of our trip to Big Bend and had us feeling a bit like we were on a reality TV show! Lots of fun you will not regret to see awesome views that cannot be nearly as well appreciated from outside the canyon!

The park informational newspaper, The Paisano, rates this 1.6 mile RT hike as easy, which it is ---after climbing a series of steep steps to an elevation of 80 feet when it flattens out. The trail is well marked indicating the shallowest part to cross the Terlingua Creek where stones have been piled for easier crossing.
It was very exciting to walk along the narrow path looking down at the river below and across the towering walls of the canyon to Mexico on the opposite side. The layers of ancient rock are easily delineated in multiple colors. The colors of the rock walls meeting the river are angled downward from the violent thrust of the explosion, giving an illusion that the water level is changing, getting more shallow.
Our only regret was that this adventure was not longer.

What a beautiful canyon - worth the drive and hike. The morning light plays off the canyon walls, cactus grow in the rocks. The hike is easy.

Drive down Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive to the Canyon and take in two wonders of Big Bend National Park.

This is a breathtaking destination with towering cliffs and a serene river cutting through the canyon. The hike along the trail is manageable, but if you’re looking to fully explore, be sure to bring the right gear to cross the Rio Grande. Water shoes and trekking poles are a great help for navigating the shallow waters. Once across, you’re rewarded with stunning views and a peaceful, remote atmosphere that makes the effort worthwhile. A must-see for adventurers!

East must-do hike to the stream. Easy place for family and no experienced hikers. Beautiful views from the top of you choose to go up.

although big bend national park doesn't have public relation like yellowstone and yosemete it is very spectacular. especially santa elena canyon. beware the heat during the summer.

Santa Elena Canyon is a must visit while in the park. The steep canyon walls tower 1,500 ft above the river. A short hike with nice views of the canyon are also available.

We came to Santa Elena Canyon on the 3rd day of our spring break Big Bend vacation. It’s so different from the rest of the Park. It’s green, oasis in the desert. The breathtaking view of the canyon and the beautiful Rio Grande river flows across makes you forget where you are and just enjoy! Serene and relaxing.

I decided to do the Santa Elena Canyon since I had read many reviews about it. I went before noon time and bumped into several people along the way. I looked for a way to cross without having to take off my shoes or get wet; it's manageable. The hike was beautiful and doable.

An outstanding very short hike. Mostly flat with great views and easy parking. Cross the Rio Grande into Mexico just to say you did it.

This place is beautiful. Amazing to see the cliffs and how one side is Mexico and the other is the US.

We did 6 trails in Big Bend in 2 days. This ranked #2.
Lost Mine Trail
Santa Elena Canyon
Balanced Rock
Windows
Dagger Flats Auto Roads ( giant yucca)
Tuff Canyon
It’s hard to judge because we truly enjoyed everything we did in Big Bend and the uniqueness of each trail was the captivating part of going to this Park. Santa Elena was a fun hike. From crossing the water - muddy bottom felt great on weary feet - to the entrance into the canyon, there were amazing views to be had. I would say (and this applies to ALL trails) - the earlier the better. This was our last hike of the day and there were lots of people on the trail and many of the younger generations having fun swimming at the end of the trail and making lots of noise. To feel the power of the area it might be best seen early in the am with fewer people?? One of the best known trails, it is easy to see why. It is a must do in Big Bend.

Great family hike with a bit of challenge, and a lot of great views of the canyon. Worth the effort to make it to the top (total roundtrip hike only 1.4 miles). There is a climbing challenge at the very beginning/end, but our 4 kids who are ages 4-9 years old were able to do it with help from us. Recommend seeing this place on your visit to Big Bend.

This is just over an hour drive from Terlingua so leave early to get there before it gets too hot and to get parking. The trail is 1.6 miles round trip and does require some exertion but is well worth the awesome views. The trail initially goes up about 80 feet and is a little rugged. The best advice is to stay out of the river bed and do the proper trail.

Whatever it takes, see this overwhelming sight from the water. This hike cannot possibly do justice to this canyon. So beautiful.

The canyon hike is really neat as you walk back into the canyon along the river. Well worth the long drive down.

Kids ages 7, 12, and 14 all loved this hike. The water in Terlingua Creek was quite chilly but worth the crossing to experience the canyon. There is a rope to help you up the other side of the creek. Most of the hike is in the shade and there is a sandy “beach” for the kids to run around and throw rocks into the Rio Grande. Watching the canoes come through the canyon helps to give perspective on the huge walls. Pt toilets and picnic tables, along with plenty of parking, at the trailhead.

An easy trail that is less than two miles round trip along the north side of the Rio Grande. Several stones were in place in the Terlingua creek, so our feet did not get wet during the creek crossing. The trail climbs several concrete stairways (some with steel pipe handrails). Then the trail goes down towards the river. Great views with 1000’ plus high canyon walls and the slow-moving, brown & muddy river. Even at noon time, the trail was mostly in the shade.

Nice view of Rio Grande before climbing up the stairs and walk into the canyon for a breath taking view of the river flowing inbetween tall cliffs. It is kind of dark in the canyon at mid-day, so go before sunset for a good view.

We hiked this 1.6 mile RT hike on a hot afternoon – not a good idea as it was in the 80's and in full sun. If you are sensitive to heat, do not hike this trail during the hot sunny afternoon. I'm sure you will experience less people on the trail in the early morning also. The river crossing was only one foot wide, so no problem with that. If you have a problem with vertigo, you may have trouble with this trail. It is steep and for the most part has no railing. You will need to pay close attention to young children. We spent 65 minutes doing this trail, with a little time to sit on a rock and take in the narrow canyon views.

This was the most amazing thing I saw at Big Bend. From the parking lot you walk 5 minutes and you are at the entrance to the canyon. (the trail not the observation stand) You have to cross the river to get to the main trail so depending on the water level you may not elect to go all the way. It does take some time to get there as the scenic drive is 40 mins or so.

My husband and I were at the canyon on April 19th. Absolutly stunning. Be sure not to park where it reads "no parking on this side" 11 vehicles, including mine got a warning from the park ranger stuck on our car. it is an easy walk down to the river. there are stairs with rails up and along the river into the canyon. Even if you do not want to do the stairs into the canyon, the view fromn the river up te canyon is amazing and a must see. One of the most beautiful sites in the park.

I would consider this a moderate hike, especially in the summer. We were there around noon and it was really warm. There are a few shady spots but otherwise it was all sunny.
Take at least 30 ounces of water per person. And take breaks along the way.
The scenery is beautiful and worth it!

Santa Elena Canyon is a geologic wonder to be found in the middle of the Chiuwawuan desert. A short walk from the parking lot down to the river is well worth the stop. If the water is low, you can cross a small creek to take a hike a short ways into the canyon. A sunset visit will light of the American side for a great picture.

This is one of the "must see" items in Big Bend. You don't have to hike the whole trail to take in the sights but getting up the river bank requires some scrambling. Wear hiking shoes and not just tennis shoes.

Though different from most mountains you've probably visited, this is a pretty place to visit. It was 78° in February so great winter weather.

We drove for almost an hour to get here. Once we arrived we could feel the intense heat. There was no water at all but an almost dry river bed. We walked across to the Mexican side to take some pictures, but as we got further in the middle we literally got stuck in some serious mud/ clay. The mud sucked us down over our ankles. To get out we had to slip out of our shoes and crawl to a drier area. It was like pulling teeth to extract our shoes from the mud and we were covered in grey mud up to our knees. My advice: stay on the side and don't even think about hiking in the middle of the river bed. you'll still get some nice pictures and stay dry on the side.

Last year we visited the mouth of Santa Elena canyon. We decided then that we would do a boomerang trip when we went back. We rented a canoe and started moving upstream until we got to smugglers cave. The water was moving very slow which made it east to paddle the canoe upstream. After a picnic lunch, we started heading back downstream to our starting point. The trip back with the current was much faster than we expected. The boomerang trip was GREAT! This was the highlight of our trip

This was our second visit to the canyon and it just doesn’t get old. We took our five kids ages one to fourteen. We visited on spring break. If the weather permits be sure to come in a swimsuit because at the end of the hiking trail you can easily take a swim. It’s only about ankle deep in the swimming area and with water shoes you can walk up and down the canyon for quite some distance.

The hike itself is right around a mile each way. The elevation does increase quite a bit, but it is a paved sidewalk with a staircase. There are no railings on the canyon side, but it’s set back far enough that I never felt nervous that my kids would fall off. If you’re even in to easy hikes you will find this one is a trail you can do.

We didn’t get down to the western end if the park for a few days and we’re delighted to find the spectacular Santa Elena Canyon which is totally a river canyon with very little terrestrial access except for a hike that takes you over a small hill with thoughtfully provided concrete steps then over the top and onwards to a interesting rocky trail down and along the Rio Grande with towering 1500 ft vertical cliffs on both sides, the Mexican side and the US side. Eventually the trail ends as the cliff cut off any further progress down the canyon! Spectacular the whole way!

Short pretty hike and then a full on Kodak moment of the bluffs and Rio Grande river.

It’s just so pretty—hard to fathom the destruction that would be done to try and build a wall over it!!

Don’t miss it while you can still see it!!😞

We went on this relatively short hike up to the top and looked down on the Rio Grand, various views of the river until we got to the top and that was the best view. Then you can keep going but to us it looked like the trail ended at a point where you would still be above the tree tops.

There had been no measurable rain leading up to our November 26 visit so the water levels were pretty low. We chose to walk across the semi dry bed of Terlingua creek less than a quarter mile to the right of the water crossing. The climb up the steep trail on the side of the hill was challenging but safe as long as you’re careful.

Once back in the main trail, there is a paved path with switchbacks taking you up about 75 feet. Once at the top, you travel a foot path along the Rio Grande through the canyon about a quarter mile. Some nice photo ops along the way.

Coming back, we chose to return using the water path. Crossing levels were about knee deep in water that was not that cold. The toughest part was the mud under your feet.

A great 2 hour trip.

Beautiful! The hike is extremely easy, and people of all ages will enjoy. And don’t forget to yell and get your echo on.

The Santa Elena Canyon Trail is a must see during your Big Bend trip. Located at the Southern end of the Ross Maxwell Scenic drive near Castalon. The trail starts from the parking lot and bathrooms are also available. Mexico is across the river but this is not an access location and you can be fined for trying to cross over here.
Wading and swimming is allowed and the trail is fairly steep though it is rated as Easy. River Outfitters use the banks as their take out locations, so kayaks and canoes can often be seen here.
The canyon walls and the view between them are worth the trip alone. Don't miss this experience!

This is an easy hike which is less than a mile each way. There are many steps at the beginning but not very difficult to navigate. When you get to the end of the trail, you are at some huge rocks which are right up against the canyon wall so you can go no further. HOWEVER, be sure to look nearby for a jut-out which gives you a beautiful view down the canyon - IT IS SO BEAUTIFUL!!!! You will NOT be disappointed!!!

This was my first time visiting this National Park and the overall experience was very good! The park had plenty of trails to hike in! It was not very busy at all during our visit! Maybe on average about 20 cars or so! Several roads were closed during our visit. The park was not charging anyone to enter! Santa Elena Canyon was beautiful! However, the Rio Grande river was very low! I recommend going to this park spring and fall and not in the summer! It was very hot! Worth the visit!

very pretty great place for pictures, small easy hike to canyon!! it was muddy due to rain so take shoes that can be washed in case of rain.

This is an easy walk from the main road to the Rio Grande. We saw several people wading in the river, but it was a bit muddy for us. The canyon is beautiful

This is probably the highlight of the Park. It’s a short distance, grades are easy. Pictures available at any given minute. Breathtaking tall canyons divide US and Mexico with the Rio Grande flowing between! Walk down to the rio grand overflow (if the waters high that’s where it goes) looks like a beach-sandy area up to the river. Then climb stair like steps every so often, back down along the river and end up at the river again!

We went to the canyon around sunset and had a wonderful hike up one of the canyons wall. It is kind of far out but I recommend going to looks at the area.
Side note: If you are coming in from Terlingua and are going down the Old Mavericks Trail it is an extremely rough dirt road.

This canyon is split by the Rio Grande and the Mexican border, yet it is permissible to hike along the river. Canoe trips are also available down this fast-flowing section of the Rio.

The most stunning area at Big Bend. Gorgeous drive to get to the canyon. Plenty of photo opportunities.

We did this hike with a small baby in a carrier. Its an easy trail, no reason to miss this one! Beautiful scenery.

Excellent hiking and views! The kids loved the echoes off the canyon walls! Also great rock skipping time in the Rio Grande!

If you only get to see one thing in Big Bend, make it this. The views are impressive. The canyon is amazing. Makes for some great photos.

This is a must see in Big Bend NP. An easy park and walk. A 5-10 minute walk will take you to the entrance of the canyon where you will be able to see the over 1,000 foot cliffs that line both sides of the Rio Grande. If you want to walk further into the canyon it will require a little more effort up a number of steps - but again worth the effort.

Really nice. When I was there there were two options to get on the trail, either wade through 3 ft of water along the river, or go right, cross past the water and go up a bit sketchy slippery white rock face. Very enjoyable short hike.

At the end of the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive, Santa Elena Canyon is the best scenic attraction of several scenic attractions along the way. You can stop at the first overlook for the Santa Elena Canyon for a distant view of the canyon. Then, continue on to the second parking lot for the Santa Elena Canyon. Take the short, easy path at the end of the parking lot through the brush to give you a close view of the canyon. You can also walk down to the edge of the Rio Grande River.

There is a pretty short hike of a little less than a mile to an awesome canyon on the river. The canyon walls are well over 1,000 feet. You may see people wading and/or swimming in the river if the water isn't too high. The trek can be muddy.

There was only one way to access the trail to get to the spectacular part of the canyon and it required walking through knee deep mud. No for me but many others did it and that was entertaining to watch but I didn’t have shorts with me so I passed.

We really wanted to hike into the canyon, but there was no easy way to get to the trail on the other side of the Terlingua Creek. Thick mud and thigh high water keep you from getting to the trail at the conjunction of Terlingua and the Rio Grande. Searched for a half hour in the heat trying to find another easier way but was unsuccessful. Disappointed.

If you are in the area, you simply must visit this spot. There is an easy walk to the mouth of the canyon where you can literally dip your toes in the Rio Grande. Pictures are a must. Birds flit around in the trees, so bring your binoculars if you are into birds! We came here late afternoon and the light was amazing, but I’d love to see it at sunrise. Don’t skip these views!

A great easy hike. All in shade too!
Big bend won’t make the list of my fav natl parks but this hike is still the best if you are here anyway. On thanksgiving, the water was calm and it was very easy to cross the tributary (didn’t even get shoes wet).

We hiked the canyon in late June midday. Advise early morning. Definitely worth the hike in to experence the high walls and canyon atomosphere. Be prepared to climb trails and steps that are at time steep, but are safe if you are observant. Hike in and out around 2 miles.

A fairly short hike, however, you have to use three points of contact at the beginning of the trail: it appears that the main path was destroyed by the water and there is a short detour. Once you cross the offshoot of the river, climb up and then go down, the rest of the trail is fairly easy. It is 1.7 miles out-and-back (plus a short detour).
I would not recommend this trail for people with small kids or those whose mobility may be impaired by some physical condition.

This trail was magical in the morning. The way the light shines on the rocks and on the river. It is a fairly short and easy hike. It is amazing to stand right on the river with the walls towering above you. You can throw a rock and hit Mexico.

This is the dramatic border of Texas that is a must see. The sheer canyon walls tower overhead while the Rio Grande meanders through.

The Rio Grande is part of the dividing line between the United States and Mexico and Santa Elena is a perfect place to get a peek at both countries, with a 1,500 wall on both sides.

After going from the Mountain Basin to the river (and shedding 4,000-5,000 feet), a nice way to end the drive. The canyon is nice and the river is very picturesque (but varies by water level) - I give it 4 stars sicne I liked the Boquillas Canyon even better...

One quick tip : If you are going out towards Terlingua / Study Butte you might be tempted to take Old Maverick Road - if you don't have a 4x4 I think it's worth pondering whether that's a good call. The drive is tough on a normal car...

This is a must!!It is a climb but worth every step.We crossed Rio Grande river to continue the trail.Saw mountain goats (and babies)Got in the river at end of the trail.Felt so refreshing after that hike!Everyone so friendly.

Drive the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive to the end - 8 miles past Castolon Visitor center. There's a large pulloff for the Santa Elena Canyon overlook. Drive past that pulloff & the road dead ends into the trailhead parking lot. It's a fairly large lot, but it does get busy later in the day. We were there after lunch on a Monday In April & there were a lot of people there, but we found a spot to park. This hike was actually rated 8th for good hikes in the park according to a hiking site I looked at. I'm surprised it's rated so high on Trip Advisor as there's better hikes than this in Big Bend.
This is a 1.6 mile round trip hike rated "easy". Easy is a relative term. I would rate it moderate myself. From the parking lot walk about .3 to the Rio Grande. Lots of people were there enjoying the water & walking around. The trail then takes you up a set of concrete steps spaced out so it's more of a paved walk straight up to an overlook. This might be too much for some people, so go as far as you can. Take your time. The paved walk turns into a rocky, rather narrow trail.
I walked about .2 past this & noted the trail then descends into the canyon. At that point I headed back. The canyon is very pretty & we got some nice pictures from the overlook. If that's as far as you can go, don't feel you're missing a lot.

First off, loved this hike! We stayed in Big Bend on the East side of the park so had a 45 minute drive to get to this location. Earlier is always better and so glad we did. When we got there we were not sure where to cross over the river. There's a sandbar as you face the river and look to your left. Take your shoes off or better yet, wear water shoes because the rocks can make you say, ouch. Cross to the sand bar and then a bit to your right cross thru the water again and up to the shore. It is mucky at the shoreline but we stayed closer to the right side and it seemed better. Take a backpack and put a small towel in it. You can then sit down, dry off your feet and put on your socks and hiking boots. You'll then say, that was fun. Hike up the elevated path. There's a great view on it that looks into the canyon but you ain't seen nothing yet.
The path will work it's way down and you're in the canyon. It's gorgeous! The Rio Grande River will be on your left and the huge canyon walls on each side of you. The far side is Mexico. As you walk the trail, there's a spot that's easy to get close to the river and there's a large rock you can stand on. That makes the best shot we found for a photo into the canyon; although all the pics in the canyon will be great.
The trail will eventually end (although you won't want it to); its not a lengthy trail. Once you've taken in as much of the canyon that you wish, you turn and make your trek back the same way you can. And yes, take your shoes and socks off, water shoes on and make your watery path back thru the Rio Grande again. I'm sure there are times it's too deep to cross but we went during a low rain tme.
We'd definitely do this hike again and again. Stunning!

You got to see this place. Take the shoes off and walk to the wall to see more, take photos to how your friends. Who would think of such beauty.

We went the Canyon at 3 pm on the first week of January 2018. The weather was nice. We hiked at the Santa Elena Canyon in about one hour. We were slow hikers. The hike was moderate for us. We hiked up and then down on the Canyon. The Canyon was beautiful and unique.

The canyon is beautiful...But I wish I was there when theres more water flowing in the Rio. Hot June may not be the best time to visit. However, the hiking trail through the canyon was enjoyable.

When you get to the Santa Elena Canyon, you're just yards away from Mexico across the Rio Grande. There's a 1.6-mile (round trip) trail that gives you much better views as you walk alongside the river. Once you're between the two canyons, it's fun to yell and hear your echo.

The Santa Elena Canyon for me was the high point of our visit to Big Bend NP. The drive up to the Canyon is spectacular. And even more spectacular when you actually arrive. It is possible to cross the river and take a short walk into Mexico. The view up the Canyon and the Rio Grande River are quite memorable.
There is a relatively easy trail into the Canyon that offers views of the river from above.
The Canyon are also has picnic tables and facilities.

Highlight of my trip to Big Bend was hiking into the canyon. The river was crazy high so the only way to get to the trail was to start way back the other side. It was not easy and it was not safe but I watch little kids doing it and thought why not?? It’s only 4 hours to the nearest hospital 😳. Once I got to the actual trail, it was like everyone else described. So glad I did it and so glad I made it back down that steep mountainside in one piece!

This is a beautiful canyon well worth the climb in the short hike to the end. It is one of the most photographed spots in Big Bend and what you get to the end, you'll know why.

Really enjoyed this, very good area to check out. The photos of the canyon walls did not do it justice. Be prepared for a long, but worth it drive

I have been to this view several times. It is a long neurofibromas drive and it will make your big bend trip for sure. I would canoe it if you can.

We were there in mid-April and although the temperature hit 100 later in the day, it was fairly cool in the morning shade. It is a short and relatively easy hike. It is well worth it. The canyon is narrow and beautiful. Watch for the reflections in the river.

What a view! It's amazing that the Rio Grande cut its way through the mountain. We walked down to the river to get a great view of the canyon. If you are a hiker there is a trail that takes you up higher to get a better view.

Santa Elena Canyon is a beautiful area in Big Bend National Park. It is certainly a "must see" area, and I would recommend doing the hike if you are in relatively good physical condition. The hike was fairly short and not too difficult. The sights are pretty along the way.

This place is absolutely gorgeous. Highly recommend going early since the parking lot can fill up very quickly. Plus, the likelihood of seeing wildlife, including mountain sheep that I saw, is much higher early in the morning. The tranquility that you can feel while admiring towering cliffs is so rewarding and at some point it became a philosophical experience for me.

This is a relatively short hike. It requires a bit of climbing (stairs cut into the mountain) but the views are wonderful. We did the hike at sunrise and the photos we took were gorgeous of the golden light on the canyon walls.

We drove the Old Maverick Road right to Santa Elena Canyon, had a short easy walk to the rio grande and just enjoyed the views. By the time we got there, the temp was over 90 degrees so we didn't attempt to do the hike.

On the Village Tours "Big Bend and the Rio Grande" trip a visit to the national dividing line was part of an excursion in the park. The high walls of the canyon on the Mexican side were beautiful and amazing. While the river was far from full capacity, it fill the gap between the walls of the canyon. We were able to walk out on the sand bend a good distance to capture some photos. There is a short hiking trail associated with the canyon that involved some climbing but not a great distance to walk.

We ended our day at Big Bend hiking the Santa Elena Canyon Trail. Mexico is a stone’s throw away across the river. The view of the canyon at the end of the hike with the sunlight showing through was worth the 1 mile hike. Family friend hike but there are stairs as part of the hike. Parking lot at trailhead can get crowded so arrive early or late afternoon. Park Rangers on hand to direct vehicles.

We hiked this during the first week of June. It was a over 110F outside the canyon and felt twice as hot in the canyon. Although this is a short hike, if you plan to doing it in the summer please take lots of water, wear a hat, wear sunscreen and beware as we only found one tiny little patch of shade.
The hike into the depths of the canyon requires wading through deep mud, but its worth it. We regretted not booking a canoe ride as the views would have been so mazing.

Absolutely beautiful park but very challenging to get to. The Santa Elena canyon hike is the pinnacle and flagship of this park, where you can wade as far as your heart desires in the Rio grande. Technically one side of that river is considered Mexico. The tuffs canyon was our other favorite

Drove around entire park. The two highlights were Santa Elena Canyon Overlook and Chisos Mountains. Highly recommended

Great views of Rio Grande River-saw several people in rafts- many places to stop and have photo opportunities

The views of the Rio Grande and the surrounding canyon walls were just wonderful. Be sure and bring plenty of water as the trail is hot and dusty. I appreciated that whoever designed the switchbacks made them at a nice, gentle slope, very easy to hike up. Also, be sure and notice all the fossils and calcite crystals in the limestone walls of the cliff. All of the different species of desert plant life are on full display as well.

The ultimate place for a photo shoot, a hike and a holiday get-away, anything when the weather is just perfect- as a group this is a 10 out of 10 recommend!!!

This is fairly strenuous but so worth it. Take plenty of water and take your time. Be sure to ware a hat and sunscreen. The views are simply amazing. 1500' high cliffs on either side. Mexico on one side and the USA on the other. Don't miss this!!!

I have seen videos of this place but way better in person. You feel safe and everyone you meet seems friendly, nice trail near by.

Santa Elena Canyon is my favorite thing to see in Big Bend National Park, and for good reason. It is an absolutely breathtaking slot canyon that was created by the Rio Grande River that you are able to hike into. The trail into Santa Elena Canyon isn’t very difficult, so it is a hike that hikers of all skill levels can enjoy. This is definitely a site that you should have near the top of your list when you visit Big Bend National Park.

When on the hike, be on the lookout for shellfish fossils that are in the rocks of the canyon wall. If you are looking to photograph the canyon, you can get some spectacular sunset shots late in the day.

If you have one day to do Big Bend National Park, start with Santa Elena Canyon. The drive is as beautiful as the canyon. You can drive to the overlook to look across the canyon or down to the river to walk up to look into the canyon from the Rio Grande. Do both. The views are different and both are breathtaking!
We decided not to trek across the mud and into the river to get the "perfect" view of the canyon but were still very happy. You can take great pictures from the Texas side of the river if you prefer to stay dry.
Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the picnic tables provided close by.

Santa Elena Canyon can be seen for miles. The rugged landscape dips into a perfect U shaped entrance to a spectacular view of the Rio Grande and the beginning of the view to the actual canyon itself. There is a trail worth hiking which allows you to see the canyon walls up close and look down the Rio Grande. Sometimes you see people who are actually making the trip by canoe. Truly one of the most amazing views in Texas.......USA on one side and Mexico a stone's throw away on the other.

Don’t miss this if you are in Big Bend National Patk! This short hike is a must. It is uphill and if you have any serious knee issues you might want to think twice. We went and stood in the Rio Grande River and touched the wall of the Mexico side. It’s absolutely beautiful in there!! Don’t miss it!

Scenery like out of a movie! Glad there was more hiking to be done on that side of park bc this is a very short mile.

Drive down to the trail head and enjoy the view on Maxwell Scenic Drive. Make note of interesting stopping points and stop at them upon your return back from Santa Elena Canyon.
There is a task to be performed before you start your hike. You must cross a shallow and narrow body of water. You are not crossing the Rio Grande, that's illegal, but a little cut coming off the river. Do ti right, be prepared by having a large towel to sit on and dry your feet off when you get to the other side. And have a plastic bag. Do not cross with your hiking shoes on and then have slippery, muddy, wet feet, socks and shoes for the rest of the hike making it miserable and ruining a good pair of shoes. Take your shoes/socks off and put them in a bag. The rocks are polished river rock. You will also need a stick to keep your balance, look around they are everywhere. If you don't use a stick your going to get wet. The stick is used to help keep your balance. Every time I have done this the water has been knee high. Stop and turnaround if it gets deeper than you are comfortable with. The scenery is beautiful once you exit the stream, dry feet, put shoes on and get on the trail and enter the canyon. It can't be described. And unless the sun is at high noon, 90% of the hike is in the shade. As the cut gets narrower, the opposite looks like it is 10000 feet high. Look for soaring birds above you and below you in the canyon as you hike to the end. It is very safe also, as there are hand rails and steps where necessary. Do it, you will not regret it.

If you are scared of heights, this hike might not be the right fit.
there is no real railing when going up and down.

it was so surprisingly beautiful. Probably my favorite hike in the park. It gets cool once you get down into the canyon, so bring an extra layer of clothing, and water.

This place took about an hour to get there. Once we arrived we could feel the scorching heat. There was an almost dry riverbed with no water and some very stubborn mud and clay in the middle. We took some photos on the dry Mexican side but once we started hiking toward the middle of riverbed we started to sink into the mud up to our ankles. !!! We had to slip out of our shoes and crawl to a drier area to get out !!! It was like pulling teeth to extract our shoes from the mud and we were covered in grey mud up to our knees. My advice: don't believe the nice photos of a mirror reflection of the canyon-it is almost completely dry with some nasty mud in the middle. Stay on the side and you will still get some nice photos anyway. You will also be safe and dry too. This happened to other hikers as well and there are no warning signs at all.

a walkable way through the rio grande into the canyon - very beautiful scenery - nice high steep walls

You hike a few hundred feet from the parking lot to this beach like place and watch kids and teens walk in the Rio Grande river. The "hike" is up these steps and through the middle of the canyon. It's really not that pretty or impressive compared to the "window" on one of the Chisos basin trails. I don;t know what the big deal is about this canyon. But, it is kinda cool, I guess. What else are you gonna do, right?

Spectacular canyon along the Rio Grande forming the border between the United States and Mexico. The canyon walls are 1500 feet high and the view is awesome.

The pictures provided online do this place no justice at all. This hike is less than 2 miles round trip but there is a good amount of up hill climbing as you get into the canyon. So, it's not for everyone. We did this in 105 degree heat which made it a bit harder - bring lots of water and suncreen! We waded across the Rio Grande at the end of the hike and climbed up the canyon wall on the Mexico side. That side has the best views looking out of the canyon. We had a great time and are so glad we made the treck.

We visited over Thanksgiving week and it was really crowded, but we had a great time. The canyon is beautiful and we enjoyed the hike. It was one of the best things we did during our time in Big Bend. When you get to the trailhead, you take a little wooden path to the river. Off to your right, on the other side of a creek, is the beginning of the hike. To get there, you have two choices. You can walk across the river in knee hike water or you can keep walking to your right and after a little while you will find a dry area to cross over. If you take this option though, you have a pretty steep climb up the cliff to the trail. I opted to walk across the river but the rest of my family walked down to the dry area and crossed over. It is much quicker to walk across the river and I found it highly preferable to the steeper hike up the hill. I tried this with my family on the way down, but there was a lot of loose gravel and it was challenging to find your way through. I recommend coming prepared to walk across the river and doing it that way.
After that, there are several switchbacks on a paved area with stairs. It is not a difficult hike and the views are very rewarding.

We loved Santa Elena Canyon. What a beautiful location! The short walk along the side of the river is beautiful with the boulders, the tall grasses and the Río Grande. It is especially nice if you get there early before the crowds as it is a narrow area.

At the end of a long drive, the view was spectacular. I was glad we had a breeze when we were there. 102 is hot even when there is a breeze.

We got to spend five days in Big Bend National Park, so we took our time and tried to see a lot of the smaller sites in the park. We ended up spending an entire day seeing the sites along the Ross Maxwell scenic drive, which ends with Santa Elena Canyon. This was a really great way to spend the day: you enjoy several small 'appetizer' adventures and then still have enough time for the big 'dessert' -- Santa Elena Canyon.

Specifically, the 'appetizers' included 45 minutes hiking and photo taking along the trail and at the old Sam Nail ranch, followed by a 30 minute explore down to the Lower Burro Mesa pour-off (great rock formation pics), and finished up with a 30 minute visit to the Homer Wilson Ranch. As we continued along the scenic drive, we made short stops at every road side sign which talked about the amazing geology to be seen on the drive. Of course, we couldn't miss short visits to the magnificent Sotol Vista and Mule Ears view point. I was glad we'd gotten a fairly early 9 am start'--there was so much to see!!! In hindsight, I think this slow and thoughtful enjoyment of Big Bend geology made Santa Elena canyon all the more wonderful.

We finally arrived at the parking area for Santa Elena canyon about 12:30 pm. By sheer luck, we grabbed a parking spot just as it opened up very close to the trail head. Otherwise, parking was completely full, and park staff were helping manage the parking because it was Spring Break and quite busy. Before heading out on the trail, we ate a picnic lunch under a lovely, shady mesquite tree which had a thoughtfully placed picnic table under it. There were a few other picnic tables situated close to the Santa Elena Canyon trailhead.
Finally, we started on the Santa Elena canyon trail. The trail was mostly easy, but there were some steep steps up the canyon side and then back down again. Just take it slowly and you'll be fine. Since we were there in mid-March, the temperature was about 75 to 80 degrees, and not too hot. Because of that we were fine hiking from 1 to 3 in the afternoon. Although different estimates we'd heard for this trail ranged from 1 to 1.5 hours, we ended up taking 2 hours. I guess we were just pokey and spent a lot of time just staring at the views.

After spending time hiking in Santa Elena canyon, I have to exclaim, "What a beautiful world!"

It's early June so its hot and the river is low, but in my first trip to Big Bend I had to do it and it was worth it...the drive down into the trail is magnificent as Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive is worth it alone..just breathtaking views...the hike into the canyon isn't too bad..yes it was hot and that made it more difficult but most people can do it.....there were people swimming in the Rio Grande and it made me wish I brought my swim trunks! Overall its 100% a bucket list thing to do in the Big Bend!

Great short hike into a stunning area. Don't let the short creek crossing stop you from getting into the canyon. When we crossed in early June the water came up to our thighs and the bottom is slippery mud. Take off the shoes and go. The trail into the canyon is an easy hike. The views of the canyon walls are amazing.

It was too muddy to hike, but enjoyed the drive to the canyon. Lots of birds and things to see. Take some binoculars and identify birds you see. Rio Grande so close too.

An easy short walk with a bit of elevation gain - scenic views - except for the very beginning where you have to wade across 30 ft or so of water and climb up a muddy and slippery bank. Water pretty shallow comes up to just below knees. Water shoes or sandals would be good to have, otherwise after wading through barefoot you'd have to put your shoes/socks back on ver muddy feet. At half way point there is a spot with a good view of the canyon. Once you get to the end there isn't any view you are just up against a rock wall by the river - apparently when the water's low you can wade a bit into the canyon - good views if you do that - but it didn't look like it was possible when we were there in October.

This canyon is a short hike into an unimaginably beautiful place. Go! Note: the initial steep portion has rails and such, but is a little dicey for small people and others with balance issues. But you're past it pretty quickly and into a closed canyon with the Rio Grande running down one side.

We were at Santa Elena Canyou on Nov 3rd but the Terlingua Creek was really high! Thiis is an amazing place but when you come all the way from Seattle we wished we could have seen the whole Canyon!!

This is a must see in Big Bend. What a phenomenal place! The drive through the park to Santa Elena is worth it. The views are spectacular.

Our group of friends were not equipped for long hikes on this particular adventure but still opted to take in the beauty and serenity of this portion of Big Bend. Thanks to Ranger Lavender and other patrons at Panther Junction Station we were adequately apprised of the driving distance to Santa Elena and returned to the park a second day to make sure we had enough time to travel in, explore and travel out of the canyon. On the way down make sure to take in the Mule Ear area with short hikes and beautiful views. What is so unique about his area is that the landscape and habitat changes so often as you approach the Canyon bottom and Rio Grande. Take your time! Be sure to inquire about recent rainfall as we noticed many areas where water had recently covered the road. The view from across the Rio and up the vast rock face proved to be a highlight of BBNP. We opted to not cross the knee deep creek on the north side of the Rio to ascend hand rail and stair equipped trail. Wish we had more time on this trip but we appreciated the beauty from where we're able to explore on the dry river bottom. Be sure to plan ahead with plenty of gas and water/snacks for this trip. Unfortunately on the day we were there previous patrons had not left the restroom area near the trash and recycle bins in good shape with litter. I picked up some trash to do my part. If you enter the park from TX 118 north and wish to take a shortened route via gravel dirt road in your 4 wheel drive the Old Maverick Road at Maverick junction just past the ranger check in station may be your cup of tea. It wasn't what we chose to do. The longer paved route was enjoyable for us.

I missed this the first time I went to Big Bend and am so, so glad I went back! The "hike" really isn't very strenuous and the views are incredible. One tip: go early as it gets more crowded as the day wears on. We were there at about 8:30 and almost had it to ourselves; the parking lot was filled up when we got back!

This reminded me a little of the Narrows in Zion. Be sure and take waterproof shoes, and wear clothes that can get wet - I think the most spectacular part is lazily walking through the river. As you get away from the land trail, the walls of the mesa become more and more spectacular. It is great to be in the river and look up and see the tall towering walls surrounding you. It is even cooler to think that you are stepping on both the US and Mexico, as you gaze up! It is very cool, and makes the long trek to get there, all worth it!

The dog swam across what there was of the Rio. An illegal crossing! Hiking up the mountain for a grand view requires the proper clothing and sustenance. So be prepared

Bring water shoes for the adventure, as the walk does involve dipping into a tributary of the Rio Grande RIver, but wet feet even if you have to go barefoot across the water is well worth the effort. The canyon is spectacular!

Of all the hikes, this was the best! You cross the River twice, but being there in December the water was low and we could cross over rocks. You do have to go early because parking is limited. Dogs are not allowed on the trail, and this was the reason we left our best friend at home. I do not regret it because the trail was everything I hoped it to be. Highly recommend and you do not have to be in great shape for this trail.

This is an easy hike that will take about an hour to complete. On a pretty day it's spectacular! A little steep at the beginning, but easy

If you have time for just one stop in Big Bend, make it the spectacular Santa Elena Canyon that marks the western edge of the park. At 1.6 miles roundtrip, the trail has some steep sections but is doable for older children. Even though the canyon walls soar to 1500 feet, providing occasional shade, bring water. The river was low enough that we were able to wade across and touch the southern cliffs which mark the border with Mexico. How fun is that! Have a towel handy to clean dirty feet. A Big Ben classic.

This was one of our favorite places in the park. It is worth the drive! You can see the canyon as you are driving to it, and then once you are up close, it is really amazing!

No trip to Big Bend can miss out this lovely canyon stroll. And it is a stroll - a quick wander that can take anything from 1/2 hr to couple of hours depending upon what you want to do. Great views indeed, very hot in canyon bottom, well paved up and down from trailhead. It's not hidden, expect to see lots of other people, but regardless well worth a visit.

After being worn out by the previous trails hiked, we decided to go to the canyon. Even though it was still 103 degrees, this was the best place on our vacation. I wish we really new really what it was all about because we would of planned a full day there alone to bask in the sun and sock in the water. Just absolutely beautiful and worth the drive.

GO! Tips: Go early, hike quickly and safely using the longer route upstream crossing. Wear sturdy shoes - flip flops and open toe sandals are tough on the dusty and slippery slope. Getting wet - if using the river crossing - makes for long, soaking wet shoe day, especially if the creek bed is several feet high. Take some pictures into the canyon from the pebble beach. From that distance it is easier to get the visual perspective. Once inside the narrower canyon the deep walls make pictures more difficult to frame. Bring your water - the trail gets quite hot and the upstream crossing definitely makes for a longer hike. But - go because this so worthwhile!

Yosemite is always touted as the jaw dropper of the US National Parks, but for me nothing can beat the Big Bend.

I love westerns and deserts so it was perfect. You can almost see bands of roving Comanche astride their horses atop the indigo-hued mesas.

This is a true wilderness. It’s as remote as anywhere you can find in the contiguous United States and driving there is an adventure in itself. Coming from El Paso/Van Horn and down from Alpine is particularly awe-inspiring.

It’s quiet and it’s dark with some of the best star-gazing in the industrialised world. It can be dangerous if you’re not prepared. There are black bears and mountain lions, but you’ll be absolutely fine!

Plus it has the added intrigue of being on the border with Mexico with the Rio Grande forming a natural boundary.

Go. You won’t regret it.

Travelled with Go With Jo Tours from Harlingen, TX for a 6 day excursion to west TX and Big Bend Nat'l Park. A great bus touring company, with professional drivers, clean buses and interesting stops along the route. The Santa Elena Canyon was only one highlight of the tour. Check the itinerary out on line, you'll certainly be interested.

See pictures. You hike to the river, then there is a little bit around the river, then you go up switchback on the side of the cliff, then it goes along the river to the end where you see an open Canyon.

It was really beautiful!

A nice two mile round trip hike into the canyon. There is about two hundred feet of elevation drop and gain there and back. The paths are a combination of cement or gravel. This is not a hike for a challenged person. You can see the river along the way as it leads you into the canyon. There is bamboo growing all along the way. Take plenty of water, there is no wind in the canyon and it gets hot. You can take off your shoes and walk up river at the trails end.

Santa Elena should be a part of any trip to Big Bend. The dramatic canyon offers beautiful views of the Rio Grande. The trail is super short, but results in a better experience than most trails 3, 4, or 5 times its length. Once the trail terminates a bit into the canyon, I would recommend wading into the Rio a little. It feels nice on a cool day, is pretty shallow, offers good photos, and is a quick trip to Mexico. If you only have time for one thing in Big Bend, this should be it. Enjoy.

We drove to Santa Elena Canyon. Get gas before leaving Panther Junction Castolon may not be open! We got there too late to hike. We made it across the mud flats of Terlingua Creek but the creek was up and we chose not to wade across it. Being already 107 degrees greatly influenced That decision. We did get to spend some time around the mouth of the canyon along the Rio Grande on some gravel bars where the two streams meet will save the hike for a cooler drier time

Really amazing scenery - getting through the river part is pretty tricky though - really wish the National Parks Service would improve this part of the trail! If you can get across the creek/through the grass and shrub/river bank on the other side you'll be rewarded with amazing views.

Santa Elena Canyon in Big Bend National Park is a Short Hike with Beautiful Canyon Walls and Heavy Usage. Worth seeing. Love seeing the Rio Grande's bottle colored, slow moving water against the canyon walls.

If you are at Big Bend NP, you must take the hike to this canyon. At first it's a little tricky because the path is not well defined at the dry river crossing, but once you get across, It is about 3 miles round trip and there is some climbing. The payoff is that it is an amazing Canyon. My wife and I did it in 106 degree heat and survived. Just take plenty of water and cover your head. There is little shade and the sun will bake you alive.

We stayed on the bank, but still saw a lot of birds. Beautiful location. Watched some people cross the river and take the steep trail into the canyon - need to be in good condition with good boots for that.

This is a perfect hike if you are limited on time. It may take about 2.5 hours if you stop to enjoy the views and take photos. There is a moderate ascent but if you stop to rest it is not a difficult hike. The views are spectacular of the green Rio Grande and unusual rock formations of the canyon.

This is a fairly easy hike and the views at the end are totally worth it! A must-do for anyone venturing into Big Bend National Park.

5/5 such a fun experience to get to see the canyon as well as the Rio Grande. This was truly my favorite part of big bend and a genuinely well worth it trip. The hike was fun but a little overgrown with thorny trees (absolutely normal I'm in nature I know) although this hike is is moderate, if you have breathing issues it may be a little harder on the uphill climbs. Once you get past that though it is so beyond worth the views💜

A must do attraction in Big Bend National Park. The relatively short but strenuous hike provides great views of the Rio Grande river cutting through the narrow Santa Elena canyon. The trail starts on sandy soil, but NPS has installed wooden slats for easy walking without creating dust. Then in a short distance, the trail crosses Terlingua creek (when we went in late April it was dry). The real canyon trail starts from here and the initial climb is pretty steep; nicely built concrete path and rock steps are a great help. At the top of the trail you get glorious views of the river and the canyon. Then the trail drops down gradually to river level where the trail ends in beautiful greenery, boulders, cool shade and great canyon views.

At the trailhead, there are shelters for picnicking and a pretty large parking area. This is a popular attraction, so expect a lot of people.

Although this was my ninth trip to Big Bend National Park it had been a very long time since I hiked this trail. I had forgotten the magnificent beauty that surrounds you throughout the canyon. Expansive views from the top and towering canyon walls within make a person shiver at the stunning sights at every step, truly beyond words. Birds are plentiful among the trees lining the river. One of my favorite trails within BBNP.

Beautiful views all the way through. The water was unusually high when I went and we had to cross some knee deep water. Might be good to bring water shoes or a towel for this one, just in case!

Hubby turned around due to the height at the beginning. It was a little high but I think if he stuck it out, he may have really enjoyed it. I felt safe going by myself after that and by the time I got to the very end, it was all mine. Very serene. We went at the end of the day and it was getting dark but the shadows were worth it. My first slot canyon of hopefully many more to come! Loved it. A must stop however, no facilities like a lot of areas in BIBE.

This hike is an easy trail of 1.7 miles hugging the mountain cliff along the Rio Grande River. It is amazing how the river carved this gorge through the mountain. These cliffs must be 300 feet or more high! After crossing Terlingua creek by way of a small board that probably wasn't even needed, we climbed a set of switchbacks and stairs to an overlook area about 100 feet above the river.
You the will followed the trail back down to the river's edge until we reached the end of the trail about a quarter of a mile back in the canyon. A easy hike but full of amazing scenic views!

It's been a while since my last visit to Big Bend, but I know it hasn't changed. Friends from San Antonio make the trek out there every couple/few months, in part because the only real changes occur with the change of seasons. Although Big Bend is far from the largest national park, hikers, campers and wildlife have more than 800,000 acres to share. A long drive from San Antonio, but you can fly into El Paso and rent a car. Lodging is available, so plan in advance and spend at least a couple of days exploring this national treasure.

This is an easy hike with a small amount of incline and only about 2 miles total (If park is not closed due to government shutdown and you don't have to walk 2 miles to the parking area first. LOL). You will see amazing scenery with beautiful views of the Rio Grande and opposite cliffs of Mexico. This hike is a must for anyone visiting Big Bend National Park!

took my 4 year old and 6 year old on the hike, its definitely doable for the 6 year old boy, we put the younger in a back-pack and my wife carried her with limited issues, took about an hour. Worth the effort but can be really busy so prepare for lots of other hiker.

This hike was described as a “piece of cake” by park rangers and other reviews I read and I would say it’s not quite so easy. It’s a short hike and parts are an easy stroll but the beginning has a lot of climbing, a good portion on man-made stairs. My Apple Watch recorded 12 flights of stairs for the whole hike. It is gorgeous and I highly recommend it! J

One of the top three hikes to do is to go to this Saint Elena Canyon to the end. The only challenging part is getting across the river through the mud and making sure you step on the branches correct way and not get into the mud. The sun was out. It was hot getting up to the top, but then the climb down into the canyon change temperatures and dropped the temperature quite a bit very comfortable worth every effort to do it.

The river, and this beautiful and massive canyon is the money shot for the National Park and it won't disappoint. We were really impressed.

On the flip, the mud/water slog portion of the trail up into the canyon is really a let down for such a significant spot. Lots of us older people like to hike and would like to safely (and cleanly) cross the river too. Can't the Park Service at least ensure enough stones so we don't have to ruin our shoes, and also string a rope or cable to provide hand-hold support for us when we hop the rocks? Especially in February, it's too cold to go barefoot, and who want's to risk having soaked/muddy shoes on vacation? (ha!).

I recommend visiting here, at least once in your life. In combination with some other things to see in the park (and on the way to/from it), it was worth the trouble and expense of the visit. Once you're in the park, getting to this canyon by car is not difficult (just keep an eye on how how much gas you've got in your tank, and where the nearest gas station is at), and neither is the relatively short walk you can take into it (as long as you are reasonably healthy and mobile and have sufficient drinking water, especially on hot days). It is a cool and intimate cathedral in the heart of the desert that inspires awe in many. Highly recommended.

Words cannot describe how awesome this canyon is. On one side is a sheer mountainside at least 200 feet straight up! The Rio Grande runs through this canyon - one side on the US and one side on Mexican soil.

The hike to get to the base of the trail is about .8 miles. There is a quite an ascent and descent - about 250 feet - and it’s hot out there this time of year! It was 98 when we got back to out car!

So take lots of sunscreen and lots of water!

Your reward is a spectacular view through the canyon and a chance to stand in the Rio Grande! So worth it!

This was my favorite hike in the park that we did. The spectacular cliffs gave me a constant sense of awe as we hike in and out of the canyon. This hike is not very difficult, but definitely gives you a sense of remoteness. The drive in is very scenic as well. I felt like I was on a set for Game of Thrones. Definitely treat yourself to this location while you’re in the park. Next time I think it would be awesome to do a kayak or canoe trip down the river through the canyon.

Road washed out now for several weeks. Have had slot of rain in that particular area of the park. Would recommend going to Boquillas until the road is repaired

It was busy when we arrived, the parking lot was full. Walked up the trail to the river, there were a lot of people playing in the brown water! We could see the canyon but it looked ike there was no access to it as the water was quite high, there had been a lot of rain the previous week and the road coming in was still flooded! Then we saw the way across the creek to the rope, lucky we both had open hiking sandals on, also had hiking poles to test the depth of the water! Walked up some rock switchbacks a bit like Walters Wiggle and then into the canyon, not a lot to see apart from the canyon walls. We didn't make it to the Rio Grande as the water was to high in the Canyon, disappointed!

Our favorite place in the park! At the end of the scenic road, arrive before sunrise to get some great photos. Be sure to know the status of the creek before you arrive so if you need water shoes, you have them. Wish the entrance to the trail was better marked (two faded orange streamers on wood stakes when we were there), but once you find it, it's a nice moderate climb up, followed by gradual slope down to the end where the canyon narrows. Gorgeous views - lots of flora, birds and audads!

This is about as remote as it gets folks. Oh there are a few others too but this is cool! River can be high or low so be careful and take a hike across and up for a fantastic view of where you came from. This is one of my favorites in the Park. There are places back in there that only get sunlight a couple hours a day. These are some tall cliffs!

Great place to visit. Kids love it. Easy hike. Seeing the Rio grande and Mexico was awesome. There was a lot of kayakers floating the river.

I beautiful drive there either route you take. A short hike into the mouth of the canyon. You can hike back in with ease far enough to get some great pictures of the Chisos Mountains framed by the mouth of the canyon.

We loved taking this 1.6 mile hike into the canyon. Beautiful views and it was great for an up close view of the Rio Grande!

Beautiful view with easy access. My son and I were in Big Band for backpacking, and although our trail was not near the canyon, we had to go check it out. While our backpacking included 30-degree evenings in the mountains, the Santa Elena Canyon was warm.

Visitors are able to park their vehicles and take a short walk to the canyon. We saw a few people wade across the Rio Grande to pose for photos on the Mexican side of the river.

At 1.5 miles round trip, most people should be able to do this hike. Quite a few stairs up and down (cut into rock), but the views are superb. You also can book canoe trips thru the canyon.

Be sure to hike Santa Elena Canyon while in Big Bend National Park. We were so glad to have squeezed this stop in our busy itinerary.

Just go. Don’t miss Big Bend. Extraordinary place and this area of Big Bend is gorgeous! You can spend a half day in this part of the park easily. Experience the canyon and the Rio Grande. Then visit other areas as well. There is a lot of variety at Big Bend, all of it beautiful.

At Santa Elena the hike goes down to the Rio Grande and then up along the Canyon. The Canyon is magnificent. It is very narrow with straight, very tall walls. Too many photo ops around every corner, with blooming cactus along the way.
The entire hike is quite long, but you can choose your length.
A must do.

Describes in a word - incredible. They canyon with high walls and splitting Mexico and the US with the Rio Grande flowing between.

Absolutely beautiful sites. Can’t say enough really.

The Canyon Trail is not for beginners or anyone not in decent physical condition. It’s definitely not handicap accessible in any way. For non-trail views of the canyon there is an overlook spot a short distance back up the road.

You can’t visit Big Bend without a stop to see the canyon and river. It’s definitely with the long ride through the huge park to get there!

There is a bathroom at the trail head. The nearby Castillo’s visitor center is still closed as of Nov 1 following the brush fires earlier this year, so plan accordingly. Take plenty of water. Don’t grab hold of any plants to stop a slip of your feel as it seems all plants will bite back some with thorns 2-3 inches long.

Highly recommended visit!

I did the drive to the canyon overlook. The area looks so beautiful. Unfortunately there wasn’t any water in that area so it looked a bit different

Santa Elena Canyon is definitely the best attraction in Big Bend National Park. Beautiful canyon carved out of the rock by the Rio Grande.

Towering cliffs on each side of the river protects the canyon from the hot sun. Shallow peaceful river that is great for wading (about knee deep when we were there) about a mile along the river.

Or, take the canyon wall trail along the top of the canyon and view the river below.

We visited just before sunset. Temperature was perfect as it began dropping in the early evening. Light on the canyon was extraordinary during sunset !!

This trail is perfect short hike to stretch your legs after your drive down the Maxwell road. After the first 100 yards, but the stairs, the trail levels out for a short half mile to the end. Total hike is about 1 mile.

So amazing to see where the river and its sediments have carved right through the canyon over millions of years. Once you experience this close up, you then realise you have been looking at this exact spot all over the park, its breathtaking.

Well worth the drive and hike. Dramatic canyon with some striking views. Considerably cooler than other desert parts of the park. Give yourself ample time to hike in and out.

Getting to Santa Elena Canyon is a bit of a journey, but it has the most iconic view in Big Bend National Park. It's one of the more popular areas of the park, so parking can be challenging. It was also extremely muddy when I went, making things more difficult.

Even so, it's a great little (though not simple) hike. The trail is washed out at Terlingua Creek, so you have to walk along the creek a bit to get to a more manageable crossing. Then there's a short but steep climb up the bank to get back on the trail.

This is a very "wild" and primitive park, so if you're willing to deal with the trail, you'll be rewarded with awesome views of the canyon.

we had this trail all to ourselves. easy water crossing, a couple switchbacks. not a difficult trail. restroom at trailhead

We took as many short hikes as we could during our visit to Big Bend. This might have been my favorite - partly because of the challenge to figure out how to start. The Park Service tells you to wade across Terlingua Creek (and you can see the trailhead across the creek), but many times the water is too high. There is another way, up creek, but the Park Service won't tell you about it because it is considered dangerous. The two of us averaged 71 years and we made it although my heart was beating fast as we climbed up. It took us about 15 minutes to get to the "real" trailhead. The Park Service should install a pontoon bridge to the trailhead, so everyone can avoid the nasty climb along Terlingua Creek to get to Santa Elena Canyon hike trailhead. In any case, once we got to the real trailhead the hike was marvelous, up to a view point and then down along the canyon for awhile.

My son and I visited Santa Elena Canyon when we were in Big Bend. It is a stunning place and one of the must-see areas of the park. The hike in the canyon is not very long and does not have a lot of elevation gain. If you are in average health this is very doable. The deeper one hikes into the Canyon the more magnificent it gets. It is a slot canyon and the Rio Grande runs right through it. I always find slot canyons to be wonderful and Santa Elena lived up to my expectations. Don't miss this place if you are in Big Bend National Park.

We spent one day in Big Bend NP - one of the last stops on the drive was Santa Elana Canyon. It is an amazing site. Mexico on one side, United States on the other with the Rio Grand dividing the two. It is a very impressive canyon! We definitely want to go back when we have more time and hike the canyon trail.

The prettiest spot in the Park. Don't miss it. Allow 30 minutes for a quick entry & exit; 90 minutes for a nice hike.

Big Bend is a very remote national park, but a visit here is well worth the effort of getting here! The Santa Elena canyon is stunning and the trail along the Rio Grande is breathtaking and just lovely. It's a little bit uphill along some steps at the start, but very doable. Do not miss!

When I first heard of Santa Elena, my only thought was "Pff! Another tourist trap." However, I was eventually coaxed into visiting it, and do or do not believe it, it was one of the highlights of my Big Bend adventure! Please visit this spectacular "tourist trap," as I affectionately call it now.

The canyon view from the Rio Grande on this trail is stunning; well worth the very short hike. But we were unable to hike into the canyon due to high water.

We were told that wading across Terlingua Creek on the Santa Elena Canyon Trail is normally an easy, simple, exercise, but on Nov. 10, the water was three to four feet deep. Apparently, there was very heavy rain the Northern Mexico, and the Rio Grande was quite high. But one can just go up the creek a few hundred yards, find the creek totally dry, and simple to cross, but getting back to the main trail from this point can be difficult and perhaps dangerous. My wife and I, in our 70's were not up to it, but younger, sure footed individuals would likely have little difficultly.

I would say that when I first saw the Canyon, I was highly impressed. It was an amazing view from the very start. Even more amazing it the hike down the river. Some people would go into the river and then to the trail, but I (along with others) walked a little further down and found a trail. It was a nice quiet hike with lots of green grass. There was a group of boat rider floating down the middle. Awesome all the way around.

Despite no water in the canyon today... the area was fun to explore. Loved gazing at the mountains for hours. I also loved touching the water of the Rio Grande. Just a wonderful outdoor experience!!!

A very nice, scenic, quiet hike. One gets some very pretty views of the canyon. The river was low, so one can stroll out into it and take nice pictures.
Be prepared for heat, if you go in May, but still very worth while.
Saw a few tarantulas but that was expected.
A very wonderful place.

This was one of the highlights of the trip, I would say. We went in the afternoon and the golden sun's rays shining through the canyon was so majestic to look at, my picture did not do justice to the view. The hike goes up and down but it wasn't too hard. We did this in the winter though so I can't imagine how hot the place is during summer so make sure to bring lots of water