Cumbres de Majalca National Park

Cumbres de Majalca National Park is in the Mexican state of Chihuahua. The park showcases extraordinary rock formations that have been shaped by wind and water erosion.

Understand

The park is characterized by pine and oak forest. The park is one of the few areas in Mexico that are inhabited by black bear.

History

The park is part of the Mexico national parks system; it was created by presidential decree in 1939 encompassing 4,772 hectares to protect the endemic flora and fauna.

Landscape

The park is found in the Sierra de Majalca mountain range a subdivision of the Sierra Madre Occidental. Mountain peaks in the park reach an elevation of 2,600 m (8,500 ft) above sea level. The park is part of the dominant Bavícora-Bustillos Transition which is characterized by many small elevated valleys surrounded by volcanic mountains. The highest peaks in the park are: Cerro Las Escobas, Cerro La Puerta, Cerro Los Almíceres, and Cerro del Agua. The park is almost completely covered by volcanic rocks that have been shaped into amazing formations by wind and water erosion.

Sierra de Majalca is the point of origin of the Sacramento River that flows towards the state capital city. The Sacramento River empties into the Chuvíscar River before reaching Chihuahua.

Flora

Pine forests are found from the high elevations to the transition zone between the mountains and the steppe. The lower elevations have a steppe vegetation with a variety of grasses and small bushes. Several species of Juniperus dot the steppe and the transition zone.

Fauna

The park is part of a fragile ecosystem which includes a few endangered species like: American black bear and cougar. Other mammals that can be found in the park are: white-tailed deer, eastern cottontail, North American porcupine, bobcat, and coyote. There are few reptile species that inhabit the lower elevations mostly small lizards. One known reptilian species is the Northern Mexican Pine Snake, Pituophis deppei jani. The most common avian species observed in the park are: peregrine falcon, golden eagle, wild turkey, common pheasant, Arizona woodpecker, strickland's woodpecker, and ladder-backed woodpecker.

Climate

The park has two different climates. The lower elevations in the park have a semiarid climate where temperatures can reach 35 °C (95 °F) in the summer and temperatures fluctuate largely in the winter from cool to hot. The steppe zones in the park have a rainy season at the end of the summer and few winter snowfalls. The higher elevations have a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and cold winters. Temperatures there can fall to −10 °C (14 °F) in the winter, and they have an average 112 days under 0 °C (32 °F). During the winter in the higher elevations, snowstorms come frequently increasing in the at the end of the season.

Get in

Off Mexico Highway 45 that goes from Chihuahua to Ciudad Juárez. The turn-off is approximately 88 km north of Chihuahua.

See

One of the few areas to see black bears in Mexico. Nature viewing and bird watching are available.

Do

The park is popular with rock climbers, hikers, and campers; there are 53 km of roads for hiking and mountain biking.

Sleep

Lodging

Rental lodges are available. Reservations can be made at ☏ +61 429 3421.

Camping

Camping is permitted both at the rather rudimentary camp sites in the center of the park and in the backcountry. There are rental cabins available.

Las Hadas Canyon is suitable for camping, as it has toilets and stone tables for those who wish to spend the night in the place.

Go next

• Basaseachic Falls National Park
• Copper Canyon
• Creel
• Chihuahua