Boquillas Canyon Trail

Boquillas Canyon Trail leads to the entrance of the longest canyon in Big Bend National Park, where the Rio Grande cuts through the Sierra del Carmen limestone range in a gorge that reaches 1,500 feet in depth. The short walk from the trailhead crosses a sand dune -- the largest in the park -- before entering the canyon mouth where the walls close in and the river fills the full width of the narrows. The sensation of standing where two countries and two geologic provinces meet in a canyon of this magnitude is extraordinary despite the modest trail length.

The Mexican village of Boquillas del Carmen is visible across the river, and vendors from the village often leave handcrafted wire figures and walking sticks on the US shore with an honor-system collection tin. A rowboat ferry crossing to Boquillas and back is available at certain times through the official port of entry -- one of the most unusual international border crossings in the world, operating by appointment with US customs clearance. The canyon walls in the late afternoon light turn amber and orange in spectacular contrast to the turquoise river below. The sand dune on the approach is large enough to be worth climbing for the view back down the Rio Grande valley, and its loose surface makes for an entertaining descent back to the trail.