Road Trip from San Felipe to Laguna Hanson

Drive On Down To Laguna Hanson

Imagine putting together a delicious basket of sandwiches, fruits, snacks, and since this is San Felipe, maybe leftovers from dinner last night from one of the best taco stands in the city, Tacos el Pablano. Along with your basket, you’ve got a blanket, and a cooler full of ice cold drinks. Picture yourself throwing everything in the back of the car and heading out of San Felipe for a change of scenery. You and the people who mean the most to you set out for the day and watch through the car windows as the flat, brown desert landscape changes into rolling hills, plush landscapes and cooler temperatures. A road trip to Laguna Hanson is a great adventure that everyone should try when staying in San Felipe.

What is Laguna Hanson?

Laguna Hanson is a beautiful national park located in the Parque Nacional de Constitucion in the Sierra Juarez Mountains.  In 1882, the Northern Territory of Baja California sold much of the land that is now Laguna Hanson to a 24 year old Norwegian named J.B. Hanson. His intention was to start a farm on the land and raise cattle. Jacob became very wealthy and buried his treasure somewhere on the land, since this was way before banks were a safe place to deposit money. Word of this buried treasure must have traveled quickly, as Hanson was murdered. His wife was left to take over the farm, and neither she nor Hanson’s murderer ever found the treasure. Because of its gorgeous views, tranquil atmosphere, and countless natural features, the area was declared a National Park in 1962 in order to protect and preserve it and in 1983; the park was included in Mexico's System Of Protected Natural Acres. Laguna Hanson is a area of land inside of the Parque Nacional de Constiticion, as the signing of the Mexican constitution in 1857 was held in the Sierra Juarez mountain range. The national park is over 12,000 acres of rolling hills, flatlands and is home to over 80 different species of animals, such as deer, sheep, cougar and coyote, as well as over 40 different species of birds. The climate is best descried as Mediterranean, with hot and very dry summers, and rainy, cool winters.  At the coldest points of the winter, this are is covered with frosty, white snow.  If you spend enough time in the city of San Felipe, you may forget that any other trees except palm trees even exist! A trip to Laguna Hanson will help you remember the beauty of tall pine trees, oak trees and other majestic varieties. Laguna Hanson is one of two lakes inside the national park, the other one being Laguna Chica. Both of these sprawls out over 1200 acres in the winter and are almost completely dry in the summer.

How Do I Get There?

If you are staying in a fully furnished rental home or condo on the coveted El Dorado Ranch Resort, the road trip to Laguna Hanson is about 3.5 hours. 

Most of the trip is on highway 5, which if you spend any time in San Felipe, you’ll quickly become used to, as this is one of the major highways in and out of San Felipe. After the military check point, you'll be head West on Highway 3 towards Ensenada. The turn for the Parque is at km 53 on highway #3, between Ensenada and San Felipe. Turn north and follow the signs and veer right at the vertical blue sign - aim for the Parque Nacional Constitucion.  You’ll need a sturdy car to make the trip, because one you enter the actual park things can get a little bumpy. You won’t necessarily need four wheel drive or any other special driving features, but a car or truck with some power and decent tires will make your ride a lot easier. As you enter the park, the road begins to wind and slowly the elevation begins to increase. The road has a “wash board” type texture, so it’s not going to be a smooth ride, but that is what makes it fun! Keep an eye on the speedometer, 20 miles an hour is a good speed to make good progress up the winding road while staying safe and allowing everyone to enjoy the ride. As you rise in elevation, the flat, brown land will begin to sprout small bushes, which as you continue up the hill multiply and eventually turn into small trees, and as you approach your destination you’ll be surrounded by towering ponderosa pine trees. You’ll be amazed that in just a three-hour car ride, you’ll be transported into somewhere completely different than where you started. This park definitely doesn’t feel like San Felipe, yet it’s just a quick drive from the hustle and bustle of the city.

What Can We Do There?

When you arrive, you’ll come up to a small welcoming home where you pay to to enter, admission is $4.50 per person. Laguna Chica is right behind this welcome station, and is a great place to enjoy the lake and watch the wildlife. Challenge your friends and family to a friendly competition of spotting various animals, birds, fish and other wildlife. There is a 3km-walking path around it, great for stretching your legs after a long car ride. Laguna Hanson is fed exclusively through rain, and through periods of drought the lake can be empty. However, it is still a beautiful place to enjoy the fresh air, the sounds of nature, the rock climbing, the rest and the relaxation. There are plenty of places to throw out a blanket in the shade and enjoy a picnic lunch. If you’re looking to do some exploring, venture out towards the large rock formations and see if you can find cave drawings done by the natives thousands of years ago.

The park is open 7 days a week, all year round. They only accept cash, and pets are not permitted. There are cabins available to rent for around $100. They can sleep up to 8 people, but you’ll need to bring your own bedding. They are very basic cabins, but do have toilets and showers. The great thing about this beautiful park is that it is so close to San Felipe that you can spend the day in nature and go back to your air-conditioned, fully furnished, beachfront vacation rental at the end of the day!