Nature reserve 25 km north of Valle de Bravo
A national park of pine and fir forest on the Toluca–Morelia highway, with a lagoon, camping and quiet trails north of Valle de Bravo.
Bosencheve is one of Mexico's older national parks, declared in 1940 by President Lázaro Cárdenas. It covers high, forested mountains on the border between the Estado de México and Michoacán, mostly in the municipalities of Villa de Allende, Villa Victoria and San José del Rincón, and the old Federal Highway 15 between Toluca and Morelia runs right through it, which long made it a resting place for travelers.
The forest is the attraction: tall Montezuma pines, oyamel firs in the higher, damper hollows and oaks lower down, with open grassy clearings in between. The Laguna de Bosencheve and several streams sit within the park, and the area works as an important water source for the region. Biologists have recorded more than 200 species of plants and animals here, a good number of them listed as at risk.
There is little formal tourist infrastructure, so visitors come for simple pleasures: walking forest trails, watching birds, camping in the clearings and fishing in the lagoon. Local lodges and cabins around Villa de Allende make it a peaceful base, and in winter the monarch butterfly sanctuaries are not far away.
What to see and do
Walk the forest trails among pines and oyamel firs.
Fish or picnic by the Laguna de Bosencheve.
Camp in one of the open clearings.
Watch for birds and wildlife in the quieter parts of the park.
Pair it with a monarch sanctuary visit in winter.
Getting there
The park lies about 27 km north of Valle de Bravo; by car it takes roughly an hour, heading toward Villa de Allende and the Toluca–Morelia highway (Federal 15). Services are scarce inside the park, so bring water, food and warm clothes, and ask locally about safe camping spots.
25 km north of Valle de Bravo
Directions from Valle de Bravo on Google Maps
Distances are in a straight line; the road is usually longer.
Plan your trip
Places to stay in Parque Nacional Bosencheve
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Weather mild
Parque Nacional Bosencheve shares the climate of Valle de Bravo, 25 km away. The best months to visit are Jan, Mar, Apr, Dec.
Make Valle de Bravo your base
Parque Nacional Bosencheve is an easy trip from Valle de Bravo, a Pueblo Mágico with places to stay, food, and more to see.
More around Valle de Bravo
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Avándaro
· Town · 3 km away
A wooded village next to Valle de Bravo with weekend homes, a golf club, waterfalls, and the site of Mexico's famous 1971 rock festival. -
Cascada Velo de Novia
· Waterfall · 3 km away
A 35-meter waterfall in the pine forest of Avándaro, with picnic areas, trails and horseback rides close to Valle de Bravo. -
Amanalco de Becerra
· Town · 13 km away
A quiet mountain town of springs and trout farms east of Valle de Bravo, with a 16th-century church and forest all around. -
Salto de Chihuahua
· Waterfall · 16 km away
A waterfall over 50 meters high in a park near Ixtapan del Oro, with a natural pool, palapas and camping areas. -
Santuario Piedra Herrada
· Nature reserve · 18 km away
The monarch butterfly sanctuary closest to Valle de Bravo, on the road to Toluca, open roughly November to March. -
Temascaltepec
· Town · 19 km away
An old mining town in a deep valley south of Valle de Bravo, with an orchid garden, river canyons and the Peñón del Diablo crag. -
Real de Arriba
· Town · 21 km away
A near-forgotten gold-mining village in a green canyon above Temascaltepec, with an 18th-century Baroque church and year-round springs. -
Santuario El Capulín
· Nature reserve · 26 km away
A quieter monarch butterfly sanctuary in Donato Guerra, reached by a forest trail of about 4 km on foot or horseback. -
Nevado de Toluca
· Mountain · 40 km away
Mexico's fourth-highest peak, with two crater lakes; the park has been closed since August 2025, so check before going.
Location from OpenStreetMap. Written by Puebloteca.