The Copper Canyon (Spanish: Barranca del Cobre) is a group of canyons consisting of 6 distinct canyons in the Sierra Tarahumara in the southwestern part of the state of Chihuahua in Mexico. The overall canyon system is larger and portions are deeper than the Grand Canyon in the neighboring United States.
The system is traversed by the Chihuahua al Pacífico railroad, known by the nickname “Chepe.” It is both an important transportation system for locals and a draw for tourists.
Mexico established the Parque Nacional Barranca del Cobre (Copper Canyon National Park) to showcase this remote area.
The canyon is the traditional home of the indigenous Raramuri (Tarahumara) people.
Among the villages located in or on the Copper Canyon are:
•Creel, atop the canyon and, at 8,000 feet (2,438 m) altitude, marking the highest point on the ChePe railroad route; a central point for commerce and tourism.
•Batopilas, a town on the Batopilas River at the bottom of a canyon; first established by the Spanish around 1632 to mine silver
•Urique
•Divisadero, situated between the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean watersheds on the ChePe railroad route; a key vista point with amazing views down into three of the canyons (del Cobre, Urique, Tararecua). The ChePe train allows a 15-20 minute stop for visitors to enjoy the view.