cueva-del-milodon-chile

The Cave of the Milodon is an impressive crevice located on the slope of Benitez Hill. It is named after the Milodón, a 2,5 mt sloth that lived in Patagonia before being extict 10.000 years ago.

In 1896, the French researcher Hermann Eberhard found the first remains that proved the existence of this animal. Along with this there were remains of human settlements, who would have used these caves as refuges over 12.000 years ago.

Plan your visit

Cueva del Milodón Basic Information

Location
Región de Magallanes y la Antártica Chilena, 254 Km (159 mi) north-east of Punta Arenas. 24 Km (15 mi) to the Northwest of Puerto Natales.

How to get there
Santiago-Punta Arenas: by air. Punta Arenas-Puerto Natales: by land. Approximately 8 kilometers (5 mi) after leaving Puerto Natales, take the left turn towards Puerto Prat. Leaving from this village, take the road to the right at the first crossroads, 4km (2.5 mi) more to the north you will come to another crossroads, this time take the road to the left and travel two kilometers more and you will arrive at the Conaf office.

When to go
Year round.

Other nearby attractions
Puerto Natales, Parque Nacional Torres del Paine.

Activities
Trekking, cultural tours,photography.

Climate
The area is typically cold and wet without a dry season. However, just like the rest of the region, the climate varies and has the unstable characteristics of a micro-climate. The average annual temperature is 8°C (46°F), reaching between 10° and 18°C (50° and 64°F) in the summer months. The average annual rainfall is 450 mm (17.7 in).

Opening Hours

From 8:30 to 20:30.

Admission Fees
October-April:
Adult: Chileans 1,500 CLP; Foreigners 3,000 CLP.
Children: Chileans and Foreigners 200 CLP.

May-September:
Adults: Chileans 800 CLP; Foreigners 1,500 CLP.
Children: Chileans 100 CLP; Foreigners 1000 CLP.

Infrastructure

Infrastructure and Services in Cueva del Milodón

Administration Office

The park administrator is Jovito González Chamblá ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ). The park also has three permanent park rangers, who control the visitors entrance.

For more information contact Conaf.

Punta Arenas: 0309 Bulnes Ave. Phone number: (56-61) 23 85 81.
Puerto Natales: 847 Manuel Baquedano st. Phone number: (56-61) 41 14 38.
Information office: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Trails

Cueva Grande interpretive trail.
Guardería-Cueva del medio-cueva chica-Silla del diablo-Guardería.

Attractions

Attractions in Cueva del Milodón

What to see

You can visit the environmental information center and use the meal area for free. It has 15 sites in the Cueva Chica and Silla del Diablo sectores. Making fire is not allowed and car access is open year round.
Cueva Grande interpretive road: it takes to the Cueva del Milodón.
The trail passing by Guardería-cueva del medio-cueva chica-silla del diablo connects all the attractions in this Natural monument. It's easy and it will let you appreciate the flora and fauna species.
La Silla del diablo is a rock formation belonging to the geologycal formations of Sofía Lake. With 35 mts, it is a natural lookout from which you can have a panoramic view of the reserve.

What to do

Trekking
Cultural tours
Photography

Recommendations

Help us protect the monument's natural resources by following these recommendations:
Protect the vegetation
Protect the fauna species, natural refuges and nesting sites.
Camp and picnic only in authorised places.
If you have doubts, contact the park ranger or the area administrator.

Nature

Nature in Cueva del Milodón

The Cueva del Milodón is an impressive natural formation. Its importance lays in the fact the in 1896 pieces of skin and bones of an extinct animal were found. This creature was named Darwin's Milodon. Research carried out later on determined that the Milodón had lived in the area more than 5000 years ago, and also confirmed the existence of other animals like the dwarf horse, the saber tooth tiger, and the big guanaco. Proof about the existence of the primitive Patagonian man were also found.

Flora

Vegetal species can be found between 150 and 250 mts msl, in areas with a precipitation index of 450 mm. The following vegetal formations are present:

Magellanic deciduous forest: The reserve has sparse areas of deciduous leaf forests, the main species being the Lenga and Ñirre.
Preandean bush: in this category it is possible to find the following species: Chaura, Calafate, Ciruelillo, Leñadura, and Siete Camisas, amongst others.

Fauna

It is possible to find mammals such as: culpeo fox, South American Gray Fox, Puma, Colocolo, and Patagonian Skunk.

Some of the birds you can find include the: Carancho, Eagle, Condor, House Sparrow, Austral trush, Rufous-collared sparrow, and Patagonian negrito.

Climate

Cold steppe. The average annual temperature is of 8°C, with extremes ranging from -10°C and 18°C. The highest temperatures take place in January and February. The annual precipitation index is of 450 mm, concentrated between May and September.