National park · Mexico
El Chico National ParkParque Nacional El Chico
Enter El Chico National Park for a day: pay the entry fee (check), drive 10 km (6.2 mi) from Pachuca, hike the Las Ventanas trail (2 h) in the dry season (Oct–Apr) and camp at designated sites.Enter El Chico National Park for a day: pay the entry fee (check), drive 6.2 mi (10 km) from Pachuca, hike the Las Ventanas trail (2 h) in the dry season (Oct–Apr) and camp at designated sites.
- 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
27 km² (11 sq mi)11 sq mi (27 km²)
approximate
Established
1898
Best months
Oct–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
- 27 km² (11 sq mi)11 sq mi (27 km²)
- Park covers 2,739 ha (≈27.4 km²) of pine‑forest mountains (source: Wikivoyage).
- Established
- 1898
- Best months
- Oct–Apr
- Permits
- For some areas
El Chico National Park, established in 1898 in Hidalgo, protects dense pine‑forested mountains and volcanic peaks, offering marked hiking trails, rock‑climbing, and camping in a cool high‑altitude setting.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1898.
Size and age
27 km² (11 sq mi)11 sq mi (27 km²) · national park since 1898
Park covers 2,739 ha (≈27.4 km²) of pine‑forest mountains (source: Wikivoyage).
Why go
- Pine‑forest mountain scenery with many marked trails.
- Rock‑climbing and mountain‑biking on volcanic peaks.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayCaution
- JunAvoid
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepCaution
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanDry, cool.
- FebDry, mild.
- MarDry, pleasant.
- AprEnd of dry season.
- MayStart of rains.
- JunRainy season.
- JulRainy season.
- AugRainy season.
- SepRainy, occasional storms.
- OctDry, clear.
- NovDry, cool.
- DecDry, cool.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pine and fir forest birdsMar–May | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Small mammals (squirrels, rodents)All 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
Bus from Autobuses del Norte to Pachuca, then highway 105 to the 9 km (5.6 mi) post.Bus from Autobuses del Norte to Pachuca, then highway 105 to the 5.6 mi (9 km) post.
3–4 h
Open the page →
From Pachuca
Drive or taxi north on highway 105, 10 km (6.2 mi) to the park entrance.Drive or taxi north on highway 105, 6.2 mi (10 km) to the park entrance.
15 min
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Visitor Center | Main facility with exhibits and cafe. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Camping areas | Three designated sites, including Oriel RV space. | Register at park office. |
| Trailheads | Start points for Las Ventanas, El Contadero, and other hikes. | Open, marked. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 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 approximate, based on Mineral del Chico town centre.
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 | Check official fee at entrance. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Camping permit or guide
Park rules
- Pets
- Dogs allowed on leash only in camping areas.
- Camping
- Only in designated sites; register at park office.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; use provided grills where available.
- Litter
- Carry out all waste.
- Drone
- Not allowed without permission.
Where to stay
Near the park
Mineral del Chico inns
Small hotels and hostels in the town.
Near the park
Pachuca hotels
Larger range of accommodations.
Safety
Steep trails medium
Rainfall in summer 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
- Visitor center reachable by car with short walks.
- Trails are steep; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Use designated camping sites only.
- Carry out all litter.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter El Chico National Park?
Entry fee is required; check the latest price at the park gate (official fee not published online).
What are the best hikes in El Chico National Park?
Las Ventanas summit (2–3 h) and El Contadero chapel hike (4 h) are popular, plus several moderate loops for mountain biking.
When is the best time to visit El Chico National Park?
Dry season from October to April offers clear trails and comfortable temperatures.
Can I camp inside the park?
Yes, at three designated sites; register at the park office and follow Leave No Trace rules.
Is the park accessible by public transport?
Buses reach Pachuca; from there a taxi or car can take you the 10 km road to the entrance.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about El Chico National Park
Loading…
Was this useful?