The park protects the Jubaea chilensis, a palm species that can live for several hundred years and is endemic to central Chile.
Charles Darwin climbed the main summit during his 1834 voyage on the HMS Beagle to study the geological composition and local flora.
The park was declared a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1984.
The climate is Mediterranean, characterized by long, dry summers and rainy winters.
The park serves as a refuge for the culpeo fox, the puma, and the Andean condor.
Cerro La Campana's summit offers visibility of the Pacific Ocean and the Andes mountains on clear days.
Parque Nacional La Campana is a 8,000-hectare biosphere reserve recognized by UNESCO, notable for harboring one of the last remaining native forests of the Chilean wine palm (Jubaea chilensis). The park encompasses the coastal mountain range and features the iconic Cerro La Campana summit, which rises to 1,828 meters. Vegetation transitions from sclerophyllous forest to high-altitude Andean scrubland as elevation increases. It is historically significant for Charles Darwin’s 1834 expedition to the summit. The park is divided into three sectors: Granizo, Cajón Grande, and Palmas de Ocoa, which are not interconnected by road. It contains extensive trail networks that accommodate varying skill levels, ranging from forest walks to challenging climbs.
The Ocoa valley sector offers the most concentrated views of the mature Chilean palm forest.
Bring sufficient water as there are limited potable water sources within the trails.
Choose your sector carefully before arriving, as the park sectors are geographically separated and require different access points.
Use trekking poles, especially for the steep final ascent to the summit.
Attempting to visit multiple sectors in a single day, as driving between them can take over an hour; underestimating the difficulty of the summit climb.
Operations may be subject to closure during high fire-risk conditions in summer; check official CONAF status before arrival.
Stay on marked trails to protect the fragile root systems of the native palm forests; strictly no open fires allowed.
