Chihuahua is Mexico's largest state, a vast expanse of high desert, pine-covered sierra, and one of the world's great canyon systems. It is home to the Copper Canyon (Barranca del Cobre), a network of gorges deeper and larger than the Grand Canyon, crossed by the legendary El Chepe railway. The state blends Rarámuri indigenous culture, Mennonite farming communities, and the ranching and revolutionary history of Pancho Villa's home city, Chihuahua City.
Best photo spots
Iconic and lesser-known locations worth shooting.
Divisadero Canyon Rim Viewpoints
Best time: Sunrise and late afternoon, when low light rakes across the layered canyon walls
Tip: Arrive before 7am or after 4pm to avoid train-tour crowds on the main platform · Use a 16-35mm lens for the full canyon sweep and a 70-200mm to isolate distant ridgelines · Expose for the highlights and recover shadow detail, since the canyon's dynamic range is extreme at sunrise · Restrooms and food stalls are available near the Hotel Divisadero and train station · A polarizing filter cuts haze and deepens the sky on clear afternoons
El Chepe Train Window Views
Best time: Mid-morning eastbound and mid-afternoon westbound, when the sun angles into the canyon rather than behind the train
Tip: Book a canyon-side window seat: right side traveling west, left side traveling east · Use a fast lens (f/2.8 or wider) and a high shutter speed to counter train motion · Shoot from open vestibule doors between cars when permitted, to avoid window glare · Bring a lens cloth to wipe condensation and dust from the window glass · There are no dedicated restrooms beyond the onboard train facilities; use them before boarding
Basaseachi Falls
Best time: Midday, when high sun reaches the base of the deep, shadowed gorge
Tip: Use a tripod and neutral-density filter for long-exposure silky-water shots · A polarizing filter cuts glare from mist near the base · Arrive at park opening on weekdays to avoid crowds at the main rim mirador · Wear sturdy footwear for the steep, sometimes slick trail to the lower viewpoint · Restrooms and a small entrance building are located at the main parking area
Cusarare Falls
Best time: Late morning to early afternoon, when sunlight reaches into the forested ravine
Tip: Use a tripod and neutral-density filter for smooth long-exposure water shots · A polarizing filter deepens the forest greens and cuts glare on wet rock · Wear grippy footwear; the dirt-and-rock trail gets slick after rain · Visit on a weekday morning for the quietest tripod access at the base · No restrooms at the falls; the nearest facilities are in Cusarare village
Valle de los Hongos Rock Formations
Best time: Golden hour, when low side light emphasizes the texture of the mushroom-shaped volcanic rock
Tip: Use a wide-angle lens for foreground rock against the pine forest · A polarizing filter deepens the sky and rock-color contrast · Visit early morning or late afternoon to avoid the midday tour-van window · A small entry fee is collected at the roadside booth; bring small bills
Valle de las Ranas Rock Formations
Best time: Late afternoon golden hour for warm side light on the frog-shaped granite boulders
Tip: Shoot late afternoon for warm, low side-light on the granite · A polarizing filter helps separate rock color from the sky · Bring fill flash or a reflector for shaded rock faces in overcast light · A small entry fee is collected at the site entrance
Batopilas Colonial Architecture
Best time: Mid-morning and late afternoon, when the sun clears the surrounding canyon walls and lights the pastel facades
Tip: Use a standard zoom for street scenes and a wide-angle for narrow alleys · Shoot mid-morning or late afternoon once direct sun clears the canyon rim · A fast prime lens helps in shaded courtyards and interiors · Ask permission before photographing inside churches or private courtyards
Piedra Volada Sunrise and Sunset Rim Views
Best time: Sunrise for soft light and mist in the canyon, or sunset for warm rim-light on the cliff faces
Tip: Use a telephoto lens to isolate the distant falls against the canyon · A graduated neutral-density filter balances the bright sky against dark canyon walls · Hike in before sunrise with a headlamp, since the trail is unpaved and exposed · A tripod is essential for low pre-dawn and post-sunset light
Mennonite Colony Landscapes near Cuauhtemoc
Best time: Golden hour, when low sun highlights the geometric farm rows and wooden windmills
Tip: Use a telephoto lens to compress farmland rows from a respectful distance · Photograph from public roads; avoid close-up shots of residents without consent · Visit September-October for harvest activity or May-June for green fields · No restrooms or services along the colony roads; plan fuel and stops from Cuauhtemoc
Lago Arareko Reflections
Best time: Sunrise, when calm morning water mirrors the surrounding pine forest and rock outcrops
Tip: Arrive at sunrise for the calmest water and clearest reflections · Use a polarizing filter carefully to balance glare against reflection visibility · A tripod and neutral-density filter help with calm-water long exposures · A small entry or parking fee applies at the lake access point
By subject
Match your shooting interest to Chihuahua's strengths.
Overview photography
Chihuahua's Copper Canyon region spans canyon-rim panoramas, cascading waterfalls, volcanic rock formations, colonial mining architecture and Mennonite farmland, giving photographers subjects from vast landscapes to intimate cultural detail.
Items photography
Best times to shoot
Light, weather, and seasonal considerations.
- Overview
- Divisadero and Creel sit above 2,300m, giving crisp golden-hour light, while the deep canyon floors at Batopilas and Urique fall into shadow for much of the day and photograph best near midday.
Photography tips
Make your shots stand out.
Shoot during golden hour (1 hour after sunrise, 1 hour before sunset) for warm, directional light.
Always ask permission before photographing people, especially in religious or cultural contexts.
Carry spare batteries and storage — opportunities for great shots appear unexpectedly.