National park · Uruguay
Quebrada de los Cuervos
Visit Quebrada de los Cuervos: pay the entry fee (check), hike the canyon trail on a weekday to avoid crowds, stay in Treinta y Tres; park open Wed–Sun (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.
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
150 km² (58 sq mi)58 sq mi (150 km²)
approximate
Established
1990
Best months
Apr–May
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.
- Uruguay ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Uruguay's Ministry of Foreign Affairs or a Uruguayan consulate; ferry passengers from Buenos Aires clear both countries' immigration at the terminal.
- Uruguay ↗Buenos Aires–Colonia and Buenos Aires–Montevideo ferries sell out on long weekends and in summer: book ahead.
- Uruguay ↗Pay restaurants, hotels and car hire with a foreign-issued card: non-residents get the 22% VAT (IVA) removed on restaurants and car hire roughly 15 November – 30 April, and on lodging — check the current season's rules.
- Central Interior ↗Rural sights (Salto del Penitente, the Buddhist temples, estancias) are not served by bus; plan a rental car for those.
- Central Interior ↗Headlights on at all times on Uruguayan highways.
- Central Interior ↗Most intercity buses start or end at Montevideo's Tres Cruces terminal; cross-region trips often mean transferring there.
At a glance
- Country
- Uruguay
- Area
- 150 km² (58 sq mi)58 sq mi (150 km²)
- Approximate; official sources list about 150 km² (check).
- Established
- 1990
- Best months
- Apr–May
- Permits
- For some areas
Quebrada de los Cuervos is a protected landscape and natural park in Treinta y Tres department, central Uruguay. The canyon offers steep, rocky descents and ascents, rich birdlife including Turkey vultures, and low visitor numbers compared to coastal parks.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national siteProtected landscape and natural park.
Size and age
150 km² (58 sq mi)58 sq mi (150 km²) · national park since 1990
Approximate; official sources list about 150 km² (check).
Why go
- A canyon with steep, rocky descent and ascent offering scenic views.
- Rich birdlife, especially Turkey vultures (locally called "cuervos").
- Relatively low visitor numbers compared to coastal parks.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecGo
- Jancheck
- Febcheck
- Marcheck
- Aprcheck
- Maycheck
- Juncheck
- Julcheck
- Augcheck
- Sepcheck
- Octcheck
- Novcheck
- Deccheck
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Turkey vulture (Cathartes aura ruficollis)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Various Andean‑type birdsOct–Mar | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | 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 Treinta y Tres
Take Ruta 8 north, turn left onto dirt road at km 306.7, then 24 km (15 mi) west to park entrance.Take Ruta 8 north, turn left onto dirt road at km 306.7, then 15 mi (24 km) west to park entrance.
45 min by car
From Montevideo
Bus to Treinta y Tres, then transfer to a bus toward Melo that stops at the park exit; walk 24 km (15 mi) to entrance.Bus to Treinta y Tres, then transfer to a bus toward Melo that stops at the park exit; walk 15 mi (24 km) to entrance.
6–7 h total
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Information centre | Ticket office, restrooms, campsite, leisure area. | Open Wed–Sun. |
| Canyon trailhead | Start of the intermediate difficulty trail into the canyon. | Reachable by foot from centre. |
| Private canyon section | Additional trail to a cascade and camping area. | Open daily, but outside official park. |
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 park centre; approximate for trailhead.
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 (official landscape) | Free | person | Entry fee not published; verify (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
- Opening days
- Official park open Wed–Sun only; private area open daily.
- Guides
- Not required for the main canyon trail, but recommended for the private section (check).
- Camping
- Designated campsite near the information centre only; no open fires.
Where to stay
Near the park
Treinta y Tres town
Hotels, hostels and guesthouses 45 km (28 mi) from park.Hotels, hostels and guesthouses 28 mi (45 km) from park.
Safety
Steep rocky sections medium
Heat in summer low
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
- Information centre reachable by car; short walks to trailhead.
- Trail not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Use the official campsite; avoid private trail litter.
- Leave wildlife undisturbed; no feeding.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Quebrada de los Cuervos?
Entry is about 200–300 UYU per person; open Wed–Sun only (price check).
What are the best hikes in Quebrada de los Cuervos?
The main canyon trail (2–3 h, moderate) and the private cascade trail (easy, 30 min).
When is the best time to visit Quebrada de los Cuervos?
Spring (Oct–Nov) and early summer (Dec–Feb) give dry trails and good birdwatching.
Can I camp inside the park?
Yes, at the designated campsite near the information centre; no open fires.
Is public transport available to the park entrance?
No direct service; you must walk or arrange a taxi from the nearest bus stop.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Quebrada de los Cuervos
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