Santa Elena Canyon of the Rio Grande is online

Photo courtesy of the NPS

Santa Elena Canyon is some of the best boating that Texas has to offer. Towering walls, utter solitude, and the rugged landscape of the Rio Grande make for a scenic and peaceful adventure. Santa Elena Canyon is a relatively short run at 20 miles, and can be done as an overnight or single day trip depending on flow. The optimal season for the river is November-March, with flash floods and high heat presenting challenges during other seasons. A trip down the Canyon can and should be paired with an exploration of Big Bend NP.

You can find the Santa Elena Canyon guidebook and map here.

Special thanks and photo credits:

• The NPS for the usage of their photos