Cañón de Bustamante

West of Bustamante, the Sierra de Gomas and the Sierra Morena squeeze together into a narrow canyon, and at its mouth rises the Ojo de Agua de San Lorenzo, the spring that keeps the town alive. Its water runs out through some 42 kilometers of old irrigation channels to the walnut orchards that earned Bustamante the nickname of the garden of Nuevo León. The town itself was founded in 1686 by Tlaxcalan families and is said to be where walnut growing began in Mexico.

The canyon is where people from Bustamante and Monterrey go to cool off. The spring and the stream below it form clear, cold pools for swimming; along the canyon there are spots for picnics and carne asada, campsites, and cabins for rent. Inside the canyon, the Boca de Leones water park adds pools, palapas and grills for families who want more comfort.

For hikers, the Sierra de Gomas is the starting point for the climb to Cabeza de León, a demanding peak of more than 1,500 meters with a round trip of about 17 kilometers and wide views over the surrounding ranges.