National park · Chile
Bernardo O'Higgins National ParkParque Nacional Bernardo O'Higgins
Go only as a boat day from Puerto Natales (Balmaceda and Serrano glaciers; operator day trips from about CLP 45,000, 2026 estimate) or as the ferry crossing on the Puerto Montt–Puerto Natales route; there are no roads, no trails and no entry gate, so skip it if you want to walk.
- 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
35,259 km² (13,614 sq mi)13,614 sq mi (35,259 km²)
approximate
Established
1969
Best months
Nov–Mar
UNESCO
Biosphere
Rules in force · 6Above 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.
At a glance
- Country
- Chile
- Area
- 35,259 km² (13,614 sq mi)13,614 sq mi (35,259 km²)
- Largest protected area in Chile; figures vary slightly by boundary revision (check).
- Established
- 1969
- Best months
- Nov–Mar
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Puerto Natales
Bernardo O'Higgins is Chile's largest national park, 35,259 km² of fjords, canals and ice along the South Patagonian Ice Field in Aysén and Magallanes. It has no road access and no trail network: you see it from a boat — the day trip to the Balmaceda and Serrano glaciers from Puerto Natales, the multi-day ferry between Puerto Montt and Puerto Natales, or a cruise along the glacier avenue. The Pío XI glacier, the largest in the Southern Hemisphere outside the polar regions, is the headline sight and one of the few glaciers still advancing. Plan it as a sea day, not a hike.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO Biosphere Reserve · 1978Part of the Torres del Paine and Bernardo O'Higgins biosphere reserve listing (check).
Size and age
35,259 km² (13,614 sq mi)13,614 sq mi (35,259 km²) · national park since 1969
Largest protected area in Chile; figures vary slightly by boundary revision (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Puerto Natales.
Why go
- The Balmaceda and Serrano glaciers, reached by boat from Puerto Natales in a single day.
- Pío XI (Brüggen) glacier, the largest in the Southern Hemisphere outside the Arctic and Antarctic, and one of the few that is still growing.
- The fjord-and-ice scenery of the South Patagonian Ice Field, the biggest ice mass outside the poles and Greenland.
- A chance of whales, dolphins and seals on the Puerto Montt–Puerto Natales ferry crossing.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprGo
- MayAvoid
- JunAvoid
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanPeak season; most boat departures
- FebPeak season; book ahead
- MarShoulder of peak; fewer people
- AprColder; some sailings thin out
- MayMost excursions stop; short days
- JunWinter; ferry schedule reduced
- JulWinter; wind and rain
- AugWinter; few services
- SepSeason restarts; weather unsettled
- OctBoats running; wind strong
- NovGood light, fewer crowds than Jan
- DecPeak season; book ahead
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chilean huemul (rare)Sep–May · One of the last refuges for the species; sightings are exceptional. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Andean condorOct–Apr | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Marine otter and cormorantAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Whales, dolphins and seals from the ferryOct–Apr · Most often reported on the open stretches of the Puerto Montt–Puerto Natales crossing. | yes | yes | yes | yes | 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 Puerto Natales
Day boat to the Balmaceda and Serrano glaciers at the head of Última Esperanza Sound.
Full day
Open the page →
From Puerto Montt
Ferry south through the fjords to Puerto Natales, calling at the glacier area.
About 3 days
Open the page →
From Punta Arenas
Bus or flight to Puerto Natales first, then the boat.
3 h by bus
Open the page →
From Ushuaia
Cruise ships through the Beagle Channel and along the glacier avenue toward Puerto Montt.
Multi-day
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Última Esperanza Sound | Balmaceda and Serrano glaciers, the most visited corner of the park. | Day boats from Puerto Natales. |
| Peel Fjord and Sarmiento Canal | Amalia glacier and the central fjord country. | Multi-day ferries and cruises only. |
| Pío XI (Brüggen) glacier | The largest glacier in the Southern Hemisphere outside the polar regions. | Expedition or cruise itineraries; no regular public boat. |
| Puerto Edén | A settlement inside the park, home to Kawésqar families. | Ferry stop; simple lodging and a satellite phone. |
Sketch map
- 1Puerto Natales · Town≈-51.726, -72.506Map ↗
- 2Balmaceda glacier · Viewpoint≈-51.050, -73.250Approximate.Map ↗
- 3Serrano glacier · Viewpoint≈-51.467, -73.133Approximate.Map ↗
- 4Jorge Montt glacier · Viewpoint≈-48.367, -73.500Map ↗
- 5Pío XI (Brüggen) glacier · Viewpoint≈-49.217, -74.000Approximate.Map ↗
- 6Puerto Edén · Village≈-49.126, -74.413Map ↗
Take the points offline
6 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 orientation only; the park has no single visitor centre and no mapped 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 | Free | person | No gate or ticket office on the boat routes; you pay the boat operator instead. |
| Balmaceda and Serrano glacier boat day from Puerto Natales | CLP 45,000–90,000 | person | One operator's published full-day excursion fare is CLP 45,000; other operators and inclusions vary — 2026 estimate. |
| Puerto Montt–Puerto Natales ferry | CLP 150,000–400,000 | person | Fares vary by season, cabin and direction; the southbound crossing is often cheaper in high season — 2026 estimate. |
| Pío XI glacier excursion | Free | person | Sold as part of multi-day cruise or expedition packages, not as a standalone ticket. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry no permit
Landing at Puerto Edén no permit
Independent kayak or yacht travel permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- CLP 45,000–90,000
- CLP 150,000–400,000
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 CONAF — Parque Nacional Bernardo O'Higgins before you go.
Park rules
- No trails
- There is no marked hiking network; walking is limited to short shore stops on guided excursions.
- Glacier distance
- Boats keep a safe distance from calving faces; do not ask to be taken closer.
- Fires
- No fires anywhere ashore; the vegetation is slow to recover.
- Litter
- Carry everything back to the boat; there is no waste collection in the fjords.
- Drones
- Not allowed without permission from CONAF and the Chilean navy.
Where to stay
Near the park
Puerto Natales
The practical base for the Balmaceda and Serrano day boats; hostels to full hotels.
In the park
Puerto Edén
Simple family lodging and summer camping; the only place to sleep inside the park.
In the park
Ferry cabin
Bunks and cabins on the Puerto Montt–Puerto Natales crossing; book early for Dec–Feb.
Safety
Weather at the end of the world high
No rescue infrastructure high
Cold-water immersion high
Motion sickness on the ferry 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 day boats from Puerto Natales are the most accessible option: you stay on deck and walk only short, uneven shore paths.
- The ferry crossing is not step-free; boarding and moving between decks involves stairs and wet ramps.
- There are no wheelchair-accessible trails, because there are no trails.
Visiting lightly
- Choose operators that keep the permitted distance from glacier faces and wildlife.
- Take all rubbish back to Puerto Natales or Puerto Montt; nothing is collected in the fjords.
- Buy from Puerto Edén families where you can, so the Kawésqar community benefits from passing boats.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Bernardo O'Higgins National Park?
There is no gate and no CONAF ticket on the boat routes, so entry itself is free. What you pay is the boat: a Balmaceda and Serrano glacier day from Puerto Natales is about CLP 45,000–90,000 per person (2026 estimate), and the Puerto Montt–Puerto Natales ferry is roughly CLP 150,000–400,000 depending on cabin and season.
What are the best hikes in Bernardo O'Higgins National Park?
There are none in the usual sense. The park has no marked trail network and no road access; walking is limited to short shore stops on guided boat excursions, such as the path to the Serrano glacier viewpoint. For real day hikes, use Torres del Paine or Queulat instead.
When is the best time to visit Bernardo O'Higgins National Park?
December to March: long daylight, the most boat departures and the most settled weather. November and March are quieter than January. From May to August most excursions stop and the ferry runs a reduced winter schedule.
How do I get to Bernardo O'Higgins National Park?
By water only. The two practical routes are the day boat from Puerto Natales to the Balmaceda and Serrano glaciers, and the ferry between Puerto Montt and Puerto Natales, which takes about three days and crosses the fjords. Cruise ships also pass along the glacier avenue from Ushuaia.
Can I see the Pío XI glacier?
Only on a multi-day cruise or expedition itinerary; there is no regular public boat to it. It is the largest glacier in the Southern Hemisphere outside the polar regions and one of the few that is still advancing.
Is there anywhere to stay inside the park?
Only Puerto Edén, a remote Kawésqar village on the ferry route, with simple family lodging and summer camping. Almost everyone sleeps in Puerto Natales, Puerto Montt or on the ferry instead.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go