Dorgan House Sunset

Driving Tour from Castolon to Santa Elena Canyon

Big Bend National Park

  • 2 - 3 hours
  • 8 tour stops

The Castolon Historic District represents the largest and most complete example of human history in Big Bend, from Paleo-Indians to pioneers, to the establishment of the national park. Castolon’s history includes famed tales of bandits, soldiers, farmers, and ranchers, in a place where the cultures of Mexico and the United States meet. This tour will help you explore Castolon’s past through an eight-mile (one-way) driving tour from Castolon to Santa Elena Canyon.

Start this tour in the NPS App

Don't have the NPS App yet?

More Tours at This Park

Driving Tour of Dagger Flat Road

19 tour stops • 2 - 3 hours
A valley is filled with dagger yuccas sporting stalks of large white flowers.

Driving Tour from Persimmon Gap to Panther Junction

20 tour stops • 45 - 60 hours
A paved road heads in a straight line through the desert towards a distant line of mountains.

Historic Castolon Walking Tour

11 tour stops • 30 - 60 hours
Corral at Castolon

Hot Springs Historic Area Walking Tour

6 tour stops • 1 - 2 hours
A large palm tree is growing next to a building constructed of white stone.

Rio Grande Village Nature Trail Walking Tour

16 tour stops • 1 - 2 hours
A metal boardwalk crosses a wetland area in the middle of the desert.

Lost Mine Trail Walking Tour

26 tour stops • 2 - 4 hours
The rising sun highlights the rock walls of a wide canyon, with flowers in the foreground.

Driving Tour of Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive

25 tour stops • 2 - 4 hours
A view looking out over low desert, volcanic mountains, and a line of cliffs cut by a steep canyon.

Window Trail Walking Tour

15 tour stops • 2 - 4 hours
A person stands near the top of a smooth-sided, bedrock pour-off, looking out to the desert below.

Nature Exhibits Driving Tour

5 tour stops • 4 - 6 hours
Tall volcanic mountains rise above a desert landscape of creosotebush, sotol, cacti, and low shrubs.

Geology Exhibits Driving Tour

16 tour stops • 4 - 6 hours
A volcanic peak rises above gray-colored ash deposits on the desert floor.

QR Code

Download QR code