'''Canyon de Guadalupe''' is a hot spring oasis in Baja California.

Get in

Getting to Canyon de Guadalupe is not an easy task (which is one of the reasons it is so much fun). Four wheel drive and high clearance is recommended, although it is technically possible to get to the oasis without it. You will need to enter Mexico from either Tijuana, Tecate, or Mexicali.

From Mexicali, drive 20 miles west on highway 2 towards La Rumorosa. From Tecate or Tijuana drive east through La Rumorosa descending down into Laguna Salada.

After entering the Laguna Salada section of the freeway there will be a very large clearly marked freeway sign indicating the dirt road that leads to Canyon de Guadalupe. It is a 30 mile journey on a decent dirt road to get to the canyon. The last 5 miles heading up into the canyon are the most difficult. Drive straight until you come to the enormous olive plantation, immediately at the end of the olive planation is a small sign indicating a gentle right hand turn. Follow this road straight to the canyon.

Seasons

Winter, Spring and Fall are the best time of year to go. Winter is particularly nice as the mildly cool temperature will make the hot springs feel all the better. In spring expect lots of flowers and full flowing waterfalls. Summer is the worst time of year to go as Laguna Salada can get up to 120 degrees making for less than enjoyable hot spring weather.

Get around

Once at the canyon, you can park your car in the palm tree grove and hike throughout the canyon.

See

  • Waterfalls
  • Birdwatching
  • Indian Petroglyphs
  • Do

  • Relax in the hot springs
  • Hike up the canyon
  • Swim in the deep pools
  • Stargaze
  • Buy

  • The campsite has a small store where you can purchase limited supplies and special healing mud.
  • Eat

    You'll want to bring your own supply of food and water

    Drink

    Bring plenty of water, particularly if you are traveling in the summer months as you'll be crossing the wide open desert.

    Sleep

    There are two separate campgrounds each with palapa's for rent next to a personal campsite hot spring. Both campgrounds are grossly overpriced making the area a better day trip than overnight destination. Campground number 1 starts at $50USD a night and campground 2 charges $100USD for a weekend. Technically the website requires a reservation, but you could just show up and you would probably find space.

    Contact

  • Campground #1 - [http://www.guadalupecanyonoasis.com/gc/ GuadalupeCanyonOasis.com]
  • Campground #2 - [http://www.guadalupe-canyon.com/ GuadalupeCanyon.com ]
  • Get out

    You can either drive out the way you came in, or attempt the route south to San Felipe. The latter is a difficult road that is not clearly marked leading through dessert ghost towns. If you go this route, have one of the campground attendant draw you a very detailed map and bring a GPS.