Closed Canyon Trail

Closed Canyon Trail ventures into one of the most dramatic slot canyons in Texas, a narrow passage carved by water through layered volcanic tuff in the remote western reaches of Big Bend Ranch State Park along the Rio Grande below Presidio. The canyon walls close to within arm-reach in places, their multi-hued layers of ash deposits revealing millions of years of volcanic history in the Trans-Pecos region. The flat, sandy canyon floor makes for easy walking despite the otherworldly surroundings, though flash flooding is a genuine hazard and visitors should never enter when storms threaten anywhere upstream. Natural light filters down between the tight walls in ever-changing patterns throughout the day, creating exceptional photographic opportunities especially in the late afternoon when warm light penetrates the deepest sections. The canyon terminates at a pouroff requiring technical skills to pass, serving as the natural turnaround point for most visitors. Big Bend Ranch is the largest state park in Texas at over 300,000 acres, encompassing some of the most isolated and spectacular terrain in the Chihuahuan Desert. The drive along FM 170 connecting Presidio to the park trailheads is itself one of the most scenic road segments in Texas, hugging the Rio Grande through rugged volcanic mountains. The trail is short enough to enjoy even in significant heat if visited early in the morning during warm months.