Urique: Canyon, River and History

Urique lies at the bottom of the canyon of the same name. It is 1,879 meters deep and is considered the deepest canyon in the Copper Canyon complex. The Río Urique runs alongside the town. To avoid confusion, it is worth distinguishing between the similarly formed names: Urique refers to the town, the Barranca de Urique to the canyon, and the Río Urique to the river beside it. The depth figure and the designation as the deepest canyon answer different questions: one gives a measurement, while the other compares the canyon within the Copper Canyon complex. If you are looking for hotels in Urique, you can use these landscape features as a starting point when deciding on your destination.

Getting to Urique

One way to get there is to take the Chihuahua-Pacific Railway to Bahuichivo station. From there, an unpaved road continues to Urique. Bahuichivo is therefore the transfer point between the rail and road sections, not the destination of the route described. The journey consists of two different legs; the train ride alone will not take you all the way to Urique. Check current rail services and road conditions before traveling. If you choose this connection, account for both legs in your plans.

The Río Urique and Possible Activities

The Río Urique runs alongside the town; possible activities on the river include swimming, kayaking, and fishing. The river thus adds its own activity-related appeal to the canyon’s geographical significance. The three options offer different ways to include the river in your trip: you can consider swimming, kayaking, or fishing as a focus. Check local conditions before taking part. This helps distinguish a planned river activity from the question of what role the canyon will play in your trip.

La Central and the Town’s History

The town’s history also offers two points of reference in time. The Pueblo Minero de Urique was founded in 1690. La Central is the oldest building in town and was built in the late 19th century. La Central was initially a hacienda and was later also used as a currency exchange office. The founding year of the Pueblo Minero and the construction period of La Central refer to different historical events: 1690 marks the founding of the town, while the late 19th century marks the construction of the building. Its uses as a hacienda and later as a currency exchange office add specific milestones in the building’s history. For travelers interested in cultural heritage, this provides two points of connection: the founding of the Pueblo Minero and the construction and use of La Central.

You can consider these topics separately when choosing a destination: the canyon is a geographical feature, the river offers possible activities, and La Central gives Urique a specific historical connection. The route via Bahuichivo, by contrast, concerns getting there and should be planned independently of your cultural or landscape interests.

Discover more destinations: Juarez, Meoqui, Cerocahuí, Ojinaga, Las Galeras, Concepción, San Juanito, El Divisadero

For the broader travel overview: Chihuahua.