Cerro de Garnica National Park

Cerro de Garnica Overview

Cerro de Garnica National Park, known in Spanish as Parque Nacional Cerro de Garnica, is located in the state of Michoacán, Mexico. Covering approximately 19.5 square miles (50.5 square kilometers), the park is situated in the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt, a region characterized by its rugged topography and volcanic origins.

The park’s namesake, Cerro de Garnica, is one of its most prominent features, offering visitors sweeping views of the surrounding forests and valleys. The terrain is marked by rolling hills, steep inclines, and dense woodlands, creating a diverse and dynamic landscape that supports a variety of flora and fauna.

The park is dominated by temperate forests, primarily consisting of oak, pine, and fir trees, which provide a lush and verdant environment year-round. During the rainy season, the landscape is transformed into a vibrant green, while the dry season reveals a different but equally striking beauty, with golden-hued grasses and crisp mountain air.

Wildlife in Cerro de Garnica National Park is abundant, offering visitors the opportunity to observe a range of species in their natural habitats. Among the mammals that call the park home are white-tailed deer, coyotes, and small wild cats, along with a variety of rodents and other small mammals that thrive in the dense undergrowth.

Birdwatchers will find the park especially rewarding, as it hosts numerous avian species, including hawks, owls, woodpeckers, and hummingbirds. The combination of high-altitude forests and open clearings provides ideal conditions for these birds to flourish, making it a favored destination for nature enthusiasts and ornithologists alike.

Visitors to Cerro de Garnica National Park often come for its tranquil and picturesque setting, offering a welcome escape from the bustle of urban life. One of the most popular activities in the park is hiking, as there are several well-maintained trails that wind through the forested areas and up to scenic viewpoints.

Camping is another favored activity, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the serene natural surroundings. Due to its altitude, the park experiences cooler temperatures compared to the lower-lying regions, making it an excellent spot for those looking to enjoy fresh mountain air and crisp weather. Additionally, horseback riding is a popular way to explore the park, providing a traditional and leisurely means of traversing the rugged terrain.

Conservation efforts in Cerro de Garnica National Park focus on protecting its forest ecosystems, which are vital for maintaining local biodiversity and water sources. Deforestation and illegal logging have posed significant challenges over the years, prompting local authorities and conservation organizations to implement protective measures, including reforestation programs and stricter regulations on land use.

Despite these challenges, the park remains a well-preserved natural sanctuary, thanks to ongoing efforts to maintain its ecological integrity. Community involvement has played a key role in conservation success, with local residents and environmental groups working together to ensure that the park continues to thrive for future generations. Sustainable tourism initiatives have also been encouraged, aiming to balance visitor enjoyment with ecological preservation.

Park Map

Cerro de Garnica National Park Highlights

Wildlife

Birds

The dense coniferous forests and open meadows of Cerro de Garnica National Park provide an ideal habitat for a variety of bird species, including raptors, songbirds, and woodpeckers.

Steller’s Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri)
This striking blue and black bird with a distinctive crest is highly intelligent and social. It is often seen in the park’s forests, scavenging for nuts, insects, and small vertebrates.

Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus)
A highly social woodpecker, the acorn woodpecker stores acorns in tree trunks and is easily identified by its black-and-white plumage and red cap.

Mountain Trogon (Trogon mexicanus)
One of the most colorful birds in the park, the mountain trogon has an emerald-green back and a deep red belly. It prefers dense forests, where it feeds on fruits and insects.

Golden-cheeked Woodpecker (Melanerpes chrysogenys)
A vibrant woodpecker species with a golden-yellow face and black-and-white wings, this bird is often seen foraging in the park’s pine and oak trees.

Red Warbler (Cardellina rubra)
This small, bright red songbird is a common sight in high-altitude forests, where it actively flits through trees searching for insects.

Gray Silky-flycatcher (Ptiliogonys cinereus)
A soft-gray bird with a distinctive crest and long tail, the gray silky-flycatcher feeds primarily on berries and insects in the park’s forest canopy.

Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus)
A migratory raptor that soars over the park’s open areas, the broad-winged hawk preys on small mammals, reptiles, and birds.

White-eared Hummingbird (Basilinna leucotis)
This small, vibrant hummingbird has a bold white stripe behind its eye. It is commonly seen flitting among the park’s wildflowers, feeding on nectar.

Rufous-capped Brushfinch (Atlapetes pileatus)
A striking songbird with a rufous cap and bright yellow underparts, the rufous-capped brushfinch thrives in the park’s dense undergrowth.

Collared Towhee (Pipilo ocai)
A ground-dwelling bird that forages through leaf litter, the collared towhee has a distinctive black and white head pattern and is often heard before it is seen.

Cerro de Garnica National Park, located in the central highlands of Michoacán, Mexico, is a stunning natural area known for its dense pine and oak forests, rolling hills, and cool mountain climate. The park is home to a diverse range of mammals, reptiles, and amphibians that thrive in its high-altitude ecosystems.

Mexican Gray Fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus)
A small, agile fox that is both nocturnal and omnivorous, the Mexican gray fox is an excellent climber and is often seen foraging for fruits, insects, and small mammals in the park’s forests.

Coyote (Canis latrans)
Adaptable and resilient, the coyote is a common sight in Cerro de Garnica. It hunts small mammals and birds while also scavenging for plant material and carrion.

White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus)
A key herbivore in the park, white-tailed deer graze on grasses, shrubs, and tree leaves. They are often seen in open meadows and forest edges.

Ring-tailed Cat (Bassariscus astutus)
This small, raccoon-like mammal is a nocturnal climber that thrives in rocky and forested environments. It feeds on insects, small vertebrates, and fruits.

Nine-banded Armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus)
A fascinating burrowing mammal, the nine-banded armadillo is mostly nocturnal and uses its strong claws to dig for insects and larvae in the park’s soft soil.

Mexican Pine Snake (Pituophis deppei)
A large, non-venomous constrictor, the Mexican pine snake is a vital predator in the park, helping to control rodent populations. It prefers forested areas and rocky outcroppings.

Western Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis calurus)
Though primarily a bird species, the red-tailed hawk plays an important ecological role as a predator. It hunts small mammals, birds, and reptiles from its high perches.

Black Spiny-tailed Iguana (Ctenosaura pectinata)
This fast-moving lizard prefers sunny, rocky areas in the park. It is an omnivore, feeding on fruits, flowers, and small insects.

Tarahumara Salamander (Ambystoma rosaceum)
A rare high-altitude amphibian, the Tarahumara salamander is found in the park’s cool, moist streams. It serves as an important bioindicator of water quality.

Pine Toad (Incilius occidentalis)
Common in the park’s forested areas, the pine toad helps control insect populations. It thrives in humid environments near streams and ponds.

Birds

The dense coniferous forests and open meadows of Cerro de Garnica National Park provide an ideal habitat for a variety of bird species, including raptors, songbirds, and woodpeckers.

Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus)
A highly social woodpecker, the acorn woodpecker stores acorns in tree trunks and is easily identified by its black-and-white plumage and red cap.

Red Warbler (Cardellina rubra)
This small, bright red songbird is a common sight in high-altitude forests, where it actively flits through trees searching for insects.

Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus)
A migratory raptor that soars over the park’s open areas, the broad-winged hawk preys on small mammals, reptiles, and birds.

Rufous-capped Brushfinch (Atlapetes pileatus)
A striking songbird with a rufous cap and bright yellow underparts, the rufous-capped brushfinch thrives in the park’s dense undergrowth.

Collared Towhee (Pipilo ocai)
A ground-dwelling bird that forages through leaf litter, the collared towhee has a distinctive black and white head pattern and is often heard before it is seen.

Birds

The dense coniferous forests and open meadows of Cerro de Garnica National Park provide an ideal habitat for a variety of bird species, including raptors, songbirds, and woodpeckers.

Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus)
A highly social woodpecker, the acorn woodpecker stores acorns in tree trunks and is easily identified by its black-and-white plumage and red cap.

Red Warbler (Cardellina rubra)
This small, bright red songbird is a common sight in high-altitude forests, where it actively flits through trees searching for insects.

Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus)
A migratory raptor that soars over the park’s open areas, the broad-winged hawk preys on small mammals, reptiles, and birds.

Rufous-capped Brushfinch (Atlapetes pileatus)
A striking songbird with a rufous cap and bright yellow underparts, the rufous-capped brushfinch thrives in the park’s dense undergrowth.

Collared Towhee (Pipilo ocai)
A ground-dwelling bird that forages through leaf litter, the collared towhee has a distinctive black and white head pattern and is often heard before it is seen.