10 Best National Parks In Chile

national parks in chile
Priyanka
Priyanka 
Updated
| 5 min read

The land of Chile is blessed with diverse terrains which makes it a worthwhile tourist destination for everyone. From spectacular lakes and mountains to glaciers and national parks, the country intrigues its visitor with its diversity and magnificence. A large portion of its land is converted into national parks which are well-preserving the rich biodiversity of Chile. Whether you wish to admire the views of gushing waterfalls or you are eager to spot some rare species of animals, the national parks in Chile have everything to satiate your travel lust. Even if you are looking to escape into the wild and take the much-needed break from the maddening city crowd, a visit to these national parks will rejuvenate you in no time. If you wish to dig deeper, scroll down and read about the best national parks in Chile.

1. Llullaillaco National Park


Boasting a huge variety of wildlife, Llullaillaco National Park is a one-stop destination for wildlife and nature lovers. The park is known for preserving a large number of Vicunas and Guanacos, which can’t be found together anywhere else in the world. Though there are not many activities that one might try inside this place, a stroll across the park will leave you feeling more refreshed than ever. The national park is also frequented by a large number of mountaineers who can’t wait to scale up the peak of Llullaillaco. In addition to mountaineering, one might even indulge in exhilarating activities like trekking, off-road expeditions, and flora-fauna observation.

Llullaillaco National Park

Address: Antofagasta, Chile

Website: Llullaillaco National Park

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2. Archipiélago de Juan Fernández National Park

Archpielago Juan Fernandez (Vista hacia Robinson Crusoe)
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Serpentus~commons... used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Sprawled over an area of 9571 hectares (23650.5 acres), Archipelago Juan Fernandez National Park is home to three islands, namely, Santa Clara, Robinson Crusoe, and Alejandro Selkirk. Whether you wish to camp around the spectacular Juan Fernandez island or hop on a scuba diving trip to Los Canones, there are bountiful of activities to indulge in. This quaint national park also draws a lot many visitors towards itself by offering ample opportunities for hiking, fishing, and diving. As you will get inside the park, be ready to be taken back by its exotic flora that includes sandal trees, palm trees, apple plantations, and cinnamon trees. The region also houses diverse species of animals which include cernicalos, hummingbirds, and two-hair sea dogs, to name the few.

Archipiélago de Juan Fernández National Park

Address: Chorrillos 31, Papudo, Valparaíso, Chile

Website: Archipiélago de Juan Fernández National Park

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

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3. Queulat National Park

20130130_Chile_2740 Queulat National Park
Source: Photo by user Dan Lundberg used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Are you looking for a way to rejoice the unadulterated views of Chile’s ethereal landscapes? Well, a maiden visit to Queulat National Park will let you live your dream. While the spectacular glaciers of the national park form the major draw for the outsiders, the massive canyons creating their way through the hills are second to none. The dense evergreen forest area enveloped with lofty peaks make Queulat a worthwhile destination for the nature buffs. If you wish to make the most out of this leisurely trip, don’t forget to drop by the nearby fishing village of Puyuhuapi.

Queulat National Park

Address: Aysén, Chile

Website: Queulat National Park

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4. Laguna San Rafael National Park

Laguna San Rafael 1
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Chang Hyon Lee used under CC BY-SA 4.0

A single visit to this topographic paradise will pump you up with life and energy. Popular for its sea fauna and diverse topography, San Rafael National Park is a must-visit spot for all the adventure enthusiasts and nature fanatics. The San Rafael Snowcap, San Rafael Lagoon, and Northern Ice Field are some of the prominent attractions of this park. Whether you want to set your adrenaline rushing on a snow trekking tour or you choose to spend some peaceful hours amidst swans, ducks, and sea elephants, every next activity at this place is more exciting than the former one.

Laguna San Rafael National Park

Address: Aysén, Chile

Website: Laguna San Rafael National Park

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5. Bosque de Fray Jorge National Park

Posted by Liz Smith on Saturday, 10 November 2018

Have you ever been to a forest that lies within the coastal desert region? If not, this might be the right time to embark on your Gray Jorge National Park trip. Satiate your travel lust by traversing down its soft slopes and relish the company of some adorable animal species including penguins, hawks, and partridges. As you will make your way into this Valdivian forest, you will also get to see around 440 plant species adorning the landscape of the park. From cinnamon trees to tepa, and terabinth shrubs, this park has got it all covered within its 400 hectares (988.4 acres) of land.

Bosque de Fray Jorge National Park

Address: Ruta D-540, Coquimbo, Chile

Website: Bosque de Fray Jorge National Park

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6. Alberto de Agostini National Park

Posted by Christophe Arnoult on Thursday, 29 November 2018

One of the many UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in the world, Alberto de Agostini National Park will captivate your heart with its pristine flora and fauna. Though the park is majorly known for its singular ecosystem, another reason for its popularity is that it forms the fag end of Andes mountain. Alberto de Agostini park is also widely popular for its glaciers among which Marinelli Glacier is the major highlight. The impressive fauna of this place includes beavers, southern pudu, and Andean condors.

Alberto de Agostini National Park

Address: Magallanes and Chilean Antarctica, Chile

Website: Alberto de Agostini National Park

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

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7. Rapa Nui National Park


Rapa Nui National park won’t let you have a single dull moment, thanks to its natural and cultural heritage that fetched it the status of World Heritage Site. While the park has enough natural beauty in its reserve, it sets a distinctive mark by preserving the mysteries of Pascuense people in its archaeological sites. The inside of the park is complete with places like Maunga Tervaka and Poike, which can only be accessed by horse. Some of the other prominent attractions within the park include Rano Kau, Ovahe, and Anakena. From natural sites like Puna Pau and Anakena to archaeological beauties like Rano Raraku, this national park has something for everyone.

Rapa Nui National Park

Address: Easter Island, Valparaíso, Chile

Website: Rapa Nui National Park

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8. Torres Del Paine National Park (from USD 127.0)

Reckoned as one of the most popular national parks in Chile, Torres del Paine is a complete beauty package with waterfalls, lagoons, and lakes constituting the major part of its landscape. The park witnesses around 2,50,000 visitors every year who visit here to admire its ice fields and glaciers. The national park is widely known for its Cordillera Paine range which reaches up to the height of 3000 meters (9842.5 feet) and stands out from the rest of the mountain ranges with its rosy appearance. If you have ample of time in reserve, you can also pay a visit to the nearby Bernardo O'Higgins National Park.

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Torres del Paine National Park Full Day Tour

Duration: 10 hours

2 reviews

9. Cabo de Hornos National Park


Located on the southernmost end of South America, Cabo de Hornos national park is truly a sight to behold. This UNESCO site is home to a diverse species of animals that cover dolphins, whales, leopard seals, and sea lions. If you get lucky, you might also spot some rare species like antarctic penguins and Magellanic penguins. To add a pinch of adventure into your trip, visit the island on a tour boat and let your adrenaline levels go high. You can also spare a few minutes to visit its old-age monument, which commemorates the discovery of the American continent.

Cabo de Hornos National Park

Address: Magallanes and Chilean Antarctica, Chile

Website: Cabo de Hornos National Park

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10. Nahuelbuta National Park

P.N.Nahuelbuta2
Source: Photo by user Scott Zona used under CC BY 2.0

Marking its presence since 1939, this national park is nestled in the pre-Andean plain of Nahuelbuta. The park is a perfect place to spot araucaria trees, thanks to the lofty mountain peaks which surround this region. On your visit to this national park, you can also catch the sight of numerous other plant species, including insectivore plants, robles, and lengas. While the region depicts a wide range of flora, its fauna is mainly limited to foxes, churrines, woodpeckers, and chucaos. If you wish to get the 360-degree view of the central valley and Andean volcanoes from here, hike your way towards its highest peak, i.e., Piedra El Aguila, and relish the surreal view from the top.

Nahuelbuta National Park

Address: Chile

Website: Nahuelbuta National Park

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Explore the national parks in Chile

The country of Chile has gained widespread popularity for its natural splendour and diverse landscapes. However, if you want to discover the beauty of this place in the truest sense, plan a visit to one of the aforementioned national parks and spend uninterrupted time in nature’s lap.

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Meet Priyanka Sharma, an inquisitive travel writer with more than 3.5 years of experience in the industry. Despite earning a master's degree in human resources from Pune, India, her unwavering love...Read more

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