Nature reserve 2 km southwest of Álamos
A residents' nature reserve on the edge of Álamos, with marked trails through dry forest and a short climb to El Tecolote lookout.
Parque La Colorada is a small nature reserve right on the edge of Álamos, created in 2014 by a group of residents who wanted to protect a piece of the dry tropical forest that surrounds the town. It covers roughly 112 hectares (about 300 acres) of hillside, and after a few years of fencing and trail building it opened to walkers and riders. In 2018 it was certified as a voluntary conservation area, the Mexican system that lets private landowners add their land to the federal network of protected areas.
Well-marked trails wind through the forest of cacti and trees that drop their leaves in the dry season and turn green with the summer rains. The favorite walk is the 1.5-kilometer climb to the top of El Tecolote hill, where a lookout gives wide views over Álamos and the mountains around it.
The park is also popular with mountain bikers, with singletrack on the hillsides, and with birdwatchers, who come for the birds of the dry tropical forest.
What to see and do
Hike the 1.5-kilometer trail to the top of El Tecolote for views over Álamos.
Ride the singletrack trails on a mountain bike.
Bring binoculars for the birds of the dry tropical forest.
Come after the summer rains, when the forest turns green.
Go early in the morning, before the heat of the day.
Getting there
The park is on the outskirts of Álamos, a few minutes from the center by car or a longer walk. Follow the signs toward El Pedregal; the trails start near that lodge. Carry water and sun protection, since there is little shade on the climb.
2 km southwest of Álamos
Directions from Álamos on Google Maps
Distances are in a straight line; the road is usually longer.
Plan your trip
Places to stay in Parque La Colorada
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Weather warm
Parque La Colorada shares the climate of Álamos, 2 km away. The best months to visit are Jan, Feb, Mar, Nov.
Make Álamos your base
Parque La Colorada is an easy trip from Álamos, a Pueblo Mágico with places to stay, food, and more to see.
More around Álamos
-
La Aduana
· Town · 7 km away
A half-empty silver-mining village west of Álamos, with the Balvanera church and a cactus growing out of its wall. -
Minas Nuevas
· Town · 8 km away
La Aduana's sister mining village, once a municipality of its own, with ruins of the old silver mines on the hills around it. -
Sierra de Álamos–Río Cuchujaqui
· Nature reserve · 19 km away
A huge protected area east of Álamos: dry tropical forest, pine-oak peaks, and the clear, cypress-lined Cuchujaqui River.
Location from OpenStreetMap. Written by Puebloteca.