Mexico's National Parks

A National Park is an area including one or more ecosystems which are significant for their scenic beauty, their scientific, recreational or historical value, their particular flora and fauna, their potential for the tourism development or for other similar reasons of general interest. This is a list of Mexico's national parks divided by area, with a brief description of their ecosystems and characteristics. Each area will be soon linked to its location on our map page.

To see the full list of the parks' location click on the tree icon on our Ecotourism Interactive Map

Northern Mexico National Parks	Location	Map	Ecosystems - Description - Activities
Los Novillos	Acuña, Coahuila		Created in 1940, it includes a beautiful lake which looks like a desert oasis. Flora: cactus, oak, walnut and willow trees. Fauna: coyote, tortoises, deer and jack rabbit. Activities: camping, swimming, hiking, wildlife observation.
Casacada de Basaseachic	Ocampo, Chihuahua		Created in 1981, it is located in the Sierra Tarahumara and hosts the highest waterfalls in the country, surrounded by pine and oak forests. Fauna: deer, mountain lion, pumas, birds of prey, woodpeckers. Activities: hiking, camping, wildlife observation.
Cumbres de Majalca	Chihuahua		Created in 1939, it has pine and oak forests and it is popular for its unusual rock formations created from erosion. Fauna: black bears, coyotes, birds of prey, woodpeckers. Activities: camping, hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking, wildlife observation.
Cumbres de Monterrey	Monterrey, Nuevo Leon		Created in 2000, it has pine and oak forests and a mix of mountains and low lands, with a rich biodiversity typical of desert regions and mountain areas. Fauna: coyote, puma, deer, birds of prey, armadillo. Activities: hiking, camping, wildlife observation.
El Sabinal	Cerralvo, Nuevo Leon		Created in 1938, it is one of the smallest in the country and its main ecosystem is formed by savine and willow woods. Fauna: raccoons, armadillos, rats, and a great variety of aquatic birds. Activities: camping, hiking, bird watching.
Baja California National Parks	Location	Map	Ecosystems - Description - Activities
Constitución de 1857	Ensenada		Created in 1962, located in the Sierra Juárez Mountains; pine and oak forests. Fauna: deers, birds of prey. Activities: hiking and camping
Sierra de San Pedro Martir	Ensenada		Created in 1947. Pine trees and granite rock formations. Includes Baja's higher mountain, El Picacho de Diablo and an Astronomical Observatory. Fauna: puma, bighorn sheep, mountain lions, birds of prey. Activities: hiking, camping, astronomical observation, rock climbing
Archipielago de San Lorenzo	Ensenada		Created in 2005. Group of Islands located in front of Ensenada's coast. Activities: boat trips, observation of marine life and bird watching
Bahia de Loreto	Loreto		Created in 1996, variety of coastal and marine environment: islands, rocks, sand dunes, and underwater canyons. Fauna: marine mammals, reptiles and birds. Activities: kayaking, boat trips, snorkeling, diving, marine life and bird watching
Archipielago Espiritu Santo	La Paz		Created in 2007, it counts 38 endemic species of flora and fauna, incuding a colony of sea lions. The rock reef provides food for a huge variety of fish. The park is in the migratory route of sharks and 5 different types of sea turtles. Activities: kayaking, snorkeling, diving, boat trips, marine life watching.
Cabo Pulmo	Los Cabos		Created in 1995, the abundant coral growth on the rocky reefs and plancton provides shelter and food for countless colorful endemic species of reef fishes. Fauna: marine mammals and birds. Activities: snorkeling, diving, marine life and bird watching.
Central Highlands National Parks	Location	Map	Ecosystems - Description - Activities
Gogorrón	Villa de Reyes, San Luis Potosi		Created in 1936 on the land of an old hacienda, it includes mainly oak and pine forests and a number of artesian wells, providing an important supply of water. Fauna: coyotes, hares, snakes, birds of prey. Activities: hiking, camping, swimming.
El Potosí	Río Verde, San Luis Potosi		Created in 1936 together with El Gogorrón, with which it shares a similar landscape, the park includes mainly oak and pine forests. Fauna: coyotes, lynks, deer, badgers. Activities: camping, hiking, bird watching.
Sierra de Órganos	Sombrerete, Zacatecas		Created in 2000, this area includes spectacular rock formations, called organos for their resemblance with the omonimous cactus. The landscape has a pre-historical feeling and has been the setting for many western movies. Fauna: coyotes, snakes, birds of prey. Activities: hiking, camping
Cerro de Las Campanas	Queretaro		Created in 1937, it is a urban park with a vegetation of eucaliptus, jacaranda, tepehuaje, mezquite and palmas. The park is very important also from a cultural point of view, as it is the place where Ferdinand Maximilian of Habsburg - Emperor of Mexico - was shot in 1867.
El Cimatario	Queretaro		Created in 1982, it is another park near an urban area including 3 small volcanoes, a botanic garden and some tourism infra-structures. The vegetation is typical of the semi-arid areas. Activities: hiking, camping, observation of flora.
Barranca del Cupatitzio	Uruapan, Michoacán		Created in 1938, the park offer a lush vegetation including fruit trees and ornamental plants on volcanic soil. Fauna: squirrels, badgers, foxes, bats, deer, and numerous colourful birds. Activities: hiking, bird and wildlife watching.
Cerro de Garnica	Queréndaro, Michoacán		Created in 1936, it has interesting rock formations offering fantastic views of the surounding pine forests. Fauna: deer, gray fox and various reptiles. Activities: hiking, camping and wildlife observation.
Insurgente José Maria Morelos	Charo, Michoacán		Created in 1939, the vegetation is formed mainly by pine forests. Plenty of natural springs form streams and pools creating a perfect habitas for many small animals and birds. Activities: hiking, camping, observation of flora and fauna.
Lago de Camécuaro	Tangancícuaro, Michoacán		Created in 1941, its main attraction is the lake, formed by a series of natural springs. The vegetation is mainly pine forests. Activities: hiking, boat trips on the lake.
Pico de Tancítaro	Tancítaro, Michoacán		Created in 1940, its main attraction is the Tancítaro volcano. The main vegetation is pine and fir forests and steep slopes allow beautiful views. Activities: hiking, rock climbing.
Rayon	Tlalpujahua, Michoacán		Created in 1952, this small park offers mainly eucaliptus and cedar trees. Fauna: deer, birds of prey, woodpeckers. Activities: hiking, camping
Central Pacific Coast National Parks	Location	Map	Ecosystems - Description - Activities
Isla Isabel	Santiago Ixcuintla, Nayarit		Created in 1980, this park includes a beautiful island of volcanic origin off the Nayarit coast, with 4 sand beaches and a lake. The vegetation is typical of the desert-coastal areas. The island is home to an incredible variety if birds. Activities: boat trips, bird watching, hiking and camping.
Islas Marietas	Bahía de Banderas, Nayarit		Created in 2005, these islands are located in Banderas Bay right off the point of Punta de Mita. Home of the endangered Blue-Footed Booby and other birs species, the park is an ecological sanctuary. Fauna: marine mammals and seals, giant manta rays. Activities: boat trips, bird watching, diving and snorkeling.
El Veladero	Acapulco, Guerrero		Created in 1980, its forest and jungle-like vegetation extend around the city and it serves the ecological purpose of protecting Acapulco's vital water supply. Fauna: birds of prey, song birds, snakes and iguanas. Activities: hiking, horseback riding.
General Juan N. Álvarez	Chilapa de Álvarez, Guerrero		Created in 1964, it is located in the Sierra Madre del Sur and has a pine forest vegetation typical of the mountain areas, together with rare species of orchids. Fauna: foxes, squirrels, badgers, armadillos, iguanas. Activities: hiking, flora and fauna observation.
Grutas de Cacahuamilpa	Pilcaya, Guerrero		Created in 1936, the park features impressive caverns with an underground river which formed stalactites and stalagmites during the Jurassic period. The vegetation is typical of the area's low-lands. Activities: hiking, guided tours to the caves.
Nevado de Colima	Cuauhtémoc, Colima		Created in 1936, it hosts the omonymous volcano and a second one, the Volcán de Fuego. The main vegetation is pine and oak forests, although the Southern part of the park reaches the Pacific coast. Fauna: birds of prey, reptiles hiking, camping, climbing, mountaneering.
Mexico City and Surroundings National Parks	Location	Map	Ecosystems - Description - Activities
Cerro de la Estrella	Iztapalapa, Distrito Federal		Created in 1938, it is a city park built on an estinguished volcano with vegetation of eucaliptus and cedar trees. This legendary place is connected with ancient Aztec traditions and rituals which were practiced there. It hosts an archaeological museum and a children playground.
Cumbres del Ajusco	Tlalpan, Distrito Federal		Created in 1936, it is an area of majestic mountains with pine forests which provide habitat to several fauna species, like squirrels, hares, and birds of prey. The name Ajusco comes from Nahuatl and means "Water forest". Activities: camping, hiking mountaneering.
Desierto de los Leones	Cuajimalpa, Distrito Federal		Created in 1917, it was the first natural protected area in the country. It is located in a mountain region with pine forests, hosting a variety of migratory birds. It includes a historical monument known as Antiguo Convento. Activities: hiking, mountan biking.
El Tepeyac	Gustavo Madero, Distrito Federal		Created in 1937, it is an artifical wood of eucaliptus and cedar trees located in the foothills of the Guadalupe Mountains. Tepeyac hill offers nice views of the Basilica de Guadalupe. Activities: hiking
Fuentes Brotantes de Tlalpan	Tlalpan, Distrito Federal		Created in 1936 following a project of reforestation, it is a small city park with a pond and a cultural centre. Fauna: ducks. Activities: walking
El Histórico Coyoacán	Coyoacán, Distrito Federal		Created in 1938 to preserve Coyoacan's historical sites ancient traditions, it has a vegetation of eucaliptus and cedar trees. Fauna: squirrels, rodents, migratory birds. Activities: walking, cycling, sightseeing.
Lomas de Padierna	Magdalena Contreras, Distrito Federal		Created in 1938, it is a recreational areas with a vegetation of cedar trees. It was the set of an important battle against the Northern-American intervention in 1847 and hosts a memorial monument. Fauna: many species of birds, reptiles. Activities: hiking
Bosencheve	México y Michoacán		Created in 1940, it is surrounded by mountains and valleys and it includes several streams and 2 lakes. It hosts a variety of birds, from migratory to aquatic species and birds of prey. Activities: camping, hiking, fishing, bird watching.
Desierto del Carmen o Nixcongo	Tenancingo, México		Created in 1942, it offers remarkable landscapes, like an amazing view of the Nevado de Toluca volcano, and a high plateau hosting the colonial momument of the Convento del Carmen. Fauna: hare, armadillo, squirrel, birds. Activities: hiking
Insurgente Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla	México, Distrito Federal		Created in 1936, this park is a valley surrounded by mountains and pine forests. It is the site of an important battle at the beginning of the independence war and celebrates Miguel Hidalgo. It hosts also a trout hatchery. Fauna: rodents, bats, foxes, birds. Activities: hiking, camping, mountain cimbing, fishing.
Iztaccihuatl - Popocatepelt	México, Puebla y Morelos		Created in 1935, the park has high plains and pine forests, and hosts the Popocatépetl and Iztacíhuatl volcanoes, two of the highest in the country. Fauna: rodents, squirrel, bats, deer, armadillos. Activities: hiking, camping, rock climbing, mountaneering.
Los Remedios	Naucalpan de Juárez, México		Created in 1938, this park is located just North of Mexico City and creates opportunities for outdoor activities, especially in the weekends. The main vegetation are eucaliptus trees. Fauna: rodents, bats, birds. Activities: walking
Molino de Flores Nezahualcóyotl	Texcoco, México		Created in 1937, its vegetation is mainly eucalyptus and ash trees. It includes the ruins of an old ranch and of a church. Fauna: reptiles, migratory birds. Activities: walking
Nevado de Toluca	Toluca, México		Created in 1936 it includes one of Mexico's most famous volcanoes, whose crater contains two lakes, the Sun and Moon Lagoons. There are evergreen forests in the mountain areas and grass praires on the high planes. Fauna: rodents, birds of prey. Activities: walking, mountaneering, climbing, fishing and fresh water diving.
Sacromonte	Amecameca, México		Created in 1939, it includes Sacromonte Hill, from which you have views on Amecameca's downtown and over the Iztaccihuatl and Popocatepetl volcanoes. The vegetation is mostly of cedar, eucalyptus and ash trees. Fauna: rodents, wild cats, deer, reptiles. Activities: walking, fauna observation.
Lagunas de Zempoala	Huitzilac, Morelos		Created in 1936, During the independence the region was the set of Jose Maria Morelos' campaigns and it now includes historical monuments and haciendas. The main vegetation is oak and pine forests. Fauna: rabbits, pumas, birds of prey. Activities: walking, camping, flora and fauna observation.
El Tepozteco	Tepoztlán, Morelos		Created in 1937, the park's vegetation is mainly pine and oak forests and share the same characteristics with Cumbres del Ajusco. It includes several colonial churches and buildings and an archaeological site on the mountains around Tepoztlán. Activities: hiking, excursionism, flora and fauna observation.
Malinche o Matlalcueyatl	Tlaxcala and Puebla		Created in 1938 it includes the fifth peak in the country, with its majestic volcanic cone. Flora and Fauna are typical ofthe mountain regions, with mainly evergreen forests. The park includes several springs and small rivers, important for the region's water supply. Activities: hiking, camping, mountaneering, climbing.
Xicotencatl	Tlaxcala		Created in 1937, it is located in Tlaxcala's urban area and carries the name of an ancient warrior, one of Cortes' most famous enemies. The aim of the park was the conservation of the city's forestal landscape and monuments. Activities: walking, outdoor recreation.
El Chico	Pachuca, Hidalgo		Created in 1898 by Porfirio Diaz, this is the oldest National Park in Mexico, and is located in the Sierra de Pachuca, with a vegetation of pine, oak and juniper forests. the park includes several tourist facilities, for activities like camping, hiking, rock and mountain climbing, mountain biking and wildlife observation. Fauna: badgers, wilde cats, rodents, armadillos, bats, foxes and several bird species.
Los Mármoles	Jacala de Ledezma, Hidalgo		Created in 1936, it is located between the Sierra Madre Oriental and the Sierra de Pachuca, including also the San Vicente Canyon, 600 meters deep. Vegetation: pine, wilde walnut, and juniper forests. Fauna: rodents, bats, foxes and birds. Activities: camping, hiking, rock climbing, wildlife observation.
Tula	Tula de Allende, Hidalgo		Created in 1981, the main attraction of this small park is the pyramid fo the Toltec God Quetzalcóatl with other ruins of the ancient capital city of the Toltecs, impressive sculptures and a museum. Activities: hiking, cultural excursionism.
Oaxaca National Parks	Location	Map	Ecosystems - Description - Activities
Huatulco	Santa Maria de Huatulco		Created in 1998, it has a rich variety of lowland jungle plant species in its gallery forest and mangroves. Fauna: armadillos, deer, 701 bird species including pelicans, hawks and hummingbirds, iguanas and snakes. Amongst the marine life there are dolphins, whales and turtles. Activities: wildlife observation, water sports, diving, snorkeling.
Benito Juárez	Oaxaca		Created in 1937 it is located in the immediate surroundings of the state capital. The vegetation is a mix of pines and low forests with areas used as pastures. Fauna: rabbits and squirrels. Activities: hiking and excursionism.
Lagunas de Chacahua	San Pedro Tututepec, Oaxaca		Created in 1937 it is located in the coastal area of Tututepec and includes a system of lagoons and lowlands with its typical vegetation of mangroves and other species growing on the coastal dunes. Fauna: sea turtles, amphibians, crocodiles, iguanas, migratory birds. Activities: boat trips, wildlife observation.
Central Gulf Coast National Parks	Location	Map	Ecosystems - Description - Activities
Cañon del Río Blanco	Rio Blanco, Veracruz		Created in 1938, it is located in the area near the Pico de Orizaba, with a vegetation of pine and oak trees. The park includes the Rio Blanco, which forms several waterfalls. Unfortunately this river is also one of the most polluted in the country. Fauna: rodents
Cofre de Perote	Perote, Veracruz		Created in 1937, it is located on the Cofre de Perote mountain range, which is covered with thick and beautiful pine forests. Its high peaks stop the warm winds from the gulf, producing humidity and rain and providing an important supply of water. Activities: hiking
Pico de Orizaba	Veracruz and Puebla		Created in 1937, the park includes the highest volcano of Mexico (5760 m), offering a stunning scenery with its snow peak and glaciers. The vegetation is pine and fir forests and the park includes several alpine refugees which are the starting points for mountaneering expeditions. Fauna: rodents, birds of prey.
Sistema Arrecifal Veracruzano	Boca Del Río, Veracruz		Created in 1992, the park is located off the Veracruz coast and includes 23 coral reefs and 5 islands, protecting several species of corals, reef fish, starfish, and crustaceans. Activities: diving, snorkeling, marine life watching.
Tabasco and Chiapas National Parks	Location	Map	Ecosystems - Description - Activities
Cañón del Sumidero	Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas		Created in 1980, it includes a stunning canyon with walls over 1km deep which was the set of a famous battle between the conquerors and the indigenous people. It has a mix of oak trees and jungle-like vegetation. Fauna: water birds, crocodiles, raccoons, iguanas, spider monkeys, butterflies. Activities: boat trips, excursionism, rock climbing.
Lagunas de Montebello	La Trinitaria, Chiapas		Created in 1959, it includes 52 turquoise lakes surrounded by pine and oak forests. The scenery is really stunning and the park hosts a variety of migratory birds (including the quetzal), and mammals like bears, armadillos, deer, anteaters. Activities: hiking, camping, kayaking, excursionism.
Palenque	Palenque, Chiapas		Created in 1981, the park includes one of Mexico's most important Mayan site. The ruins are on a high plain and are surrounded by a dense tropical forest, natural habitat of howler and spider monkeys, tucans, ocelots, spiders and reptiles. Activities: Guided visits to the archaeological site, hiking.
Yucatan Peninsula National Parks	Location	Map	Ecosystems - Description - Activities
Dzibilchantun	Merida, Yucatan		Created in 1987, the park is located on a plain area including the omonymous Mayan ruins and numerous cenotes and underground streams, which are important for the local water supply. The low tropical jungle protects several endangered species of birds, like hummingbirds and mockingbirds. Fauna: armadillos, rodents. Activities: visits to the archaeological area, hiking, wildlife watching, cenote diving and snorkeling.
Arrecife Alacranes	Progreso, Yucatan		Created in 1994, the park included the only coral reef in Yucatan, inner lagoons and 5 sand, habitas of numerous marine bird species. It also protects several species of tropical fish and other reef marine life. The vegetation is mangroves and sand dunes flora. Activities: diving, snorkeling, marine life watching.
Arrecifes de Cozumel	Cozumel, Quintana Roo		Created in 1996, the park includes submarine terraces hosting coral formations. Along the coast there are mangroves and coastal tropical plants. The eastern beaches are nesting land for endangered species of sea turtles. Amongst the marine fauna are also dolphins and tropical fish. The park lagoons host a variety of birds, including flamingoes. Activities: diving, snorkeling, wildlife watching.
Arrecife de Puerto Morelos	Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo		Created in 1998, the park is located in the northern part of the Mayan Riviera, along the Western Atlantic great reef, which the second longest reef in the world. It protects several species of tropical fish and other reef marine life, dolphins and water birds. Activities: diving, snorkeling, marine life watching.
Costa Occidental de Isla Mujeres, Punta Cancún y Punta Nizuc	Cancun and Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo		Created in 1996, the park preserve marine life and hosts important historical sites like the Ruinas del Rey and the sanctuary to the goddess Ix-chel. The flora is mainly mangroves and coastal dune vegetation and the marine life goes from coral fish to endangered sea turtles, dolphins and whales. Activities: diving, snorkeling, marine life watching.
Isla Contoy	Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo		Created in 1998 it hosts coral reefs, beaches with dunes and small lagoons. It is home to more than 100 species of migratory and water birds. It is also a nesting area for sea turtles and migratory zone for lobsters and monarch butterflies. Activities: diving, snorkeling, bird and wildlife watching.
Tulum	Tulum, Quintana Roo		Created in 1981 it covers an area with vegetation of mangroves and coastal tropical jungle. It includes also the famous Mayan ruins, spectacular for their position on a cliff facing the ocean, and fresh water cenotes, sacred ceremonial sites for the Mayan. Fauna: migratory birds, armadillos, anteaters, iguanas, spider monkeys, sea turtles, reef fish. Activities: sea and cenote diving and snorkeling, wildlife waching, visit of the archaeological site.
Arrecifes de Xcalak	Xcalak, Quintana Roo		Created in 2000, it is located in the area known as Costa Maya, south of the Riviers towards the border with Belize. It protects several species of reef fish, marine life and aquatic plants. Activities: diving, snorkeling, marine life watching.