Desert Park Natural Reserve
Rating
Price
Free
Duration
2-3 hours
Best Ages
5 and up
About
The Desert Park Natural Reserve offers families something completely different from the standard Cabo beach-and-boat routine — a chance to explore the dramatic Baja California desert ecosystem that exists just beyond the resort zone. Located along the Tourist Corridor about 19. 5 kilometers from Cabo San Lucas heading toward San José del Cabo, this free natural reserve protects a swath of native desert habitat.
The reserve features a network of walking trails that range from easy, flat paths suitable for kids 5 and up to moderately challenging routes that older kids and teens will enjoy. Along the way, the landscape is stunning in its starkness — towering cardon cacti (the world's largest cactus species, some reaching 60+ feet), forests of prickly pear and organ pipe cactus, desert shrubs, and dramatic rock formations. The Baja desert is surprisingly full of life if you know where to look.
Early morning visitors regularly spot roadrunners, Costa's hummingbirds, cactus wrens, jackrabbits, and various lizard species.
The interactive visitor center near the entrance provides context for the natural world outside. Exhibits cover the desert ecosystem, native plant and animal species, geological history, and conservation challenges facing the Baja Peninsula. For kids who are curious about nature, this background makes the trail experience much richer — they'll start noticing details they would have walked right past.
Guided nature walks are sometimes available and highly recommended for families. Local naturalists point out things most visitors miss — animal tracks in the sand, medicinal plants, birds' nests hidden in cactus crowns, and the subtle signs of the desert's surprisingly active wildlife. Check at the visitor center when you arrive to see if a guided walk is scheduled.
Practical considerations: this is a desert. Bring far more water than you think you need, start early to avoid midday heat, wear closed-toe shoes and sun protection, and teach kids to watch where they step and not touch cactus. The park is free to enter with on-site parking, making it one of the best budget-friendly family activities in the Cabo area.
Age Suitability
Parent Logistics
Stroller-Friendly
No
Nursing / Changing
Not Available
Kid Meals
Not Available
Setting
Outdoor
Rainy Day
Not ideal
Plan Your Visit
Best Time to Visit
Visit between November and March when temperatures are cooler (70s-80s F). Start your hike by 8 AM to avoid midday heat. Mornings are also best for bird watching and wildlife spotting.
Nearby Food
There are no food vendors in the reserve. The nearest restaurants are along the Tourist Corridor at resort properties. Alternatively, drive 15-20 minutes to downtown Cabo San Lucas for affordable tacos at Taquería Rossy or lunch at Baja Brewing Company.
Why Kids Love It
The Desert Park Natural Reserve is a hidden gem that most tourists skip, and that's exactly what makes it special for families who love nature. Located along the Tourist Corridor between Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo, this protected area showcases the Baja desert ecosystem that kids never see if they only stay at the beach. Walking the trails, children encounter giant cardon cacti that tower 30+ feet tall, prickly pear and cholla cactus forests, and — if they're quiet and observant — desert wildlife like roadrunners, jackrabbits, hummingbirds, and lizards darting between rocks.
The interactive visitor center has informative exhibits about the desert ecosystem, local flora and fauna, and conservation efforts that give context to what kids see on the trails. Guided nature walks (when available) are taught by local naturalists who know where to find the interesting stuff — which rocks to look under for scorpions (safely, with guidance), where birds nest, and which plants indigenous peoples used for medicine. For kids who've only ever associated Cabo with beaches, discovering this harsh, beautiful desert landscape right next door is eye-opening.
Pro Tips from Parents
- Start your visit early morning (8-9 AM) before the desert heats up — by noon it can be scorching, especially May through October
- Trails range from easy flat walks to moderately challenging — stick to easy trails with kids under 8
- Check whether guided tours are running when you visit — they add enormous educational value and help spot wildlife you'd miss on your own
- Watch where kids step and put their hands — desert cactus spines are no joke, and scorpions hide under rocks
- This pairs well with a morning at nearby Santa Maria Beach or Chileno Beach for a full nature-focused day
What to Bring
- Plenty of water — at least 1 liter per person, more in summer
- Closed-toe hiking shoes or sturdy sneakers (not flip-flops)
- Sun hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses — there's virtually no shade on the trails
- Binoculars for bird watching and wildlife spotting
- Camera for the dramatic desert landscape and giant cardon cacti
Cost Info
Free Admission
Estimated Cost (Family of 4)
$0 — no entrance fee.
Free parking on-site.
Budget $10-20 for water and snacks from town, as there are no vendors in the reserve.
Tips to Save
- This is one of the few free outdoor activities in the Cabo area.
- Bring your own water, snacks, and sun protection — there's nothing to buy inside the reserve.
- Combine it with a beach stop at Santa Maria or Chileno Beach on the Tourist Corridor to make a full free day.
Hours & Contact
Hours
- Friday
- 8AM-5PM
- Monday
- 8AM-5PM
- Sunday
- 8AM-5PM
- Tuesday
- 8AM-5PM
- Saturday
- 8AM-5PM
- Thursday
- 8AM-5PM
- Wednesday
- 8AM-5PM