National park · Mexico
Maderas del Carmen Biosphere ReserveReserva de la Biosfera Maderas del Carmen
Visit Maderas del Carmen for a day hike: drive 4WD from Melchor Múzquiz (≈170 km (106 mi)) and start early; entry fee MXN 120 per person, guide optional, avoid summer heat.Visit Maderas del Carmen for a day hike: drive 4WD from Melchor Múzquiz (≈106 mi (170 km)) and start early; entry fee MXN 120 per person, guide optional, avoid summer heat.
- 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
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
2,080 km² (803 sq mi)803 sq mi (2,080 km²)
approximate
Established
1994
Best months
Dec–Mar
UNESCO
Biosphere
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
- 2,080 km² (803 sq mi)803 sq mi (2,080 km²)
- Area varies by source; approx. 2 080 km² of land and protected zones (check).
- Established
- 1994
- Best months
- Dec–Mar
- Permits
- For some areas
Maderas del Carmen Biosphere Reserve spans rugged Sierra del Carmen mountains, desert valleys and isolated forest islands, forming a key wildlife corridor and bird migration route in northern Mexico.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO Biosphere Reserve · 2006UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
Size and age
2,080 km² (803 sq mi)803 sq mi (2,080 km²) · national park since 1994
Area varies by source; approx. 2 080 km² of land and protected zones (check).
Why go
- Rugged Sierra del Carmen mountains with desert and forest islands.
- Important migratory bird flyway with >400 species.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprGo
- MayGo
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecBest
- JanCooler, dry
- FebCool, dry
- MarMild, occasional rain
- AprWarming, still dry
- MayHot, occasional storms
- JunVery hot, monsoon start
- JulPeak heat, storms
- AugHeat, storms
- SepHeat, possible rain
- OctCooling, dry
- NovCool, dry
- DecCool, dry
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Golden eagles, peregrine falcons, vulturesAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Pumas, mule deer, pronghornAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Bison herd (re‑introduced)Mar–Dec | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Black rattlesnakesMay–Sep | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
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 Melchor Múzquiz
4WD on dirt roads, 170 km (106 mi), stock water and fuel4WD on dirt roads, 106 mi (170 km), stock water and fuel
≈3 h
From El Paso (USA)
Fly to El Paso, rent 4WD, cross at Boquillas Port of Entry (open 09:00‑16:00, 4 days/week)Fly to El Paso, rent 4WD, cross at Boquillas Port of Entry (open 9:00 AM‑4:00 PM, 4 days/week)
≈5 h total
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Western sector (near Boquillas) | Border crossing, visitor entry, basic facilities | Open with entry fee |
| Central Sierra del Carmen | Mountain peaks, forest islands, backcountry routes | 4WD or on foot, permits required for camping |
| Eastern desert valleys | Open desert, wildlife viewing | Open, no facilities |
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 from Wikidata; approximate centre of reserve.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reserve entry (per person) | MXN 120 (≈ US$7) | person | Check at gate |
| Backcountry camping daily fee | MXN 200–300 (≈ US$11–17) | person | Register with CONANP |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Entry permit permit or guide
Backcountry camping permit permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- MX$120≈ US$7
- MX$200–300≈ US$11–17
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
- Pets
- Not allowed in the reserve
- Camping
- Only in designated backcountry areas with permit; no open fires
- Firearms
- Prohibited
- Drones
- Not allowed without special permission
- Collecting specimens
- Forbidden
Where to stay
Near the park
Melchor Múzquiz town
Basic hotels and hostels, 30 min drive to reserve gate
In the park
Backcountry campsites
Self‑sufficient camping, register with CONANP
Safety
Extreme heat high
Rattlesnake bite medium
Remote location 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
- Vehicle access via 4WD only; no paved roads to interior.
- Short walks from gate to viewpoint are steep; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Register campsites and pay fees to support CONANP management.
- Follow Leave‑No‑Trace: pack out all waste, avoid firewood collection.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Maderas del Carmen Biosphere Reserve?
Entry is MXN 120 per person; backcountry camping adds a daily fee of MXN 200‑300.
What are the best hikes in Maderas del Carmen Biosphere Reserve?
Summit Cerro del Carmen (hard, 4‑5 h) and the two‑day backcountry loop to the bison area (moderate, permit required).
When is the best time to visit Maderas del Carmen Biosphere Reserve?
Cooler, dry months Jan‑Mar and Oct‑Dec are best; avoid the extreme heat of Jun‑Aug.
Can I camp inside the reserve?
Yes, backcountry camping is allowed with a CONANP permit and daily fee; no developed campgrounds.
Do I need a 4WD vehicle?
A 4WD is strongly recommended for the dirt roads; standard cars may not reach interior zones.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go