Nature reserve 22 km northeast of Zimapán
A mountain national park of oak and pine forest, a 600-meter-deep marble gorge and the 3,000-meter Cerro Cangandhó.
Los Mármoles covers about 23,000 hectares of the Sierra Madre Oriental north and east of Zimapán, shared with the municipalities of Jacala, Pacula and Nicolás Flores. President Lázaro Cárdenas declared it a national park in 1936 to protect its forests and soils, and it works as a corridor connecting with the Sierra Gorda biosphere reserve in Querétaro.
The park is named for the marble and limestone that shape its landscape. Its centerpiece is the Barranca de San Vicente, a gorge up to about 600 meters deep, and its high point is Cerro Cangandhó at roughly 3,000 meters, where winter sometimes brings snow and fog. The forests are remarkable for their oaks: the park shelters about a tenth of Mexico's oak species, along with pines, junipers and cedars, and wildlife such as bobcats, coatis and ringtails, with reports of pumas.
It is a place for hiking and mountain biking rather than facilities. Community ecotourism projects such as El Cobre and La Encarnación offer the easiest way in, with trails, cabins and guides.
What to see and do
Look into the Barranca de San Vicente from a viewpoint at sunset.
Hike toward Cerro Cangandhó, the park's highest summit.
Ride the forest trails on a mountain bike.
Base yourself at the El Cobre or La Encarnación ecotourism projects for guided walks.
Getting there
The park begins a short drive north of Zimapán; the La Encarnación area is about 35 kilometers away, roughly an hour on winding mountain roads. There is no regular bus service inside the park, so drive or arrange transport and guides through Zimapán or the community projects. A federal access fee applies.
22 km northeast of Zimapán
Directions from Zimapán on Google Maps
Distances are in a straight line; the road is usually longer.
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Places to stay in Parque Nacional Los Mármoles
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Weather mild
Parque Nacional Los Mármoles shares the climate of Zimapán, 22 km away. The best months to visit are Jan, Feb, Mar, Dec.
Make Zimapán your base
Parque Nacional Los Mármoles is an easy trip from Zimapán, a Pueblo Mágico with places to stay, food, and more to see.
More around Zimapán
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Presa Zimapán
· Lake · 15 km away
A huge reservoir and 203-meter dam wall in the Infiernillo canyon, with boat rides, kayaking and fishing on the Hidalgo–Querétaro border. -
Grutas de Xajhá
· Cave · 16 km away
Caves with 40 °C thermal pools deep in the Moctezuma River canyon, reached on foot or by boat with a local guide. -
Tasquillo
· Town · 22 km away
A Mezquital Valley town on the old silver road, known for its 1880s iron bridge, thermal balnearios and regional food. -
La Encarnación
· Town · 23 km away
A near-ghost mining village in the forest with ruins of a 19th-century iron foundry, trout, fruit wines and a via ferrata.
Location from OpenStreetMap. Written by Puebloteca.