Lonely Planet Mexico (19th edition)Lonely Planet
Guidebook
Lonely Planet Mexico (19th edition)
Lonely Planet · 2025
Newest edition of the standard Mexico guide, covering Chiapas near Palenque, the Huasteca Potosina and Copper Canyon.
Mexico · Hidalgo
Basaltic Prisms of Santa María Regla
The Basaltic Prisms of Santa María Regla are tall columnar joints of basalt rock near Huasca de Ocampo in the Mexican state of Hidalgo, that line a ravine through which water runs from the San Antonio Dam. This ravine area was part of the Santa María Regla Hacienda and was first promoted by Alexander von Humboldt in 1803.
Essentials guide
Facts from Wikidata and Wikipedia, compiled September 2026; season and access are our estimate, not a visit report. How we build these pages.
Basaltic Prisms of Santa María Regla drops 50 metres (164 ft). It is a cascade-type fall, and the nearest base for a visit is Huasca de Ocampo, Mexico. Access to the main viewpoint is rated moderate.
Summary adapted from the Wikipedia article (CC BY-SA 4.0).
As a cascade waterfall, water tumbles down a series of rock steps rather than falling free.
What you can do here
A walk-in-and-look waterfall
No commercial adventures run at Basaltic Prisms of Santa María Regla itself — the experience is the approach and the view. Guided day trips from Huasca de Ocampo are the easiest way to combine it with the area around it.
Also good forHikingPhotography
When to go
Fullest at the end of the wet season (October to December); the dry months of January to April are the easiest for swimming and access.
Getting there
- Base town Huasca de Ocampo, Mexico
- Country Mexico
- Region Hidalgo, Mexico & Central America, North America
- Access Moderate — a real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail
How it compares
This waterfall
Basaltic Prisms of Santa María Regla
Mexico
Height50 mWidth—
Most similar
Eyipantla Falls
Mexico
Height50 mWidth40 m
Also a cascade waterfall, of similar height and in Mexico too
Largest curtain
Victoria Falls
Zimbabwe · Zambia
Height108 mWidth1,708 m
Largest single sheet of falling water
Tallest on earth
Angel Falls
Venezuela
Height979 mWidth—
Widest on earth
Khone Phapheng Falls
Laos
Height21 mWidth10,783 m
Measured across the whole multi-channel system
50 m
50 m
108 m
330 m
979 m
Basaltic Prisms of Santa María ReglaEyipantla FallsVictoria FallsEiffel TowerAngel Falls
Khone Phapheng Falls
10,783 m
Victoria Falls
1,708 m
Eyipantla Falls
40 m
Angel Falls is 20× taller than Basaltic Prisms of Santa María Regla. Victoria Falls is 2.2× taller. We don't have a reliable crest width for Basaltic Prisms of Santa María Regla yet, so it is left off the width chart. Tallest · widest lists.
Watch and read
Books worth packing
On the map
20.2339, -98.5629
Quick answers
Where is Basaltic Prisms of Santa María Regla?
Basaltic Prisms of Santa María Regla is in Mexico (Hidalgo). The nearest base is Huasca de Ocampo, Mexico. Its coordinates are 20.2339, -98.5629.
How tall is Basaltic Prisms of Santa María Regla?
Basaltic Prisms of Santa María Regla drops 50 metres (164 feet). It is a cascade-type waterfall.
When is the best time to visit Basaltic Prisms of Santa María Regla?
Peak flow is January to February and October to December. Fullest at the end of the wet season (October to December); the dry months of January to April are the easiest for swimming and access.
What can you do at Basaltic Prisms of Santa María Regla?
Beyond the viewpoints: hiking and photography. Access to the main viewpoint is rated moderate — a real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail.
How do you get to Basaltic Prisms of Santa María Regla?
The usual base is Huasca de Ocampo, Mexico. A real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail from there.
Nearby
Closest to Basaltic Prisms of Santa María Regla
Tamul Falls
Mexico · 105 m · 190 km away
One of Mexico's tallest and widest waterfalls
Swimming
Eyipantla Falls
Mexico · 50 m · 410 km away
Eyipantla Falls is a waterfall located in the Los Tuxtlas region of southern Veracruz in Mexico. It is forty…
Hierve el Agua
Mexico · 450 km away
Hierve el Agua is a set of natural travertine rock formations in San Lorenzo Albarradas, Oaxaca, Mexico that…
Swimming
Juanacatlán Falls
Mexico · 480 km away
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