Parks Manager

National parks near Santa Mónica, Hidalgo

Santa Mónica sits inside the Pachuca de Soto area and reaches the same parks. See national parks near Pachuca de Soto for the full write-up.

El Chico National Park is the closest national park to Santa Mónica, Hidalgo — 27.5 km (17.1 mi) in a straight line, which works out to roughly 41 min behind the wheel.

El Chico is close enough to visit on an ordinary afternoon. Molino de Flores Nezahualcóyotl, El Tepeyac, Tula, Iztaccíhuatl–Popocatépetl, Xicoténcatl, Cerro de la Estrella, Los Remedios, El Histórico Coyoacán, and Sacromonte make a full day trip — leave early.

Santa Mónica has a population of about 1,533.

National parks near Santa Mónica

Parks ranked by distance from Santa Mónica
ParkStraight-line distanceEstimated driveRealistic trip
El Chico National Park27.5 km (17.1 mi)41 minRight on your doorstep
Molino de Flores Nezahualcóyotl National Park56.8 km (35.3 mi)1 hr 13 minDoable as a day trip
El Tepeyac National Park73.6 km (45.7 mi)1 hr 31 minDoable as a day trip
Tula National Park75.7 km (47.1 mi)1 hr 33 minDoable as a day trip
Iztaccíhuatl–Popocatépetl National Park83.1 km (51.6 mi)1 hr 40 minDoable as a day trip
Xicoténcatl National Park84.7 km (52.7 mi)1 hr 42 minDoable as a day trip
Cerro de la Estrella National Park86.3 km (53.7 mi)1 hr 43 minDoable as a day trip
Los Remedios National Park87 km (54 mi)1 hr 44 minDoable as a day trip
El Histórico Coyoacán National Park90.6 km (56.3 mi)1 hr 47 minDoable as a day trip
Sacromonte National Park96.3 km (59.9 mi)1 hr 52 minDoable as a day trip

When to make this trip

El Chico National Park is generally best December through April, the drier and less humid stretch, with May and November as the quieter shoulder either side.

June to November is the wet and hurricane season — heavy rain, high humidity, and occasional storm closures.

Heat and humidity are constant. Plan activity for early morning and carry more water than feels necessary.

Month-by-month detail for El Chico National Park

Seeing more than one

Several parks near Santa Mónica are close enough to each other to combine on one trip, so the drive from home only has to happen once.

Distances between parks near Santa Mónica
PairApartEstimated drive
Molino de Flores Nezahualcóyotl → El Tepeyac28.1 km (17.5 mi)42 min
Molino de Flores Nezahualcóyotl → Iztaccíhuatl–Popocatépetl36 km (22.4 mi)50 min
El Tepeyac → Iztaccíhuatl–Popocatépetl55.2 km (34.3 mi)1 hr 11 min
El Chico → Tula65.6 km (40.8 mi)1 hr 22 min

Planning a trip from Santa Mónica

Distances here are straight-line and the drive estimate adds a road factor on top, but mountain passes and seasonal closures can change it a lot — a route that looks like three hours in June can be shut entirely in February. Confirm road status with the park before you commit to a date.

Read the El Chico National Park guide

Other towns in Epazoyucan

Common questions

What is the closest national park to Santa Mónica?

El Chico National Park. It is about 27.5 km (17.1 mi) from Santa Mónica, roughly 41 min of driving.

Can I do a national park day trip from Santa Mónica?

Yes — El Chico National Park, Molino de Flores Nezahualcóyotl National Park, El Tepeyac National Park, Tula National Park, Iztaccíhuatl–Popocatépetl National Park, Xicoténcatl National Park, Cerro de la Estrella National Park, Los Remedios National Park, El Histórico Coyoacán National Park, and Sacromonte National Park are within about a three-hour drive.

How many national parks are near Santa Mónica?

10 parks are within reach of Santa Mónica, 10 of them close enough for a day trip.

When is the best time to visit the parks near Santa Mónica?

For El Chico National Park, the closest one, generally December through April, the drier and less humid stretch. Either side of that, May and November stays quieter.