Chile National Parks Guide: National Park La Campana

La Campana National Park Chile

This park is one of the most unique and representative areas of the country's central zone. Situated in the middle of the coastal mountain range, it was created in 1967 and occupies a surface area of 8000 hectares (17,600 acres). A significant aspect is that it has one of the last remaining Chilean Palm forests, a species which is in danger of extinction. Other attractions include the peaks of the La Campana (ideal for climbing) and El Roble hills; ruins of old settlements, remains of past mine operations, and beautiful and interesting trails for hiking year-round.

It is administered by CONAF since 1974. It was declared a world Biosphere Reserve in 1985 and named a place of interest for mining purposes in 1989. In 1834, Charles Darwin reached the peak of the hill that gives the park its name.

Do you want to visit the park?

TREKKING IN LA CAMPANA NATIONAL PARK

Spend the day hiking through the palm groves and enjoy a picnic lunch alongside an exotic waterfall.

Year round - Full Day Read more...

Plan your Visit

La Campana National Park Basic Information

Location
Region of Valparaíso, 1 km northeast of Olmué. 60 km west of Valparaíso and 160 km south of Santiago.

How to get there
Santiago-Olmué: by land, public or private transportation. There are two ways to reach Olmué. The first is by Ruta 5 Norte (north), then Ruta 60, arriving at Limache and Olmué (the road is paved all the way). For the second, take the Ruta 5 Norte and then the turn to Til-Til (the road is paved up to this point) continuing several miles to Olmué on a gravel road.
Santiago-Ocoa: take Ruta 5 Norte, take the turn at kilometer 100, follow for 12.5 km (8 MI) and you will find the entrance to the park.

When to go
Year round

Other nearby attractions
Santa Clara Island

Activities
Trekking, mountaineering, wildlife observation, photography.

Climate
This area has a Mediterranean climate, but is also affected by its proximity to the coast and the presence of coastal fog. The summer can be very hot with an annual temperature averaging 13.8°C (57°F). There is rain in the winter months, and it is common to see the highest peaks covered in snow.

Services
Accommodations, transportation, Conaf.

Working Hours
Monday to Sunday from 09:00 to 17:30 hrs. except on Fridays, from 09:00 to 16:30 hrs.

Rates
Adults: CLP 1.500.
Children: CLP 500.

Infrastructure

La Campana National Park Infrastructure and Services

Currently, the park covers an area of 8.000 hectares, which are divided in thre areas: Granizo (972 ha), Cajón Grande (1.588 ha) and Palmas de Ocoa (5.440 ha).

Every area of the park has a development place, with 23 picnic and camping areas, all of which have tables. They also have higienic services and rubbish bins. The tapped water is cold and chlorinated. Bringing your own drinking water is advised.

There is an administration office, which is located outside the park. Its address is Granizo Ave. Nº 9137, paradero 43, Olmué. Its working hours are from Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 14:00 hrs.

Contact number is: (33) 441342 y 442922. There is also a direct phone information service, calling at (33) 443067.

Attractions

Attractions and trails in La Campana National Park

What to see
Among its forest you will find persea lingue, litharea caustica, chusquea culeou, Chilean wineberry, radal, lignum vitae, peumo, boldo, and others. Regarding fauna, you will find a variety of species like chinchilla, foxes, vizcachas, owls, Chilean mockinbird, diuca, and eagles.

In the park there are three different areas: Granizo, Cajón Grande, and Ocoa. The first one is a favorite for those who practice climbing and trekking. Through several demarcated paths, it is possible to reach La Campana hill, at approximately 1.850 mts. In Cajón Grande, Plateau trail is a highlight, and lin Ocoa you will find the Chilean Palm Tree, a species that is endangered due to its high commercial explotaiton. It reaches up to 40 meters, and most of them are hundreds of years old.

What to do

Wildlife observation.
Environmental information in the Environmental Information Center.
Excursions - Trekking.

Trails in La Campana National Park

Sector Granizo

Andinista Trail: with a length of 7 km, it is the only trail that leads to La Campana hill. It can be covered in approx. 8 and a half hours (round trip). Visitors who want to climb this hill must do so until 9:30 am, at the latest. In this trail you will see flora and fauna, because the hill is a natural viewpoint of Chile's central area. With good weather conditions you can see both The Andes and the Pacific Ocean.
Peumos-Portezuelo Ocoa Trail: with a length of 5,5 km, the viewpoint of Valle de Ocoa and Olmué is apt for flora and fauna observation. It is covered in 3 hours and it connects the three areas of the park.

Sector Cajón Grande

Plateau Trail: with 4,2 km, it can be covered in 2,5 hours, and is apt for flora and fauna observation.
Los Robles-Portezuelo Ocoa Trail: with 4,4 km, you can also observe flora and fauna like Santiago Oaks (Nothofagus macrocarpa) during most of the trip.

Sector Palmas de Ocoa

La Cascada Trail: with an extension of 6km, it reaches a viewpoint where you can appreciate a 30 meter waterfall (cascada), which gives its name to the trail
Amasijo- Portezuelo Ocoa Trail: it reaches the heart of Palmas de Ocoa, connecting Olmué with Cajón Grande or Granizo. It covers 12 km (about 5 hours).

Nature

Natural Heritage in La Campana National Park

Flora
The main features of La Campana National Parkare its vegetal concentration and convergence, its location, and its topography and weather. These have allowed the presence of several 'native' species -from various parts of Chile- and other 'endemic', which are only present in this park. There are 320 species divided in four phytogeographic groups: North, Center, South, and Andean Chile.

According to the classification proposed by Gajardo (1994), the vegetal communities present in the park are sclerophyll forest, laurifolio higrophyle forest, spiny thickets, and low altitude thicket. Among these formations you will also find Palmar de Ocoa, containing the world's largest concentration of Chilean Palm Trees. Botanists consider it giant herb, and the southernomst palm tree in the planet.

Parque Nacional La Campana Chile Fauna
Flora is the base of the trophic chains and home to the fauna inhabiting the park. The park's flora, topography and climate create the ideal conditions for the existence of a wide variety of animals. Belonging to the Chilean central area, the fauna in this park is represented by 100 animal species, divided into mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibian.