National park · Mexico
Lagunas de Zempoala National ParkParque Nacional Lagunas de Zempoala
Enter Lagunas de Zempoala National Park for a short lake walk: pay MXN 70 per adult at the gate, drive 90 min from Mexico City and hike the Zempoala‑Tonatihua trail in the dry season; skip if you need wheelchair access.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
More
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
47 km² (18 sq mi)18 sq mi (47 km²)
approximate
Established
1936
Best months
Nov–Apr
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- Mexico ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Mexico's National Migration Institute (INM) or your nearest Mexican consulate; keep proof of your entry (stamp or digital record) until you leave.
- Mexico ↗Security advice differs by state: some governments advise against travel to parts of several states. Check your own government's advice for each region on your route.
- Mexico ↗Do not drink tap water; use bottled or filtered water and ice from reliable places.
- Mexico ↗Foreign visitors to Quintana Roo (Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Bacalar, Holbox) pay the state VISITAX online at visitax.gob.mx only; lookalike sites add fees.
At a glance
- Country
- Mexico
- Area
- 47 km² (18 sq mi)18 sq mi (47 km²)
- Official area is 4700 ha (≈47 km²); some sources round to 50 km² (check).
- Established
- 1936
- Best months
- Nov–Apr
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Cuernavaca
Lagunas de Zempoala National Park protects seven high‑altitude lakes and mixed oak‑pine‑cedar forest on the Morelos‑Estado de México border, offering lake walks, birdwatching and rare axolotl sightings.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1936.
Size and age
47 km² (18 sq mi)18 sq mi (47 km²) · national park since 1936
Official area is 4700 ha (≈47 km²); some sources round to 50 km² (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Cuernavaca.
Why go
- Lake‑walks among seven high‑altitude lakes with mixed oak‑pine‑cedar forest.
- Birdwatching over 100 species and a chance to see the rare axolotl.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayGo
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanDry, cool; trails clear.
- FebDry, cool; good visibility.
- MarDry, warming; ideal for walking.
- AprDry, warm; lakes full.
- MayStart of rainy season; some lakes may recede.
- JunRainy, trails muddy.
- JulRainy, possible fog.
- AugRainy, higher humidity.
- SepRainy, occasional storms.
- OctTransition to dry, fewer crowds.
- NovDry, comfortable temperatures.
- DecDry, cool; great for photography.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White‑tail deer, foxes, weasels, rabbits, squirrels, skunksAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Over 100 bird species including falcons, hummingbirds, sparrowsMar–Dec | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Axolotl (endemic salamander)All year · Found in the permanent lakes; observe only. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Mexico City
Car or bus south via Autopista del Sol, then a short taxi to the park gate.
1.5–2 h
Open the page →
From Cuernavaca
Taxi directly to the park gate.
20 min
Open the page →
From Taxquena bus station (Mexico City)
Pullman de Morelos bus to Tres Marias, then taxi to gate (≈M$200).
≈2 h
From Observatorio bus station (Mexico City)
Flecha Roja bus to Santa Martha, then taxi to gate (≈M$200).
≈2 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Lake zone | Seven highland lakes, walking paths, picnic areas. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Forest zone | Mixed oak‑pine‑cedar forest, birdwatching trails. | Open with entry ticket. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
5 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates from Wikidata; gate location approximate.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (adult) | MXN 70 (≈ US$4) | person | 2026 estimate |
| Park entry (child 5‑12) | MXN 35 (≈ US$2) | person | 2026 estimate |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- MX$70≈ US$4
- MX$35≈ US$2
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Check with the park or your operator before you go.
Park rules
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish; bins are scarce.
- Trail use
- Stay on marked paths to protect fragile habitats.
- Collecting
- No picking plants or animals, including axolotls.
- Pets
- Dogs not allowed on trails.
- Camping
- Not permitted inside the park; use nearby Cuernavaca accommodations.
Where to stay
Near the park
Cuernavaca hotels
A range of budget to mid‑range hotels 20 min drive from the park.
Near the park
Camping outside park
Designated campgrounds in the surrounding forest (check local regulations).
Safety
Altitude low
Weather change medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Main entrance reachable by car with a short walk to the lake trail; no wheelchair‑accessible paths beyond the entrance.
Visiting lightly
- Leave no trace; use refillable water bottles.
- Support local businesses in Cuernavaca for meals and lodging.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Lagunas de Zempoala National Park?
Entry is MXN 70 for adults and MXN 35 for children 5‑12; tickets are bought at the park gate.
What are the best hikes in Lagunas de Zempoala National Park?
The lake‑walk around Zempoala lake (easy, 2 h) and the Zempoala‑Tonatihua trail (moderate, 3 h) are the most popular.
When is the best time to visit Lagunas de Zempoala National Park?
The dry season from November to April offers clear trails and full lakes; the rainy months May‑October can make paths muddy.
Can I see axolotls in the park?
They occur in the permanent lakes; observe from the shore without disturbing them.
Is camping allowed inside the park?
No, camping is prohibited; stay in nearby Cuernavaca or designated external campgrounds.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Lagunas de Zempoala National Park
Loading…
Was this useful?