Lake Arareco near Creel, Norhtern Mexico, in the Copper Canyon area.

© dba duplessis/Shutterstock

Lago Arareko

The Copper Canyon & Ferrocarril Chihuahua Pacífico

LoginSave

Meaning 'Horseshoe' in Rarámuri, the peaceful waters of this U-shaped lake reflect the surrounding pines and rock formations. Paddleboats can be rented along the lakeshore (M$100) for exploring and finding good swimming spots. Access to the lake is included in the San Ignacio admission cost (M$45); there are also viewpoints of the lake along the Creel–Cusárare highway. Located about 8km south of Creel.

A visit to this Lago Arareko can be easily combined with stops at Valle de las Ranas y Los Hongos as well as Valle de los Monjes – a perfect day trip.

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

  • Valley of the Monks.

    Valle de los Monjes

    1.7 MILES

    Around 7km east of San Ignacio's town center, through verdant farmland, is the Valle de los Monjes. A spectacular outcrop of vertical red rock formations…

  • Museo Loyola

    Museo Loyola

    8.2 MILES

    Sitting alongside the Cusárare Mission church, this museum holds an exceptional collection of colonial religious paintings.

  • Misión Cusárare

    Misión Cusárare

    8.17 MILES

    This mission was built by Jesuits in 1741 as a religious meeting place as well as a school to teach the locals Spanish and different trades. In 1826…

  • Valle de las Ranas y los Hongos

    Valle de las Ranas y los Hongos

    1.88 MILES

    San Ignacio's main road leads into the Valle de las Ranas y los Hongos, 2km from the western edge of town and named for its respectively fat-and-squashed…

  • Misión San Ignacio

    Misión San Ignacio

    1.71 MILES

    This simple stone church was built in the 18th century as a Jesuit mission, used to periodically give mass to, well, the masses. No priest lived here full…

  • Museo de Arte Popular de Chihuahua

    Museo de Arte Popular de Chihuahua

    3.82 MILES

    Offers excellent exhibits with text in English on local history and Rarámuri culture and crafts. Here you’ll see gorgeous woven baskets, traditional…

View more attractions

Nearby The Copper Canyon & Ferrocarril Chihuahua Pacífico attractions

1. Valle de los Monjes

1.7 MILES

Around 7km east of San Ignacio's town center, through verdant farmland, is the Valle de los Monjes. A spectacular outcrop of vertical red rock formations…

2. Misión San Ignacio

1.71 MILES

This simple stone church was built in the 18th century as a Jesuit mission, used to periodically give mass to, well, the masses. No priest lived here full…

3. Valle de las Ranas y los Hongos

1.88 MILES

San Ignacio's main road leads into the Valle de las Ranas y los Hongos, 2km from the western edge of town and named for its respectively fat-and-squashed…

4. Museo de Arte Popular de Chihuahua

3.82 MILES

Offers excellent exhibits with text in English on local history and Rarámuri culture and crafts. Here you’ll see gorgeous woven baskets, traditional…

5. Misión Cusárare

8.17 MILES

This mission was built by Jesuits in 1741 as a religious meeting place as well as a school to teach the locals Spanish and different trades. In 1826…

6. Museo Loyola

8.2 MILES

Sitting alongside the Cusárare Mission church, this museum holds an exceptional collection of colonial religious paintings.