Trails Information
Discover more than world-class pictographs at Seminole Canyon State Park and Historic Site.
Hit the trail to experience the full spectrum of the park’s 12,000-year-old cultural heritage, its exposed geology, and diverse plants and animals. Enjoy stunning canyon views that extend well into neighboring Mexico. While you’re at it, soak up some peace, quiet and solitude, too. You’ll be glad you did!
Trails
This list may not include all the trails in the park.
| Trail | Distance (one-way) | Time | Difficulty | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birding Trail | 0.1 mile | 15 min. | Easy | This short hiking trail ends at a bird viewing area you won’t want to miss. |
| Canyon Rim Trail | 4.9 mile | 3.5 hours | Challenging | Enjoy this challenging but rewarding hike that traverses the rims of Seminole Canyon and the Rio Grande corridor. |
| Middle Fork Trail | 1.0 mile | 30 min. | Moderate | This trail connects the Rio Grande Trail and the Presa Overlook Trail to provide an alternative route to Panther Cave Overlook. |
| Presa Overlook Trail | 0.6 mile | 1.5 hours | Moderate | This old ranch road ends at a beautiful overlook into Presa and Seminole canyons. |
| Rio Grande Trail | 2.3 mile | 3 hours | Moderate | A scenic overlook at the confluence of Seminole Canyon and the Rio Grande awaits hikers who follow this old ranch road. |
| Windmill Nature Trail | 0.5 mile | 30 min. | Moderate | This short hike leaves the Visitors Center and travels back in time to a spring that has long supplied water for both prehistoric and historic inhabitants of the area. |
Points of Interest
GPS coordinates shown in decimal degrees.
| Point | Latitude | Longitude | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maker of Peace | 29.7002° | -101.3126° | Bill Worrell created this sculpture as a monumental tribute to the Desert Archaic people, whose pictographs adorn the canyon walls. |
| Spring | 29.7026° | -101.3126° | While here at this mini-oasis, think about the importance of water in a semi-arid place like Seminole Canyon. |
| Railroad Bed Crossing | 29.6898° | -101.3195° | The nation’s second transcontinental railroad came by here in 1883, uniting the east and west coasts and creating an important route for commerce and settlement. |
| Bridge to the Past | 29.6866° | -101.3156° | This wooden bridge passes beside the remnants of two rock rings that mark the locale of “wikiup” structures inhabited by Native Americans 1,000 – 1,500 years ago. |
| Presa Canyon Overlook | 29.6833° | -101.3086° | Scenic Presa Canyon shoots off to the east as a branch of Seminole Canyon; it is contained almost entirely within park boundaries. |
| Panther Cave Overlook | 29.6619° | -101.3146° | An immense pictograph panel spans the back wall of the rock shelter that’s visible across the canyon, and includes a panther image nine feet long. |
| Rio Grande View | 29.6611° | -101.3159° | While today the river serves as an international boundary and recreational waterway, it meant survival to the Lower Pecos peoples – shaping their culture and providing resources that allowed their very existence. |
Staying Safe
- Know your limits.
- Prepare for sun and heat. Wear sunscreen, insect repellent and appropriate clothing/hiking shoes.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Your body quickly loses fluids when you’re on the trail, especially in desert conditions. Bring a quart of water per hour of activity. Turn back when your water is down by half.
- Tell others where you'll be.
- If possible, avoid exploring alone. Tell someone where you are going and when you plan to return.
- Wear a helmet.
- When mountain biking, check with park HQ to match the trail to your skill level. Wear a helmet to protect yourself in case of a crash.
- Maintain a safe distance from the canyon rim.
- Footing can be unstable due to loose rock.
- You may not be able to connect.
- Cell service is unreliable in the park.
Trail Etiquette
- Trash your trash.
- Keep the park natural. Pack out all of your trash and Leave No Trace.
- Leave feeding to nature.
- Feeding wild animals will make them sick and more likely to harm to people.
- Stay on marked trails.
- Entry into Seminole Canyon is prohibited.
- Leave artifacts and fossils exactly as you find them.
- These valuable resources are protected by law.
- Share the trail with other users.
- Yield to uphill riders and hikers.
- Keep pets on leashes,
- for their protection and to safeguard the park’s wildlife.
