National park · Mexico
La Marquesa National ParkParque Nacional Insurgente Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla
Enter La Marquesa for MXN 30 per person, drive via MEX 15/15D and hike the 3 km (1.9 mi) Cerro del Cuauhtémoc trail; avoid weekends in summer.Enter La Marquesa for MXN 30 per person, drive via MEX 15/15D and hike the 1.9 mi (3 km) Cerro del Cuauhtémoc trail; avoid weekends in summer.
- 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.
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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
18 km² (7 sq mi)7 sq mi (18 km²)
approximate
Established
1938
Best months
Apr–May, Oct–Nov
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
- 18 km² (7 sq mi)7 sq mi (18 km²)
- The park covers about 1,760 ha (17.6 km²) of forested hills and valleys.
- Established
- 1938
- Best months
- Apr–May, Oct–Nov
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Mexico City
La Marquesa National Park offers easy access from Mexico City, family‑friendly facilities and several mountain trails for hiking and climbing.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1938.
Size and age
18 km² (7 sq mi)7 sq mi (18 km²) · national park since 1938
The park covers about 1,760 ha (17.6 km²) of forested hills and valleys.
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Mexico City.
Why go
- Family‑friendly outdoor activities on a large, accessible park near Mexico City.
- Six mountains and forested valleys for hiking, rock climbing and nature watching.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecGo
- JanCool, dry.
- FebCool, dry.
- MarMild, occasional rain.
- AprWarm, mostly dry.
- MayWarm, start of rainy season.
- JunRainy, crowds increase.
- JulRainy, heat.
- AugRainy, thunderstorms.
- SepRainy, occasional clear days.
- OctDry, cooler.
- NovDry, comfortable.
- DecCool, dry.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mexican pine‑oak forest birdsMar–May, Oct–Dec | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Squirrels and small mammalsAll 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
Take federal highway MEX 15/15D towards Toluca; exit at La Marquesa sign.
45 min–1 h
Open the page →
From Toluca
Take MEX 15/15D towards Mexico City; exit at La Marquesa.
30–45 min
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Visitor Center | Entrance gate, information desk, picnic area, horse‑riding stable. | Open with entry fee. |
| Western mountains | Forested trails, rock‑climbing spots, natural springs. | Free access; some areas require guide for climbing. |
| Lake and fishing zone | Lake with fishing platforms and small restaurants. | Open; fishing requires permit (check). |
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 are the park entrance; positions of features are 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 (vehicle) | MXN 30 (≈ US$2) | vehicle | 2026 estimate |
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
- Dogs allowed on leash only; other pets prohibited.
- Camping
- Only in designated campgrounds; wild camping prohibited.
- Fire
- Open fires not allowed; use provided grills in picnic areas.
- Litter
- Carry out all waste; bins provided at visitor center.
- Guides
- Required for technical climbing routes.
Where to stay
Near the park
Nearby hotels in Toluca
Mid‑range hotels 10 km (6.2 mi) north of the park gate.Mid‑range hotels 6.2 mi (10 km) north of the park gate.
In the park
Camping at La Marquesa campground
Basic sites with water and toilets; reservation recommended.
Safety
Heat and sun exposure medium
Lost on remote trails 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 paved walks.
- Some trails have uneven terrain; not wheelchair‑friendly.
Visiting lightly
- Use refillable water bottles; avoid single‑use plastics.
- Support local vendors at the park entrance.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter La Marquesa National Park?
MXN 30 per vehicle (2026 estimate); tickets are sold at the entrance gate.
What are the best hikes in La Marquesa National Park?
Cerro del Cuauhtémoc (moderate, 3 km) and the western mountain loops (hard, up to 8 km) are the most popular.
When is the best time to visit La Marquesa National Park?
October to May offers dry, comfortable weather; avoid the rainy summer months if you prefer clear trails.
Can I camp inside La Marquesa?
Yes, at the designated campground; wild camping is not allowed.
Is a guide required for any activities?
A guide is mandatory for technical rock‑climbing routes; hiking the main trails can be done independently.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about La Marquesa National Park
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