Nature & Parks
National parks, reserves and natural landscapes from north to south.
The best campsites in Chile 2026 by region, with prices
Chile's best campsites in 2026, north to south: Pan de Azúcar, Radal Siete Tazas, Conguillío, Huilo Huilo, Alerce Andino and Torres del Paine. Price per pitch or per person with source, park entry fee, season and who each one suits.
The longest rivers in Chile 2026: the Loa leads with 440 km, followed by the Biobío and the Baker
Ranking of the longest rivers in Chile: the Loa (440 km), the Biobío (380 km) and the Baker (370 km measured from the Fénix Chico river) top a list of 20 rivers and river systems over 160 km. With each basin's area, the longest river in each region and the source of every figure.
Andean cat confirmed in Aguas de Ramón Park, minutes from Santiago
Parque Cordillera camera traps recorded the Andean cat, one of South America's most threatened felines, inside Aguas de Ramón Natural Park, in La Reina and Las Condes. The monitoring data, the species' conservation status and how to visit the park (hours and admission).
Torres del Paine will plant up to 47,000 lenga trees by 2027 to restore burned forest
Conaf, Fundación Reforestemos, Ultranav and Explora formed an alliance to plant up to 47,000 lenga trees in Torres del Paine by 2027: 30,000 in 2026, 24,000 inside the national park and 6,000 in the Explora reserve. Large fires damaged about 39,000 hectares of the park, according to Conaf.
Malalcahuello, Chile: national reserve, hot springs, Corralco and things to do in summer and winter
Guide to Malalcahuello, the mountain village of Curacautín in La Araucanía: the National Reserve and its trails open in 2026, Lonquimay volcano and Navidad crater, hot springs, the Corralco ski resort, things to do in summer and winter and how to get there from Santiago and Temuco.
Torres del Paine 2027 tickets are not on sale yet: fees await the budget office and the new parks service would get half the planned funds
With summer approaching, Pases Parques does not sell Torres del Paine tickets for 2027 dates because the Budget Office (Dipres) has not set the fees, according to deputy Alejandro Riquelme. What we know, current prices, January-March visitor numbers and the 21.6 billion peso SBAP budget gap.
Free national parks in Chile this Sunday, 8 November: the 22 protected areas with free entry for National Family Day
On Sunday 8 November 2026, Chile's first National Family Day, 22 parks, reserves and natural monuments in 15 regions offer free entry. Full list with opening hours, how to get the ticket on Pases Parques and how many visitors each one received in 2025.
Torres del Paine: road closure on Saturday 7 November for the Patagonia Running race, plus this season's news
The road from km 53.2 of route Y-150 to the Río Serrano gate of Torres del Paine will be closed from 11:30 to 13:30 on Saturday 7 November 2026 for the Patagonia Running school race. Also: work on 11 roads, a new medical post, offline audio guides and how many visitors come in November according to Conaf.
Tourist who smoked in Queulat National Park must pay 400 euros to firefighters and is banned from parks for a year
A Ukrainian tourist was arrested for smoking on the La Morrena trail in Queulat National Park, and a court in Puerto Cisnes banned him from Chile's national parks for a year. What Chilean law says about fire in protected areas, the penalties, and recent cases of tourists expelled.
Highest and lowest temperature ever recorded in Chile (2026): 42.2 °C in Los Ángeles and −28.3 °C in Balmaceda
Chile's official temperature records according to the Chilean Meteorological Office (DMC): the high is 42.2 °C in Los Ángeles (January 26, 2017) and the low −28.3 °C in Balmaceda (June 1958). Ranking of 32 stations, records by region, the new ones of 2026 and why Quillón's 44.9 °C is not official.
Magdalena Island: how to see the penguins from Punta Arenas, prices and the 2026-2027 season
A guide to Magdalena Island and Los Pingüinos Natural Monument, 35 km from Punta Arenas: October to March season, ferry (CLP 96,000) or speedboat (CLP 111,000) tours, one hour on the island, the lighthouse, Conaf's rules and the colony's decline.
The 15 largest islands in Chile in 2026: Tierra del Fuego, Chiloé and Wellington top the ranking
2026 ranking of the largest islands in Chile according to the USGS, Esri and UNEP-WCMC Global Islands database: Tierra del Fuego (47,272 km², shared with Argentina), Chiloé (8,321 km²) and Wellington (5,864 km²). Area, region and which ones you can visit.
Torres del Paine gets a Carabineros police outpost inside the park from November through March 2027
Chile's Carabineros police opened the temporary outpost in Torres del Paine National Park on November 2, 2026, at Administración Serrano, with six officers until the end of March 2027. What they do, how many visitors arrive in high season and which rules apply to tourists.
Nahuelbuta National Park: CLP 4.77 billion proposed to rebuild trails, viewpoints and campsites destroyed in 2022
The governor of La Araucanía presented the Regional Council with a CLP 4,773 million project, drawn up by Conaf, to restore the Nahuelbuta National Park infrastructure burned in the November 2022 attack. What it includes, when it could be approved and what the park is like for visitors today.
Lake Todos los Santos, Chile: how to get there, the boat to Peulla and 2026 prices
Guide to Lake Todos los Santos in Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park: how to reach Petrohué from Puerto Varas, the catamaran to Peulla, the Cruce Andino to Bariloche (from US$277 for residents and US$355 for foreigners), schedules, park entry and when to go.
Salar de Atacama and Chaxa lagoon: flamingos, tickets, hours and how to get there
Guide to the Salar de Atacama, Chile's largest salt flat (about 3,000 km² at 2,300 m), and Chaxa lagoon in Los Flamencos National Reserve: three flamingo species, CLP 13,714 entry for foreigners, open 8:00 to 20:00 and how to get there from San Pedro de Atacama.
Bosque Fray Jorge National Park: how to get there, hours, tickets and open trails
Guide to Bosque Fray Jorge National Park, the fog forest in the semi-arid Coquimbo Region: trails open in November 2026, Thursday to Sunday hours from 9:00 to 17:00, entry fees, how to get there on route D-540 from La Serena and Ovalle, and its 33,066 visitors in 2025.
Southern Patagonian Ice Field: three in four visitors enter from Argentina and Chile charges no entry fee
According to Conaf, 75% of visitors to the Chilean side of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field enter from Argentina via the Marconi Pass. There were 44 recorded expeditions between 2016 and 2026, the refuge is free and revenue was zero. Figures, rules and how to visit.
Alerce Andino National Park: trails, entrance fee, opening hours and how to get there from Puerto Montt
Guide to Alerce Andino National Park, 46 km from Puerto Montt, Chile: the Correntoso, Sargazo and Chaicas sectors, the trails to Sargazo lake and the ancient alerce trees, hours from 9:00 to 17:00, tickets on Pases Parques, how to get there by car or bus and its 62,687 visitors in 2025.
Isla Damas and the Humboldt Penguin National Reserve: how to get there, boats, hours and prices
Guide to visiting Isla Damas from Punta de Choros, in Chile's Humboldt Penguin National Reserve: Conaf opening hours (Wednesday to Sunday until December 2026), what boats and the landing cost, the island trails, the wildlife you can see and how to get there from La Serena.
Grey Glacier: boat trip, kayaking, trails and 2026-2027 prices in Torres del Paine
Guide to Grey Glacier in Torres del Paine, Chile: the Grey III boat trip from Hotel Lago Grey (CLP 120,000 round trip in the 2026-2027 season), kayaking and ice hiking, the trail from Paine Grande, how to get there from Puerto Natales and which park pass you need.
Torres del Paine O Circuit opens November 1 with the repaired Guardas bridge: rules and closure thresholds
Conaf kept the opening of the Macizo Paine circuit (the O) on November 1, 2026 after repairing the Guardas bridge, damaged since August. It is the first full season since the 2025 tragedy. What changed, the wind and snow thresholds for closing the John Gardner Pass and entrance fees.
Laguna del Laja National Park: trails, opening hours and how to get to the Antuco volcano
Guide to Laguna del Laja National Park, in Antuco: 11,600 ha, the Antuco volcano and Sierra Velluda, five trails with distances, Pases Parques opening hours, how to get there from Los Ángeles and why its high season is winter.
Nahuelbuta National Park: how to get there, trails and the Piedra del Águila among monkey puzzle trees
Guide to Nahuelbuta National Park, in Chile's Coastal Range: 6,831.9 ha of araucaria forest according to Conaf, its five trails with distances and times, the view from Piedra del Águila, how to get there from Angol and Cañete, and visitor numbers.
Rural buses to Magallanes parks: schedules and fares from CLP 320 to the Magallanes Reserve and CLP 1,300 to Torres del Paine
Chile's regional Transport office and Conaf encourage travelers to use subsidized rural buses to reach the Magallanes National Reserve, Laguna Parrillar, Pali Aike, the Milodon Cave and Torres del Paine. Schedules, fares and park opening hours, as of October 29, 2026.
Coquimbo's reservoirs recover: Recoleta and Cogotí at 100% and tourism returns to La Paloma for the summer
After the 2026 rains, the reservoirs of the Coquimbo Region reached 72.3% of capacity, with Recoleta and Cogotí full and La Paloma near 70%. Visitors are returning to Isla Condorito and Las Ruinas. Figures by reservoir and what to know to visit the Limarí and Elqui valleys.
Ojos del Caburgua: entrance fee, opening hours and how to get there from Pucón in 2026
The Ojos del Caburgua, about 20 km from Pucón, charge around 2,000 pesos per adult and open from 9:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. How to get there by car or bus, what they are, the Laguna Azul and what else to see at Lake Caburgua, with October 2026 data.
The most active volcanoes in Chile in 2026: Villarrica leads with 41 eruptions since 1900
2026 ranking of Chile's most active volcanoes according to the Smithsonian's Global Volcanism Program: Villarrica has had 41 confirmed eruptions since 1900, Llaima 35 and Láscar 25. The most recent eruptions, the most explosive ones and how they compare with Sernageomin's risk ranking.
The most visited national park in each region of Chile in 2025: Los Lagos, La Araucanía and Magallanes account for 72% of visits
2025 ranking of visits to Conaf's protected areas by region: Los Lagos leads with 887,275 visits and Vicente Pérez Rosales is its most visited park. The most visited protected area in each of Chile's 16 regions, with official data.
Transfer of Chile's national parks from Conaf to the SBAP: 40% complete in Magallanes and set for March 1, 2027
The transfer of Chile's national parks from Conaf to the new Biodiversity and Protected Areas Service (SBAP) is about 40% complete in Magallanes and set for March 1, 2027. What is known, what park rangers say and what changes for visitors.
Huerquehue National Park: trails, how to get there from Pucón and what is open in 2026
Guide to Huerquehue National Park near Pucón, Chile: the Los Lagos trail (10.8 km), which trails are closed until December 15, 2026, how to get there, camping, when to go and how many visitors it gets, with Conaf data.
Laguna San Rafael: how to get to the glacier, tours, season and what to know before you go
Guide to Laguna San Rafael National Park, in Chile's Aysén Region: how to get to the San Rafael glacier from Puerto Río Tranquilo, Puerto Chacabuco or by light aircraft from Coyhaique, reference tour prices, Conaf trails and the best time to go.
Lauca National Park: how to get to Lake Chungará, trails and tips for the altitude
Guide to Lauca National Park, in Chile's Arica y Parinacota Region: how to get to Lake Chungará via route 11-CH, free entry, Conaf trails, altiplano wildlife, the Parinacota volcano and tips to avoid altitude sickness.
Embalse El Yeso: how to get there, what to do and access conditions in 2026
Guide to Embalse El Yeso, in the Cajón del Maipo near Santiago: how to get there, the April-to-August vehicle closure, the entrance fee for the Embalse El Yeso Natural Park (CLP 3,450 per adult), the dam-wall trail and what to check before driving up.
Queulat National Park: guide to the Hanging Glacier, trails, opening hours and how to get there
Guide to Queulat National Park, on the Carretera Austral: the La Morrena trail to the Hanging Glacier (Ventisquero Colgante), Laguna Témpanos, Conaf's 12 trails, opening hours Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00 to 16:30 and how to get there from Puyuhuapi and Coyhaique.
The largest marine protected areas in Chile in 2026: the official ranking by size
Chile's largest marine protected area is the one around Rapa Nui, at 579,368 km², more than three-quarters of the size of mainland Chile. The ranking of marine parks, reserves and coastal protected areas according to the Ministry of the Environment's official register.
Kawésqar National Park: Conaf and 16 communities form the first council to manage Chile's second-largest park
On 22 October 2026 the first Management Council of Kawésqar National Park was formed, with Conaf and 16 Kawésqar communities. What the council will do, what the protected areas law says and how to visit this 2.8-million-hectare park in Magallanes.
Chile's 10 highest volcanoes in 2026, according to the Global Volcanism Program
Ranking of the highest volcanoes in Chile with data from the Smithsonian's Global Volcanism Program: Ojos del Salado (6,879 m), Llullaillaco (6,739 m) and Incahuasi (6,638 m) lead. The highest lying entirely in Chile is Pular.
Laguna Cejar: 2026 entrance fee, how to get there and where you can float
Guide to Laguna Cejar in San Pedro de Atacama: 2026 entrance fee (CLP 15,000 per adult), how to buy tickets, rules for bathing in Laguna Piedra, how to get there and what to bring.
Piedras Rojas and the altiplanic lagoons: how to get there, tickets and what to see at the Aguas Calientes salt flat
Guide to Piedras Rojas and the Miscanti and Miñiques lagoons near San Pedro de Atacama: distances, altitude, how to buy tickets from the Socaire community, how to get there and how to avoid altitude sickness.
Radal Siete Tazas National Park: how to get there, trails, opening hours and tickets
Guide to Radal Siete Tazas National Park in Chile's Maule Region: how to get there from Molina and Talca, Conaf's trails with distances and times, opening hours, tickets on Pases Parques and camping.
Termas Geométricas: the hot springs are now called Termas Martini, what changed, prices and how to get there
Since 1 October 2026 the Termas Geométricas hot springs near Coñaripe have operated as Termas Martini, under new management. The 18 pools, water temperature, how to get there from Pucón and Coñaripe, and how much it costs.
La Campana National Park: sectors, trails and how to get there from Santiago and Viña del Mar
Guide to La Campana National Park in Chile: its three sectors (Granizo, Cajón Grande and Palmas de Ocoa), its 16 trails with distances and times according to Conaf, the climb up Cerro La Campana, the Chilean palms and the park rules.
Chile's 10 largest national parks in 2026, according to the official registry
Ranking of the largest national parks in Chile by area, with data from the National Registry of Protected Areas of the Chilean Ministry of the Environment. Bernardo O'Higgins leads with 3.5 million hectares; Torres del Paine is 12th.
Cape Froward makes National Geographic's list of the best places to visit in 2027
National Geographic included Cape Froward, in Chile's Magallanes Region, in its Best of the World 2027 list. On the same day, Chile's Ministry of the Environment began the indigenous consultation to create a 183,045-hectare national park. How to get there and what to do.
Laja Falls (Saltos del Laja): how to get there, what to do and when to go
Guide to Saltos del Laja, in Chile's Biobío Region: four waterfalls of 20 to 35 metres next to Route 5, 25 km from Los Ángeles. How to get there by car or bus, entry, boat trips, accommodation and the best time to visit.
Huilo Huilo: guide to the biological reserve, its hotels, waterfalls and how to get there
Guide to Huilo Huilo Biological Reserve, in Neltume, Chile's Los Ríos Region: 100,000 hectares of Valdivian rainforest, the Huilo Huilo and El Puma waterfalls, the Montaña Mágica and Nothofagus hotels, hot springs and how to get there from Panguipulli, Valdivia or Temuco.
Torres del Paine entrance fee 2026: prices, how to buy and opening hours
Entry to Torres del Paine costs CLP 32,400 per day for foreign adults and CLP 9,400 for Chilean adults in 2026; the 2-or-more-day pass is CLP 48,500 and CLP 14,200. Official fees, who enters free, how to buy on pasesparques.cl and opening hours.
Chile's 10 largest lakes according to the official DGA inventory (2026)
General Carrera is Chile's largest lake, with 951 km² within Chile, followed by Llanquihue (864 km²) and O'Higgins (499 km²). Ranking of the largest lakes in Chile with data from the lake inventory of the General Water Directorate (DGA).
Chile's 10 largest glaciers according to the official DGA inventory
Chile's largest glacier according to the DGA Public Glacier Inventory is the O'Higgins, at 772.5 km², followed by San Quintín (763.3) and Greve (754.8). Ranking of the 10 largest, where they are, which ones you can visit and why Pío XI comes fifth.
Marble Caves of Chile: how to get there, boat and kayak tour prices and the best time to go
Guide to the Marble Caves (Capillas de Mármol) on Lake General Carrera, in Aysén: how to get to Puerto Río Tranquilo, 2026 prices for the boat trip (from about CLP 20,000) and kayak tours, when to go to enter the caves and what else to do nearby.
The most dangerous volcanoes in Chile in 2026: the Sernageomin ranking
Chile's most dangerous volcano is Villarrica, first in Sernageomin's specific risk ranking, followed by Calbuco and Llaima. List of the top 20 out of 87 active volcanoes, with region, score and current alerts in 2026.
Nevados de Chillán remains on yellow alert: what travellers to Las Trancas and the hot springs should know
The Nevados de Chillán volcanic complex had an explosion of about 600 metres on October 13 and a lava flow, and remains on yellow technical alert with a 2 km perimeter. What it means for tourism in Ñuble.
A puma in Lago Peñuelas National Reserve: the second record in five years
A visitor filmed a puma on October 11 in the upper part of Lago Peñuelas National Reserve, near Valparaíso. Conaf confirmed the record, the second since 2021. What to do if you see one and how to visit the reserve.
Most visited national parks in Chile in 2025: Conaf's ranking
2025 ranking of Chile's most visited protected areas according to Conaf: 2,989,788 visits across 105 areas. Vicente Pérez Rosales leads with 597,307, followed by Torres del Paine and Malalcahuello.
Chile's natural records in 2026: the highest volcano, the driest place and the deepest lake
Fact sheet of Chile's natural records: Ojos del Salado, the world's highest volcano; Arica and Quillagua, the driest places according to Guinness; Lake O'Higgins and the Pío XI Glacier.
Flowering desert 2026: Atacama fills its hotels at the peak of the bloom
The 2026 flowering desert covers about 17,667 km² and Atacama destinations have occupancy rates of up to 75%. Where to see it, how long it lasts and what is banned.
Hot springs in Chile: a guide to thermal waters from north to south
Guide to Chile's hot springs: Puritama in Atacama, Jahuel, Cauquenes, Termas de Chillán, Geométricas and Puyehue. Where they are, how far from the nearest city and when to go.
Things to do in Pucón: Villarrica volcano, Huerquehue, Ojos del Caburgua and hot springs
Guide to Pucón: Lake and volcano Villarrica, Huerquehue National Park, Ojos del Caburgua, nearby hot springs and adventure activities. How to get there and when to go.
El Tatio geysers: complete guide to booking your tour with Tur.com
What the pre-dawn excursion to the El Tatio geysers is like, what the tour includes, who shouldn't attempt it because of the altitude, and how to book it online with Tur.com.
San Pedro de Atacama: what to do in the world's driest desert
The Tatio Geysers, Valley of the Moon and salt flats: a guide to planning a trip to San Pedro de Atacama, in northern Chile.
Conguillío National Park and Llaima Volcano
Ancient araucaria forests, lava-formed lakes, and Llaima Volcano in the background: a guide to Conguillío National Park, in the Araucanía region.
Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park and the Petrohué Falls
Chile's oldest national park: Osorno Volcano, Lake Todos los Santos, and the Petrohué River falls, near Puerto Varas.
Cerro Castillo National Reserve, Patagonia's lesser-known side
A much less crowded alternative to Torres del Paine: a guide to Cerro Castillo National Reserve, in the Aysén region.