One of the crown jewels of Big Bend National Park, the Santa Elena Canyon can be experienced on the Santa Elena Canyon Trail, which is a 1.3-mile out-and-back trail that offers spectacular views of the canyon as it ascends 160 feet above the Rio Grande. Surrounded by lush riparian vegetation and towering 1,500-foot canyon walls on either side, the Santa Elena Canyon Trail begins at the end of the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive, crosses the Terlingua Creek, and climbs several short switchbacks before descending along the banks of the Rio Grande. The trail ends where canyon walls meet the river where hikers can have lunch and soak up the stunning natural scenery.
Big Bend National Park TX 79834, Phone: 432-477-2251
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