Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park from Puerto Varas

Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park is the oldest national park in Chile. It protects Osorno Volcano, Lake Todos los Santos, the Petrohue Waterfalls and the Valdivian rainforest between the volcanoes. It begins in Ensenada, 44 km from Puerto Varas, where our base is. This guide covers its areas, trails, rules and how to explore it.

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Quick factsUpdated 25 October 2026

Created: 17 August 1926: the oldest national park in Chile
Area: 253,780 ha, in the Puerto Varas and Puerto Octay districts
Managed by: CONAF
Areas: Ensenada and Laguna Verde, Petrohue Waterfalls, Petrohué, Osorno Volcano, Peulla and Laguna Cayutué
From Puerto Varas: 44 km to Ensenada on Route 225-CH
Entry: Charged at the Petrohue Waterfalls (pasesparques.cl); Laguna Verde is free
Pets and fires: Not allowed

Lake Todos los Santos between forested hills, seen from above

The oldest national park in Chile

The park was created on 17 August 1926 and is the oldest in Chile. It covers 253,780 hectares in the Los Lagos Region, from 50 m above sea level on the shore of Lake Llanquihue to the 3,491 m summit of Mount Tronador, on the border with Argentina. It is run by CONAF, the national forest service, and is part of the Temperate Rainforests of the Southern Andes Biosphere Reserve.

Joined to the parks of Argentina

To the east it borders Nahuel Huapi National Park in Argentina, and to the north Puyehue National Park. Together they form a continuous protected area of about 15,000 km². In 2024 it received 565,665 visitors.

Who was Vicente Pérez Rosales

Vicente Pérez Rosales was the Chilean government agent in charge of German settlement in the south, in the mid-19th century. The settlers made their homes around Lake Llanquihue, at the doorstep of today's park.

What to see in Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park

The most visited places are on the road from Ensenada to Petrohué, Route 225-CH.

Laguna Verde

The first stop from Puerto Varas: an emerald lagoon with a short universal-access trail, free of charge. It is 500 m from our base; everything is in our guide to Laguna Verde in Ensenada.

A waterfall at the Petrohue Falls below Osorno Volcano

Petrohue Waterfalls

Falls on the Petrohue River over lava from Osorno, the most visited area of the park and where the entrance fee is checked. Hours, prices and trails are in our guide to visiting the Petrohue Waterfalls.

A beach of volcanic stones on the shore of Lake Todos los Santos, with forested hills

Lake Todos los Santos and Petrohué

The lake where the Petrohue River begins, with the village of Petrohué on its shore. Boats to Peulla leave from there; how to plan the trip is in things to do in Ensenada.

Osorno Volcano

The 2,652 m volcano that dominates the park. You can drive up to the Osorno Volcano ski resort and, with a guide, climb to the summit of Osorno Volcano.

A hiker on a trail through native forest, with Lake Todos los Santos and hills behind

Hiking trails in the park: length and elevation

CONAF looks after trails for every level, from short walks to full-day hikes. Before you set off, register your hike with the park rangers, as CONAF asks on every trail in the park.

Short trails for families

In the Ensenada area are the Laguna Verde trail, with universal access, and Los Pilleyos, on volcanic rock. At the waterfalls are the Saltos del Petrohué, Los Enamorados and Carilemu trails, all short.

Rincón del Osorno, Los Alerces and El Solitario

Rincón del Osorno (2.4 km, 60 m of elevation gain) follows Lake Todos los Santos among coigüe trees over 20 m tall. Los Alerces (3.5 km, 130 m) passes 7 alerce trees that survived logging. El Solitario (5.6 km, 200 m) links the road to Petrohué with the volcano road, through forest and a volcanic mudflow. We hike Rincón del Osorno with a guide on our Rincón del Osorno trek.

Paso Desolación, the toughest

It is 11.5 km with 900 m of elevation gain on the slopes of Osorno Volcano, from Petrohué toward Cerro La Picada, with views down to Lake Todos los Santos. We do it with a guide, hiking and biking, on the Paso Desolación trek and bike.

Plants and wildlife: Valdivian rainforest below the volcanoes

The park protects Valdivian rainforest, an evergreen temperate rainforest. Petrohué gets about 4,000 mm of rain a year; January, February and March are the driest months, and above 1,000 m there is snow all year.

Trees of the park

Coigüe is the most common tree, between 200 and 1,000 m. Ulmo, tineo and canelo grow with it, and alerce grows between 800 and 1,000 m. Higher up, in the cold zones, there is lenga and ñirre.

Animals and birds

The park is home to the pudú, puma, kodkod (güiña), southern river otter (huillín) and the monito del monte, a small marsupial. Birds include the torrent duck, Magellanic woodpecker, green-backed firecrown, ringed kingfisher and chucao tapaculo, heard in the forest more often than seen.

Entry, opening hours and CONAF rules

Entry is a digital pass bought at pasesparques.cl and checked at the Petrohue Waterfalls. This year's prices, opening hours and the status of the area are in our guide to visiting the Petrohue Waterfalls. Laguna Verde is free and open from 9 am to 5 pm. To confirm hours and closures, call the CONAF office in Ensenada: +56 65 221 2036.

No pets or exotic animals.
No fires, grills, camping stoves or smoking (Law 20,653).
Stay on the trails and register your hike with the park rangers.
To climb Osorno Volcano or go mountaineering, register with CONAF.
Drones only with CONAF authorization.
Do not feed wildlife, do not take plants or stones, and take your trash with you.

Getting to the park from Puerto Varas

By car on Route 225-CH

From Puerto Varas take Route 225-CH east, along Lake Llanquihue. At km 44 is Ensenada, where the park begins and where our base is. From there the road continues to Laguna Verde and the Petrohue Waterfalls and ends at Petrohué, on Lake Todos los Santos. From Puerto Montt it is 72 km.

By bus

Buses JM runs to Petrohué and Buses Interlagos links Ensenada with Petrohué, passing the waterfalls. Minibuses leave from San Bernardo and Walker Martínez in Puerto Varas.

Roads in winter

The Osorno Volcano road may need chains or 4×4 in snow. In heavy rain, CONAF may close the road from Ensenada to Lake Todos los Santos because of landslides: check before you go. For groups of 12 or more we run transfers from Ensenada.

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A group of hikers on a native forest trail at Rincón del Osorno

Guided activities in the park, from Ensenada

From our base, at the gateway to the park, we run the Osorno Volcano glacier trek, the Osorno summit climb and the Paso Desolación trek and bike. On the water, Petrohue River rafting runs 8 km of class III rapids, and the sea kayak tour on Lake Llanquihue follows the park shore.

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Wooden house at the TerraSur base in Ensenada, with a cabins and campsite sign and a red kayak

Where to stay at the gateway to the park

CONAF has no campsites open inside the park, and the nearest lodging is in Ensenada. Barlovento is there, the same company and base as TerraSur: cabins in Ensenada and a campsite facing Lake Llanquihue, open all year. Staying here lets you reach the waterfalls and Petrohué early, before the groups that leave from Puerto Varas.

Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park FAQ

Where is Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park?

It is in the Los Lagos Region, in the Puerto Varas and Puerto Octay districts. It begins in Ensenada, 44 km from Puerto Varas on Route 225-CH, and reaches the border with Argentina.

How much is the entrance fee?

Entry is a digital pass bought at pasesparques.cl and checked at the Petrohue Waterfalls. The price depends on age and nationality. Laguna Verde is free.

What are the opening hours?

It depends on the area. The Petrohue Waterfalls open every day from 9 am and close between 5 pm and 6 pm, depending on the season. Laguna Verde is open from 9 am to 5 pm.

What can you do in the park?

Visit Laguna Verde and the Petrohue Waterfalls, take a boat across Lake Todos los Santos from Petrohué, go up Osorno Volcano and hike trails such as Rincón del Osorno or Paso Desolación.

How do I get there from Puerto Varas?

Take Route 225-CH east: 44 km to Ensenada, where the park begins. By bus, Buses JM and Buses Interlagos run to Petrohué.

Can you camp in the park?

CONAF currently has no campsites open inside the park, and camping outside authorized places is not allowed. The nearest campsite is in Ensenada, at the gateway to the park.

Which trails does the park have?

There are short trails, such as Laguna Verde, Los Pilleyos and those at the waterfalls, and half-day or full-day hikes: Rincón del Osorno (2.4 km), Los Alerces (3.5 km), El Solitario (5.6 km) and Paso Desolación (11.5 km).

Can I bring my dog?

No. CONAF does not allow pets or exotic animals in the park.

When was the park created?

On 17 August 1926. It is the oldest national park in Chile.