Queulat National Park Chile

Located in the district of Puerto Cisnes, Queulat National Park has a surface of 154,093 hectares (339,004 acres) and is easily accessible. One of its most remarkable features is its evergreen forest, made up by species like coihue, tepa, tepuala, and Chilean rhubarbs. The fauna represented here is the pudú, kodkod, black woodpecker, caiquén, black-necked swan, coypu, chucao tapaculo, and ringed kingfisher, among others.

Among the natural attractions is the Hanging Glacier, discovered in 1875 by Captain Enrique Simpson. According to his descriptions, the glacier was originally 100 meters (328 ft) from the sea shore; now it is 7,800 mts (25,584 ft) away.

Lake Risopatrón, Tempanos lagoon, Queulat bay, Padre García and Cóndor waterfalls, are just some of the most beautiful sites in the park, all of which can be discovered by following some of the park's trails.

Plan your visit

Queulat National Park Basic Information

Location
Region of Aysén, 170 km northeast of Coyhaique. Puerto Puyuhuapi is 50 km (31 MI) northeast of the park's south entrance.

How to get there
Santiago-Coyhaique: by air, sea (until Pto. Chacabuco), public and private land transportation. From Coyhaique to Queulat NP there are two options: 1) take the first stretch of the Austral Highway, towards Puerto Aisén (paved), and before arriving at this city take the turn heading north. 27kms (17 MI) are paved and the rest is gravel.

When to go
Year round.

Other nearby attractions
Isla Magdalena National Park, Lago las Torres National Reserve.

Activities
Fishing, swimming, mountaineering, trekking, wildlife observation, photography, sea kayak, cultural tours.

Climate
Humid with lots of rain year round. In winter, the rainfall increases and there is snow in the higher altitudes. The total annual rainfall is from 3,500mm to 4,000mm (138 to 157 in.). The average annual temperature fluctuates between 4° and 9°C (39 and 48°F) in the different areas of the park.

Services
Rangers, trails, transportation, accommodations.

Rates
Chileans
Adults: CLP 1.500
Children: CLP 500

Foreigners
Adults: CLP 3.000
Children: CLP 1.000.
Camping (site per day): CLP 5.000

Services

Queulat National Park Infrastructure and Services

Administration Post
The administrator is Álvaro Damico. Besides, there are four permanent park rangers..

Tourist Activities
Fishing, mountaineering, trekking, wildlife observation, photography, sailing, cultural tours.

Recommendations

Follow Conaf's instructions during your stay in the park:

Summer is the best season to visit the park, between November and March.
If you go on an excursion it is mandatory to register your itinerary with the park ranger.
Mountaineers who wish to climb hills, mountains, and volcanoes must register their information in the administration post.
It is recommended to bring waterproof clothing, even in summer.
Do not leave traces of your visit.

Attractions

Attractions in Queulat National Park

What to see
The most important attractions in this park are Queulat Hanging Glacier, Padre García Waterfall, Lake Risopatrón, Los Pumas Lagoon, Queulat Slope, Témpanos Lagoon, and Salto del Cóndor.

The scenario has remarkable attractions, like a hanging snowdrift and a diverse flora made up by coihues, tepas and tepualas. Species like the black-necked swan, pudu, coypu, and kodkod seduce the tourist and allow him to enjoy the tranquilty of these landscapes. Besides observing wildlife, you can enjoy a restful bath in Pyuhuapi Thermal Springs, where water reaches temperatures of up to 85ºC. You can combine the peace of these baths with activities such as trekking, rafting, and kayaking.

One of the attractions in this park is Lake Risopatrón, located 15 kms north of Puyuhuapi. The thick vegetation surrounding it does not allow the formation of baches, making it possible to find species which are apt for flyfishing, such as salmon and trout.

What to do

fishing
mountaineering
trekking
wildlife observation
photography
navigation
cultural tours

Nature

Queulat National Park Natural Heritage

Fauna
Birds:
Magellanic Woodpecker (Campephilus magellanicus)
Condor (Vultur griphus)
Austral parakeet (Enicognathus ferrugineus)
Chucao tapaculo (Scelorchilus rubecula)
Huet-huet (Pteroptochos tarnii)

Mammals:
Pudu (Pudu pudu)
Kodkod (Oncyfelis guigna)
Puma (Felis concolor)
Southern river otter (Lutra provocax)
Andean fox (Pseudalopex culpaeus)

Amphibian:
Large four-eyed frog (Pleuroderma bufonina)

Flora
Ecologic regions:

“Andean Patagonian Forests” feature species like:
Lenga beech (Nothofagus pumilio)
Magellan's Coihue (Nothofagus betuloides)
Small maytenus (Maytenus disticha)
White michay (Desfontainea spinosa)

“Evergreen forests and peats”, with species like:
Chiloe's Coihue (Nothofagus nitida)
Tepa (Laurelia philippiana)
Tineo (Weinmannia trichosperma)
Canelo (Drinys winteri)
Chilco (Fuchsia magellanica).