Chile National Parks Guide: Rio Simpson National Reserve

Rio Simpson National Reserve Chile

This reserve owes its name to the Rio Simpson, the river which crosses the park on its journey westward, and which is one of the best rivers for fly-fishing.

The protected area is 40,452 hectares (88,994 acres) of rugged geography, with some peaks reaching higher than 1,600 m (5,248 ft) above sea level, creating valleys and narrow canyons that shelter the descending rivers. As well as the Simpson, there are the Correntosos and Cascada de la Virgen rivers, branches of the Simpson, both surrounded by beautiful scenery and lush vegetation.

In terms of vegetation, there are mainly forests of coigües, tepas, mañío, ciruelillo, canelo and tepú. There is also chilco, which is the most abundant tree of the zone. In terms of fauna, the huemul is found in the eastern sector, where the geography is rocky, and on the steep slopes of the Andean and Huemules hills. The puma, on the other hand, lives in areas of medium altitude, spending the summer at a higher altitude and the winter on the plains. Other species which live in the reserve are the pudú, fox, güiña, bandurrias, queltehues and a large variety of wild ducks.

Plan Your Visit

Río Simpson National Reserve Basic Information

Location
Región de Aysén, 32 kilometers (20 mi) northeast of Coyhaique. Puerto Aysén is 32 km (20 MI) northeast.

How to get there
Santiago-Coyhaique: by air.

Coyhaique-Puerto Aysén: by land. crossing El Farellón tunnel.

When to go
Year round.

Other nearby attractions
El Fraile Ski Center, Coyhaique, Lake Elizalde, Lake La Paloma, Lake Riesco, Museo Regional de la Patagonia, Puerto Aisén, Cerro Castillo National Reserve.

Activities
Trekking, horseback riding, sea kayak, white water kayak, photography, wildlife observation, fishing.

Climate
It has a rainy climate with an annual rainfall averaging between 1,500 mm and 2,500 mm (59 in. and 98 in.) in the westernmost part of the reserve, while the highest altitudes have snow, particularly in the winter. The average annual temperature is 6°C (43ºF) and the average in the summer varies between 15° and 17°C (59º and 63ºF).

Services
Rangers, environmental information, trails.

Entrance Fees
400 CLP.

Services

Río Simpson National Reserve Infrastructure and Services

Administration Office

It is located on the 37 km between Coyhaique and Puerto Aysén

Park Ranger Post

In the administration area and San Sebastián (camp site). There is another station in the Cerro Huemules area, located 16 kms away from Coyhaique.

Campgrounds

San Sebastián, located next to the public road, 5 kms East of the administration post. It has ten sites, one of which has a capacity for 20 people, fresh water, and hot showers.

Services outside the reserve

Gas: Coyhaique, Puerto Aysén

Pay phone: Coyhaique and Puerto Aysén

First Aid: Coyhaique and Puerto Aysén

Groceries: Coyhaique and Puerto Aysén

Accommodation: Coyhaique and Puerto Aysén

Attractions

Attractions in Río Simpson National Reserve

What to see

Among the most beautiful areas of the park are, undoubtedly, the "Cascada de la Virgen" and the "Velo de Novia" (Bride's Veil) waterfalls.

What to do

Fishing
Excursions
Wildlife observation
Environmental information
Horseback riding

Trails

Pedestrain road in Cerro Huemules: 3 kms.

Nature

Río Simpson National Reserve Natural Heritage

Flora
The flora in this reserve is mainly made up by coihue, laureliopsis, podocarpus, Chilean firetree, canelo, and tepualia forests, besides the hardy fuchsia.

Fauna

Huemuls can be found in the reserve's eastern end, in rocky areas and the slopes of the hills Cordillerano and Huemules. There are also pumas in medium heights. Other species found in the reserve include the pudu, fox, kodkod, theristicus, southern lapwing, and a great variety of wild ducks.