I heard great things about this overlook, but in my opinion, it did not … You can also walk down to the bottom of the canyon … Spectacular locations along the road include Sotol Vista Overlook, Mule Ears Overlook, Tuff Canyon, and many more. Big Bend National Park has more than 150 miles of hiking trails, including. All affiliate links on this site use "/aff/" in the URL to denote that it is an affiliate link. 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. Your FREE account works with all Adventure Projects sites. This is about an injury or accident You'll make my day and what's one more email, really? At low flows, canoes can partially line the rapid but rafts may get a little stuck. 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. From the Maverick Junction west entrance, drive east 13 miles and turn right onto Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive. Park entrances are open 24 hours daily, all year. When the water level is low, the current becomes much easier to paddle against. 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. Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive To Santa Elena Canyon. 41 degrees. 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. Hikers often take a short cut to the trails along the south wall of 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. The river becomes more technical in … Hot Springs Historic Trail. Trail. 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 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. Length 1.5 miElevation gain 610 ftRoute type Out & back 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 road ends at the Santa Elena Canyon Overlook and Trial unless you want to take the gravel Old Maverick Road back to … Sam Nail Ranch. 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 … 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. Enjoy a snack or picnic lunch after the ~30-mile drive along the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive from the Visitor Center. Dry - follow the cairns gets shady after awhile. A great hike along the Rio Grande and great views in Boquillas Canyon. You must squeeze it into your trip. 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. Enjoy a snack or picnic lunch after the ~30-mile drive along the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive from the Visitor Center. Santa Elena Canyon Wildflowers There's nothing like standing at the Santa Elena Canyon overlook at 4:00 in the morning. The Rio Grande established its present course on basin-filling sediments that covered the rocks and faults we see exposed today. 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. Head south on the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive. Head out from the Santa Elena Canyon Trailhead and go for a few miles into the canyon and then return back downstream. As you look down Santa Elena Canyon, the left wall of the canyon is in Mexico, while the right wall is in Texas. 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. Santa Elena Canyon Trail. At this spectacular viewpoint from near river level, one is unaware of the extent of canyon carving. NOT OKAY! 1. 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. Santa Elena Canyon Overlook. 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. We paddled upstream for a little over 4 miles before deciding on a camping spot. Kayaking the canyon is absolutely the best way to see it. Please explain. 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 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. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from September until May. It’s pretty cool to see the canyon cut right through enormous cliffs in front of you and to see Mexico! We passed the overlook and the hiking trail and before long we had the canyon to ourselves. Diesel is available at Panther Junction and outside the park in Study Butte. Ross Maxwell scenic drive gets you there, and it's a near 2nd. 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. Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. Convenience stores are available and open year-round at Rio Grande Village, the Chisos Basin, and in the historic La Harmonia store at Castolon. Santa Elena Canyon at the far western end of Big Bend NP is perhaps the best-known example of this. US on one side Mexico on the other Santa Elena Canyon Overlook Brewster County, Texas Big bend was the coolest park I've been to yet! This is … In some places it is only 30 feet (9 meters) wide. Raft through Santa Elena Canyon in Big Bend National Park- a 21 mile stretch of the most beautiful part of the world. When I got back down to the river bank I experimented with using the river rocks as a foreground leading into the canyon. Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive – This is the scenic route on the west side of the park and that ultimately ends at Santa Elena Canyon. Santa Elena Canyon Trail – A 1.7- mile trail into Santa Elena Canyon. 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. The sheer cliff walls of the Santa Elena Canyon offer a dramatic frame for this viewpoint at the shore of the Rio Grande. 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. All Rights Reserved. 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. Sites start appearing once you pass Smuggler’s Cave. Find historic adobe remnants and two windmills, one still in operation. Create Recommended Route or Pet etiquette and park regulations require that you always clean up after your pet and dispose of waste in trash receptacles. This trail crosses the Terlingua creek and into this famed canyon. Mule Ears Overlook – a great view of Mule Ears Peaks. Short Walk: Around a half mile from the parking area, an out-and-back hike would be approximately one mile total. Another fun day-trip option is to rent or bring a canoe to paddle upstream on the river. Boquillas Canyon Trail – A 1.4-mile trail into Boquillas Canyon. Admission fees are valid for seven days and are $30/vehicle, $25/motorcycle, $15/individual/bicyclist/pedestrian. Easy when water levels are high, canoeing is recommended when water is lower. 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. 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. 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. 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. Santa Elena Canyon: 20 miles of spectacular scenery, best done in two or more days. Santa Elena Canyon (photo above) Sotol Vista Overlook – one of the best 360° views inside the park. Yes, that means I am also an Amazon Associate and earn a small commission from qualifying Amazon purchases referred from links on this site. Entrance fee stations have variable seasons and hours. Learn More. 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. This half-mile loop trail leads through the old homestead of Sam Nail and Nena. 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. The Santa Elena Canyon one-day trip offers spectacular scenery with each bend in the Rio Grande. Trail is much easier once you make it over the steps. 2. Santa Elena is easily the most spectacular site to visit in Big Bend. Being a jerk / offensive? 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. On clear nights you can see forever, a perfect place to watch the stars set as they slowly rotate behind the massive, mystical, monolith. Easy access makes this the most popular canyon in Big Bend National Park. A fabulous trail follows the river upstream then drops down to the canyon floor. In Big Bend National Park, begin at the intersection of 118 and Costolon/Santa Elena Canyon. A quick stop at the overlook before heading down to the Santa Elena Canyon Trailhead is well worth your time. So close to crossing the border. It is here that your first views of the mouth of the canyon will come into sight and they won't disappoint. Begin at Hot Springs parking … 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. The trail is extemely easy to navigate and the rock walls are beautiful, raising as high as 1500 feet on each side. Beginning at Lajitas, this 21-mile trip is the most popular run on the river. Pets are not allowed on trails, off roads, or on the river. 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. There’s a separate hike you can go through the canyon … There are railings on the overlook but i would be careful if you have small children. 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. Some nice views there, also you can get a great shot of Cerro Castellan. North America, USA, Texas, Big Bend National Park, Santa Elena Canyon of the Rio Grande River, Canyon Overlook Boardwalk Trail. 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. Santa Elena Canyon is known for the famous Rock Slide Rapid, as well as its sheer limestone walls. 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 . In the photo below, you can see on the right the area leading up to the overlook where I took the sunrise photos. Santa Elena Canyon is 8 miles (13km) long and 1,500 ft (450 m) deep. 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. Copyright © 2020 Bourn Creative, LLC. 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. Drop your email below and get my latest recipes, adventures, and candid musings on juggling work and life. 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 . Taking other people's content (text, photos, etc) without permission is a copyright violation and The sheer cliff walls of the Santa Elena Canyon offer a dramatic frame for this viewpoint at the shore of the Rio Grande. Sunrise Over the Chisos Mountains in Big Bend National Park from Santa Elena Canyon. 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. This is on the way to Santa Elena. Santa Elena has the tallest cliffs forming the canyon wall—up to 1,500 feet. Here that your first views of the mouth of the Rio Grande perhaps the best-known of. 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