National park · Brazil
Serra da Canastra National ParkParque Nacional da Serra da Canastra
Enter Serra da Canastra for a day hike to Casca D'Anta (≈2 h) or a full‑day trek to Cerradão Falls (≈6 h) in the dry season; avoid April‑September fire risk.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
2,000 km² (772 sq mi)772 sq mi (2,000 km²)
approximate
Established
1972
Best months
—
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the fir…
- South America ↗Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the first day light; sleep lower where you can (Sacred Valley before Cusco) and descend if headache comes with vomiting or confusion.
- South America ↗A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival in French Guiana, and asked for on some routes into Bolivia, Paraguay, Suriname and Guyana, or when arriving from Amazon areas — vaccinate at least 10 days before travel and carry the card.
- South America ↗Overnight buses are the norm in Argentina, Chile and Peru, but pick top-tier companies and keep valuables on your body; on-board thefts from overhead racks are the common loss.
- Brazil ↗US, Canadian and Australian citizens need an e-visa (about US$81 — check) applied for online at the official VFS portal before travel; EU and UK citizens do not. Check your passport with Brazil's Ministry of Foreign Affairs before booking.
- Brazil ↗Yellow fever vaccination is recommended for many areas, including the Amazon and Pantanal; check with a travel clinic at least 10 days before travel.
- Brazil ↗Keep your phone out of sight in the street and on beaches; phone theft is the most common crime against visitors in big cities.
- Brazil ↗Carnival 2027 runs about 5–10 February (Tuesday 9 February; Salvador from 4 February): book Rio, Salvador and Recife/Olinda months ahead or avoid those dates.
At a glance
- Country
- Brazil
- Area
- 2,000 km² (772 sq mi)772 sq mi (2,000 km²)
- Official area is about 2 000 km² after the 2001 extension; earlier figures cited 715 km² (check).
- Established
- 1972
- Best months
- —
- Permits
- For some areas
Serra da Canastra National Park protects the headwaters of the São Francisco River, its savanna‑grassland plateaus, numerous waterfalls such as Casca D'Anta, and wildlife including the endangered Brazilian Merganser.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national site · 1972Brazilian National Park managed by IBAMA.
Size and age
2,000 km² (772 sq mi)772 sq mi (2,000 km²) · national park since 1972
Official area is about 2 000 km² after the 2001 extension; earlier figures cited 715 km² (check).
Why go
- Waterfall scenery including Casca D'Anta, one of Brazil’s highest falls.
- Savanna‑grassland landscape with diverse wildlife such as the endangered Brazilian Merganser.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprCaution
- MayCaution
- JunAvoid
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecGo
- Jandry, cooler
- Febdry, cooler
- Mardry, start of heat
- Aprfire risk rises
- Mayearly fire season
- Junhigh fire danger
- Julpeak fire season
- Augpeak fire season
- Sepfire risk still high
- Octrain starts, cooler
- Novrainy, milder
- Decrainy, milder
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brazilian Merganser (endangered waterfowl)All year · Rare; sightings near river. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Savanna birds and butterfliesSep–Mar | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From São Roque de Minas
Bus to town, then 30 km (19 mi) dirt road to Gate 4.Bus to town, then 19 mi (30 km) dirt road to Gate 4.
1–2 h
From Belo Horizonte
Bus to São Roque de Minas, then transfer to local transport.
4–5 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Gate 4 (main entrance) | Visitor centre, parking, trailheads to Casca D'Anta and other falls. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Cerradão private reserve | Series of four waterfalls on private land. | Fee and permission required; guided access only. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates centred on Gate 4, the main park entrance.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (general) | Free | person | Check at gate; fee often waived for day visitors (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Fires
- Prohibited; high fire risk in dry season.
- Camping
- Only in designated campgrounds; no wild camping.
- Pets
- Leashed and on a leash at all times.
- Drone use
- Not allowed without permission from IBAMA.
Where to stay
Near the park
São Roque de Minas town
Guesthouses and pousadas 30 km (19 mi) from gate.Guesthouses and pousadas 19 mi (30 km) from gate.
In the park
Camping area near Gate 4
Basic facilities, reservation required.
Safety
Wildfire high
Rough roads medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Gate 4 visitor centre reachable by car; short easy trails to main falls.
Visiting lightly
- Stay in local pousadas; support community tourism.
- Do not litter; carry out all waste.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Serra da Canastra National Park?
Entry is typically free or a small fee; confirm at the gate as rates may change.
What are the best hikes in Serra da Canastra National Park?
Casca D'Anta (easy, 2 h) and the Cerradão Falls trek (moderate, 5–6 h) are the most visited.
When is the best time to visit Serra da Canastra National Park?
Dry months January–March and October–December avoid fire risk and give clear trails.
Can I camp inside the park?
Camping is allowed only in designated sites; wild camping is prohibited.
Is a guide required for any trail?
Guides are mandatory for the private Cerradão Falls area; other main trails are self‑guided.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Serra da Canastra National Park
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