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Lake Arareco near Creel: Entry Fee, How to Get There and What to Do
Lake Arareco is a horseshoe-shaped lake in the Rarámuri community of San Ignacio de Arareko, about 10 minutes from Creel. Entry fee, boats, cabins, how to get there, when to go and what to know.
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A horseshoe-shaped lake in pine, oak and madrone forest, run by the Rarámuri community of San Ignacio de Arareko, about ten minutes by road from Creel.
Key facts
| What it is | A lake about 3 km long, formed by damming two rivers; its Rarámuri name refers to its horseshoe shape |
| Who runs it | The Rarámuri community and ejido of San Ignacio de Arareko, which manages the entrance, the activities and the cabins |
| Distance from Creel | 8.1 km (5 mi) by road, about 10 minutes · 7.8 km (4.8 mi) on foot, about 1 hour 45 minutes |
| How to get there | By car on the paved road, or on foot, by bike or ATV along a signposted route through the valleys |
| Entry fee (by vehicle) | About MXN 40–50 per adult and MXN 20–25 per child (see the note on prices below) |
| Time to allow | From 30 minutes to a night or two in a cabin |
| Best season | All year; summer for fishing; below freezing in winter, sometimes with snow |
| Accessibility | No ramps; hard going for wheelchairs, crutches or anyone who has trouble walking; parking next to the lake |
| Bring | Layers, water, cash in pesos and shoes with grip |
About the prices on this page: the last prices we have are from 2024: MXN 40 per adult and MXN 20 per child for entry by vehicle, MXN 150 an hour for a rowboat and MXN 100 for half an hour on horseback. We show a range because they may have gone up since. Pay in cash, and check the price at the entrance.
What it is like
Lake Arareco sits in the forest south of Creel, about 3 km southeast of the village of San Ignacio. It is a calm place: most people come to walk the trails around the shore, row a boat, have a picnic or grill a meal on the barbecues by the water. The community runs the site, and Rarámuri artisans sell their crafts around the lake; buying from them directly means the money goes straight to the person who made it.
In winter the temperature at the lake drops below freezing and the forest and shore can be covered in snow: a beautiful sight, but very cold. In summer, the lake is at its best for fishing.
Two ways to get there
- By road, early in the day. The paved road from Creel takes about 10 minutes by car. Arrive early to have the whole day, and bring food if you want to use the grills.
- Through the valleys. A signposted route leads from the San Sebastián cave to the Valleys of the Frogs and the Mushrooms, through the village of San Ignacio de Arareko and past the Valley of the Monks, to the lake. It takes longer, but you see more of the forest and of Rarámuri life. You can do it on foot, by bike, by ATV or by car.
What to do
| Activity | Notes |
|---|---|
| Walk the trails | Around the lake, through pine, oak and madrone |
| Rowboat | About MXN 150–190 an hour per boat, up to 6 adults |
| Horseback ride | About MXN 100–125 per half hour |
| Fishing | Black bass and mojarra; summer is the best season |
| Picnic and barbecue | Grills near the water |
| Mountain biking and ATV | On the routes around the lake and the valleys |
| Wildlife watching | Birds and forest life |
| Camping | In the designated areas |
| Cabins | Rented by the community, with beds, a kitchen and a bathroom |
| Elephant Rock | A rock shaped like an elephant, near the lake |
| Rarámuri crafts | Bought directly from the artisans |
Good to know
- Children: keep an eye on small children near the water and on uneven ground.
- Cash: bring pesos for the entrance, boats and crafts. The train operator says the only ATMs along the Express route are in Los Mochis, El Fuerte and Creel.
- Respect: San Ignacio de Arareko is a lived-in Rarámuri community; ask before you photograph people.
Nearby
- Valleys of the Frogs and the Mushrooms and the San Ignacio mission: about 3 km in a straight line.
- Valley of the Monks: about 4.6 km in a straight line.
- Back in town: our Creel guide.
How the lake is run, the entry fee, activities and prices (2024), cabins, the two routes, fishing, winter conditions and accessibility: information from our editor, Alejandro Núñez, reviewed on September 16, 2026. Length of the lake: the train operator's Lake Arareko page, read on September 16, 2026. Distances calculated on September 16, 2026 with OSRM on OpenStreetMap data (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL). ATMs: the operator's FAQ. The state government lists Lake Arareco among the top attractions of the Creel region (Gobierno del Estado de Chihuahua, November 23, 2022). Prices change: confirm them at the entrance.
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