Chile's National Parks

According to Corporación Nacional Forestal (CONAF), Chile's Forestry and Parks Department, Chile has 94 national properties ranging from the Atacama desert to Patagonian icebergs: 31 national parks, 48 national reserves and 15 national monuments. CONAF oversees, maintains and protects approximately 14 million hectares (35 million acres), equivalent to 19% of Chile's territory. Add the provincial and regional parks outside CONAF's jurisdiction, and that's a lot of parks!

Some of the parks are famous, like Torres del Paine, Puyehue, Laguna San Rafael, Rapa Nui, Archipielago Juan Fernández and Villarica.

Others are almost unknown outside the park system. Some are easily accessible, like those minutes away from Santiago. Others require effort to reach.

Parque Nacional Vicente Pérez Rosales is the oldest of Chile's parks. Created in 1929, the centerpiece of the park is Lago Llanquihue with Volcan Osorno rising in the background. Osorno with Petrohue Falls is seen here.

Chile's park system, Parques Nacionales, ranges from Parque Nacional Lauca in Parinacota province, (photos) about a four hour drive from Arica, to Parque Nacional Cabo de Hornos, at the southernmost tip of the country. In between, there are 90 others with scenery and activities to suit just about any visitor. For offshore parks, try Rapa Nui, also known as Easter Island the Navel of the World and Archipielago Juan Fernández, famous for Robinson Crusoe.

Volcano fans will find dozens, dormant or active, to study and photograph in Chile. Major ones are Cerro Azul, Cerro Hudson, and Villarica. You'll find more information about Volcan Osorno and others in The volcanos of Chile plus information, including a map, about parks in Chile and Argentina in GORP's Chile Outdoors.

Please consult the park chart for a listing of parks.