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Editor's pick

Santa Elena Canyon

Big Bend, TX

Nature

The Rio Grande leaves a 450 m deep limestone gorge at the end of the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive in Big Bend National Park. A 2.5 km trail leads into the canyon; wading Terlingua Creek is needed after rain.

Nearest town
Big Bend, TX
Category
Nature & parks
GPS
29.1672, -103.6097
Editor's pick
★

Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.

Featured in these trip guides

170
Scenic byways

The River Road to Big Bend: Presidio, Terlingua and Santa Elena

275 mi9 stops4 days

Nearby

Nature

Big Bend Ranch State Park (Barton Warnock Visitor Center)

Lajitas, TX
Camping

Chisos Basin Campground

Big Bend, TX
Editor's pick
Nature

Big Bend National Park

Big Bend, TX
Nature

Big Bend Hot Springs

Rio Grande Village, TX

Campsites nearby

  • Terlingua AbajoCampsite
    2 mi from Santa Elena Canyon
    OSMAdd to trip
  • Cottonwood CampgroundCampsite
    6 mi from Santa Elena Canyon · 22 pitches
    TentsCaravansDrinking water
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • Lost Gringo RV ParkMotorhome stopover
    10 mi from Santa Elena Canyon
    Motorhomes
    OSMAdd to trip
  • Maverick Ranch RV ParkMotorhome stopover
    12 mi from Santa Elena Canyon
    MotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterToiletsWaste disposal
    OSMAdd to trip
  • Chisos Basin Group CampgroundCampsite
    20 mi from Santa Elena Canyon
    Tents
    OSMAdd to trip
  • Chisos Basin CampgroundCampsite
    20 mi from Santa Elena Canyon
    TentsCaravans
    OSMAdd to trip

All campsites in Texas · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated September 30, 2026