Canyon Trail

The Canyon Trail at Seminole Canyon State Park follows the canyon floor to its dramatic terminus at the confluence of the Pecos River and Amistad Reservoir, revealing the full scale of this spectacular Lower Pecos landscape carved by millions of years of erosion through Cretaceous limestone. The views from the canyon rim and from the confluence overlook rank among the most dramatic in Texas, with sheer walls plunging hundreds of feet to the blue water below.

The Pecos River confluence is a landmark of almost mythological status in Texas outdoor culture, the meeting of two significant waterways in a setting of raw desert grandeur. Massive limestone overhangs along the canyon walls shelter roosting bats, and several overhang sites contain additional rock art panels visible from the trail. Desert bighorn sheep were reintroduced to the region and are occasionally spotted on the canyon walls. Peregrine falcons nest on the cliff faces and pursue prey with spectacular aerial speed through the canyon airspace. Ringtails and black-tailed jackrabbits inhabit the canyon slopes. The desert vegetation community includes century plants, various yucca species, and Texas persimmon. The trail demands respect for its heat in summer months; cool-weather visitation from October through April is strongly recommended. Sunrise light on the canyon walls creates extraordinary photographic opportunities.