National park · Mexico
Cerro de Garnica National ParkParque Nacional Cerro de Garnica
Enter Cerro de Garnica National Park for a short summit hike: pay MXN 30‑40 per person, drive 50 km (31 mi) east of Morelia, visit Nov‑Apr for dry trails.Enter Cerro de Garnica National Park for a short summit hike: pay MXN 30‑40 per person, drive 31 mi (50 km) east of Morelia, visit Nov‑Apr for dry trails.
- 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
19 km² (7 sq mi)7 sq mi (19 km²)
approximate
Established
1938
Best months
Nov–Apr
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 12Crossing 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.
- Pacific Coast ↗Drink bottled or purified water; assume tap water is not safe.
- Pacific Coast ↗Many Pacific beaches have rough surf and rip currents; swim where lifeguards are on duty.
- Pacific Coast ↗Check current safety advisories for Guerrero and Michoacán before booking rural or coastal routes.
- Michoacán ↗Check current travel advisories; avoid the border zones with cartel activity, especially near Guerrero and the western coast.
- Michoacán ↗Domestic flights to Morelia (MLM) are the fastest entry; long‑distance buses connect Guadalajara and Mexico City. Private car hires are useful for remote sites.
At a glance
- Country
- Mexico
- Area
- 19 km² (7 sq mi)7 sq mi (19 km²)
- 1,936 ha (check conversion).
- Established
- 1938
- Best months
- Nov–Apr
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Morelia
Cerro de Garnica National Park, established in 1938, protects a 1,936‑hectare forested mountain in Michoacán. It offers a remote summit hike to the 3,039 m peak, a waterfall, and birdwatching, with very low visitor numbers and limited facilities.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1938.
Size and age
19 km² (7 sq mi)7 sq mi (19 km²) · national park since 1938
1,936 ha (check conversion).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Morelia.
Why go
- Remote, heavily forested mountain with pine, fir and oak.
- Summit of Cerro de Garnica (3,039 m) offers panoramic views.
- Birdwatching: over 100 resident species including warblers and hummingbirds.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctCaution
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanDry, clear trails.
- FebDry, cool.
- MarDry, mild.
- AprDry, early spring.
- MayStart of rainy season.
- JunRainy, trails slippery.
- JulRainy, possible storms.
- AugRainy, high humidity.
- SepRainy, occasional storms.
- OctTransition to dry.
- NovDry returns.
- DecDry, cool.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White‑tailed deer, gray fox, cocomixtle, armadillosAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Warblers, tanagers, hummingbirds, wrens, redstarts, kingletsMar–Sep | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Rattlesnakes (at least two species)May–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
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Summit area | Cerro de Garnica peak, trailhead and viewpoint. | Open with entry ticket; trail is unmarked but reachable. |
| Cascada San Miguel de las Cuevas | Waterfall within the park. | Accessible via a side trail; 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 are approximate centre of the park and nearby settlements.
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 | MXN 30–40 (≈ US$2–3) | person | Estimated; official fee not published (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Camping
- Not permitted; no designated sites.
- Fire
- Prohibited; carry out all waste.
- Guides
- Not required for summit hike, but advisable for safety.
Where to stay
Near the park
Huajúmbaro village
Small hotels and guesthouses a few km from the park.
Near the park
Morelia
Wide range of hotels, restaurants and transport links.
Safety
Remote location high
Wildlife (rattlesnakes) medium
Cartel‑related violence in remote Michoacán 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
- Park gate reachable by car; short walks to trailheads.
- Summit climb involves steep sections; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Leave no trace; pack out all litter.
- Support local hotels in Huajúmbaro to benefit nearby communities.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Cerro de Garnica National Park?
Entry is estimated at MXN 30‑40 per person; the official fee is not published, so confirm locally (check).
What are the best hikes in Cerro de Garnica National Park?
The main hike to the 3,039 m summit (3‑4 h round‑trip) and a short side trail to Cascada San Miguel de las Cuevas are the primary routes.
When is the best time to visit Cerro de Garnica National Park?
Visit in the dry months November to April for clear trails and better weather; the rainy season June‑September can make paths muddy.
Are there any accommodations near the park?
Small hotels exist in Huajúmbaro village a few kilometres away; larger options are in Morelia.
Is camping allowed inside the park?
No designated camping sites; overnight stays should be in nearby villages or towns.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Cerro de Garnica National Park
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