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

Boquillas Hot Springs Brazos Bend Cattail Falls Trail Cedar Flats Trail Closed Canyon Trail Crockett Gardens and Falls Eagle Point Trail Emory Peak Trail Enchanted Rock Loop Trail Gorman Falls Trail The Gypsum Sand Dunes, Guadalupe Mountains NP Guadalupe Peak Kirby Nature Trail and Sandhill Loop Trail in Big Thicket National Preserve Lighthouse Trail in Palo Duro Canyon Lost Maples State Natural Area Muleshoe Bend Palo Duro Canyon's Rock Garden Trail Santa Elena Canyon Trail Twin Falls and Sculpture Falls Via Barton Creek Greenbelt Trail St. Edwards Park The Window Trail The Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve Upper Guale Mesa Hike in Big Bend Ranch State Park West Peak Hike

Explore more: Texas Day Trips > Hikes in Texas to Plan a Trip Around

Plan Your Trip

Get Ready to Go!

Need some more help?


Go to travel reservations.