Barranca del Cupatitzio National Park

Uriata fountain alongside the ravine of the Cupatitzio River

Barranca del Cupatitzio National Park is a protected area in the Mexican state of Michoacán, centered in the headwaters of the Cupatitzio River. The river begins as a spring, which then carves a small ravine as the water begins to flow. The river is then fed by various small streams and springs, with water falling down the sides of the ravine to form small waterfalls. The park was founded in 1938, after the land was bought by the government to create a recreation area. The park is located in the northwest part of Uruapan, surrounded by urbanization. Inside, the ground is soft and wet, with broad-leafed plants, contains various walking paths near the river for visitors, as well as a number of natural fountains built on the sides of the ravine to take advantage of natural water flows. The park is very popular, attracting tens of thousands of visitors each year.

The park

Main entrance to the park

Established on November 2, 1938, the park is officially named the Eduardo Ruiz National Park, named after a local writer and historian who dedicated himself to recompiling local legends. The park has 450 hectares of forest, 19 of which are centered on the origin of the Cupatitzio River, and open to the public. It is located in the northwestern park of the city and is completely surrounded by urban development.

The entrance of the park is accessible by public transportation, and there is a permanent handcraft market, or Mercado de Artesanías, which sells wares from the region. The main trails are along the ravine, and the river area can be walked in half a day. The park has five official guides certified by the Comisión de Áreas Naturales Protegidas.

The area was previously privately owned and called the Quinta Hurtado, named after the family that owned it (Hurtado). In the mid 20th century, the area was bought by the government to convert it into a recreation center . At the northern entrance, there is the former hacienda house now the Hotel Mansion de Cupatitizio.

The park attracts thousands of visits per year (255,200 in 2013) due to its dense vegetation and birds as well as the various waterfalls and fountains feeding the nascent river below. Locals do not pay admission fee, with adults from elsewhere paying 25 pesos.

The ravine

Pond of the spring that is the source of the river

Rapids near La Golgota

The park is centered on a ravine formed by the emergence of the Cupatitzio River, whose name means “river that sings” in Purépecha. This area has soft wet ground, a temperate climate and its flora is mainly broad-leafed plants.

The river begins here as a natural convergence of a number of small streams and springs, and the water here is clean. The water falling down the sides of the ravine create small natural waterfalls or are taken advantage of to create natural fountains, which makes the park unique in Mexico. Notable waterfalls include Camelina, la Yerbabuena and El Golgota. Fountains include La Copa de Oro, Cutzi – La Luna-, Arcoiris, Velo de Novia and Janintzizic.

The best known spring is at the very beginning of the river, called La Rodilla del Diablo (Devil’s Knee), named after a small indentation in the rock next to the pool formed by the spring. According to local myth, the indentation was formed by the Devil falling to his knees, but there are competing versions as to why he did. The first states that he was forced to his knees by a crucifix held by Juan de San Miguel, the Franciscan monk who founded modern Uruapan. Another version of the story states that the impression was may by the knee when the Devil tripped and fell fleeing from the same person.

There are a number of stone bridges to allow visitors to cross back and forth between the two banks, with names such as Los Recién Casados and Los Enamorados. The area also contains a mural named “Eréndira” by local artist Manuel Pérez Coronado, which is badly deteriorated.

At certain points where the water in the river is deep enough, young divers perform for tips.