Dive into a shining, emerald pool as a waterfall cascades 💦 in front of you. Visit Cañón de la Zorra or Fox Canyon in Baja, Mexico for a day at a desert hidden gem. Dip your toes in the shimmering waters, jump off the tall rocks, or simply relax in the sunshine.
It’s truly paradise. 🏝
We spent 7 weeks living in Baja and this was one of my favorite adventures we went on. Our friends and us spent hours relaxing in the water 👙, practicing our dives on the rocks, and enjoying the scenery. We even saw daring individuals doing backflips in the water below. It is truly a unique place to go. It was so amazing that I went twice the following year!
If you plan on spending time in the area, then this is one of the ✨ best things to do when you’re in Cabo. You can go for a wonderful day trip, get off the beaten path, and take a wonderful soak in the water. Read the full guide to Cañón de la Zorra below!
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Cañón de la Zorra Details
What is Cañón de la Zorra?
Cañón de la Zorra is a scenic swimming hole 🏊 in a gorgeous rocky canyon. Surrounded on all sides by trees, cacti, and mountains, this is a hidden gem. A lagoon runs off into a waterfall creating a wonderful swimming hole below. People visit from all over the area to spend time in this beautiful destination.
You won’t want to miss this wonderful day excursion!
If you have more time to explore or you are feeling particularly adventurous, then you can climb up past the waterfall. There are multiple hiking trails 🥾 as well as other pools that you can soak in. Just make sure to follow the water and know where you came from, so that you don’t get lost!
Where is Cañón de la Zorra?
This beautiful swimming hole is located in Baja California Sur near the bottom of the state in the scenic Sierra de La Laguna Biosphere Reserve. It is regulated and owned by Rancho Ecologico Sol De Mayo. It’s about an hour’s drive from San Jose del Cabo and a little more than half an hour to Los Barriles. It’s perfect for a quick day trip.
For adventurers with more time, you can continue on to the Santa Rita Hot Springs ♨️. It’s a short 20 minute drive and the springs are supposed to be resplendent. Unfortunately, they’re closed on Wednesday which is when we went.
Things to Know Before You Go
💵 Entrance to Fox Canyon costs $300 pesos per person. You can pay when you get there.
☀️ You can expect clear skies and a beaming sun. Make sure to bring sun protection when you go.
⛺️ Campers are allowed to stay on the property once you pay for the waterfall, but it is an extra $100 pesos. Just make sure to tell them, and they will direct you where to go.
🦮 Pets are not allowed to go to the waterfall. So, you will want to leave them behind.
⏰ The waterfall is open daily from 9 am- 6 pm. They will close the entrance when it is not open, so you have to make sure that you do not stay late.
🍃 Remember to follow the Leave No Trace Principles. As always, you want to leave nature looking better than you found it.
What is the Rancho Ecologico Sol De Mayo?
There will be a sign for the Rancho when you enter. This reserve helps to protect the canyon and helps take care of animals. There, you’ll see a small building with animals like donkeys and goats 🐐 outside.
The entrance fee is about $10 a person or $200 MXN and you can pay when you arrive. There is a small ticket booth before you enter. Continue past the ticket station, and you’ll see a small restaurant. The food there is delicious, even though the menu is small. We got mouthwatering tacos 🌮 to fuel us through the hike. I recommend stopping on the way in or out.
If you are in a camper van 🚐 like us, then you can even stay at the property overnight. Just past the normal parking area, is a more secluded spot. You’ll be next to the trees and have a serene night under the stars.
How Do I Get to the Waterfall?
There are Now Tours to the Waterfall:
Driving
If you’re going from San Jose del Cabo, then you’ll take Mexico 1 for 52 kilometers. Then, you’ll turn left, continue straight over a bridge, and turn right before you get into the main part of this small town. Then, you’ll get to a stop sign 🛑, where you’ll make your way to the final part of the drive.
After you turn off the main roads, you will get onto a dirt road. This dirt road has some bumps and is pretty narrow, so take care. Once you’ve gotten onto the dirt roads, you’ll continue along the road for around 15-20 minutes until you finally get to the canyon site. Also, it may seem like you’re driving in the middle of nowhere, but just keep going! Your car will definitely be covered in dust from this excursion.
Walking
Enter by the ticket booth and continue past the restaurant to the trail. Unlike what Alltrails says, the trail is only a little more than a quarter of a mile. But, it is rocky and steep, so you will want better shoes than flip flops.
Once you’ve gotten about .1 miles into the trail, you’ll have a great bird’s eye view into the lagoon below. Grab your cameras 📸 and take a few shots of the sparkling oasis in the desert. You’ll be able to see out over the pools that lie just above this treasure.
Then, continue down the steps and the hill for another .2 miles until you get to the base of the swimming hole. Rocks 🪨 line the shore and are perfect perches for relaxing or for putting your belongings. The shimmering green waters will surely entice you to take a dip.
What Should I Pack?
Luckily, the walk to the canyon is fairly short. However, you’ll definitely want to pack everything you need 🎒 so that you don’t have to go back to your car for anything. There are restrooms on the way down to the swimming pool. Make sure that you are packed up for a day hanging by the water. Don’t forget your sun protection!
- Comfortable Walking Shoes
- Swimsuit
- Towel
- Change of Clothes
- Bag for Wet Clothes
- Small Pack or Day Bag
- 1 Liter of Water
- Snacks
- First Aid Kit
- Sunscreen
- Bug Spray
- Sunglasses
- Hat to block sun
- Downloaded Maps
Final Thoughts
Get out of the touristy areas of Cabo and go explore this natural wonder in the desert. Cañón de la Zorra is a hidden gem that you will seriously love! You’ll have a fantastic day swimming in the cool waters and bathing under the hot sun.
Let me know if you enjoyed this guide in the comments!
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Looks magical!!
It is!
Is it ok to go without tour guides? I see there’s companys that charge.
You definitely don’t need one! There is an entrance fee at the start, but the hike down is easy. The only thing is that the road is a bit rough, so the only reason you’d need a guide is if you’re worried about driving. We made it fine in a 2WD high clearance van.
We’re going in January. How is the water temp?
In January it may be a bit cooler, but definitely still swimmable! We were there in March
Thanks for your helpful tips – I’m traveling with my teenage daughters in February and we much prefer the “off the beaten path” adventures over the usual tourist destinations. Can’t wait!
It’s so incredible! I will say it’s getting more popular these days, but we’ve still had it to ourselves early in the day