National park · Chile
Cabo de Hornos National ParkParque Nacional Cabo de Hornos
Visit Cabo de Hornos in the summer (Oct–Apr); take the short walk to the Cape Horn lighthouse early in the day (≈30 min) or join a private boat tour to see the cape and memorial (≈2 h). Entry fee around CLP 5,000–10,000 per person (check).
- 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
1,250 km² (483 sq mi)483 sq mi (1,250 km²)
approximate
Established
2005
Best months
Jan–Feb
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 9Above 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.
- Chile ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Chile's National Migration Service or a Chilean consulate; keep the entry slip or digital record you receive.
- Chile ↗Torres del Paine: campsites and refugios on the W and O treks must be booked in advance, and the park requires an entry ticket bought ahead; check the official park (CONAF) channels.
- Chile ↗Chile strictly controls food imports: declare fruit, meat, dairy, seeds and honey on arrival, or throw them away before customs.
- Patagonia, Chile ↗Carry cash: many small towns have no ATM, or ATMs that reject foreign cards.
- Patagonia, Chile ↗Torres del Paine campsites and refugios on the W and O circuits must be booked ahead in high season.
- Patagonia, Chile ↗Southern Patagonia is often reached overland through Argentina; carry your passport for border crossings.
At a glance
- Country
- Chile
- Area
- 1,250 km² (483 sq mi)483 sq mi (1,250 km²)
- Park covers roughly 1,250 km² of islands and sea (official CONAF figure); exact area varies with tidal zones (check).
- Established
- 2005
- Best months
- Jan–Feb
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Punta Arenas
Cabo de Hornos National Park, the world’s southernmost park, protects the Cape Horn archipelago with its iconic lighthouse, harsh winds, and seabird colonies; access is seasonal (Oct–Apr) and mainly by private boat, offering short walks and boat tours in a remote Patagonian setting.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 2005.
Size and age
1,250 km² (483 sq mi)483 sq mi (1,250 km²) · national park since 2005
Park covers roughly 1,250 km² of islands and sea (official CONAF figure); exact area varies with tidal zones (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Punta Arenas.
Why go
- World's southernmost national park with dramatic winds and ocean scenery.
- Cape Horn lighthouse marks the historic maritime waypoint.
- Remote wildlife and seabird colonies on the islands.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarGo
- AprCaution
- MayAvoid
- JunAvoid
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepAvoid
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanMild summer, longest daylight.
- FebWarm, good sea conditions.
- MarSpring, still open.
- AprEnd of season, weather can turn.
- MayPark closed.
- JunPark closed.
- JulPark closed.
- AugPark closed.
- SepPark closed.
- OctOpening month, cooler.
- NovEarly summer.
- DecSummer, good daylight.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seabirds (albatross, petrels)Oct–Apr · Nesting colonies on cliffs. | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Southern elephant seal (rare sightings)Dec–Feb · Check with boat operators. | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cape Horn lighthouse area | Lighthouse, memorial, short walking paths. | Open to visitors; no guide required. |
| Southern islands | Seabird colonies, rugged coastline. | Accessible by boat tours 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 from CONAF park page and map data; approximate for remote points.
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 | CLP 5,000–10,000 | person | estimate for 2026; confirm on park website. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Drones
- Not allowed without special permission from CONAF.check
- Fires
- Prohibited throughout the park.
- Camping
- Only in designated campgrounds; none near the lighthouse.
Where to stay
Near the park
Punta Arenas
Hotels, hostels and restaurants; 3‑hour boat ride to the park.
Safety
Extreme winds high
Cold sea water 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
- Short trail to lighthouse is wheelchair‑inaccessible due to steep steps.
- Boat access may be limited for mobility‑restricted visitors.
Visiting lightly
- Use operators that follow the park’s permitted routes and do not disturb wildlife.
- Carry out all waste; no littering on islands.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Cabo de Hornos National Park?
Entry is about CLP 5,000–10,000 per person (2026 estimate); buy tickets at the gate or via authorized boat operators.
What are the best hikes in Cabo de Hornos National Park?
The short walk to the Cape Horn lighthouse (≈30 min) and the nearby memorial are the main trails; longer hikes require a boat tour and are limited.
When is the best time to visit Cabo de Hornos National Park?
Summer months October to April, with December to February offering the most stable weather and daylight.
Can I camp near the lighthouse?
Camping is only allowed in designated campgrounds away from the lighthouse; check with CONAF for permits.
Do I need a guide for a boat tour?
Guides are not mandatory for the short lighthouse walk, but boat tours to see the cape and wildlife are run by licensed operators.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Cabo de Hornos National Park
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