The 'Grand Canyon Of Mexico' Is A Stunning Beauty In The Midst Of Majestic Mountains

While many head to Mexico for its beach vibes, colonial towns, and amazing cuisine, the country also boasts a slew of amazing outdoor attractions, such as this jungle paradise full of picturesque waterfalls.  Another such gem — the spectacular Copper Canyon — lies amidst the Sierra Madre Occidental mountains in the northern state of Chihuahua, and is surely one of North America's great natural wonders. This geological wonder is actually six separate canyons that join together to create one mega-ravine, and is four times bigger than the much more renowned canyon across the border in Arizona, earning it the moniker the Grand Canyon of Mexico.

Copper Canyon is a 25,000-square-mile region of jaw-dropping vistas and soul-stirring nature, with rugged, multi-hued cliffs, snaking rivers, pine forests, otherworldly rock formations, and the kind of big open sky that causes your heart to soar. It's also home to a number of charming towns with plenty of restaurants, accommodations, and tour operators to keep you comfortable, well-fed, and deeply engaged with the natural surroundings.

The best thing about Copper Canyon is that it's accessible by train. Ferrocarril Barrancas del Cobre — affectionately known as El Chepe — runs 220 miles from the Gulf of California coast into Chihuahua, stopping off at towns and viewpoints along the way. This makes it possible to explore Copper Canyon at your own pace while also soaking in the amazing scenery as the train rattles down the tracks.

Most visitors to Copper Canyon board El Chepe in the coastal city of Los Mochis before jumping off at the magical colonial town of El Fuerte. With cobblestone streets, and colorful, Spanish-influenced architecture, El Fuerte is Mexico in its most idyllic form and well worth staying the night.

El Chepe then cruises across the plains, approaching the emerald rise of the Sierra Madre mountains, which loom in the distance like sentinels. Soon the train finds itself in the narrow canyons of the mountains and stops off at Bahuichivo. Here you can jump on a bus that heads down a precipitous road to the town of Urique — a former mining settlement that serves as a perfect base for hiking excursions up the canyon. Just be sure to hire a local guide, as heading out on your own can be confusing and dangerous.

El Chepe's next major stop is Divisadero, where for about 20 minutes, passengers can get off to take in the breathtaking views of the open canyon below in all of its multichromatic, rugged glory. If you're in the mood to stick around, you can stay at one of the (somewhat expensive) hotels that boast stellar vistas, or carry on to Creel, a major gateway to the canyon.

Creel makes a perfect base of operation for further explorations of Copper Canyon. The area is very popular with mountain bikers, and there are rentals available in town. Just be sure to carry spares and patch kits, as the sharp, rocky terrain can be unforgiving on tires. While you're there, pedal out to the nearby Valle de las Ranas y los Hongos (Valley of the Frogs and Mushrooms), sites of psychedelic rock formations adjacent to Indigenous Rarámuri settlements and the 18th-century Jesuit Misión San Ignacio. 

From Creel, some intrepid travelers elect to take the bus to Batopilas, a Rarámuri town at the bottom of the canyon that takes nearly three hours to reach via a stomach-churning, frighteningly narrow track that has been described as a death road. While not for the faint of heart, the journey may be worth it, as Batopilas visitors can enjoy the rewards of taking in the arresting natural beauty of the canyon surrounding the town and seeing brightly-colored, traditional Rarámuri clothing. 

If winding roads down sheer canyons cliffs aren't enough to get your blood pumping, you can get your adrenaline fix at Barrancas del Cobre Adventure Park, which features a cable car, rappelling, and one of the world's longest ziplines. Creel is also within striking range of several of Copper Canyon's best waterfalls, including Cascada Cusárare and Cascada de Rukíraso. For more of Mexico's outdoor wonder, check out this canyon that offers picturesque views and outdoor adventure. Or, discover one of North America's most underrated national parks.