Lagunas de Zempoala is a high-altitude national park straddling the Mexico State-Morelos border, about 60-65 km southeast of Toluca, protecting a cluster of small natural lagoons set in dense pine and fir forest at around 2,800-3,000 meters elevation. Visitors rent canoes or rowboats on the main lagoon, walk forest trails connecting the smaller lakes, and pass small chapel ruins scattered through the park, making it a cool, forested change of pace from the drier lower-elevation day trips closer to Toluca.
Lagunas de Zempoala sits about 60-65 km southeast of Toluca via the Toluca-Cuernavaca federal highway, reached in about 1.5 hours by car to the community of Santa Marta and the park's main access road; public transport does not reliably reach the entrance, so a car, private driver, or organized tour is the practical way to visit. The park protects a cluster of small natural lagoons - the main and largest being Laguna Zempoala itself - set within dense pine, fir, and oak forest at an elevation of roughly 2,800 to 3,000 meters along the boundary between Mexico State and neighboring Morelos. The centerpiece activity is renting a canoe or rowboat on Laguna Zempoala, a calm, forest-ringed lake well suited to an easy paddle rather than serious watersports, while a network of walking trails connects the main lagoon to several smaller, quieter lakes scattered through the surrounding woods. Scattered through the park are the ruins of small colonial-era chapels, remnants of earlier religious use of the site, adding a historical layer to what is otherwise primarily a nature-focused visit. Because the park sits at high elevation, the pine forest stays notably cooler than Toluca or Mexico City year-round, making it a popular warm-weather escape as well as a scenic winter visit when the dry season (November through April) brings the clearest skies and driest trail conditions; the rainy season from June through October can make some forest trails muddy. A full day allows time for a lagoon paddle, a walk to one or two of the smaller lakes, and a picnic in the pine forest, and the park's entrance area has simple food stalls for a lunch stop.
How to get there
- Car: Toluca-Cuernavaca highway from Toluca (about 1.5 hours)
- Organized day tour from Toluca or Mexico City including canoeing on the main lagoon
- Private driver hire, useful since public transport to the park entrance is limited
- Combine with a stop in Ocuilan on the return route
Location
Parque Nacional Lagunas de Zempoala, Ocuilan, Mexico State, Mexico
19.0559, -99.3201 View on map
Highlights
- Canoe and rowboat rental on the forest-ringed Laguna Zempoala
- Walking trails connecting several smaller lagoons through pine and fir forest
- Small colonial-era chapel ruins scattered through the park
- High-altitude pine forest that stays cool year-round
Tips for visiting
- Bring a warm layer even in summer; the park's altitude keeps temperatures noticeably cooler than Toluca
- Rent a canoe on Laguna Zempoala early in the day before weekend crowds arrive
- Wear waterproof footwear during the June-October rainy season, when trails can turn muddy
- Bring cash for the simple food stalls near the park entrance
When to visit
November through April for the clearest skies and driest trails; the pine forest stays cool and scenic year-round.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Lagunas de Zempoala from Toluca?
It is about 60-65 km southeast of Toluca via the Toluca-Cuernavaca highway, roughly a 1.5-hour drive.
Can you swim in the lagoons?
Canoeing and rowing are the main water activities; the cool, high-altitude water and conservation status of the park make swimming a secondary activity at most.
Is the park in Mexico State or Morelos?
The park spans the border between the two states, with the main access from Mexico State via the community of Santa Marta.
What is there to do besides the lagoon?
Forest walking trails connect several smaller lagoons, and the park contains small colonial-era chapel ruins scattered through the woods.