Things to do in Creel

Introduction

Most people looking for things to do in Creel will find themselves visiting its outskirts, as it’s the towns surroundings that put Creel on the tourist map. With a population of just over 5000, the town consists of only a few streets but plenty of hotels and tour companies eager to help you explore the natural beauty around the town.

Creel was once primarily a logging town and the last stop of the Kansas City, Mexico and Orient Railway, the predecessor to El Chepe. Once the Ferrocarril Chihuahua Pacifico (Chepe) was completed in 1961, Creel’s tourism started to pick up and has now become its primary economy.

The town sits 2345 m (7700 ft) above sea level and the temperature can therefore vary quite a bit between seasons.

• November-March: daytime temperatures are 12 to 20°C (54 to 68°F) while temperatures at night are 0 to -6 °C (32 to 21°F) but have dropped as low as -22°C (-8°F). It does snow on occasion in Creel.
• April-October: daytime temperatures are 20 to 30°C (68 to 86°F), while temperatures at night are 0 to 10°C (32 to 50°F). The rainy season is July-August and sometimes September.

The best time to visit is September-October as the vegetation is lush and the rivers full, but it’s easy to find things to do in Creel any time of year.

The town of Creel is located in the south-western portion of the state of Chihuahua, Mexico. It's about 280 km (175 mi) from the state capital, the city of Chihuahua, and takes about 5.5 hours to reach by train.

Creel is the first major stop on a Chepe Regional train leaving from Chihuahua and is the beginning of the Chepe Express route. The town isn't situated in the canyon system but rather just on the outskirts. Surrounded by plenty of natural wonders and native culture, it's well worth a visit.

There are three ways to reach Creel: by train (El Chepe), by road and, since 2024, by air.

How to get to Creel by Train

Train days and times checked on September 18, 2026 against the operator's Chepe Express 2026 schedule and Chepe Regional schedule. Times are local.

Creel is where the Chepe Express starts and ends, and it is also a stop of the Chepe Regional, the train that links it with the city of Chihuahua.

In May, June, August and September the Chepe Express runs only from Thursday to Sunday, so check the operator's 2026 departure calendar before you book a hotel.

The operator lets any passenger ride the Chepe Regional between Chihuahua and Creel. For a Regional segment between Creel and Los Mochis you need a Chepe Express reservation first.

By Bus

To or from Chihuahua

Two bus companies run between the city of Chihuahua and Creel: Rápidos Cuauhtémoc (Estrella Blanca) and Autotransportes Turísticos del Noroeste. Both have stations in the centre of Creel, very close to the train station. Marked on the map above. In Chihuahua, the terminals are marked on the Chihuahua page map.

We no longer print departure times or fares for these buses. The ones this page used to show were from 2017, and in September 2026 the carriers' own sites offered a search box instead of a published timetable. Ask at the terminal or call the carrier for the day you travel, and leave margin if you have a train to catch.

To Divisadero

Autotransportes Turísticos del Noroeste also runs between Creel and Divisadero, which gives you more flexibility than the train. Confirm the day's departures at its station in Creel.

By Air

The Barrancas del Cobre regional airport, in Creel, opened to general aviation on January 31, 2024, and the state government reported its first commercial flight, a Los Mochis to Creel route, on September 12, 2024. We could not verify a current published timetable for that route, so treat flying in as something to confirm directly with the airline. Sources: Government of the State of Chihuahua, January 31, 2024 and September 12, 2024.

Creel is a small town consisting primarily of two street. There isn't much to do in the town itself but the surrounding area is packed with natural wonders and Rarámuri culture. The main sights to see are organized by location below.

If you want to see the sights on your own you can walk or rent either a bicycle or a motorbike. Check with your hotel to see if they have bikes, otherwise there are a few places scattered around town where you'll find rentals.

If you'd like to book a tour you can choose from ATVs, horseback riding or a van. Most companies offer half-day, full-day and multi-day tours to choose from. We removed the 2017 tour and rental prices from this page; ask two or three agencies in town and compare.

Town of Creel

The two major attractions in the town of Creel itself are the Museo de la Casa de las Artesanías, found just steps from the train station, and the Artesanías Misión, found on the main square.

Casa de las Artesanías is a small museum containing a collection of photographs of Rarámuri culture. It's a fairly basic museum and a good place to learn more about the people who have made the canyon system their home.

Artesanías Misión is a little handicraft shop where you can find many of the traditional Rarámuri crafts and help support their local economy.

Distances from Creel

Distances and times calculated on September 16, 2026 with OpenStreetMap routing (OSRM by car, routing.openstreetmap.de on foot). © OpenStreetMap contributors. Dirt roads and stops make real times longer.

San Ignacio de Arareco

Just a few kilometres from the town of Creel is a large piece of land run by the Rarámuri community and ejido of San Ignacio de Arareko. Here you can visit some of the natural wonders which make Creel a popular tourist spot, as well as learn a bit about Rarámuri life.  The community charges an entrance fee, in cash, and some of the sights have their own small fee. We do not print the amounts because the ones this page showed were from 2017; the only recent figure we have is for Lake Arareco, where entry by vehicle was about MXN 40 to 50 per adult and MXN 20 to 25 per child (roughly US$1 to US$3). The money goes to the Rarámuri community.

The first sight you'll have an opportunity to visit is San Sebastian cave, a short drive from Creel. It's a simple but typical Rarámuri dwelling where you can take a look around and purchase handmade crafts. There's no entrance fee but a small donation is greatly appreciated.

About 4 km from Creel by road you'll find the Valley of the Mushrooms (Valle de los Hongos) and the Valley of the Frogs (Valle de las Ranas). Both are a series of natural rock formations closely resembling mushrooms and frogs. Our guide to the Valley of the Frogs and Mushrooms has the details.

Close to the mushroom and frog rocks you'll see San Ignacio Mission, an 18th-century Jesuit-built church still used by the local Rarámuri on Sundays.

To see more odd rock formations head a few kilometres up the road to the Valley of the Monks (Valle de los Monjes). It's roughly 13 km from Creel by road, and it has its own entrance fee.

About 8 km from Creel is Lake Arareco, a great place to snap some photos, have a picnic or rent a paddle boat depending on the season.

How to see San Ignacio de Arareco

*For horseback riding tours we recommend El Aventurero as their horses are well cared for and their tours are very professional.

Recohuata Hot Springs

Here you can relax in one of three concrete pools of naturally heated water. The Recohuata Hot Springs are a few kilometers beyond San Ignacio de Arareco, roughly 21 km from Creel by road, but they are located at the bottom of the Tararecua Canyon, which makes them difficult to reach without a vehicle. There is an entrance fee, in cash.

How to see the Recohuata Hot Springs

Cusárare

A few kilometers beyond the San Ignacio de Arareco community and about 22 km south of Creel is the village of Cusárare and the Cusárare Mission. Jesuit missionaries built the mission in the 18th-century but the interior wall-paintings were done by the Rarámuri in the 1970s.

If you're visiting during the rainy season (July-Sept), or just after, it's definitely worth a visit to Cusárare Waterfall. A 3 km trail leads to it, and the lookout is about 26 km from Creel by road. Known in Spanish as Cascada de Cusárare, this 30 m drop is a beautiful, rushing cascade of water when the river is full but just a trickle once the rivers dry up by April/May. There is an entrance fee, in cash. Our guide to Cusárare Waterfall covers the walk and the best months.

How to see Cusárare

Despite being a small town there are a fair number of places to choose from when looking for accommodations. That said, it's best to book a hotel in advance as it does fill up during the summer, Semena Santa, and Christmas.

Hotels in Creel are basic (you won't find a Hyatt or Hilton) and generally good value. Below are a few recommendations for different budgets; for a wider, current list by train stop, see where to stay in the Copper Canyon.

Low budget

Hotel Ecolóigo Temazcal

With rooms accommodating anywhere from 1-8 people this hotel is great for anyone from the solo traveller to families. Within walking distance of the train station, this place is rustic, comfortable and clean without breaking the bank.

Click here to check prices and availability

Mid budget

Hotel La Estacion

This 9-room boutique hotel is Chepe themed with each room corresponding to a station. It has a cozy feel and a delicious breakfast is included with your stay.

The owners speak excellent English and are very helpful if you want to book any tours.

Click here to check prices and availability

High budget

The Lodge at Creel Eco: Hotel & Spa

Their cozy lodge offers some of the most comfortable accommodations in Creel and the restaurant's bar is a nice place to spend an evening. Although walking distance from the train station, transfers to and from the hotel are included in your booking.

Click here to check prices and availability

Below are some practical tips for a stay in Creel.

Visiting Divisadero?

Divisadero and Posada Barrancas, the two El Chepe stops following Creel, have fantastic views and offer some fun activities but not as many places to stay. They are, however, only about an hour from Creel making it possible to spend the night in Creel and visit Divisadero during the day. Buses run between Creel and Divisadero, which gives you more flexibility than the train, which does not run every day. The bus station, Autotransportes Turísticos del Noroeste, is in the centre of Creel just a few steps from the train station.

Travel Insurance

Due to government travel advisories, not all travel insurance policies provide coverage for travel in the Copper Canyon. Make sure you purchase the right policy for your trip. Click here to learn more about travel insurance specifically for the Copper Canyon.

Money

Paying by card is common in Creel today: many hotels and businesses run high-speed internet over Starlink and take cards. Bring pesos anyway as a backup. On board the train only cash is accepted, and small kitchens and community entrance fees are cash only. The train operator notes that along its route there are ATMs only in Los Mochis, El Fuerte and Creel.

ATMs dispense mostly large bills, and small shops often cannot change them. Hold on to small bills (20s, 50s, 100s, 200s), ideally getting change before you start your Chepe journey.

Don't accept change in the form of ripped or torn bills as the next retailer won't accept them from you. If you do find one in your wallet you can exchange it at a bank.

Cellular Service

Service in the entire Copper Canyon is pretty weak if non-existent for many providers. Most hotels offer free wifi. If you want cell service, a Mexican SIM card for an unlocked phone is the usual answer; buy it in a city before you head into the Sierra. The train operator says there is no connectivity on much of the route, because of the terrain and the tunnels.

Maps.me

The free app Maps.me contains more detailed routes and amenities than Google maps. You can download it for apple or android, and then download the map of Mexico before you leave to visit the Copper Canyon. Even if you don't have data while traveling in Mexico you'll be able to navigate using the map and GPS on your phone.

How long should you stay in Creel? Two nights is plenty of time to get to know Creel and the surroundings described above, and a lot can be seen with one night. In practice, though, the train days decide it: neither train runs daily, so your stay is the gap between the train that brings you and the train that takes you on. The options below use the 2026 schedules, checked on September 18, 2026; in May, June, August and September the Chepe Express runs only Thursday to Sunday.

If you'd like to get to know Creel and its surroundings in greater detail, consider booking a multi-day tour through one of the travel agencies in town, such as The 3 Amigos. For complete trips of 3, 5 and 7 days, see our Copper Canyon train itineraries.

Arriving in Creel from Chihuahua

The Chepe Regional from Chihuahua reaches Creel at 11:47 on Tuesdays and Saturdays. The Chepe Express leaves Creel for Divisadero, Bahuichivo, El Fuerte and Los Mochis at 8:00 on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

If you come by bus or transfer instead, you can arrive any day and take any of the three Express departures.

Staying 1 Night

Day 1: Arrive in Creel at 11:47

• Check-in to hotel
• Grab some lunch
• Walk, rent a bike or book a tour to see the San Ignacio de Arareco area
• Dinner and evening in town

Day 2: Depart Creel at 8:00

• Early breakfast and check-out
• Be at the station by 7:00: the operator asks passengers to arrive one hour early

Staying 3 Nights

Day 1: Arrive in Creel at 11:47

• Check-in to hotel
• Grab some lunch
• Book tours for the following days
• Wander over to Casa de las Artesanías and browse the handicrafts at Artesanías Misión
• Dinner and evening in town

Day 2: San Ignacio de Arareco

• Walk, rent a bike or book a tour to see the valleys, the mission and Lake Arareco
• Dinner and evening in town

Day 3: Cusárare and the hot springs

• Head out for a half-day or full-day tour of Cusárare
• End your tour with a relaxing dip in Recohuata Hot Springs
• Dinner and evening in town

Day 4: Depart Creel at 8:00

• Early breakfast and check-out
• Be at the station by 7:00

Arriving in Creel from Los Mochis

The Chepe Express reaches Creel at 17:40 on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays, and Creel is the end of its line. To continue to the city of Chihuahua you can take the Chepe Regional, which passes Creel at 16:39 on Wednesdays and Sundays, or a bus or transfer on any day.

Staying 1 Night

Day 1: Arrive in Creel at 17:40

• Check-in to hotel
• Dinner and evening in Creel

Day 2: Depart Creel at 16:39

• Early breakfast
• Check-out of hotel, leave your bags
• Head out on a bike or organized tour to see the San Ignacio de Arareco area
• Be back at the station by 15:40

Staying 2 Nights

Day 1: Arrive in Creel at 17:40

• Check-in to hotel
• Book any tours or rentals for the next day
• Dinner and evening in Creel

Day 2: Full day in Creel

• Early breakfast
• Head out on a 1/2-day or full-day tour to see Cusárare
• Dinner and evening in Creel

Day 3: Depart Creel at 16:39

• Breakfast
• Check-out of hotel, leave your bags
• Trek out to any nearby sights you may have missed the day before, such as San Ignacio de Arareco area
• Browse the handicrafts at Artesanías Misión
• Lunch
• Be back at the station by 15:40

Answers checked on September 15, 2026 against the official pages of the Chepe train operator (chepe.mx).