Get details of Location, timings and contact. The Santa Elena Canyon Trail is 1.5 miles and an easy hike. Santa Elena Canyon is one of the crown jewels of Big Bend National Park, and something you surely don't want to miss if you pay the park a visit. Beginner-Advanced (depending on water levels), Minimum of 2 participants for trip to launch, Minimum of 8 years old for all downstream trips. Along the way are varied rapids that continue to provide added excitement. Because Santa Elena Canyon is such a popular destination for river trips, there are plenty of local outfitters that provide the boats, equipment and food for single or multiple day journeys. The entire area features river canyons, desert, and mountain landscapes, with geological marvels like the Santa Elena Canyon, abundant wildlife, and historic ruins. This 21-mile section of the Rio Grande meanders through gorgeous scenery that is rich in geologic wonders, flora and fauna, and human history, both old and new. This road is subject to high water and flooding following rainstorms. The … Santa Elena is by far the park's most popular canyon. Santa Elena Canyon is located at Big Bend National Park in Texas. Santa Elena Canyon is one of the best-known features of Big Bend National Park. This is This is one of the most remote and untamed stretches of river in Texas. It is a 14-mile improved dirt road that passes along the Terlingua Creek badlands on the west side of the park. Minimum of 8 years old for all downstream trips This 21-mile section of the Rio Grande meanders through gorgeous scenery that is rich in geologic wonders, flora and fauna, and human history, both old and new. 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. Beginning at Lajitas, this 19 … Santa Elena Canyon in all of its beauty and majesty cannot be seen any other way. Essentially, pets are only allowed to go where vehicles go and must be on leashes that are Santa Elena Canyon is one of the best-known natural features in Big Bend National Park. That's due in part to the hidden grotto being easily accessible by car, but mostly because it's overwhelmingly considered the most beautiful piece of scenery in Big Bend. The trail is rated as moderate and is accessible year-round. Santa Elena Canyon Pets Unfortunately in Big Bend, pets are not permitted on any of the park’s trails, on the river, or off roads. Santa Elena’s 1,500 foot canyon walls are visible It is a 14-mile improved dirt road that passes along the Terlingua Creek badlands on the west side of the park. Old Maverick Road runs between Maverick Junction and Santa Elena Canyon. While usually passable for most vehicles, this road tends to be rough and washboarded; the 14 miles takes around an hour to drive. A number of historic sites are located near the road that you may visit as you gradually descend to the Rio Grande and Santa Elena. Overview Santa Elena Canyon is one of the largest, most scenic canyons in Texas. At their full height, the walls of Santa Elena tower 1500 feet above the Rio Grande and are truly a … We did 6 trails in Big Bend in 2 days. Head past the facilities and toward the beautiful sheer walls of Santa Elena Canyon and the Rio Grande River. Hiking options include the Mesa de Anguila trails and drainages, visitation to landscapes altered by prehistoric peoples, and adventures to places inaccessible except by river. However, you can’t leave a vehicle parked overnight at that put in so our only option was the Santa Elena River Access. A short nature trail enters its shady depths, 8 miles west of Castolon, accessible by either Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive or the Old Maverick Road. To play your stay or for more information on the park and the canyon, you can visit their website here. 79834-0129, Primitive Roadside Campsite— Rattlesnake Mountain, Primitive Roadside Campsite— Ocotillo Grove, Primitive Roadside Campsites— Terlingua Abajo. Santa Elena is easily the most spectacular site to visit in Big Bend. Dip your toes into an exciting river tour in this sampling of Big Bend National Park. You must squeeze it into your trip. Floating through this spectacular canyon allows you to fall into the rhythm of a multi-day river trip and affords access to places far from the beaten path. Drinking water and delicious food for entire trip, All camping gear (Tents/Sleeping Pad and Bag), Alcohol (Beer/Wine) please no glass bottles. Ross Maxwell scenic drive gets you there, and it's a near 2nd. Trips can be arranged for one to three days. 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. A number of historic sites are located near the road that you may visit as you gradually descend to the Rio Grande and Santa Elena. Santa Elena Canyon is known for the famous Rock Slide Rapid as well as its sheer cavern-filled limestone walls. Santa Elena Canyon: The Rio Grande River has carved through over 1500 feet of sheer limestone rock, creating Santa Elena Canyon, the most popular one or two day river trip offered. Type II PFDs (horsecollar) are not allowed in Santa Elena, Mariscal, or the Lower Canyons and not recommended in the other sections. Plan to visit Santa Elena Canyon, United States. For an easy daytrip, float through Santa Elena Canyon, where the 1,500-foot cliff walls seem to stretch to the sky. The entire canyon is about 18 miles in length however this particular trip only goes about 4-8 miles into the canyon. The Santa Elena Canyon two-day trip offers spectacular scenery with each bend in the Rio Grande as you float along at a moderate pace. To get there we took the Old Maverick Road from the west entrance gate. Length 19.1 miElevation gain 4143 ftRoute type Point to … Add Camping text here. https://www.nps.gov/bibe/planyourvisit/cottonwood_campground.htm Lost Mine Trail Santa Elena Canyon Balanced Rock Windows Dagger Flats Auto Roads ( giant yucca) Tuff Canyon It’s hard to judge because we truly enjoyed everything we did in Big Bend and the uniqueness of each trail was the captivating part of going to this Park. 11.9 miles from Santa Elena Canyon #1 Best Value of 31 places to stay in Big Bend National Park “Located in Lajitas, from the resort one can take the El Camino del Rio scenic highway up to Presidio or drive down the nearby Ross Maxwell Scenic Highway that … Located in Big Bend National Park along the remote US/Mexico border. Big Bend National Park, TX Find the reviews and ratings to know better. Terlingua Abajo campsites are located off of Old Maverick Road, 3 miles from the southern end near Santa Elena Canyon, or 10 miles from the northern end near the Maverick Entrance Station. Book river outings with Big Bend River Tours, Desert Sports or … Camping at the park is on $7 a night but it can work its way up depending on the amenities you'd like to enjoy. We will not bother you with days of worthless emails and we will not sell your email address. PO Box 129 At their full height, the walls of Santa Elena tower 1500 feet above the Rio Grande and are truly a sight to behold. Sign up to receive news on trip specials and Wild info. Our guide, John Parker, was happy and personable and skillfully navigated the ROCK SLIDE rapid in the heart of the canyon at a high water There is a clearly marked pathway to the trail, complete with an old west boardwalk. Resorts near Santa Elena Canyon, Big Bend National Park on Tripadvisor: Find 1,071 traveler reviews, 4,613 candid photos, and prices for resorts near Santa Elena Canyon in Big Bend National Park, TX. Cottonwood Campground is a quiet, shady desert oasis located between the Castolon Historic District and scenic Santa Elena Canyon. The Rio Grande is the boarder between the United States and Mexico throughout the park, and Mexico is just a few steps away from the trailhead on the other side of the river. Santa Elena Canyon River Kayak Route is a 19.1 mile moderately trafficked point-to-point trail located near Terlingua, Texas that features a river. This easy 1.7-mile round-trip hike in Big Bend National Park lets one get up close with the Rio Grande River and the Santa Elena Canyon. A Backcountry Permit is required to camp in any of these campsites.You can obtain a permit in person at Panther Junction and Chisos Basin Visitor Centers. Santa Elena River Access If you plan to only do a day trip you can put in closer to the canyon and save yourself about a mile of upstream (and very difficult) paddling. Old Maverick Road runs between Maverick Junction and Santa Elena Canyon. Saturday morning well before dawn, the workshop group was off to Santa Elena Canyon in the dark to get there in time for sunrise photos. With canyon walls up to 1500 feet tall it has the tallest cliffs of all the canyons in Big Bend. Take some time and let Santa Elena Canyon feel like home for a little while. This ranked #2. This is a remote campground in a remote park. Survival Gear: Each river party should carry a suitable amount of survival gear, including a first aid kit, extra water, sun protection, rain gear, a throwline, and an extra rope at least 50 feet long and 3/8 inch in diameter. It is dry camping, no hook-ups, and no generators are permitted. 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