Copper Canyon

The most popular way to see the area is on a Copper Canyon train tour from Chihuahua to Los Mochis. The 418-mile (673-kilometer) Copper Canyon Railway route takes visitors through colorful desert landscapes, offering spectacular views along the way. 

You can stop at villages along the way and spend a few days exploring the surrounding areas. Hotels are available in popular stop-over towns and local guides offer hiking, mountain biking, and rafting tours. You can also visit hot springs, waterfalls, and valleys known for impressive rock formations.

• A ride on El Chepe provides the easiest and safest way to see Copper Canyon; tickets are available online through tour operators.

• There is drug cartel activity in the region, so you should avoid going off the beaten path without a guide.

• For the best views, book tickets in advance and choose seats on the right-hand side of the train if traveling from Los Mochis toward Chihuahua.

• There are two trains to choose from—El Chepe Regional and El Chepe Express train—so you can buy train tickets according to your budget and schedule.

To see the Copper Canyon region, fly into either Chihuahua or Los Mochis and take the train from one city to the other. It's best to avoid traveling to the area independently by car due to cartel activity and safety concerns.

October and November are generally the best months to visit Mexico's Copper Canyon, particularly when it comes to weather and scenery. That said, it is also the busiest tourist season for the area, so if you want to avoid making advance reservations visit at another time.

While making the train journey from Chihuahua to Los Mochis, you can get off at a few train stations along the way at no additional cost. The town of Creel is a popular spot for tourists who want to experience the culture of the area. For outdoor adventure, stop at Divisadero. The station offers epic canyon views and access to an adventure park where you can zipline, play mini golf, and more.

You can visit the Copper Canyon year-round. Flowing waterfalls and lush greenery make the fall months of September and October a popular time to travel, with mild temperatures ideal for outdoor activities. While winter brings cold nights—even snow—that season is perfect for trips to lower-elevation spots, including Batopilas and Urique.

Winding through the scenic heart of the Copper Canyon, the 418-mile (673-kilometer) Chihuahua al Pacifico Railway (El Chepe) is the most popular way to explore the area. In between are hiking trails, rafting, mountain biking, and small towns exuding rural charm—there's even a natural hot spring perfect for post-adventure soaking.

Tours of the Copper Canyon take in soaring rock walls, desert landscapes, and small towns with intermingled Indigenous and Norteño (northern Mexican) cultures. Simply taking in the Copper Canyon's scenery is an adventure, but activities for visitors go from white-water rafting trips to guided hikes, mountain biking, and hot springs.

The Copper Canyon has faced severe problems related to drug trafficking, but it's still possible to visit the area safely. Before setting out on a hike, check in with locals about places to avoid. Or, opt for a guided hike; tour guides stay abreast of security issues and cartel activity.

You need at least 2–3 days in the Copper Canyon. That's enough to travel the 418-mile (673-kilometer) Chihuahua al Pacifico Railway (El Chepe) line with one or two stops. Some travelers spend up to 10 days here, pausing to hike, bike, and explore small towns.

It's important to book Copper Canyon tours in advance, particularly during the Christmas and Easter holidays and the October–March high season. A checklist for early booking includes tickets for the Chihuahua al Pacifico Railway (El Chepe); all hotels; and excursions such as white-water rafting, mountain biking, hiking, and hot springs.