A Land of Many Canyons – Not Just One
When people hear “Copper Canyon,” they often picture one big canyon. But here’s the real deal: it’s not one canyon—it’s a whole maze of them. In fact, Copper Canyon (or Las Barrancas del Cobre) is a network of many massive canyons that cut through the Sierra Tarahumara mountains in the northern Mexican state of Chihuahua.
And we’re not talking about little hill-sized canyons either. Some of these gorges are deeper than the Grand Canyon. But unlike the big U.S. attraction packed with tour buses, what makes this region so special is how few people actually get to experience it up close.
About That Famous Train Ride . . .
Let’s get this out of the way: yes, the Chepe train (Ferrocarril Chihuahua al Pacífico) is a classic way to cross a portion of the canyon region. And it’s fine. It runs from Chihuahua City all the way down to Los Mochis, near the Pacific coast.
The ride offers some nice views from the rim, especially as you cross bridges and hug cliff edges. There are tunnels, pine forests, and a few hair-raising drops you’ll catch out your window. It’s good for snapping a few photos and getting a taste of the terrain.
But here’s the thing I always tell people: if you REALLY want to experience Copper Canyon, you need to get off the train and go deeper.
That’s where our Copper Canyon small group adventure comes in.
Beyond the Train: A True Expedition into the Canyons
Most travelers only skirt the edges of this massive region. But our trip takes you far beyond the usual stops. On this adventure, you’re not just watching the scenery—you’re in it.
We hike among pine-covered plateaus, visit remote Indigenous communities, ride in rugged vans down onto the canyon floor, and stay in tiny out-of-the-way towns surrounded by nature. It’s the kind of journey that is for travelers with a spirit of adventure.
One of my favorite parts of this tour is Batopilas, a remote town tucked way down at the bottom of one of the canyons. You have to descend thousands of feet to get there—switchback after switchback on a small canyon road. But the reward? Cobblestone streets, a river running through town, and stories of silver barons and bandits. It’s like stepping into another time.
And just a few miles from town is an even smaller village with a scattering of a few simple adobe structures up a hill just a short walk from the center of this village. These are the homes of a small group of Rarámuri families who have always been gracious in allowing our small groups of travelers to come and visit them.
As a sign of appreciation, we bring a few practical items with us – such as fabric for sewing clothes and other things that may be harder to come by in their remote community.
This kind of immersion just doesn’t happen when you stay on the rim or breeze through on the train.
Northern México – Raw and Real
If you’ve never been to Northern México before, it’s a completely different vibe from the central and southern parts of the country. The landscapes are rugged and wide open, and the people are often tough and welcoming in the same breath.
This region is far removed from the México beach resort scene. This is home to the Chihuahuan Desert and also Chihuahua’s Copper Canyon which comprises more than 25,000 square miles (65,000 sq km) of many V-shaped canyons.
Hidden in this vast and rugged terrain are pockets of people living in small towns which were once old mining villages. And while the terrain may look dry from afar, the canyons themselves are alive with unexpected waterfalls, tropical microclimates, and old missions from centuries past.
Traveling here as part of a small group tour means we get to move at a slower pace. We can stop to explore these hidden towns, capture images of magnificent vistas at very scenic overlooks, hike mountain trails, and sleep in cozy rustic cabins found deep inside canyon walls.
A Journey for the Curious
Visiting a Rarámuri village consisting of about 4-5 simple adobe homes
This isn’t a tour for someone who wants everything polished and predictable. It’s for travelers who like taking the road less paved (sometimes literally), who are curious about how others live and see the world, and who don’t mind getting a little dust on their boots.
We travel in sturdy vans, stay in locally owned inns, and eat simple, regional meals along the way. No fancy menus, no fake “cultural shows.” Just real experiences.
If you’re the kind of traveler who craves something real—something raw, remote, and far from the usual travel circuit, then the desert and canyonlands of northern México might be calling your name.
This is where real exploration still lives!
Jagged cliffs. Silent pine forests. Canyon walls that glow at sunset. And quiet moments with Indigenous families still living in traditional adobe homes.
If that stirs something in you… then it’s probably time to go.
And I’ll be honest with you: I’ve traveled across nearly every Mexican state, and this region always surprises me, every time I go back.
Final Thought: Train or Go Deep?
The Chepe train? Sure—take the ride if you want to say you’ve done it. It’s scenic, it’s historic, and yes, you’ll likely snap a few great photos from your window seat.
But don’t confuse the view from the rim with the soul of this place. If you’re not the type to settle for the postcard version of a place, then you owe it to yourself to go beyond the tracks and deeper into northern México’s canyonlands.
Are you ready to trade the postcard version for the real thing?
👉 Back Roads of Chihuahua ￨ A Rugged Desert & Canyonlands Expedition in Northern México – 12 Days
