Hike Into Santa Elena Canyon

After crossing Terlingua Creek the trail enters between the walls of spectacular Santa Elena Canyon. The trail ascends on paved steps to a vista, then descends back to the water's edge, continuing into the canyon until the canyon walls meet the Rio Grande. The walls of the Canyon rise 1500 feet from the banks of the Rio Grande, making this one of the most dramatic and popular places to view the river. The sheer face of this canyon was formed by the Terlingua Fault, which is mostly covered in gravel. Calcite crystals filled in cracks formed by this fault and can be seen along the trail. The deepest channel of the Rio Grande is the international boundary, with each half of this canyon protected by a national park. The southern side belongs to the Area Protegida del Cañón de Santa Elena (Mexico) and the northern side is within Big Bend National Park (USA). Be prepared for mud. During wet times, abrupt rises to Terlingua Creek can make this trail impassable. Always watch for distant rainfall that could lead to flash flooding to avoid becoming stranded within the canyon. Trail Safety: Bring Plenty of water; a minimum of 1-2 liters per person Wear protective clothing, like sun hats and long sleeves Be aware of wildlife, such as snakes and mountain lions; maintain a safe distance Watch for water level rises. Do not cross flowing water. Trail Rules: No pets or bicycles on any trails No collecting or possessing plants, animals, minerals, or artifacts Do not feed or approach wildlife Pack out your trashAll boating/rafting requires a permit Drone/UAV use prohibited within the park