Santa Elena Canyon

Nestled within Big Bend National Park, Santa Elena Canyon is a deep, narrow gorge carved by the Rio Grande. The canyon’s dramatic walls rise on either side of the river, creating a striking natural feature. Visitors can access the canyon floor via a short hiking trail that crosses Terlingua Creek and descends a series of stairs. Once at the river, adventurers can explore further upstream or downstream by raft or canoe, immersing themselves in the rugged beauty of the canyon.