Batopilas
A silver-mining town at the bottom of Copper Canyon. The cliffside road descending nearly 1,800 m from Creel is the most iconic deep-canyon journey in the region.
Batopilas lies at the bottom of the Batopilas Canyon. It flourished from the 18th century thanks to rich silver deposits. In the late 19th century, a mining company run by the American Shepherd made Batopilas the second town in Mexico to have electricity. Today it still preserves stone-paved streets, colonial-era churches, and the ruins of the Shepherd estate. From Creel it is about 140 km, a 4–5 hour drive. The second half of the journey winds from the plateau edge down nearly 1,800 m on a dirt and rock cliff road, with a stop at the Labentana viewpoint overlooking the canyon. The scenery along the way is a highlight in itself. Once in town, you can hike about 8 km to see the “Lost Cathedral” of Satevó. Most visitors stay one or two nights. Booking a Creel tour or a hired vehicle is recommended, and self-driving is not advised for beginners. Check local security conditions before you go.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Copper Canyon Adventure Park
- El Divisadero Viewpoint
- Cusárare Mission
- Cusárare Falls
- Recohuata Hot Springs
- Rukiraso Falls
- Lake Arareko
- Valley of the Mushrooms & Frogs