Mouth of Santa Elena Canyon
Santa Elena Canyon is the first narrow and steep-walled canyon through which the Rio Grande River flows as it enters Big Bend National Park. The other two are Mariscal and Boquillas Canyons.
Santa Elena Canyon is about eight miles (13 km) long and 1500 feet (450 m) deep. In places it is only about thirty feet (10 m) wide. Generally considered the most scenic of Big Bend's big canyons, it is a product of both erosion and faulting, with the Terlingua fault at the base of the cliff. This photo shows Terlingua Creek, normally dry, entering from the right.
Mouth of Santa Elena Canyon
Santa Elena Canyon is the first narrow and steep-walled canyon through which the Rio Grande River flows as it enters Big Bend National Park. The other two are Mariscal and Boquillas Canyons.
Santa Elena Canyon is about eight miles (13 km) long and 1500 feet (450 m) deep. In places it is only about thirty feet (10 m) wide. Generally considered the most scenic of Big Bend's big canyons, it is a product of both erosion and faulting, with the Terlingua fault at the base of the cliff. This photo shows Terlingua Creek, normally dry, entering from the right.