National park · Brazil
Jalapão State ParkParque Estadual do Jalapão
Visit Jalapão: pay the entry fee (R$30‑45 per person), drive 600 km (373 mi) on dirt roads, hike the dunes or Serra do Espírito Santo early in the dry season; avoid the rainy months (Dec‑Mar).Visit Jalapão: pay the entry fee (R$30‑45 per person), drive 373 mi (600 km) on dirt roads, hike the dunes or Serra do Espírito Santo early in the dry season; avoid the rainy months (Dec‑Mar).
- 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
More
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1,589 km² (613 sq mi)613 sq mi (1,589 km²)
approximate
Established
2001
Best months
May–Aug
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
- 1,589 km² (613 sq mi)613 sq mi (1,589 km²)
- Park covers about 158,885 ha (≈1 588.85 km²) of cerrado, dunes and plateaus.
- Established
- 2001
- Best months
- May–Aug
- Permits
- For some areas
Jalapão State Park protects a remote cerrado landscape of sand dunes, flat‑topped plateaus and waterfalls, reachable only after a long dirt‑road drive; it offers stark, open scenery and limited visitor infrastructure, making it a destination for self‑driven adventure and guided wilderness treks.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 2001.
Size and age
1,589 km² (613 sq mi)613 sq mi (1,589 km²) · national park since 2001
Park covers about 158,885 ha (≈1 588.85 km²) of cerrado, dunes and plateaus.
Why go
- Cerrado landscapes of dunes, plateaus and waterfalls.
- Remote wilderness reachable only by long dirt‑road drives.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarAvoid
- AprGo
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepGo
- OctGo
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hoary fox, Brazilian merganser, Chaco eagleAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | 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 Palmas (state capital)
Rent a 4×4 and drive 600 km (373 mi) on mostly dirt roads to the park gate near Mateiros.Rent a 4×4 and drive 373 mi (600 km) on mostly dirt roads to the park gate near Mateiros.
10–12 h
From São Félix do Tocantins (closest town with services)
Local bus or taxi to the park gate, then walk or 4×4 to trailheads.
30–45 min
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Mateiros gateway | Visitor centre, ticket office, vehicle parking, basic amenities. | Open daily; entry ticket required. |
| Dune area (Serra do Espírito Santo) | Sand dunes, small oasis, short trails. | Free access after entry ticket. |
| Cachoeira da Formiga | Waterfall and natural pool, reachable via a moderate trail. | Guided walk recommended. |
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 approximate, based on central park area.
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 (per person) | BRL 30–45 (≈ US$6–9) | person | — |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Guides
- Required for long treks and for accessing waterfalls.
- Camping
- Only allowed in designated campgrounds; wild camping prohibited.
- Fire
- Open fires not allowed; use portable stoves only.
Where to stay
Near the park
Mateiros guesthouses
Simple rooms, meals, and vehicle parking.
Near the park
São Félix do Tocantins hotels
More amenities, about 30 km (19 mi) from park gate.More amenities, about 19 mi (30 km) from park gate.
Safety
Road conditions high
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
- Main gate reachable by car; trails are rough and not wheelchair‑friendly.
Visiting lightly
- Stay in locally owned guesthouses; avoid single‑use plastics; follow park waste rules.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Jalapão?
Entry is R$30‑45 per person; guide fees are extra and vary by service.
What are the best hikes in Jalapão?
The dune walk at Serra do Espírito Santo, the Cachoeira da Formiga trail, and the panoramic hike to Serra do Roncador are popular.
When is the best time to visit Jalapão?
The dry season from May to September offers the most reliable road access and clear trails.
Do I need a guide for the park?
Guides are mandatory for long treks and waterfall visits; short dune walks can be done independently after entry.
Can I camp inside the park?
Camping is allowed only in designated campgrounds; wild camping is prohibited.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Jalapão State Park
Loading…
Was this useful?