Big Bend Santa Elena Canyon

About this spectacle

Santa Elena Canyon cuts a dramatic slot through the Mesa de Anguila along the Rio Grande, where sheer limestone walls rise hundreds of feet on both sides of the river, squeezing the water into a narrow corridor. Visitors wade through a shallow crossing to enter the canyon, then follow a trail along rocky ledges as the walls close in overhead, blotting out the sky and dropping temperatures noticeably. Light filters down in narrow shafts, painting the ancient rock in deep ochres and grays. The sound of the river echoes off polished stone. Looking up, the strip of sky above narrows to a ribbon. The contrast between the vast open Chihuahuan Desert outside and the intimate, cathedral-like silence inside the canyon is striking. Peregrine falcons and canyon wrens are frequently heard and seen. The canyon marks the international boundary between the United States and Mexico, adding a layer of geographic significance to the raw visual drama.

When to go

Sep — May, peak Oct — Apr

Getting there

Nearest city: Alpine.

Booking options

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