16 Beautiful National Parks in Mexico

Spanning 761,610 square miles, Mexico is the thirteenth-largest country in the world. With such a vast area it’s not surprising that it features some of the most diverse ecosystems around. From mighty mountains to breathtaking waterfalls, Mexico has it all. There are 67 national parks in Mexico and they are intended to preserve and protect the landscape and its flora and fauna. However, they are also some of the best places to explore and enjoy fun activities. So, let’s uncover some of the most beautiful national parks in Mexico for you!

1. Lagunas de Montebello National Park

The first place on our list is the stunning Lagunas de Montebello National Park which is located in the state of Chiapas and spans an immense 15,840 acres. Lagunas de Montebello National Park features 59 lakes which are known as Montebello Lakes. They are one of the most incredible sights due to their multi-colored appearance which can be green, purple, and even turquoise. This is due to the mineral content of the water which affects its appearance. Lagunas de Montebello also features the ancient ruins of a pre-Columbian city. It consists of around 200 buildings, some of which have been excavated, and some are still partially buried.

2. Barranca del Cupatitzio National Park

The Barranca del Cupatitzio National Park is located in the state of Michoacán and spans 1,132 acres. One of the main features of the park is the Cupatitzio River which emerges from a spring underground and forms a ravine where the water begins to flow and creates a waterfall. There are numerous walking trails around the ravine, while much of the rest of the park is covered with forests. Barranca del Cupatitzio is teeming with wildlife, with birds being particularly abundant.

3. Sierra de San Pedro Mártir National Park

Located in Baja California, the Sierra de San Pedro Mártir National Park spans a huge 180,160 acres. Much of the area consists of the Sierra de San Pedro Mártir mountain which includes Picacho del Diablo which is the highest peak in Baja California at 10,157 feet. The park also features a wide variety of animals, including the California condor which has been reintroduced to the wild. There are also approximately 30 species of bats in the national park, as well as larger animals, such as bighorn sheep, mountain lions, and coyotes.

4. Sierra de Órganos National Park

Next, we have the Sierra de Órganos National Park which was established in 2000 and is known for its stunning rock formations which tower above the ground. Sierra de Órganos is located within the Sierra Madre Occidental mountain range and much of it ranges between 6,960 and 8,400 feet above sea level. The challenging peaks mean that the park is popular with hikers and climbers. It’s also a great place for nature lovers as it features many species of both plants and animals, including many which are rare and endangered or endemic to the region.

5. El Tepozteco National Park

The next beautiful national park in Mexico is El Tepozteco which is home to the El Tepozteco archeological site. The site consists of Aztec ruins, including a temple. As well as its cultural significance, the national park also features a volcanic field which consists of 16 mountains. The highest peak in the park is Chichinautzin which stands at a massive 11,352 feet. Hiking and climbing are the main things to do in El Tepozteco, although the area is also popular with birdwatchers too, thanks to the 126 recorded bird species in the area.

6. Nevado de Toluca National Park

The Nevado de Toluca National Park was established in 1936 to protect and preserve the Nevado de Toluca volcano. Nevado de Toluca is an extinct stratovolcano and is the fourth-highest mountain in Mexico at 15,350 feet. There is a massive crater at the top, featuring two lakes — Laguna del Sol (Lake of the Sun) and Laguna de la Luna (Lake of the Moon). Incredibly, the crater can be reached by car via an access road, making it popular with tourists. Although cars are no longer allowed to go right into the crater, there is a parking spot with a shelter and café within walking distance of the summit.

7. Desierto de los Leones National Park

If you’re looking for a place with historical significance as well as stunning geography then look no further than the Desierto de los Leones National Park. It is one of the oldest national parks in Mexico, having been established in 1917, although it was also a forest reserve from 1876. Desierto de los Leones also features a 17th-century former convent. Although some of the buildings are now ruins they are still worth seeing. The park features a wide range of hiking trails so you can explore the mountainous landscape and view the stunning flora and fauna, including more than 100 species of birds. Other activities to do include camping, mountain biking, and horse riding.

8. El Chico National Park

Located in the state of Hidalgo is the El Chico National Park which is another of Mexico’s oldest national parks. El Chico is situated in the Pachuca Mountains and has elevations between 7,550 and 10,140 feet. The site has a volcanic origin and the volcanic rocks form jagged crags and peaks. There’s also some stunning waterfalls within the park and numerous rivers which offer sport fishing. El Chico is well-equipped for visitors, with a café, two campsites, a trailer park, and a hostel.

9. Cumbres de Monterrey National Park

The next beautiful national park in Mexico is the Cumbres de Monterrey National Park which is located near the city of Monterrey. It is one of the most scenic places on the list as it features numerous canyons, breathtaking waterfalls, and stunning mountains — including the famous Cerro de la Silla (Saddle Mountain). Cumbres de Monterrey also features cave paintings and stone carvings which date back thousands of years. There is a wide range of hiking trails throughout the park with varying degrees of difficulty, so there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

10. Huatulco National Park

The Huatulco National Park spans 29,400 acres and is located in Oaxaca. It is one of the most diverse locations in the country, with nine bays, mangroves, beaches, coral reefs, and low tropical forests. The park is teeming with wildlife, both on the land and in the ocean. It is also a bird-watching paradise with 282 different species calling it home at various times of the year.

11. Islas Marietas National Park

One of the most stunning locations is undoubtedly the Islas Marietas National Park which consists of several uninhabited islands just a few miles off the coast of Nayarit. The water is typically only between 70 and 110 feet deep, making it the perfect place to view the vast array of marine life in the area. Islas Marietas is a popular place for snorkeling and scuba diving, and you can expect to encounter animals such as dolphins, humpback whales, sea turtles, and manta rays.

12. Volcán Nevado de Colima National Park

The Volcán Nevado de Colima National Park is located in the western region of Mexico and consists of the upper areas of two volcanoes — Nevado de Colima and Volcán de Colima. Although Nevado de Colima is now extinct, Volcán de Colima is one of the most active volcanoes in Mexico. Most of the national park consists of forests, except the uppermost areas. There is also a wide variety of animals that call the mountains their home — including jaguars, mountain lions, bobcats, deer, and numerous birds. Volcán Nevado de Colima is not one of the most popular national parks in Mexico, but this does mean that it offers peace and tranquility and an unspoiled view of nature.

13. Cabo Pulmo National Park

The Cabo Pulmo National Park is a marine park which is located off the east coast of Baja California. The park features some of the most stunning coral reefs in Mexico, as well as one of the oldest. The reef in Cabo Pulmo is estimated to be 20,000 years old and is home to around 800 different species. There are plenty of activities available in the national park, including boat trips, swimming, scuba diving, snorkeling. Plus, there’s miles of pristine beaches to explore too.

14. Bahía de Loreto National Park

Another beautiful national park in Mexico is Bahía de Loreto which is situated on the east coast of Baja California and spans a vast area of marine ecosystem. Included within the park are five uninhabited islands and numerous stunning sandy beaches. The area is teeming with life, particularly marine mammals such as whales and dolphins. There are plenty of things to do in Bahia de Loreto, including snorkeling, boat trips, and exploring the islands. If you fancy scuba diving then there are coral reefs to explore, and even a sunken ship!

15. Arrecifes de Cozumel National Park

The Arrecifes de Cozumel National Park is located off the coast of Cozumel and features the Cozumel reef system which is part of the second largest coral reef in the world. The national park covers 46 square miles and is home to around 1,000 different species of plants and animals, including the endangered loggerhead and hawksbill sea turtles.

16. Lagunas de Zempoala National Park

The final national park on the list is Lagunas de Zempoala National Park which spans a massive 12,000 acres. In the Nahuati language “Zempoala” means “place of many waters”. This is a reference to the seven lagoons that are located within the national park. Four of the lagoons are seasonal, but three have water all year round. There are many large trees in the park including pine, oak, cedar, and fir. There’s also a wide variety of animals that call Lagunas de Zempoala home. Although there are not a great deal of activities to do in Lagunas de Zempoala, it is a great place to explore nature in a leisurely manner.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © México en Fotos, A.C., CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons – License / Original