Hiking Santa Elena Canyon

Photo by Kathleen Seal

A favorite of many, a great hike for first-timers to Big Bend National Park, and one of our best recommendations for an evening hike for the light against the canyon rock faces....Santa Elena Canyon Trail.

From the park's website:

"Santa Elena Canyon Trail
Difficulty: Moderate; Distance: 1.7 miles round trip
Begins at terminus of the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive
This trail leads into the stunning Santa Elena Canyon. After crossing Terlingua Creek, the trail ascends on paved steps to a vista, then descends back to the water's edge, continuing into the canyon until the canyon walls meet the water. A Big Bend classic. Trail is impassable when Terlingua Creek floods."