Around six hours from Mexico City, and three hours from Queretaro, you enter the biosphere of this amazing region, with transparent rivers and a unique biodiversity. There are camp grounds all through the region, but some of the top spots are Rio Ayutla, Rio Escanela, Cascada El Chuveje, and Cuatro Palos. You can see other campsites and cabins in Queretaro here and here.
Rio Ayutla
Hidden in the mountainous landscape of Sierra Gorda snakes this vivid
blue river. It’s so clear and clean you can see straight to the bottom, and
long enough that several campgrounds have sprouted up along its shores. In the
holiday season – especially Easter – it is packed with campers and locals alike,
many of who free-camp on the river shores.
A favorite is Campamento Los Sauces, where you can pitch a tent under its
mango trees with river views. Across the river sits Camping La Huerta, with
direct access to the river. Around the ‘Juntas Del Conca – the “joint” of two
rivers – you can find several more campgrounds, such as Las Brisas and Platanal
de la Playita. Several hotels and establishments also offer camping inside
their grounds, such as Cabana 3 Rios, Villa Riviera and Villa Los Pinos.
Rio Escanela
This is the river that leads you to the famous ‘God’s Bridge’ (Puente de
Dios), which is one of the best waterfalls and hiking trails in Sierra Gorda.
While campers are welcome to set-up a tent anywhere along the river, there is
no security at night. During rainy season, free-campers should be especially
aware of flash flooding.
A safer option is to camp at the start of the hiking trail or in the nearby
town, where you can find security and camping on the river, such as Campamento
Pena La Glora.
Cascada El Chuveje
While the other rivers in the area tend to be clearer and more
spectacular, camping in the grounds of Cascada El Chuveje offers that
free-camping feeling but with a secure and controlled entrance.
Once inside the grounds, it’s about a 30-minute hike to reach the
waterfall at the end – and you can camp anywhere along the river that leads you
there. Just find your own little corner among the rocks and trees, and you’re
good to go. There are no facilities or toilets in the grounds, only at the
entrance.
Cuatro Palos
For spectacular views across valleys and mountain tops, this lookout
emotes a mystic feeling. You can camp off the beaten track, and you may even
have the sunrise to yourself. Sometimes the clouds form deep below you, giving you
the feeling that you are camping on top of the world. With a local guide, you
can ask about the unique edible plants that grow in this area. The most popular point is
Cerro de la Media Luna.
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