Good for kids
Yes
Boquillas Canyon Trail in Alpine
Categories
Location on the map
Alpine, Brewster County, Texas, US
Amenities
Comments (102)
Great hike! Some stairs at the beginning, then otherwise flat and easy walk along the riverbed. Dipped in the river to cool off. Not very crowded on the trail and plenty of parking.
Very easy trail with great view. We dif hiking with 2 little kids (7 & 5 years) @ 1:10 PM and get to the end of the trail at 1:30. Spent 10 minutes to take some photo and get back to parking lot at 1:50. It was only 40 minutes hiking and Kids friendly trail.
Decent trail mostly along the Rio Grande. There is a restroom at the start of the trailhead but it was locked when I went. You will most likely get to see burros toward the end of the trail. I got to see a couple turtles bobbing their heads up out of the water as they floated down the river as well.
Easy trail with a good view of the Rio Grande at the start.Not as pretty as Santa Elena but it is an easier hike. If you had to choose only one Canyon Trail or side of the park to visit, take the Ross Maxwell scenic drive out to Santa Elena Canyon.I was there in March and the cactus were starting to bloom. This trail and side of the park seem to be the ideal location for seeing blooming cactus 🌵Note: Look out for contraband items shops Mexican Nationals leave behind trying to make a buck. (Wire sculptures of scorpions etc).
My 11 year old sons review: Takes 1 hour. The trail is fairly easy. You start out with a 60 ft climb. Then you descend some amount. After that, the trail is flat and fairly narrow. It is covered in sand so be careful about getting sand in your shoe. It goes right near the river. The end has a few difficult parts. You have to get down boulders onto loose sand and climb over sand dunes. One sand dune has thorns crossing the narrow trail so be careful. It has harder on the way back. It may be hard for the people who arent physically fit. The end is a spectacular view of the entrance of the Boquillas Canyon. There are crystals on the cliff. Bring hats and water.
A very enjoyable easy walk into the canyon. There are some sandy areas that make for a good swim when the weather is hot.
Unfortunately, the trail was muddy and not walkable after overnight rain
Other side of Big Bend National Park. Offers different type of Canyon. Couldn’t complete the trail due to lack of time. Might be offering good views.
Short trail along the rio grande river. You can see the Mexican side during the hike and animals are visible along the trail. Trail is steep and challenging at the end with slippery edges along the river.
Nice easy trail with the chance to get ones feet wet in the river towards the sandy end of the trail. Of course, kids will want to swim!
Very beautiful!!! Awe striking scenery.
Amazing hike. Definitely a must in BBNP!
It is fun.. shallow river, free cross in and free out.Enjoy the freedom
Big Bend is a Beautiful place the weather was fantastic... I recommend to go during the winter or spring the weather is just perfect 👌
This one of the must do hikes at Big Bend. The trail is not too long but it does have some change of elevation so be sure and have some hiking boots.
Easy for experienced hikers. Though dont be careless. Be mindful of the heat! Amazing scenery!
Not a long hike, but a gorgeous one! Right up on the cliff walls, and on the river.
Easy and fun with kids
Great trail. Nice view of the canyon.
So absolutely beautiful! Sometimes there are no words to describe the majesty of Big Bend National park and trails. We typically go in February, went on a whim (Sept) after alot of rain, the Rio Grande was really running and very silty. As well the Ranger told us that due to the pandemic, there was a large percent of trails and roads closed including the road to Santa Elana Canyon. Chicos general store was open as well as panther junction gas station.
This trail gets you close to the Rio Grande river. Also you get the chance if buying these little trinkets and souvenirs from the Mexican locals.
The first part of the trail may be a little challenging for young children going up and down the trail stairs on the hillside along with the loose gravel. Beyond that, its a good trail for the family
Easy one mile hike to the beginning of the canyon. Great colors at sunset.
Beautiful moderately strenuous trail with beautiful scenery.
Awesome trail a nice light hike good to bring the young kids on and best part is there are cave painting and places that where used to grind meal and other items if you know where to look! Hint when you come down from the hill the trail will lead to the left but take a right and go down by the river and keep your eyes open.
While the Santa Elena Canyon Trail on the other side of the park is the nicer of the two, this will almost certainly be less crowded and has some easy access to the river if you want to take a dip!
The NPS would prefer that you not buy souvenirs along the trail, but there were people selling items that had crossed the Rio Grand.
Another easy trail not to miss. Lots of ancient toolmarks where the original peoples ground grains to flour. Was an eerie feeling knowing someone was there hundreds possibly thousands of years ago in a thriving community. Anyways an easy trail to take and another one to go as far as you can and find hidden gems. Sometimes there is a Mexican person who sings and with the acoustics of the canyon it is quite entertaining.
Fun..
This trail is located inside the Big Bend National Park. It has a short hike up over a steep hill and descends into the river banks of the Rio Grande. The crafts set out by the Mexican nationals are cute but considered contraband by the CBP agency. They will confiscate if found. Also donating cash will encourage them to immediately cross and collect (they watch from the banks) which will get them into trouble by CBP who is nearby. Take lots of water. Your body will perspire faster than you can replenish your fluids.
This trail is pretty but not as cool as the Santa Elana trail.
That canyon on the west side of the park gets most of the attention, but theres nothing wrong with Boquillas Canyon. The trailhead has plenty of parking and a small bathroom for your convenience before you head out. The trail climbs steeply up before eventually dropping down to the river. Along the way notice the round holes in the rock where the Native Americans ground their corn. Continue along the river to sand fields near the mouth of the canyon, then continue to a small cave in the cliffs. Save some energy for the short hike back because its also a steep climb coming back. Bring water - there is no shade.
Beautiful & easy trail!
Great place, but definitely go here before Santa Elena, otherwise its a let down in my opinion. Still beautiful.
Nice family trail with amazing views of the Rio Grande and across into Mexico. This trail offers you the chance to converse with Mexicans across the river.
(Warning: Young adults from Central Florida visiting for the week) This was actually the first trail we attempted at BBNP and it was a GREAT INTRODUCTION FOR HIKING- great VIEWS OF BOTH THE RIO GRANDE AND THE CANYON, mild elevation, and it was a short hike. PERFECT FOR FAMILIES. Everyone- especially children- will like the trail’s end where a large bed of smooth, whimsical rocks push right against the water.
Good short easy hike with great scenery.
Nice trail down the cliff to the river bed. Be careful though its VERY warm at the bottom with no shade. We saw the EMTs rescuing walkers who had underestimated the heat
A good moderate hike with some rough terrain. Travels along the Rio Grande with great views. Most people who are mobile will have little difficulty on this trail.
This was a good place to see. I was unable to go to the top because the stone steps were too steep
Swell views, but the canyons a bit short and nowhere near as majestic as Santa Elena. However, Mexico is within arms reach, and the far shore is populated during the day.
Best place in the park to see and enjoy the river. Take water and have some fun hiking up the hills to get to the canyon.
Great short hike, but definitely includes some good hills. Great views of the Rio Grande as well as a the beautiful canyon.
Wonderful little hike with a peaceful grotto at the end. Make sure to try Adrianas tacos!
Fun easy hike, recommend getting passport so you can cross over to Mexicos town of Boquillas, you can see it from the lockout.
Nice trail into the mouth of the canyon.
Great family hike. Steps at the beginning, but flattens out after the initial hill.
Nice hike, nothing strenuous. Great views.
A reward for a good hike
Great scenic trail that climbs up a cliff overlooking Rio Grande River, highly recommend.
It was neat. I wouldnt do it again, but glad I did it once.
Beautiful hike up!
Fantastic short trail (1.4 mi rt) along the Rio grande. Beautiful canyon walls.
Small trail to get to the rio grande since Santa Elena canyon was closed.
Very nice hike and views!
Wear good shoes, its a short hike and definitely worth it when you make it to the water.
Its fun to go to hiking as my very first time done that
Beautiful Canyon!
Excellent views with a fairly easy to moderate hike.
Great little hike in the Rio Grande. Stay cool and drink water.
Short, easy hike. Great views at the start and the end
Awesome trail along the Rio Grande. Easy to walk
Beautiful place 💛
Not a shot for us. Look close
Great hiking trail!!!
Be sure to check out Santa Elena Canyon Trail. Its an oasis in the desert.
Hike it to the end! Great views of the river and neat sand dunes
Barbee Wrecker you get stranded we will Wrecker you back to civilization lol
A very unexpected, but beautiful hike.
I was offered jewelry, walking sticks, and sang to as I walked as far into the canyon as I could go.
Very interesting walk along the Rio Grande River.
Great short hike to the canyon. Hot in the summer!
Nice trail with the Mexican land in front of us
Great little hike into the canyon.
Nice views
Beautiful payoff views
Amazing views a must see!
Absolutely breathtaking! Well worth the exercise!
Singing Jesus made the trip! I miss him.
A natural wonder of the Rio Grande river.
A beautiful natural, border wall.
You must hike to this. Gorgous!
I love the echos!
Top of the world!
Fun, safe, inexpensive
Beautiful hike
Bring a lot of water
Very pretty
Love this place,
Super trail
It was worth coming here and even more worth the trail through the small slope to the canyon .. Beautiful views great atmosphere behind the river roaring donkeys. Cool. recommend
Very beautiful places, its a shame that the police bother a lot because it is a Hispanic
Total reviews rating 4.8
102 Reviews for Boquillas Canyon Trail 2023:
Review №1
2022-04-09Boquillas Canyon is one of the most beautiful trail in Big Bend that you can do. We did this trail in late March. The parking lot for this trail is small and it was already crowded by the time we reached around 10AM. It is short hike but the views along the hike are beautiful. We did it with our kids and it is an easy enough hike and lot of fun for kids as well. The river was low but still beautiful. If you are in Big Bend do this trail or Santa Elena.
Review №2
2021-12-26It’s very easy and short trail. I was amazed that how two countries divide by mountain wall. People from Mexico leave their hand made stuff USA side to sell it with tiny money box. So if you like to buy anything just take that item and put money in that box. I call it trust store😀. If you are going there make sure to take some cash with you.
Review №3
2022-07-05It was hot. Really hot. Figure bringing some river shoes and a dry bag to get across the water to the trail. The rocks and mud are brutal on your feet if you go bare foot across the water. Bring something to drink. Bathrooms at the parking area
Review №4
2022-02-13100% best place to visit the n the park!! Lived it! Kids lived it. Easy walk, beautiful views. Bring your swimsuit! Easy walk for families.
Review №5
2021-11-19Amazing canyon with a creek that is actually the Rio Grande River...which is hard to believe it separates two countries, until you see a Mexican cattle ranchers crossing the border to look for his lost cows, or a group of street artists crossing the river on foot to sell you handcrafts souvenirs laid on the ground.Watch out for cows and wild mules on the way to the parking lot.
Review №6
2021-10-29This is a short walk leading to a terminus with a glimpse of high canyon walls. I didn’t make it over to the other side of the park, so I can’t compare this with Santa Elena Canyon, but the majesty of the high canyon walls here was a treat, and the gently graded walk made for a relatively easy hike of about 1.4 miles round trip. As a side note to the uninitiated, any of the curios (handmade arts and crafts, small scorpion, ocotillo, etc.) you may see along this trail are there illegally. According to the National Park Service pamphlet, these items are contraband and subject to seizure if you are caught in possession of any such items.
Review №7
2021-11-26Bring a bathing suit! I wouldn’t call this a hike as much as a down stairs, nature walk to the river. There isn’t much to see until you get to the water. The water was a perfect way to cool off after a hot day!
Review №8
2021-10-10I was way more impressed with this otherwise obscure national park than I expected. Starting in Terlingua near the western entrance to the park, we drove all the way through intending to visit Hot Springs on the Rio Grande. Decided on a whim to go to Boquillas Canyon for a short hike. Before the trailhead is an overlook with a small parking lot. Here in addition to sweeping views of Rio Grande and the canyon entrance, was what appeared to be a small shrine with scatterings of small artifacts. This turned out to be an apparently unattended souvenir shop with a strictly honor based payment system. All of the merch appeared to be hand crafted and from south of the border. On closer examination, looking across the river, we could see several individuals watching us, apparently the store keepers. Desiring to support this clearly free enterprise, made some purchases then proceeded to the hike. The canyon is quite striking, and more little shops were found along the trail. In addition to these, one was attended by a man and his horse, who was selling home made tamales brought across the river on his horse along with the rest of his trinkets for sale. The tamales made a tasty lunch later in the day. By the time we finished the hike, the temperature had risen to 90° and hot springs seemed less appealing.
Review №9
2021-04-23Short easy hike to the lookout with a nice view of the bend in the river with Mexico and United States on the banks, good spot for watching the sunset. The trail is mostly clean except occasional piles of horse dung.
Review №10
2020-12-11Not as spectacular as Santa Elena Canyon but short and easy. Lots of place to buy trinkets and maybe tamales if youre lucky. Trail ends abruptly and though I struggled to get another 30 feet rock climbing on a small ledge that too ended with a sheet face a deeper water.