Desierto del Carmen National Park: planning guide
Oak and pine forest in the Desierto del Carmen range east of Mexico City. Cool woodland above the Toluca valley.
Desierto del Carmen National Park is in Estado de México, Mexico. The nearest town is San Bartolo Oxtotitlán — roughly 16.8 km (10.5 mi) out, about 28 min of driving.
When to go
Best window: December through April, the drier and less humid stretch. Shoulder season: May and November.
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.
Full seasonal breakdown for Desierto del Carmen National Park
Closest towns and cities
| Town | Distance | Estimated drive |
|---|---|---|
| San Bartolo Oxtotitlán | 16.8 km (10.5 mi) | 28 min |
| Toluca | 24 km (14.9 mi) | 38 min |
| Ixtlahuaca de Rayón | 24.8 km (15.4 mi) | 38 min |
| San Ildefonso | 26.3 km (16.3 mi) | 40 min |
| Santo Domingo de Guzmán | 27.2 km (16.9 mi) | 41 min |
| Emiliano Zapata (Santo Domingo) | 27.3 km (17 mi) | 41 min |
| Nicolás Romero | 31.2 km (19.4 mi) | 45 min |
| San Pedro Los Baños | 32.7 km (20.3 mi) | 47 min |
Where Desierto del Carmen National Park sits
Official Desierto del Carmen National Park site — hours, closures, and fees.
Drive times from Desierto del Carmen National Park
Desierto del Carmen National Park sits close enough to Insurgente Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla National Park, Los Remedios National Park, Desierto de los Leones National Park, and Lomas de Padierna National Park that one drive from home can cover more than one park.
| Park | Apart | Estimated drive |
|---|---|---|
| Insurgente Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla National Park | 30.3 km (18.8 mi) | 44 min |
| Los Remedios National Park | 31 km (19.3 mi) | 45 min |
| Desierto de los Leones National Park | 31.6 km (19.6 mi) | 46 min |
| Lomas de Padierna National Park | 39.4 km (24.5 mi) | 54 min |
Parks close by
- Insurgente Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla National Park
Woodland and meadows in La Marquesa, west of Mexico City on the Toluca highway. Busy weekend hiking and picnic country.
- Los Remedios National Park
Wooded hills and a colonial aqueduct above Naucalpan, Estado de México. Short walks near the northwest edge of Mexico City.
- Desierto de los Leones National Park
An ex-convent and conifer forest in the mountains west of Mexico City. One of the capital’s oldest protected woodland areas.
- Lomas de Padierna National Park
Oak woodland on the southern edge of Mexico City. Urban-adjacent trails above the Tlalpan and Pedregal neighborhoods.
Common questions
Where is Desierto del Carmen National Park?
Desierto del Carmen National Park sits in Estado de México, Mexico. San Bartolo Oxtotitlán, about 16.8 km (10.5 mi) away — roughly 28 min of driving.
When is the best time to visit Desierto del Carmen National Park?
Generally December through April, the drier and less humid stretch, with May and November quieter on either side.