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Tuff Canyon
Sporting some of the coolest geology in the park, the walls of Tuff Canyon are made of ancient volcanic ash.
Plan Around Tuff Canyon
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Use this detail page to confirm that the stop is worth it, then carry that decision into a trip draft while the park context is still fresh.
Tuff Canyon Details
Sporting some of the coolest geology in the whole park, the walls of Tuff Canyon are made of volcanic ash that have been compressed to form the canyon wall. However, this ash or "soft volcanic tuff" is much more easily carved by water than regular rock, so when the Blue Creek meandered through, it left a giant canyon with light tuff walls and a floor of dark trachyitic lava. You can view this ancient volcanic miracle from the two viewing platforms available at the overlook. Or, if you're feeling adventurous, you can hike through the gorge and see it up close and personal.
Difficulty
Low
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Estimated time
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Nearby Parks Around Tuff Canyon
Compare nearby parks around Tuff Canyon when deciding whether to expand the route after this stop.
Nearby Points of Interest Around Tuff Canyon
Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond Tuff Canyon while the map context is still fresh.
0.7 mi away
Cerro Castellan
Cerro Castellan is an ancient volcanic butte that looms over the valley by the Santa Elena Canyon.
2.0 mi away
Castolon Historic District
The "Ghost Town" of Big Bend National Park.
2.0 mi away
Castolon Visitor Center
The Castolon Visitor Center is open seasonally from November - April from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. with a brief midday closure for lunch.
2.0 mi away
Castolon Store
Historic convenience store with basic groceries, camping supplies and souvenirs. Open year-round.
2.3 mi away
Cottonwood Campground
$14/night, year-round, 24-hour campground with pit toilets, grills and water. No frills but a whole lot of fun!
