Tierra del Fuego National Park
How to Get There, What to See, and What to Do.
Tierra del Fuego National Park is located just 10 km from Ushuaia and offers a unique opportunity to experience the breathtaking nature of southern Patagonia. Bordering Chile and the Beagle Channel, this is truly the end of the world.
Discover Tierra del Fuego National Park
Created in 1960, the park protects 70,000 hectares of Patagonian forest, rivers, lakes, mountain ranges, and the southern coast of the Beagle Channel. It’s the perfect place for a full-day trip, with designated picnic areas and a wide variety of trails.
How to Get to Tierra del Fuego National Park from Ushuaia
By car: Follow National Route 3. Roads inside the park are gravel. In winter, snow tires or chains are mandatory.
On a tour: Most travel agencies in Ushuaia offer half-day or full-day tours to the park.
By public transport: A few vans and buses head to the park, mainly for staff. Service can be irregular and prices for tourists are not fixed. It’s best to inquire at the Ushuaia Tourist Information Office.
By bicycle: During summer, you can rent a bike in Ushuaia and cycle to the park.
Park Hours
Open daily from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Entry Fees to Tierra del Fuego National Park
(Prices in Argentine pesos)
- General admission: $40,000
- Argentine citizens: $12,000
- Tierra del Fuego residents: $5,000
- Argentine students (with ID): $7,000
- Free: children under 5, retirees, people with disabilities, and Ushuaia residents.
Payments accepted in cash or by Visa/Mastercard (debit/credit).
Main Attractions and Things to Do
Alakush Visitor Center
A great starting point for your visit, the Alakush Visitor Center features an interpretive hall, exhibits on indigenous cultures, a restaurant and café, souvenir shop, public restrooms, and a scenic viewpoint.
Lapataia Bay
This picturesque bay offers stunning views of the Beagle Channel. It marks the southern end of National Route 3, which begins in Buenos Aires and runs 3,079 km down the Patagonian coast. Several easy hiking trails start from here, leading to peat bogs, beaver habitats, and Negra Lagoon.
Zaratiegui Bay
Located on the Beagle Channel, this bay is surrounded by Patagonian forest featuring lenga, ñire, and coihue trees. There’s a small post office where you can send a postcard from the end of the world.
Lake Acigami (formerly Lake Roca)
Shared by Argentina and Chile, this is the park’s largest freshwater lake. It’s a popular spot for kayaking, boat rides, and lakeside hikes through pristine forest landscapes.
Hiking and Trekking Trails
Tips for Hikers:
- Wear sturdy or hiking-specific shoes.
- Carry water and warm layers.
- Don’t litter.
- Be prepared for sudden weather changes.
Tierra del Fuego National Park offers over 40 km of marked hiking trails. Here are some of the most popular routes:
Hito XXIV Trail
Begins at Alakush Visitor Center. Follows Lake Acigami’s shoreline into the forest and ends at a monument marking the Argentina–Chile border.
Distance: 3.5 km | Difficulty: Easy | Time: 2–3 hours (round trip)
Pampa Alta Trail
Starts near the train station. A gentle uphill hike with great views of the Beagle Channel and Cerro Guanaco.
Distance: 5 km | Difficulty: Moderate | Time: 3–4 hours (round trip)
Coastal Trail (Senda Costera)
Scenic trail along the Beagle Channel, from Zaratiegui Bay to Lapataia Bay. Walks through coastal and forest landscapes.
Distance: 8 km | Difficulty: Moderate | Time: 3–4 hours (one way)
Tip: You can return to Ushuaia from Lapataia Bay.
Cerro Guanaco Trail
The most challenging trail. Starts along the Hito XXIV path, then climbs steeply to Cerro Guanaco’s summit.
Distance: 4 km | Difficulty: High | Time: 4–5 hours (one way)
Camping in Tierra del Fuego National Park
The former Lake Roca campsite was closed in 2016 for conservation reasons. Currently, there are no camping areas in the park, but a new site is under consideration.