National park · Brazil
Nascentes do Rio Parnaíba National ParkParque Nacional Nascentes do Rio Parnaíba
Visit the park for a day: drive 4–6 h from Barreiras, pay the entry ticket (check price), and hike the main trail to see capuchin tool‑using monkeys; best in dry season Apr–Sep.
- 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.
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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
724 km² (280 sq mi)280 sq mi (724 km²)
approximate
Established
2002
Best months
Apr–Sep
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 10Above 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.
- North Brazil ↗Yellow fever vaccination is recommended for most of the region; check current guidance before booking.
- North Brazil ↗Malaria risk exists in rural Amazon areas; talk to a travel clinic about prophylaxis.
- North Brazil ↗Do not plan this region by bus: Belém–Manaus by road is over 2,000 km with long unpaved stretches.
At a glance
- Country
- Brazil
- Area
- 724 km² (280 sq mi)280 sq mi (724 km²)
- Approximately 724,324 ha (724 km²) of cerrado savanna, making it one of Brazil's larger protected areas.
- Established
- 2002
- Best months
- Apr–Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
Nascentes do Rio Parnaíba National Park protects a remote cerrado landscape with tool‑using capuchin monkeys, diverse wildlife and limited visitor facilities; a day visit is feasible with a guide and a 4–6 h drive from Barreiras.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 2002.
Size and age
724 km² (280 sq mi)280 sq mi (724 km²) · national park since 2002
Approximately 724,324 ha (724 km²) of cerrado savanna, making it one of Brazil's larger protected areas.
Why go
- See the capuchin 'Einstein monkeys' that use stone tools.
- Spot rare birds like the hyacinth macaw and Spix's macaw.
- Explore extensive cerrado savanna supporting over 200 mammal species.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarCaution
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctCaution
- NovCaution
- DecGo
- JanDry season, warm.
- FebDry, good wildlife.
- MarStart of wet season.
- AprDry, cooler.
- MayDry, comfortable.
- JunDry, ideal for trekking.
- JulDry, stable weather.
- AugDry, good for wildlife.
- SepDry, end of season.
- OctWet season begins.
- NovRain increases.
- DecDry early month.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Einstein capuchin monkeys (tool‑using)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Hyacinth macawAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Maned wolfAll 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
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| SouthWild Wolf Camps – South area | Rustic lodge with rooms, wildlife viewing platform. | Open to guests; reservation required. |
| SouthWild Wolf Camps – Cliff area | Lodge near maned wolf colony, base for hikes. | Open to guests; reservation required. |
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; park spans a large remote 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 | Free | person | price not published; check at gate |
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
- A licensed guide is required for all hikes beyond the lodge area.
- Camping
- Only allowed in designated lodge camps; wild camping prohibited.
- Fire
- Open fires not allowed; use camp stoves only.
Where to stay
In the park
Wolf Valley Camp
Rustic rooms with private bathroom, wildlife viewing.
In the park
Wolf Cliff Camp
Lodge near maned wolf colony, basic amenities.
Safety
Remote location high
Mosquito‑borne diseases 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
- Lodges reachable by 4WD; trails are unpaved and steep, not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay at lodges that support local conservation.
- Do not feed wildlife; carry out all waste.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Nascentes do Rio Parnaíba National Park?
Entry fee is not published online; purchase at the gate (check price).
What are the best hikes in Nascentes do Rio Parnaíba National Park?
The guided Einstein monkey trail (3–4 h) and the birdwatching loop (2–3 h) are top choices; both require a licensed guide.
When is the best time to visit Nascentes do Rio Parnaíba National Park?
Dry season April – September offers clear trails and optimal wildlife viewing.
How do I get to the park from major cities?
Fly to Barreiras (nearest airport) then a 4–6 h drive on dirt roads; arrange transport with a local guide.
Are there accommodations inside the park?
Yes, the SouthWild Wolf Valley and Wolf Cliff camps provide rustic rooms; reservations required.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Nascentes do Rio Parnaíba National Park
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