National park · Brazil
Chapada dos Veadeiros National ParkParque Nacional da Chapada dos Veadeiros
Go for one full day inside the park: entry is free, but you must join an authorised guide at the gate before 12:00 and pick either the Canyons or the Falls route; add São Jorge village and the private waterfalls around it for a second day.Go for one full day inside the park: entry is free, but you must join an authorised guide at the gate before 12:00 PM and pick either the Canyons or the Falls route; add São Jorge village and the private waterfalls around it for a second day.
- 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
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
655 km² (253 sq mi)253 sq mi (655 km²)
approximate
Established
1961
Best months
Jun–Aug
UNESCO
World Heritage
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
- 655 km² (253 sq mi)253 sq mi (655 km²)
- About 65,515 hectares; the park boundary has been revised since 1961 (check).
- Established
- 1961
- Best months
- Jun–Aug
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Brasilia
Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park protects a 65,515-hectare slice of the Cerrado, the old tropical savanna that UNESCO listed with Emas National Park in 2001. Entry to the park itself is free, but every visitor walks with an authorised local guide, and there are only two signed routes inside: the Canyons route and the Falls route, both entered in the morning and finished by closing time. Most travellers sleep in São Jorge village at the gate, or in Alto Paraíso de Goiás about 20 km away, and add private waterfalls and Moon Valley on a second day. The park closes to visitors through the December–February rains, so plan for June–August, when the falls still run and the roads are dry.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 2001Listed as Cerrado Protected Areas: Chapada dos Veadeiros and Emas National Parks.
Size and age
655 km² (253 sq mi)253 sq mi (655 km²) · national park since 1961
About 65,515 hectares; the park boundary has been revised since 1961 (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Brasilia.
Why go
- A preserved slice of the Cerrado, one of the oldest and most species-rich tropical savannas on earth.
- Two signed routes inside the park: canyons and waterfalls, each a half to full day on foot.
- Waterfalls and natural pools on private land around São Jorge village, reached in 10–20 minutes by car.
- Free entry to the national park itself; the cost is the guide and the transport.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarCaution
- AprCaution
- MayGo
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepCaution
- OctCaution
- NovCaution
- DecAvoid
- JanRainy season; the park is closed to visitors
- FebRainy season; the park is closed to visitors
- MarRains easing; check whether the park has reopened
- AprHumid, frequent showers; trails muddy
- MayRain stops; water still high
- JunDry, clear, waterfalls full
- JulDry and clear; school holidays bring Brazilians
- AugVery dry; hot afternoons
- SepPeak heat, up to 40°C (104°F); water lowPeak heat, up to 104°F (40°C); water low
- OctHot and hazy; first storms late in the month
- NovRains return; check park status
- DecRainy season; the park is closed to visitors
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maned wolf (guará), pampas deer and marsh deerMay–Sep · Dawn and dusk on the open cerrado; sightings are never guaranteed. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Giant anteater, giant armadillo and tapirMay–Sep | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Rheas, seriemas and red-breasted toucansApr–Oct | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Orchids and buriti palms in flowerAug–Oct | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
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 Brasília
Road north on BR-010/GO-118 via São Gabriel and São João d'Aliança to Alto Paraíso, then GO-239 to the park gate at km 39 (mile 24).Road north on BR-010/GO-118 via São Gabriel and São João d'Aliança to Alto Paraíso, then GO-239 to the park gate at mile 24 (km 39).
3.5–4.5 h
Open the page →
From Alto Paraíso de Goiás
GO-239 south to São Jorge village and the park entrance.
30–40 min
From Goiânia
Road via Brasília or the northern route; longer and less direct.
6–7 h
Open the page →
From São Jorge village
Walk or drive to the gate; Moon Valley is a 20-minute walk from the village.
10–20 min
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Canyons route | The Rio Preto canyon, a 120 m waterfall and the Cariocas pool. | Guided only; enter in the morning, leave by 17:00 (18:00 in daylight saving).Guided only; enter in the morning, leave by 5:00 PM (6:00 PM in daylight saving). |
| Falls route | The Rio Preto falls and pools, a shorter and easier walk. | Guided only; same entry window. |
| São Jorge village | Unpaved village at the park gate; guesthouses, camping and simple restaurants. | Open; no asphalt or street lighting. |
| Private land around São Jorge | Moon Valley, Almécegas, Raizama, São Bento, Andorinha and Segredo waterfalls. | Open on payment of a day fee per person. |
Sketch map
- 1Park gate, GO-239 km 39 · Gate≈-14.083, -47.667Approximate; guides wait here in the morning.Map ↗
- 2São Jorge village · Village≈-14.100, -47.650Approximate.Map ↗
- 3Alto Paraíso de Goiás · Town≈-14.133, -47.510Approximate.Map ↗
- 4Moon Valley (Vale da Lua) · Trail≈-14.105, -47.640Approximate; 20-minute walk from São Jorge.Map ↗
- 5Rio Preto canyon · Viewpoint≈-14.070, -47.680Approximate; on the Canyons route.Map ↗
Take the points offline
5 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.
Approximate positions for the gate, São Jorge and Alto Paraíso, for orientation only.
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 | Free | person | No entry fee is charged; you pay the guide instead (check). |
| Authorised guide, per group of up to 10 | BRL 100–200 (≈ US$19–40) | group | Guides wait at the park gate and in São Jorge; agree the price before you set off (check). |
| Private waterfall or Moon Valley, per person | BRL 10–40 (≈ US$2–8) | person | Each property sets its own day fee; Moon Valley is a 20-minute walk from São Jorge. |
| Bus Brasília to Alto Paraíso, one way | BRL 80–150 (≈ US$15–30) | person | 2026 estimate; several daily departures (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Guided entry to the park permit or guide
Private attractions no permit
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- R$100–200≈ US$19–40
- R$10–40≈ US$2–8
- R$80–150≈ US$15–30
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on ICMBio — Parque Nacional da Chapada dos Veadeiros before you go.
Park rules
- Guides
- Entry to the park is only with an authorised local guide; each guide may take up to 10 people.
- Entry window
- Admission is in the morning only, roughly 08:00–12:00, and the park closes at 17:00 (18:00 during daylight saving). Arrive before noon or you will be turned away (check).Admission is in the morning only, roughly 8:00 AM–12:00 PM, and the park closes at 5:00 PM (6:00 PM during daylight saving). Arrive before noon or you will be turned away (check).
- Overnight stays
- Not allowed; visitors must leave the park by closing time.
- Waterfalls in rain
- Stay away from falls and pools during heavy rain or when the water is rising; flash floods are the main hazard here.
- Fires and litter
- No fires; the dry season makes the cerrado highly flammable. Carry out all rubbish.
Where to stay
Near the park
São Jorge village
Guesthouses, hostels and several cheap camping grounds right at the park gate; unpaved streets, no street lighting.
Near the park
Alto Paraíso de Goiás
A small city about 20 km (12 mi) from the gate with more hotels, restaurants and services.A small city about 12 mi (20 km) from the gate with more hotels, restaurants and services.
Near the park
Camping in São Jorge
Private camping areas, around R$10–30 per person per night (2026 estimate); names and owners change, ask locally.
Safety
Heat and sun on the trails medium
Flash floods at waterfalls high
Yellow fever medium
Driving at night 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
- The park routes are rough dirt and rock with river crossings; not suitable for wheelchairs or limited mobility.
- São Jorge village streets are unpaved; some guesthouses and the Moon Valley walk are on uneven ground.
- Alto Paraíso has paved streets and easier vehicle access to services.
Visiting lightly
- Hire a local authorised guide; the fee stays in São Jorge and Alto Paraíso.
- Do not collect crystals, rocks, plants or seeds from the park or private land.
- Take all rubbish back to the village; bins are scarce on the trails.
- Keep to the signed routes — the cerrado recovers slowly from trampling.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park?
There is no entry fee for the national park itself. You pay an authorised guide instead — expect around R$100–200 for a group of up to 10 people (2026 estimate, check). Private waterfalls and Moon Valley outside the park charge roughly R$10–40 per person per day.
What are the best hikes in Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park?
There are two signed routes inside the park, both guided. The Canyons route is the longer one (5–7 hours) through the Rio Preto canyon to a 120 m waterfall. The Falls route is shorter and easier (3–4 hours) and ends at falls and swimming pools. Outside the park, the Moon Valley walk from São Jorge is the easiest half-day.
When is the best time to visit Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park?
June and July: the rain has stopped, skies are clear and the waterfalls still carry plenty of water. August is also good but hotter and drier. The park is closed to the public during the rainy season from December to February, and September can hit 40°C.
Do I need a guide to visit the park?
Yes. Every entry must be accompanied by an authorised local guide, and one guide can take a group of up to 10 people. You will find guides at the park gate on GO-239 and in São Jorge village. Agree the price before you start walking.
Can I stay overnight inside the park?
No. Overnight stays in the park are not allowed and visitors must leave by closing time, around 17:00 (18:00 during daylight saving). Sleep in São Jorge village at the gate or in Alto Paraíso, about 20 km away.
How do I get to Chapada dos Veadeiros without a car?
Fly or bus to Brasília, then take a bus to Alto Paraíso de Goiás (about 230 km, 3.5–4.5 hours). From Alto Paraíso you still need a car, a taxi or a tour to reach São Jorge and the park gate, since the attractions are spread out and not walkable from town.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go