Park or nature areaOutline guide

Maderas del Carmen Biosphere Reserve

National Park in Coahuila, Mexico

Photo: NPS Photo, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons

Overview

Maderas del Carmen Biosphere Reserve (Parque Nacional Maderas del Carmen) is a protected natural area in Northern Mexico adjacent to Big Bend National Park. It is a large area of dramatic mountainous scenery and desert landscapes that is considered a vital biological corridor for North American wildlife.

Getting there and around

Getting there

It's a big reserve and there are multiple ways to get there, but the two most common are to either access the reserve via Big Bend National Park where there is an official border crossing and entry into the reserve, or…

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Getting around

Walk or use a 4WD truck in areas where allowed.

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Airports and nearby hotels

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Piedras Negras International Airport

Piedras Negras · Regional · PDS

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Full travel guide

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UnderstandIt is one of Mexico's largest protected natural areas covering an area of more than 208,000 hectares. It is adjacent to three protected natural areas in Mexico and four protected natural areas in the United States.

Get inIt's a big reserve and there are multiple ways to get there, but the two most common are to either access the reserve via Big Bend National Park where there is an official border crossing and entry into the reserve, or…

Fees and permitsThe reserve is managed for the federal government by the Comision Nacional de Proteccion de Areas Naturales (CONANP). CONANP charges all visitors a daily entry fee of M$150 (as of 2026).

Get aroundWalk or use a 4WD truck in areas where allowed.

SleepBackcountry camping is permitted. Campers must register with CONANP at an official entry point, pay daily fees and wear a bracelet, and must practice all Leave-no-trace camping guidelines.

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Sources and licences

Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Maderas del Carmen Biosphere Reserve" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Summary from the Wikipedia article "Maderas del Carmen", available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Wikipedia
Photo: NPS Photo, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons

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