Big Bend National Park: Santa Elena Canyon
Updated: Jul 23
We came to Santa Elena Canyon the day before the sunrise trip to familiarize ourselves with the area. As we traversed the trail leading from the parking area to the canyon, we were enveloped by a sense of wonder and serenity as the rugged beauty of the Chihuahuan Desert surrounded us. As we got to the canyon we were greeted by the sight of many people having fun wading in the river, hiking, and sunbathing but we knew this would be an awesome sunrise location.
Santa Elena Canyon Journal. A Friendly Guide to Big Bend NP
As a travel blogger, I'm always on the lookout for unforgettable experiences, so we were excited about the sunrise trip to Santa Elena Canyon. Waking up early, we made the drive over to the canyon pre-sunrise. Standing alongside other photographers at the edge of the river, we watched the magical twilight transform the cliffs into a brilliant array of oranges and browns, before embarking on a hike into the canyon and witnessing the awe-inspiring reflections of the cliffs in the Rio Grande River that made our trip one to remember forever.
