Parque El Palmerito
The privately owned Parque del Palmerito is devoted to conservation of flora and fauna in the Cataviña region of central Baja California. It includes about 2,000 hectares (5,000 acres) of historic central desert and boulder field landscape. Most of the property has no roads and is intended to be left as a nature reserve. Closer to the highway, a few existing dirt roads, marked nature trails and dedicated campsites allow visitors to discover the wonders of the Central Desert.
Due to a recent increase in off road traffic, access controls are once again being established in Parque del Palmerito to help minimize uncontrolled motor traffic and protect the land from misuse by campers and other visitors who do not take their trash with them.
For the enjoyment of visitors to Catavina, access to Parque del Palmerito can be arranged by contacting Ian Velazco at Geoturismo La Bocana ( +52 646 237 8919 ). ianjoan@live.com
Parque del Palmerito is located about 2 kilometers west of Cataviña, BC on the north side of Highway 1 starting at about Km 164. Recently a 200 meter wide strip of land, north of the highway, starting near the arroyo with the cave painting and proceeding west along highway 1 to the entrance to the shrine of the virgin, was divided into parcels which were then titled to local ejiditarians. The much larger privately owned 2,000 hectare parcel which comprises Parque del Palmerito lies just north of these smaller parcels.
The purpose of creating these additional parcels was to encourage local landowners to participate in ecotourism in and around Catavina. The ejido is currently constructing a small tourist information center near the site of the dome structure which used to house the small museum.
Ian grew up in Catavina. His mother and father, in addition to owning Rancho La Bocana, also own the cafe across the street from Hotel Mission Catavina. Ian operates part of his tour business out of the cafe as well.
Access to Parque del Palmerito is open dawn to dusk 365 days a year. There is no charge for hiking the nature trails. In order to maintain the landscape there is a nominal charge of $10.00 per day for use of campsites or for vehicles driving through the park. Tours led by Geotourismo La Bocana in Parque del Palmerito include this nominal fee.
Please adhere to the following:
- All vehicles must stay on existing automobile trails within the natural park area.
- Do not leave behind any trash.
- Pick up after your pet.
It is not permitted to:
- Light fires outside campsite areas.
- Drive vehicles off trails.
- Collect firewood.
- Play loud music.
- Collect or disturb anything.
