We spent a week in Creel at the beginning of our Copper Canyon trip and absolutely adored it. We spent our days adventuring, exploring the town, and taking day trips to see as much as we could of the surrounding countrysideIn this article I’ll share with you everything we learned about how to enjoy Creel, a small pueblo magico, that sits on the edge of the majestic Copper Canyon in northern Mexico.

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Useful facts about Creel

🗺 Creel is a small town about 260km from Chihuahua City, the capital of Chihuahua state. Creel is one of the most popular stops for people exploring the Copper Canyon and is either the start or end point for the famous El Chepe train route. 

👧🏽 Creel has a population of around 7,000.

🌳 The town was previously a logging town but now, because of its proximity to the Copper Canyon and its own surrounding natural beauty, it has become something of a tourist destination.

⛰ The area is home to the Raramuri Indigenous people who are primarily known to the rest of the world for their long-distance running abilities. While their name for themselves is the Raramuri, they are also often known as the Tarahumara, which is what the Spanish named them when arriving in Mexico in the sixteenth century. Prior to the Spanish arrival, they lived across much of the state of Chihuahua but they retreated to the canyons and hills rather than get too involved with the invading Spanish.

🏧 There is a Santander in town with ATMs. Be sure to stock up on cash as this is the last bank machine you’ll see for a while if you’re heading into the Copper Canyon.

🔆 Creel is almost 2500m above sea level so the sun is fierce. The air is also very dry so bring oodles of suntan lotion and SFP lip protection.

How much time do you need in Creel?

⏰ Most people just spend a couple of days here but if you can, I’d highly recommend taking the time and exploring Creel more fully as it’s a great place with enough day trip opportunities to keep you occupied for a week. One or two nights is definitely not enough if time is not a problem.

➡️ However, if you only have time for a day trip from Chihuahua, it’s possible to do it with a tour guide. This will give you a chance to see the main highlights of Creel but I suspect it would only leave you wanting more of this delightful town.

MexicoCassie Creel hotel recommendations

There are no airports in Creel, so you’ll be arriving train, car, or private transfer. The closest airport is in Chihuahua City (CUU). Most people visiting Creel will be arriving & departing on the train.

By train

🚂 Most people visiting Creel, Mexico are doing so because they’re taking the famous Copper Canyon train, El Chepe. If you start your Copper Canyon route in Los Mochis, it will end in Creel. It’s also possible to begin your journey in Creel and head towards Los Mochis.

⚠️ The official tourist Chepe route begins or ends in Crel but it’s also possible to take El Chepe Regional between Creel and Chihuahua City.

→ Check the Chepe Regional schedule

→ Check El Chepe Express schedule (note that if you’re not taking a tour, this is the ONLY place to buy tickets)

By car

🚗 If you fly into Chihuahua, you can also rent a car and drive to Creel. It’s about 260km and takes around 3 and a half to 4 hours. 

→ Check availability & prices of rental cars in Chihuahua

Private transfer

If you’re not up for public transportation or driving, you can also find private transfers from Chihuahua City to Creel. These are pricy if you’re travelling solo but if you’re travelling as a family or in a group like we were, it may make sense. 

→ Check private transfer options now

→ Book a day trip to Creel from Chihuahua

When Is The Best Time to Visit Creel?

Creel can be visited year-round but the most popular times are March to April and October to November, when temperatures are more moderate. We visited in July, which is the rainy season, and had no issues, though it was wet most evenings. 

🥶 Keep in mind that while it can be hot during the day in summer, temperatures do drop at night so be prepared with layers! Winter is cold with bright skies.

What to see and do in Creel

For me, part of Creel’s attraction is the day trips and tours you can take from here, whether under your own steam or with a guide. We used a guide for two days, a taxi for two days and spent other days just pottering around town exploring walks nearby.

Day trip activities from Creel

Explore the Copper Canyon

It’s impossible to talk about Creel without mentioning the Copper Canyon, as that’s why most people visit. If you’re travelling through the Copper Canyon by train or in a car, you won’t need to take a day trip into the Copper Canyon but if you are short on time then you can join a tour that takes you to several of the top Copper Canyon highlights and even the adventure park (photo above). 

⭐️ MexicoCassie recommended Copper Canyon tour – a 6 hour tour of the Copper Canyon taking in highlights including numerous miradors (viewing points), the adventure park and more.

→ Reserve now

Explore around Creel

If you have a car at your disposal you’ll be able to take your time and explore at your own speed but if you don’t you’ll need to find a tour to join. Many of the day trips will include most of these sites in 1 day.

⭐️ MexicoCassie recommended tour around Creel – this tour takes in most of the sites below.

💦 Cascada de Cusarare – Cusarare Waterfall

This is a stunningly beautiful waterfall, particularly during the rainy season. We loved everything about this place including the drive there, the walk to it, the viewpoint and the chance to clamber all over the rocks at the bottom. You can buy snacks and souvenirs all along the walk.

This was a completely magical day and probably my kids’ favourite thing to do in Creel.

💦 Cascada de Basaeachi – Basaseachi Waterfall

Located a short drive outside of Creel in the Parque Nacional Basaseachi is another epic waterfall. The name roughly translates to “place of waterfalls and coyotes” in Rarámuri, and while I doubt you’ll see any coyotes, you’ll see why it deserves the first part of the name.

At 246 meters tall, the Basaeachi Waterfall is the second tallest in Mexico (Cascada de Piedra Volada is the tallest). There are hiking opportunities within the park, as well as a viewpoint called La Ventana, if you’re not up for a ton of hiking. 

🐸 🍄 Valle de Hongos y Valle de las Ranas – Valleys of the Mushrooms and Frogs

These 2 stunningly beautiful valleys, where the rock formations bear a striking resemblance to mushrooms and frogs…kinda, are a great place to get outside, explore and enjoy nature. We had a wonderful time exploring here and picking up some fun souvenirs. 

I’ve seen other blogs suggesting this isn’t an interesting place to check out and I’d disagree entirely. It might not be as spectacular as the scenery in the true Copper Canyon (remember, you’re still on the outskirts here) but it truly is beautiful in its own right.

🍆 Valle de los Monjes – Nuns’ Valley

This valley, aound 15km fom Creel, is also stunningly beautiful and good for hiking around.

(We got here by hiring a cab to drive us there, wait an hour and drive us back. Quite honestly we wished we asked him to wait longer than one hour as we had so much fun exploring and climbing.) 

This area was apparently called ‘Penis Valley’ by the local people until the conquistadors arrived and decided this name wouldn’t do at all. They changed it to the much duller ‘Nuns’ Valley’. You could just sit and enjoy the very large ‘penis’ monoliths, or if you’re feeling adventurous keep walking up and up, following the white arrows.

💧 Recowata Hot Springs

The Recowata Hot Springs (sometimes written as Recohuata Hot Springs) are located about 20 km from Creel in the Tararecua Canyon. 

To get there, you can drive if you have a rental car, hire a taxi, or join a half-day tour.

⭐️ MexicoCassie recommended tour – a half day tour to the Taracrecua Canyon either on foot or in a suitable vehicle depending on your preference. You’ll have time to enjoy the hot spring pools and relax before you return. Note that the walk is long and steep. We did it with small kids in tow and the little one was really not super happy with us.

→ Reserve now

💦 Lago de Arareko – Lake Arareko

Lake Arareko is a wonderfully calm and beautiful U-shaped lake some 10km outside Creel. If you only get to visit it as part of an organised tour, just make the most of this time. If you can drive there or arrange a private transfer that’ll allow you longer there, I highly recommend it. This is such a great place to relax or do a little hiking around the interesting rocks and the pine forest here.

There are often locals selling delicious snacks in the lake carpark too.

Smaller places of interest near Creel

The following sites are places that are often visited as part of larger or longer tours and they’re pretty interesting but they’re not the highlight of any day trip generally.

🪨 Cueva de Tarahumara – Tarahumara Cave

Traditionally, the Tarahumara lived in caves – and some of them still do today. Some families have opened up their homes (caves) to visitors, to offer a glimpse inside their culture. Be prepared to see plenty of souvenirs for purchase too.

⭐️ MexicoCassie recommended Tarahumara cultural tour to the Valleys of the Mushrooms & Frogs as well as to the Tarahumara cave.

⛪️ Mision San Ignacio – San Ignacio Church

This is a small, old church. We didn’t go in because it was full of other tourists, the guide didn’t think it was particularly worth our time and we aren’t that fussed by small, old churches.

However, it is located near many of the other attractions on the list and if you take any Creel tours, they’ll likely include a quick stop here. We didn’t visit but apparently, there is a museum of sacred art next door, if that’s more your thing. 

🐘 Piedra del Elefante – Elephant Rock

A fun, quick photo stop that you’ll likely pass on your way to other attractions. You’ll only need a few minutes here to snap a photo or two, and possibly check out the souvenir tables. 

​What to see and do in Creel

There are a few things to do and see in Creel itself too. It isn’t all wild day trips!

Giant letters

In front of the railway on the plaza are the giant CREEL letters. And in front of the tourist information is a giant KUIRA – this means ‘hello’ in Rarámuri.

Museo Casa de las Artesanías – Museum of Handicrafts

Though small, the Museo Casa de las Artesanías is a great way to learn about the local Indigenous Tarahumara people and their art and handicrafts. The museum exhibits are in both English and Spanish and the entry fee is minimal. 

Chapultepec

To get here, walk down the small road beside restaurant Tio Molcas and take the first small road on your left, follow it around to the right and then walk straight until you hit the base of the cliffs. Then just find a path up! We followed a path up that took us to a water tower and then we just headed off on paths until we were stopped for snacks. We spent a very happy morning climbing rocks, teaching the kids to use penknives and generally having a wild adventure letting our kids run and explore while we admired the views. We had the sun on our backs, could hear no human noise (except our pesky kids who cannot keep quiet for even one second!) and just enjoyed the sounds of nature.

Parador Cristo Rey

This is a big old statue of Jesus on a hill. If you look up, behind the train station you should see it. We spent a lovely few hours in the forest up here although the walk itself from Creel was less enjoyable than Chapultepec and the Cristo Rey isn’t in a great state.

🍩 Creel Xtreme Donas Voladoras

Just 2km (10 min drive) outside of Creel is the Donas Voladoras site – this is something for the daredevils: a giant slide that you ride on an inflatable rubber ring. It ends with you flying onto a massive air pillow. Note you can’t take kids under 10 here.

🛤 Train tracks

It’s kinda fun to just follow the train tracks for a while. Our kids loved being allowed to walk on the train tracks. Here, everything is so sleepy, and as long as you’re aware of the train timetable, the kids really can ‘play on the tracks’. We walked a good thirty minutes along the tracks in one direction and could have easily done more in either direction.

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🛍 Souvenir shopping

There are some lovely souvenir/artisan shops all along the high street in Creel. There is also a small market on the plaza, where you’ll find people selling their wares. Really, everywhere you go in Creel you’ll find people selling artisanias. We never once felt pressured to buy anything when we were looking around.

Eating in Creel

Pretty much all the restaurants we tried were great. We particularly enjoying our meal on the small square in front of the tourist information office. Although the food was surprisingly not cheap for street food, it was also far and away the best food we had in Creel. We ate barbacoa tacos, carne de res tacos, esquites and fresh mango.

🍳 We stayed in an apartment so cooked some some meals for ourselves. There are a few small supermarkets in town but don’t expect much in the way of choice. We found enough to make a decent breakfast every day (eggs, hotcake mix, bread and spreads). 

More Copper Canyon towns

If you’re continuing your journey on the El Chepe Express, you’ll want to check out these other Copper Canyon towns!

🌎 Chihuahua City. Consider adding a night or two in Chihuahua City at the start or end of your Copper Canyon trip. It’s the capital of the state and home to a surprising number of things to do!

🌎 Bahuichivo and Cerochaui. Bahuichivo is the town where the train stops but most accommodation can be found in Cerochaui. If you want to check out some miradors or waterfalls or go on long walks, this is a destination you’re going to want to love.

🌎 Urique. Urique is one of the smaller Copper Canyon towns and the perfect place to spend a day or two doing absolutely nothing.