Lake 7 km southeast of Creel
A horseshoe-shaped lake in pine forest run by the Rarámuri ejido of San Ignacio, with rowboats, cabins and lakeside trails.
Lago de Arareko is the classic first outing from Creel: a long, curving reservoir about 7 to 8 kilometers southeast of town, ringed by pines, oaks and smooth granite boulders. Its name is usually translated from Rarámuri as "horseshoe", which is exactly the shape you see from the rocks above the shore. It is roughly two and a half to three kilometers from end to end, so there is plenty of room to find a quiet spot.
The lake sits on the land of San Ignacio de Arareko, a Rarámuri (Tarahumara) ejido that manages the whole area as a community tourism project. You pay a small entry fee at the gate, and the money stays with the community, which also rents rowboats, horses and bicycles, runs simple cabins and a camping area, and sells crafts along the shore.
Most people come for a few quiet hours: a slow row across the water, a picnic on the rocks, a walk along the shore in the late afternoon light. In winter the mornings are cold and the surface can freeze at the edges; in the summer rainy season the forest turns deep green.
What to see and do
Rent a rowboat or paddleboat and cross to the far arm of the horseshoe.
Climb the granite boulders on the shore for the best view of the lake's shape.
Walk or ride a rented horse along the lakeside trails through the pines.
Spend a night in one of the ejido's simple cabins or at the campground.
Buy baskets and other Rarámuri crafts directly from the women selling them by the lake.
Getting there
From Creel, take the paved road south toward Cusárare and Guachochi; the signed entrance to the San Ignacio de Arareko ejido is a few kilometers out of town, and the lake is about 10 minutes' drive in total. Many visitors ride rented bikes from Creel, and local tour operators include the lake in half-day loops with the Valle de los Monjes and San Ignacio mission. The community charges a modest entry fee at the gate.
7 km southeast of Creel
Directions from Creel on Google Maps
Distances are in a straight line; the road is usually longer.
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Weather cool
Lago de Arareko shares the climate of Creel, 7 km away. The best months to visit are Apr, May, Sep, Oct.
Make Creel your base
Lago de Arareko is an easy trip from Creel, a Pueblo Mágico with places to stay, food, and more to see.
More around Creel
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San Ignacio de Arareko
· Town · 3 km away
The Rarámuri ejido next to Creel: an old stone mission church and the rock-filled Valle de las Ranas and Valle de los Hongos. -
Valle de los Monjes
· Nature reserve · 8 km away
Bisabírachi to the Rarámuri: a valley of tall, upright rock columns that legend says were monks turned to stone. Best with a local guide. -
Aguas Termales de Recowata
· Hot springs · 12 km away
Hot spring pools deep in the Tararecua canyon, run by the San Ignacio ejido; about 3 km down on foot, so save energy for the climb. -
Cascada de Cusárare
· Waterfall · 16 km away
A 30-meter waterfall reached by a pine-forest trail from the Rarámuri village of Cusárare and its 18th-century Jesuit mission. -
Divisadero
· Viewpoint · 31 km away
The Chepe's famous canyon stop: rim views over three canyons, plus the cable car and zip lines of the Barrancas del Cobre park.
Location from OpenStreetMap. Written by Puebloteca.