6 Nature Parks near Monterrey, Mexico: Map & Photos

6 parks and reserves · within 60 km

There are 6 parks and reserves within 60 km of Monterrey in a straight line, an hour or a little more by road. The closest is Parque Ecológico Chipinque, 8 km away; the farthest, Hidrofobia, is 49 km. They are listed under the Pueblos Mágicos of Santiago and Arteaga, which make good bases.

Parks and reserves are best on weekdays and early in the day. Bring water, and check the opening hours, since some close one day a week.

Best months, when most of these towns are dry with comfortable afternoons: Jan, Feb, Mar, Dec.

The Nature Parks 6

Parque Ecológico Chipinque · Nature reserve · 8 km from Monterrey · Nuevo León
A 1,791-hectare forest reserve on the mountain above San Pedro and Monterrey, with 37 trails, a 1930s general's house and guided climbs to La M.
Parque La Huasteca · Nature reserve · 15 km from Monterrey · Nuevo León
A limestone canyon cut by the Santa Catarina river on Monterrey's western edge, with walls over 550 m high, hundreds of climbing routes and rappel hikes.
Parque Natural La Estanzuela · Nature reserve · 15 km from Monterrey · Nuevo León
A wooded canyon park on Monterrey's southern edge where the city got its first drinking water: a cobbled riverside path and a hike to El Cielo falls.
Cañón de Matacanes · Nature reserve · 46 km from Monterrey · Near Santiago
Mexico's best-known canyoneering route: a full day of jumps, rappels, natural slides and swims through caves in the mountains above Santiago.
Cañón de la Carbonera · Nature reserve · 48 km from Monterrey · Near Arteaga
A wooded canyon east of Arteaga for guided canyoneering: rappels of up to 30 meters, clear pools, jumps, and small waterfalls.
Hidrofobia · Nature reserve · 49 km from Monterrey · Near Santiago
The wilder, more technical sister of Matacanes: a canyon of cold pools and jumps of up to 18 meters, starting at the foot of El Chipitín.