A Michoacan Treasure : “Lake Camecuaro”

Lago de Camécuaro National Park is located east of the city of Zamora de Hidalgo in the municipality of Tangancícuaro in the state of Michoacan. The Park consists of 9.65 hectares (23.8 acres) of protected area including Camecuaro Lake which is supplied by a series of natural springs. The lake is popular due to crystal clear water and the beautiful vegetation that surrounds the lake. Even though the lake is relatively small, many photographers from all over Mexico come to take professional photographs that capture the parks picturesque views.


 Camécuaro derives from the native language purepecha or tarasca which means "Place of Bathing"

Geography

    Lago de Camécuaro National Park is located 14 km (8.5 mi) east of the city of Zamora de Hidalgo, Michoacán on Federal Highway 15 heading towards Morelia, Michoacán. The lake itself has a surface area of approximately 1.6 hectares (4.0 acres) and has a maximum depth of 6 metres (20 ft). The lake is supplied with water from numerous springs slightly to the south of the lake. Camécuaro Lake then empties at a slow rate into the Duero River which is an important tributary to the Lerma River.
The park is part of a large alluvial plain surrounded by mountains with a northeast-southeast orientation. The topography of the park is flat with no slopes greater than 5%. The park is found at 1,700 m (5,577 ft) above sea level. During the Cenozoic the area was a flood plain of the Duero River which deposited large amounts of basalt, breccia, calcareous tuff, tuff, andesite, and rhyolite. The dominant basalt rock found in the area give the soil a rich source of: calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, and sodium. The soils in the park and surrounding areas are rich and fertile making the region perfect for agriculture. The soil in the area is classified as pellic vertisol with significant amounts of chromate the soil is of fine texture with rocky layer containing rocks smaller than 7.5 cm.

 

View of Lake Camecuaro

 

 

History

The park was declared a national park by President Lázaro Cárdenas del Río on July 18, 1940 in efforts to conserve the flora and fauna found there. The presidential decree was later signed into law on December 8, 1941.

Beautiful Panorama

 Camecuaro Lake is a spring filled lake with crystal clear water. It is popular with picnickers for the lush vegetation surrounding the area, and also with professional photographers for its scenic beauty.Beauty and serenity of the lake makes many a weekend picnic with family, friends or lovers. besides the many photographers from the area come to take pictures of interesting and unique area. The cozy lake with crystal clear water makes it into the shower area of interest.

 

 Take by a photographer

 

 

Camecuaro Lake is a small lake, only 4 acres of surface area and no more than 20 feet deep. It has been a National Park since 1940. The shores of the lake are full of 300-year-old cypress groves, and even an 1000 year old Sabia perennial pine tree. For about $20 you can rent a boat to take out yourself, or take guided tour.
There are picnic tables and vendors selling food and souvenirs, and even some wandering Mariachi bands. If it gets to noisy where you are, take a short walk and you will be sure to find somewhere quieter.

Beauty of Green

 

 The Blue Lake

Underwater

 

 This place is a great thing to do if you want some never seen before beautiful scenery combined with water activities. The Lake has amazingly giant size trees that grow along the shore with some growing out off the water creating an enormous canopy providing shade for those that wish to BBQ and lounge on the shore around the Lake. The water by the trees is crystal clear blue and you can see the bottom of the lake with no problem.

They have beautiful multi-color boats that you can rent for a 100 pesos/1 hour and a guy rows you around the lake.

Parking was very close to the lake and wasn't a problem at all. There are also plenty of food vendors and craft vendors selling merchandise.

If you close by, I'd stop by and check it out because you won't see anything like it in the USA.