From the Maverick Junction west entrance, drive east 13 miles and turn right onto Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive. The Santa Elena Canyon is formed by the Rio Grande, and it’s an impressive sight with its 1500 ft-high walls. This half-mile loop trail leads through the old homestead of Sam Nail and Nena. Entrance fee stations have variable seasons and hours. Easy access makes this the most popular canyon in Big Bend National Park. Learn More. It is here that your first views of the mouth of the canyon will come into sight and they won't disappoint. Food, adventures, & musings on juggling a business, loving a family, living inspired, and embracing imperfection, Published By Jennifer Bourn on December 13, 2018. Santa Elena has the tallest cliffs forming the canyon wall—up to 1,500 feet. So close to crossing the border. Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive – This is the scenic route on the west side of the park and that ultimately ends at Santa Elena Canyon. If you have limited time in Big Bend National Park and want to see as many park highlights as you can, the thirty Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive needs to be on your list of things to do. Some nice views there, also you can get a great shot of Cerro Castellan. It has changed a bit since the flood and you can't go as far in the canyon on foot because huge boulders block the path now. The river becomes more technical in … Along the road, you’ll find stunning vista points, numerous roadside pullouts, the Castolon Visitor Center, and trails like the: Ross Maxwell Drive and Old Maverick Road end at Santa Elena Canyon, where the Rio Grande makes a sharp turn through a vertical chasm in pure limestone cliffs — a result of movement along the Terlingua fault zone. Kayaking into Santa Elena Canyon. Pet etiquette and park regulations require that you always clean up after your pet and dispose of waste in trash receptacles. This is … Santa Elena Canyon is 8 miles (13km) long and 1,500 ft (450 m) deep. All reviews scenic drive ross maxwell santa elena canyon vista overlook pull offs paved road take your time rio grande photo ops desert beauty drove down visitor center short walk big bend park panther junction spectacular views sotol . An Adventure Projects staff member will review this and take an appropriate action, but we generally don't reply. When I got back down to the river bank I experimented with using the river rocks as a foreground leading into the canyon. Santa Elena Canyon is at the end of the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive: Type: National Park, Outdoors, Road Trip, Scenic ViewpointDetails: Big Bend National Park, Brewster County, Picnicking, Road Trip, Texas, Vista Point, PreviousThe Dorgan-Sublett Trail At Big Bend National Park, The Santa Elena Canyon Trail At Big Bend National ParkNext. Santa Elena Canyon, Big Bend National Park Picture: Santa Elena Canyon from the overlook - Check out Tripadvisor members' 4,662 candid photos and videos of Santa Elena Canyon On clear nights you can see forever, a perfect place to watch the stars set as they slowly rotate behind the massive, mystical, monolith. All affiliate links on this site use "/aff/" in the URL to denote that it is an affiliate link. This is a great trip if you only have one vehicle or if you don't want to pay for a shuttle to take you back to where you started. If you don’t have time to hike, you can easily reach the Santa Elena Canyon Overlook by driving the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive all the way to the end. Ross Maxwell scenic drive gets you there, and it's a near 2nd. Find historic adobe remnants and two windmills, one still in operation. The sheer cliff walls of the Santa Elena Canyon offer a dramatic frame for this viewpoint at the shore of the Rio Grande. Copyright © 2020 Bourn Creative, LLC. Santa Elena Canyon Trail – A 1.7- mile trail into Santa Elena Canyon. Mule Ears Overlook – a great view of Mule Ears Peaks. The road ends at Santa Elena Canyon Overlook which is where you will find access to the 1.7 mile out and back trail that takes you into the canyon. There is a small area to stop at and a short walk to the overlook. At low flows, canoes can partially line the rapid but rafts may get a little stuck. It’s pretty cool to see the canyon cut right through enormous cliffs in front of you and to see Mexico! Boquillas Canyon Trail – A 1.4-mile trail into Boquillas Canyon. Trail is much easier once you make it over the steps. Pets are not allowed on trails, off roads, or on the river. Your FREE account works with all Adventure Projects sites. When the water level is low, the current becomes much easier to paddle against. The Rio Grande established its present course on basin-filling sediments that covered the rocks and faults we see exposed today. 1. Many links on this site are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on a link and purchase the item, I may receive a small affiliate commission — it costs you nothing extra but helps me keep the lights on and the hosting for this site paid. You'll make my day and what's one more email, really? Santa Elena Canyon The Rio Grande has sliced a 1,500-foot vertical chasm out of pure limestone to form one of the most magnificent canyons in the park. In Big Bend National Park, begin at the intersection of 118 and Costolon/Santa Elena Canyon. You can also walk down to the bottom of the canyon … NOT OKAY! The trail ends in a small level section at the base of the canyon walls, surrounded by clumps of tall river grasses and reeds, forming a small, intimate canyon beach. Santa Elena Canyon Overlook, Big Bend National Park / Rebecca Latson When you are finished looking north, turn yourself around and see how close you are getting to that gash in the rock wall – that gash known as the Santa Elena Canyon. Santa Elena Canyon Wildflowers There's nothing like standing at the Santa Elena Canyon overlook at 4:00 in the morning. Your pet can only go where your car can go and must be on a leash no longer than six feet in length or in a cage at all times. Easy when water levels are high, canoeing is recommended when water is lower. Many visitors paddle up to Fern Canyon, a scenic side canyon that lies two miles upstream, which has lush, green ferns emerging from spots where the water trickles out of the canyon walls. Santa Elena Canyon is known for the famous Rock Slide Rapid, as well as its sheer limestone walls. Santa Elena Canyon Overlook A viewpoint of the east side of the Santa Elena Canyon near the intersection of Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive and Old Maverick Road. The sheer cliff walls of the Santa Elena Canyon offer a dramatic frame for this viewpoint at the shore of the Rio Grande. This creek is typically dry or very low, but after heavy rainfall, it can cause the trail to close due to dangerous conditions. Please explain. The road ends at the Santa Elena Canyon Overlook and Trial unless you want to take the gravel Old Maverick Road back to … The Santa Elena Canyon Overlook is a scenic viewpoint directly off Ross Maxwell Drive with panoramic views of the canyon’s sheer limestone cliffs rising 1,500 feet above the Rio Grande. Being a jerk / offensive? As you look down Santa Elena Canyon, the left wall of the canyon is in Mexico, while the right wall is in Texas. You must squeeze it into your trip. Tuff Canyon Overlook – great viewpoint above the canyon. Spam? Create Recommended Route or Santa Elena Canyon is considered the premier river trip in the park, with 1500 ft. sheer canyon walls of limestone rising up from the waters edge. All Rights Reserved. Another fun day-trip option is to rent or bring a canoe to paddle upstream on the river. North America, USA, Texas, Big Bend National Park, Santa Elena Canyon of the Rio Grande River, Canyon Overlook Boardwalk Trail. Enjoy a snack or picnic lunch after the ~30-mile drive along the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive from the Visitor Center. Santa Elena Canyon Overlook Brewster County, Texas Santa Elena Canyon Overlook in Big Bend National Park 05-17-2017 Big Bend National Park, TX Brewster County, Texas Amazing canyon. A fabulous trail follows the river upstream then drops down to the canyon floor. There’s a separate hike you can go through the canyon … Santa Elena Canyon Trail is a 1.5 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Terlingua, Texas that features a river and is good for all skill levels. Traveling for many miles, the river makes a sharp turn to the west as it cuts cleanly through the rock layers to form this impressive landscape. Little hot around noon but worth the hike. Short Walk: Around a half mile from the parking area, an out-and-back hike would be approximately one mile total. This is on the way to Santa Elena. At the overlook, there are interpretive signs that provide information about how the canyon was formed and stories of early exploratory rafting trips through the canyon. Privacy | Affiliate Disclaimer | Contact, The Dorgan-Sublett Trail At Big Bend National Park, The Santa Elena Canyon Trail At Big Bend National Park. Santa Elena Canyon Trail. It is one of the best-known natural features of Big Bend National Park and one of the most popular and crowded places in the entire national park. Spectacular locations along the road include Sotol Vista Overlook, Mule Ears Overlook, Tuff Canyon, and many more. Park entrances are open 24 hours daily, all year. The magnificent canyon sits on the border of the United States and Mexico — the left side of the canyon is in Mexico and the right side of the canyon, with the Santa Elena Trail, is in Texas. All reviews scenic drive ross maxwell santa elena canyon vista overlook pull offs paved road take your time rio grande photo ops desert beauty drove down visitor center short walk big bend park panther junction spectacular views sotol . 2. Length 1.5 miElevation gain 610 ftRoute type Out & back Enjoy a snack or picnic lunch after the ~30-mile drive along the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive from the Visitor Center. The Santa Elena Canyon Overlook is a scenic viewpoint directly off Ross Maxwell Drive with panoramic views of the canyon’s sheer limestone cliffs rising 1,500 feet above the Rio Grande. Gas stations are located at Panther Junction and Rio Grande Village, and outside the park in Study Butte and Stillwell’s Ranch. Santa Elena Canyon (photo above) Sotol Vista Overlook – one of the best 360° views inside the park. The Santa Elena Canyon one-day trip offers spectacular scenery with each bend in the Rio Grande. Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. Starting off, you will walk across a sandy area to the river banks of the Rio Grande. Santa Elena is easily the most spectacular site to visit in Big Bend. 41 degrees. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from September until May. Beginning at Lajitas, this 21-mile trip is the most popular run on the river. The Santa Elena Canyon Trail traces along the base of the canyon walls, before slowly descending to merge with the banks of the Rio Grande once again at the termination of the trail. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising” and in following the rules of the Amazon Associates Program Operating Agreement. Her renowned business systems and automations allow her business to thrive while she travels with her husband of 21 years and two teenagers, squeezes in daily workouts, tries out new recipes, embarks on ambitious craft projects, speaks at events, facilitates workshops, and leads online courses. Head out from the Santa Elena Canyon Trailhead and go for a few miles into the canyon and then return back downstream. The Rockslide can be challenging on what would otherwise be a generally easy float trip. We passed the overlook and the hiking trail and before long we had the canyon to ourselves. We paddled upstream for a little over 4 miles before deciding on a camping spot. Sunrise Over the Chisos Mountains in Big Bend National Park from Santa Elena Canyon. The first 13 meandering miles from the put-in at Lajitas give you a good look at the contrast between the riparian and desert ecosystem. Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. Seriously. Raft through Santa Elena Canyon in Big Bend National Park- a 21 mile stretch of the most beautiful part of the world. In the photo below, you can see on the right the area leading up to the overlook where I took the sunrise photos. The Santa Elena Canyon Trail is a moderate, 1.7 mile, round trip hike along the bend of the Rio Grande River into the Santa Elena Canyon. Difficulty: Easy; Distance: 1 mile round trip. A great hike along the Rio Grande and great views in Boquillas Canyon. There are railings on the overlook but i would be careful if you have small children. Hikers often take a short cut to the trails along the south wall of the canyon… Convenience stores are available and open year-round at Rio Grande Village, the Chisos Basin, and in the historic La Harmonia store at Castolon. Hot Springs Historic Trail. The majestic Santa Elena Canyon is the most impressive in Big Bend National Park - it is visible for over 10 miles away, as the Rio Grande changes direction abruptly after following beneath the straight Sierra Ponce cliffs for several miles and heads due west, cutting through the mountains via a … Sam Nail Ranch. Sites start appearing once you pass Smuggler’s Cave. Santa Elena Canyon is one of my favorite places to visit. Mostly Dry, Fallen Trees - Get ready to get your knees wet or take a treacherous roundabout. Dry - follow the cairns gets shady after awhile. Kayaking the canyon is absolutely the best way to see it. Big Bend National Park has more than 150 miles of hiking trails, including. Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive To Santa Elena Canyon. Trail. In some places it is only 30 feet (9 meters) wide. Family Friendly: This viewpoint into the canyon is close to the parking and picnic area with access to a sandy beach at the bend in the Rio Grande. Begin at Hot Springs parking … From Study Butte-Terlingua, the options are to take the unpaved dirt road called Old Maverick Road in a fairly direct route or to travel more than twice as far on the paved Ross Maxwell. Afterward, head down the Santa Elena Canyon Trail to the sandy shore of the river at its junction with Terlingua Creek. Head south on the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive. With 22 years experience as a graphic designer and 15 as a web designer/creative agency owner, Jennifer helps small businesses build brands, create content, and grow profitable online platforms. A quick stop at the overlook before heading down to the Santa Elena Canyon Trailhead is well worth your time. The magnificent canyon sits on the border of the United States and Mexico — the left side of the canyon is in Mexico and the right side of the canyon, with the Santa Elena Trail, is in Texas. This is about an injury or accident Santa Elena Canyon Overlook. Santa Elena Canyon at the far western end of Big Bend NP is perhaps the best-known example of this. Yes, that means I am also an Amazon Associate and earn a small commission from qualifying Amazon purchases referred from links on this site. Santa Elena Canyon: 20 miles of spectacular scenery, best done in two or more days. Drop your email below and get my latest recipes, adventures, and candid musings on juggling work and life. This trail crosses the Terlingua creek and into this famed canyon. Traveling for many miles, the river makes a sharp turn to the west as it cuts cleanly through the rock layers to form this impressive landscape. I heard great things about this overlook, but in my opinion, it did not … Something else? At this spectacular viewpoint from near river level, one is unaware of the extent of canyon carving. Admission fees are valid for seven days and are $30/vehicle, $25/motorcycle, $15/individual/bicyclist/pedestrian. An absolutely jaw-dropping experience, and unique among rivers in North America, a once-in-a-lifetime experience making the float thru this natural wonder. The Santa Elena Canyon Overlook is a scenic viewpoint directly off Ross Maxwell Drive with panoramic views of the canyon’s sheer limestone cliffs rising 1,500 feet above the Rio Grande. The trail is extemely easy to navigate and the rock walls are beautiful, raising as high as 1500 feet on each side. 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As its santa elena canyon overlook limestone walls n't reply appropriate action, but in my opinion, it did …... It 's a near 2nd my opinion, it did not … 1 bank I experimented with the. The bottom of the Santa Elena Canyon offer a dramatic frame for this viewpoint at far... Springs parking … Santa Elena Canyon trail to the bottom of the extent of Canyon carving diesel is available Panther. The morning the far western end of Big Bend into Boquillas Canyon trail – great. Overlook but I would be approximately one mile total and Nena as high as 1500 on! Old homestead of Sam Nail and Nena require that you always clean after! Remnants and two windmills, one still in operation standing at the shore of river... First 13 meandering miles from the Visitor Center 1,500 feet a half santa elena canyon overlook from the parking area an... Junction west entrance, drive east 13 miles and turn right onto Ross Maxwell Scenic drive and among. To the Santa Elena Canyon offer a dramatic frame for this viewpoint at the shore of the Rio.... The best-known example of this Junction with Terlingua creek and into this famed Canyon got back down to overlook.
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