Walking Through SANTA ELENA CANYON - BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK'S Iconic Must-See Stop

Walking Through SANTA ELENA CANYON - BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK'S Iconic Must-See Stop | Texas

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Күн бұрын

One of the most scenic and magnificent locations within Big Bend National Park in Texas is Santa Elena Canyon - a 1500 ft canyon dividing Mexico from the United States - and we walk right down the middle where the Rio Grande should be.
Deep within Big Bend National Park in west Texas is Santa Elena Canyon - a dramatic and fantastic canyon dividing Mexico from the United States. The tall cliffs tower up to 1500-feet above visitors as they enter the canyon from the east.
The maintained trail is 1.4 miles out and back. Some steeper sections of switchbacks start the trail off but generally, the trail is rated as easy.
At times the Rio Grande is dried up and hikers often find hiking through the canyon to be preferable.
Dogs are not allowed. Cooler months are recommended for this hike as summer months can be dangerously hot.
VIDEO FILMED: 05/19/2022
▬▬ R E L A T E D V I D E O S ▬▬
⚪ CHISOS BASIN CAMPGROUND Site Exploration & Review | BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK | Texas - • CHISOS BASIN CAMPGROUN...
⚪ A Completionist's Guide to Hiking THE NARROWS Bottom Up | Zion National Park - • A Completionist's Guid...
▬▬ L O C A T I O N I N F O ▬▬
⚪ Santa Elena Canyon - www.nps.gov/bibe/planyourvisi...
⚪ Directions to Santa Elena Canyon - goo.gl/maps/PTfLXFTASiMRrtNe6
▬▬ T I M E S T A M P S ▬▬
00:00 Santa Elena Canyon Overlook
01:24 Santa Elena Canyon Trail
11:08 Walking Further Along the Rio Grande
▬▬ L I N K S ▬▬
⚪ Gear we use - www.amazon.com/shop/thecactus...
⚪ See where we've been - www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mi...
⚪ Music from Epidemic Sound - www.epidemicsound.com/referra...
(As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.)
_____________________________________________________________
✅ Find us on Instagram, Twitter & Facebook - @cactusatlas.
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Welcome to the Cactus Atlas! We are Glenn and Amy and invite you to join us as we visit all sorts of locations across the American West. We tour both natural and man-made attractions.
Our base of operations is in the Phoenix, AZ area. We do a lot of hiking and day trips as well as campground reviews and hope that we will be a great resource if you are planning a trip to the American West. We also hope to delight you with our exciting adventures!

Пікірлер: 87

@jaychong12 Жыл бұрын

I have been living in Houston, Texas for 42years and never been there. My wife doesn't like to camp or walk on trail so I might have to try myself a like you. Thank you for valuable videos and be safe.

@CactusAtlas Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much! It's certainly a drive from Houston to the canyon but hopefully it's one you'll get to make one day. 😄

@Joncheche Жыл бұрын

It’s a drive from Houston but man its is a gorgeous park. Well worth the drive, such breathtaking scenery. Hope you get a chance to visit.

@HillCountryVista 5 ай бұрын

Yes it is beautiful...dry or wet. As someone who has been visiting for more than 40 years it is heartbreaking. Neither the US or Mexico has the environmental wherewithal or ethic to keep this "mighty" river flowing.

@leemeyer748 2 ай бұрын

Love this place

@westexascaser4324 5 ай бұрын

Awesome video! Stay safe

@CactusAtlas 5 ай бұрын

Thank you! Will do! 😊

@rkmatt8761 2 ай бұрын

It’s sad to see the Rio Grande being in such bad shape. With all the dams up river in New Mexico has caused an extreme water shortage right along with Mexico taking more water then agreed on plus a drought has cause! I was just in Bend and planned on visiting Santa Elena canyon but wasn’t able to. I bent a drive shaft on my truck going on a back country road so it shortened my day. Glad to see your doing well. I truly enjoy your videos. Stay safe stay healthy

@CactusAtlas 2 ай бұрын

We've heard from a number of people who visited after us that it wasn't as dry as our experience. Just odd timing on our part I guess. 😅

@Aintnowhodat Жыл бұрын

I was there 2 days ago. Plenty of water.

@CactusAtlas Жыл бұрын

The water seems to fluctuate a lot given responses and comments that we've received. I guess we just went during an odd low and dry time.

@SidetrackAdventures 2 жыл бұрын

Another great Big Bend video. The canyon in the background in just the opening shot looks amazing. We got to get out there sometime.

@CactusAtlas 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks! Hopefully you'll have an opportunity to visit Big Bend. It's a beautiful place. 😄

@roswithaschewe5761 Жыл бұрын

We made a trip vom Germany to Texas and we were there in April this year, also in the Boquillas Canyon. It was so amazing!!! We’ll came back again

@CactusAtlas Жыл бұрын

Oh wow! That's quite a trip! Beautiful area though, isn't it? Hope you're able to make that return trip if you're wishing to. 😊 Thanks for stopping by and commenting.

@roswithaschewe5761 Жыл бұрын

@@CactusAtlas Yes, the area was very beautiful, never saw some nature like this. It was so hot in april , 115 degrees and a little bit more 😅 but there was more water in the Hot Springs and the Rio Grande, we were swimming there. and we were in Mexico 🇲🇽 We also were in Cap Rock Canyen, Guadalupe Mountains, Palo Duro Canyon and some other nice places. Big Bend was very special ❤️but we had only two days there. Three weeks are not enough for Texas, so we have to come back hopefully. I miss this places!!! Thank you for sharing your trip

@tikitiki7610 Жыл бұрын

wow, wow, wow, to the 10 power!!!

@albertrodriguez5537 5 ай бұрын

Santa Elena Canyon is a beautiful place! We were just there a week ago. Great video!

@CactusAtlas 5 ай бұрын

Thanks! Would love to go back when there's more water and see the difference. 🙂

@211Gus 2 жыл бұрын

Man the last time I was there was during the Polar Vortex of 2021. Seeing the park and canyon covered in snow& ice was a treat. While the circumstances are sad, seeing the canyon dry is another treat. And the middle of the river is the int'l boundary fyi.

@CactusAtlas 2 жыл бұрын

Can't even imagine how the Canton looks with snow. 😯 We figured the border likely ran down the middle but it's hard to wrap ones mind around weaving back and forth across it somehow. 😂 Thanks for watching!

@carmenvazquez512 7 ай бұрын

Wao hi so many beatifull places is like walking with you Sr .and gettinga tetahi nlessings

@DovieRuthAuthor 2 жыл бұрын

Amazing!!! You got some terrific shots of the canyon, Glenn. Loved the reflections and shadows/light. Thanks for taking us along.

@CactusAtlas 2 жыл бұрын

Always!! Happy to do so!

@jeniferokeywsu Жыл бұрын

I feel so lame. I totally judged this location based on the thumbnail as not being super interesting. Now I think this area is so intriguing! It reminds me of Zion and Grand Canyon but less busy. I hope you go back again soon and stay at a different campsite and see another section of the park. Thanks for the awesome video!

@CactusAtlas Жыл бұрын

We would LOVE to get another trip in as there's so much of Big Bend that had to be skipped just due to the time we had and the distance to get there and back from Arizona. Fingers crossed that it will happen one day! 😄

@tpseeker3367 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks again Glenn. So interesting for not much to actually see there, there is so much beauty to soak in. Tooo many people are in such a rush that they miss the beauty right in front of them.

@CactusAtlas 2 жыл бұрын

It would be really interesting to see the canyon with prior water levels and compare. And you're absolutely right. It's hard to slow down sometimes but when you do... 🤩

@tpseeker3367 2 жыл бұрын

Seen a vid a couple weeks ago & the water was thigh then waist deep where the puddles were@@CactusAtlas.

@CactusAtlas 2 жыл бұрын

😮🤯

@itsjudystube7439 Жыл бұрын

Stunning

@MissAstorDancer 10 ай бұрын

Hey, Glenn and Amy! I don't know how in Hell I have missed your vids on Big Bend!!!??? Danm glad they came up in my feed! I grew up in Odessa, TX, born 1953. I was 5 years old the first time we went to the BB! The only things in The Basin then was the stone cottages, and the "temporary tent-like cabins" that were later replaced by the Lodge (restaurant) and motel-type rooms. I still have an old b&w Polaroid photo of a distant shot of the basin and the cabins, from the perspective of approximately where the Lodge is now. I have made a total of 10 trips to Big Bend in my life, the last time being Christmas 2000. It truly is my favorite place, even compared to my trips to NM, AZ, CO and CA. The last time I was at either Boquillas or Santa Elena canyons, was 1993! It was pretty dry then, too, but not as bad as now. But during most of my trips to BB, the river was flowing beautifully, and I even made one trip down several days after a major flood, when some of the roads were closed/torn up. It was incredible. But every time I have ever been to BB, it's been incredible, regardless of activities, time of year, weather, etc.! Ended up in tears and with goosebumps watching this, because I remember WELL, just how spectacular the place is!!!👍

@CactusAtlas 10 ай бұрын

Aw. Hopefully, they were happy tears. 🥺 We really would love to go back, but the distance makes it so hard to really spend an appropriate amount of time there and do the park justice. But boy, do we want to go back! 😄

@dorothylewis1207 2 жыл бұрын

So neat!

@carolguezen5829 Жыл бұрын

So beautiful!!! Thanks for sharing Glenn! Another location to add to my bucket list.

@randytempleton5797 2 жыл бұрын

I just found your channel. Thanks for the great video! My wife and I went to Big Bend National Park yesterday, 6-1-22, for the first time. Santa Elena Canyon was our priority, but at around mile marker 3 there was a large area of standing water covering the road. We have a low clearance car and decided not to try it. We were so disappointed. But we had fun seeing other parts of the park. Thanks again for the video.

@CactusAtlas 2 жыл бұрын

Man! Based on another comment it sounds like the water level varies greatly. 🤔 Happy you found our channel and appreciate your comment. Thank you so much! 😄

@randytempleton5797 2 жыл бұрын

@@CactusAtlas 😀😀😀

@IrelandFAI Жыл бұрын

Cool video, that’s super interesting

@Rfk1966 2 жыл бұрын

Spectacular! Thanks for sharing

@CactusAtlas 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you! 😄

@johnganshow5536 2 жыл бұрын

Wow, Beautiful place, Fantastic hike!!

@CactusAtlas 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

@fluffyotter1601 2 жыл бұрын

Beautiful:)

@CactusAtlas 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you! 😊

@SomeplaceOrAnother 2 жыл бұрын

Who would have thought there would be very little water in that river. What an amazing view 😀👍

@CactusAtlas 2 жыл бұрын

We certainly didn't imagine that! 😅

@hikingwithjackieboy 2 жыл бұрын

Cool video. We were there last April.

@SwiftyTravels 2 жыл бұрын

The drought throughout NM has been very severe- there’s no water left as the river makes its way down there- its so sad!!! The views are however are gorgeous! Great tour thank you!

@CactusAtlas 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much! Really hope some of the water sources can be replenished. It's getting... intense 😞

@percythepig7774 2 жыл бұрын

Another place we went! We hiked around half the trail on our last day there. An amazing hike!

@CactusAtlas 2 жыл бұрын

It really is! The size of the cliffs and just knowing somewhere in there is the border makes it really an interesting and different sort of feel.

@percythepig7774 2 жыл бұрын

@@CactusAtlas It really does.

@nateanbu859 Жыл бұрын

I was just there this week and thankfully there was more water

@CactusAtlas Жыл бұрын

Curious! Starting to think when we filmed there that it was just an odd low level. 🤔

@scotmotzny6344 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the video. We are headed down there in a couple weeks. Last time I was there was 10 years ago! Still beautiful. I think that technically the border is 1/2 way between the water flow of the river, so if you are more than 1/2 way across, you are technically in Mexico. Hope you had your passport on you! ;)

@CactusAtlas 2 жыл бұрын

That's the consensus of what we're hearing. Hope you have a great trip! Curious what the water level looks like at that time. Keep hearing various levels before and after when this video was filmed. 😅

@timcooper4699 2 ай бұрын

Nice film. What time of year were you there?

@CactusAtlas 2 ай бұрын

Oh, gosh. It's been a while. Our filming dates are listed in the description, though.

@tikitiki7610 Жыл бұрын

thank you Glenn. hope i find the strength to camp at big bend. too scared right now . a woman alone in big bend national park is asking for death

@CactusAtlas Жыл бұрын

I feel you. Glenn is used to it but I myself as a woman wouldn't feel comfortable camping solo. Hopefully you can convince some friends to make a trip of it and have a fun adventure. 😄

@jonbeckham3649 2 жыл бұрын

Wow! No water. Yep that “was” the Rio Grande. Never seen it like that

@CactusAtlas 2 жыл бұрын

Odd, isn't it? Stranger still we heard from some folks that there was flooding not long after I believe.

@yvettejimenezhtx Жыл бұрын

I was there and did not know there was a trail!!! Now I know for next time! But I went 4 yrs ago and there was water sooo maybe inwas in the trail

@CactusAtlas Жыл бұрын

Differences in water level can certainly change an experience, that's for sure. 😅

@wes61471 2 жыл бұрын

Santa Elena is a magical place, I hope you get to The Window as well. So much beautiful scenery in that park. Also the border should run right through the middle of the river, it doesn't change with the water level. And you may have made an illegal border crossing and captured it on film, I'm no expert on the subject but the last time I was there I remember seeing signs about crossing over being illegal. I'm not telling anyone.

@CactusAtlas 2 жыл бұрын

Interesting! Curious how float trips would work if there was a blocking object (say a fallen tree or brush from previous heavy rains) on the United States side. How would one navigate around? So many questions! 😅

@ladnvi2 Жыл бұрын

I checked the flow rates in the river at the time you went at Johnson ranch in the park, it was dry. Today it's at 353 cfs which is enough to go to tubing etc

@CactusAtlas Жыл бұрын

Certainly a variable rate it would seem! Kinda fun to be able to walk through a bit of it though. 👍

@gigimurphy4660 Жыл бұрын

Wow it looks gorgeous, you mentioned that time in day is great for the scenic purposes, when did you start and by what time did you finish? My boyfriend and I are heading down there in early November. Great video!

@CactusAtlas Жыл бұрын

I believe Glenn was likely in the canyon for roughly about 2 hours but please understand the condition of the canyon changes constantly. We've heard many stories from some that weren't even able to enter the canyon at all due to the river being present so your mileage may vary greatly depending on recent weather conditions and when you go.

@gigimurphy4660 Жыл бұрын

@@CactusAtlas oh wow! What time did Glenn start the trail? That’s honestly incredible, I expect there will be more water present in November.

@gstiles7 2 жыл бұрын

really cool place! Better take your passport just in case!!

@CactusAtlas 2 жыл бұрын

😂 Especially if walking back and forth across that canyon. Still not sure where the border technically is in there! 🤣

@randytempleton5797 2 жыл бұрын

@@CactusAtlas I would guess that the border is the center of the riverbed.

@owenjahn Жыл бұрын

What time of year were you there? I am going in February and expect it to be a little more crowded unfortunately

@CactusAtlas Жыл бұрын

Spring 2022 if I recall correctly. We have filming date/information in the description of videos. 😊

@reginacharles6021 Жыл бұрын

I'm taking my dad there in May. A bucket list trip for him. What time of day did u take this hike? We plan to hike Santa Elena.

@CactusAtlas Жыл бұрын

I believe Glenn hiked it in the afternoon.

@KimLeeson Жыл бұрын

What time of year did you go? Man we got WET at the creek crossing in March. Hahaha :)

@CactusAtlas Жыл бұрын

Glenn was there in May of 2022. Just no water there at that time. 😅

@KimLeeson Жыл бұрын

I see you said may 2022... March 2023 there was MUCH more water. I need to look into when the creek is more dry because I really want to visit again!

@CactusAtlas Жыл бұрын

Big Bend is definitely something we want to revisit as well. Because it's so far from us, a lot of that trip was spent driving to and from so not much of the park was visited and that has to be fixed. 😅

@KimLeeson Жыл бұрын

@@CactusAtlas Amen! It's such a long drive to it