More than 200 off-road vehicles will line up at Migriño Beach in Cabo San Lucas on June 21 for the Coyote 300, a 300-kilometer desert race that finishes at El Tecolote Beach in La Paz. Vehicle inspections begin June 20 in downtown Cabo San Lucas. The race is one of Baja California Sur’s largest annual motorsports events, and it will bring road closures, dust clouds, and a weekend economic boost to communities along the southern cape.
The Coyote 300 Race Grew From Regional Roots Into a BCS Flagship
The Coyote 300 belongs to a tradition of peninsula off-road racing that dates back decades. Baja California Sur’s desert terrain, sparse population, and long stretches of unpaved trail make it one of the world’s most natural proving grounds for off-road vehicles. The SCORE Baja 1000, which runs through the northern half of the peninsula, has drawn international competitors since 1967. Southern Baja’s own racing scene developed more recently but has expanded steadily.
The Coyote 300 route runs roughly southwest to northeast. It starts near Migriño, about 20 kilometers north of Cabo San Lucas on the Pacific side. From there, competitors cross desert hills and arroyos before finishing at El Tecolote, a beach on the Sea of Cortez about 25 kilometers northeast of downtown La Paz. The total distance is approximately 300 kilometers, though the actual off-road course weaves through terrain that makes it feel longer.
Víctor Montaño, director of public relations for the Los Cabos City Council, said the race generates meaningful sports-tourism spending for towns along the route. Hotels, restaurants, and fuel stations in both Cabo San Lucas and La Paz typically see increased traffic during race weekend. Support crews alone can number in the hundreds, since each competing vehicle usually travels with a chase truck, mechanics, and spare parts.
The event draws classes ranging from trophy trucks and modified UTVs to stock-class vehicles. Competitors come from across Baja California Sur and from mainland Mexico. Some international racers also enter, drawn by the peninsula’s reputation as off-road territory.
What to Know if You Live or Travel Between Cabo and La Paz on June 21
Race day will affect driving conditions along and near the course. The main highway between Cabo San Lucas and La Paz, Mexico Highway 1, is paved and separate from the off-road route. But several access roads that branch off Highway 1 toward the Pacific coast will see heavy race and support traffic. Migriño Road, which connects Highway 1 to Migriño Beach, will likely be congested or partially closed on the morning of June 21.
Dust is a practical concern. Desert racing kicks up large plumes visible from the highway, and crosswinds can carry dust across paved roads. Drivers on Highway 1 should keep headlights on and allow extra following distance, especially between Migriño and the Todos Santos turnoff.
If you want to watch the race, Migriño Beach offers the most accessible vantage point for the start. Arrive early on June 21, as parking fills quickly along the beach access road. Bring water, sun protection, and cash, since vendors set up along the route but card payment is unreliable in remote desert stops.
El Tecolote Beach in La Paz is the finish line and the site of closing festivities. El Tecolote sits at the end of a paved road about 25 kilometers from central La Paz. The beach has palapa restaurants and basic facilities. Parking can be tight on a normal weekend, so race day will require patience or early arrival. The musical group Su Majestad La Brissa will perform at the finish-line celebration, and organizers have described the event as family-friendly.
Between the start and finish, spectators sometimes gather at informal viewpoints along dirt roads that parallel sections of the course. These spots are not officially designated, and standing too close to the route is dangerous. Race vehicles travel at high speeds over blind rises and through washes. Stay well back from any marked course and follow directions from race marshals.
Vehicle inspections on June 20 in downtown Cabo San Lucas will give spectators a free look at the competing trucks, UTVs, and motorcycles before the race. Pre-race inspections at past editions have drawn crowds who come to see the vehicles up close and meet drivers.
The Coyote 300 finish-line festivities at El Tecolote Beach are expected to run into the evening of June 21. The race was first reported by the Los Cabos City Council through its public relations office.