What are is considered the Grand Canyon of baja, I've seen it mentioned several times but I'm still not sure. I would guess the Sierra Madre mountain
area but I'm not sure.
Headed to LaPaz for a month and would like to poke around a little on the way down and back, any suggestions are appreciated. Also, any ideas
around LaPaz for some day trips.
We do plan to take a day trip to San Evaristro for lunch. mtgoat666 - 8-31-2026 at 12:27 PM
Some of the most scenic canyons are in the sierra de san francisco…. these are visually similar to grand canyon due to semi-horizontal basalt
strata, but are really quite small compared to the OG grand canyon. advrider - 8-31-2026 at 10:17 PM
That's the mountain I was thinking about, I posted the wrong one. What is the best way to access the area, is it out and back or could we travel
through the area.
I've been all over Baja, but this is one area I haven't seen. David K - 9-1-2026 at 08:31 AM
That's the mountain I was thinking about, I posted the wrong one. What is the best way to access the area, is it out and back or could we travel
through the area.
I've been all over Baja, but this is one area I haven't seen.
For both your questions:
Cameron Steele, for his Trail of Missions and other tours, has referred to the area west of San Evaristo (between San Pedro de la Presa to La Soledad)
as the 'Grand Canyon of Baja'. Personally, I don't quite feel the same.
I am more inclined to Mtn. Goat's answer, the San Francisquito de la Sierra, as being more Grand Canyon-like.
Let's have a look with a photos I took at both areas...
Short (< 7 min) YouTube video when we went to San Francisco de la Sierra on a Trail of Missions recon: https://youtu.be/eBkpwi_pszU?si=oGPnhvO9fUoOzaBW
Cameron even calls this a 'Grand Canyon' in the clip.
mtgoat666 - 9-1-2026 at 08:33 AM
There is a paved road you can drive up to the top of the range, very scenic drive.
If you want to explore the canyons you usually need a guide as the area is protected to preserve cave paintings. Hike or burro trips.Biznaga - 9-1-2026 at 10:43 AM
One of many local outfits that provide legal, guided access into the protected canyons with cave paintings;
We did it a few years ago. It was a trip of a lifetime!advrider - 9-1-2026 at 07:50 PM
Awesome info. I do want to take a guided trip at some point, but this trip we might just make take a drive out to the area to look around. I've seen
the sign many times on the way South. 4x4abc - 9-1-2026 at 11:07 PM
you won't see much of the deep canyons of Sierra San Francisco from your car.
The guided tour into Arroyo Santa Teresa/Arroyo San Pablo is 3 days on foot. Stunning! But not an easy trip.
