National park · Mexico
Los Marmoles National ParkParque Nacional Los Marmoles
Enter Los Marmoles for a day hike: pay the entry fee (check), drive 3 h from Mexico City or take a Kombi from Zimapán (M$55 to nearest stop), and tackle La Piedra Iman (moderate, 2 km (1.2 mi)) or the Barranca de San Vicente canyon (hard, 5 km (3.1 mi)).Enter Los Marmoles for a day hike: pay the entry fee (check), drive 3 h from Mexico City or take a Kombi from Zimapán (M$55 to nearest stop), and tackle La Piedra Iman (moderate, 1.2 mi (2 km)) or the Barranca de San Vicente canyon (hard, 3.1 mi (5 km)).
- 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
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
232 km² (89 sq mi)89 sq mi (232 km²)
approximate
Established
1936
Best months
Apr–May
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
- 232 km² (89 sq mi)89 sq mi (232 km²)
- 23,150 ha (check conversion).
- Established
- 1936
- Best months
- Apr–May
- Permits
- For some areas
Los Marmoles National Park in Hidalgo protects 23,150 ha of pine‑juniper forest, high peaks, deep canyons and a magnetic stone, offering day hikes and challenging canyon treks.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1936.
Size and age
232 km² (89 sq mi)89 sq mi (232 km²) · national park since 1936
23,150 ha (check conversion).
Why go
- Mountain hiking among pine‑juniper forests and sheer cliffs.
- Visit Cerro Cangandho (2,820 m) and the magnetic La Piedra Iman.
- Explore deep canyons such as Barranca de San Vicente.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanCool, dry.
- FebMild, low rain.
- MarStart of dry season.
- AprDry, comfortable temps.
- MayWarm, still dry.
- JunRain increases.
- JulWettest months.
- AugHeavy rains possible.
- SepRain tapers.
- OctCooler, less rain.
- NovDry, pleasant.
- DecCool, dry.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer, coati, puma, ocelot, bats in cavesAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Various pine and juniper species, oak, cypressAll year | 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
Drive 3 h via MEX 85, or bus to Zimapán then taxi to park entrance.
3–4 h
Open the page →
From Zimapán
Kombi runs every 2 h along MEX 85; stop requested for entrance (M$55 to nearest stop).
35 min
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Entrance area | Gate, visitor info, parking. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Cerro Cangandho sector | Highest peak, La Piedra Iman viewpoint. | Trailhead at gate; no guide required. |
| Barranca de San Vicente | Deep canyon with river, suitable for experienced hikers. | Guided only recommended. |
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; park entrance approximated.
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 | Free | person | Exact fee not published; check at gate. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Pets
- Not allowed in the park.
- Camping
- Only in designated areas outside the park; no backcountry camping.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; use stoves only.
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish.
- Guides
- Required for long canyon treks and any off‑trail activity.
Where to stay
Near the park
Zimapán town hotels
Basic to mid‑range lodging, 35 min from park gate.
Near the park
Zimapán hostels
Budget dorms for hikers.
Safety
Rain and slippery trails medium
Getting lost on canyon routes high
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
- Entrance area reachable by car; short paved paths.
- Longer hikes involve steep, uneven terrain; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay in Zimapán and buy food locally.
- Use Kombi or shared transport to reduce emissions.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Los Marmoles National Park?
The park charges an entry fee, but the exact amount is not published online; check at the gate (typically a modest amount in MXN).
What are the best hikes in Los Marmoles National Park?
Top hikes are La Piedra Iman (moderate, 2–3 h), Cerro Cangandho summit (hard, 4–5 h round‑trip), and the Barranca de San Vicente canyon trek (hard, 6–8 h, guide recommended).
When is the best time to visit Los Marmoles National Park?
Dry season from November to May offers comfortable temperatures and less rain; April–May are especially pleasant.
How do I get to the park from Mexico City?
Drive 3 h via highway MEX 85 to Km 145, or take a bus to Zimapán (≈4½ h) then a taxi or Kombi (35 min) to the entrance.
Where can I stay near Los Marmoles?
Accommodation is available in the nearby town of Zimapán, with hotels and hostels about 35 min from the park gate.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Los Marmoles National Park
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