Located at the southernmost tip of South America, Tierra del Fuego National Park is a breathtaking natural reserve renowned for its dramatic and diverse landscapes. Established in 1960, Tierra del Fuego National Park is one of the most remarkable protected areas in the world. Its landscapes include glacier-carved valleys, dense subantarctic forests, pristine lakes, high peat bogs, and sweeping pampas. The park also borders the Beagle Channel, offering spectacular panoramic views of mountains meeting the sea. This convergence of marine, forest, and mountain environments creates an unforgettable setting where every viewpoint feels like a postcard momen.
When to Visit Tierra del Fuego National Park
Just 12 km from the town of Ushuaia—often called the southernmost city in the world—the park is easily reached by a short drive. Most travelers arrive in Ushuaia via direct flights from Buenos Aires or regional flights from cities like El Calafate.
The ideal time to visit is during the Southern Hemisphere summer (December to March), when temperatures average between 10°C and 20°C (50°F to 68°F) and daylight stretches long into the evening. The park’s Visitor Center, open year-round, provides trail information, maps, restrooms, and exhibits about the area’s ecology and cultural history—an excellent starting point before exploring.
What To Do in Tierra del Fuego National Park
Hiking is the most popular activity in Tierra del Fuego National Park. The park features a well-maintained network of trails that cross mountains, forests, and lakeshores. Routes vary from gentle, family-friendly walks to more challenging treks for experienced adventurers.
Birdwatching is excellent throughout the park, and photographers will find endless inspiration in its untouched landscapes. Local travel agencies offer additional adventures such as guided land tours, off-road excursions, and canoeing along the park’s southern waterways—a beautiful way to explore the wilderness from the water.
Biodiversity
Tierra del Fuego National Park is celebrated for both its beauty and its remarkable biodiversity. Its forests are dominated by lenga, coihue, and ñire trees, which give the park its distinctive subantarctic character. In spring and summer, the forest floor bursts with color from yellow orchids, vibrant mosses, wildflowers, and the famous calafate berry bush. The striking red firebush (notro) adds bright accents to the landscape.
Wildlife thrives here as well. Guanacos graze across windswept meadows, while the elusive Andean fox roams the forest edges. Bird lovers will delight in spotting species like the Magellanic woodpecker, one of the world’s largest woodpeckers with its unmistakable red crest. Overhead, the majestic Andean condor circles the peaks, and albatrosses glide effortlessly above the channel waters.
You may also encounter beavers—introduced decades ago and now known for reshaping local ecosystems through their dam-building habits.
The Early Inhabitants
The park is deeply rooted in the ancient traditions of the Yamana (Yaghan) people, who lived in this harsh environment for thousands of years. These skilled seafarers navigated the icy waters of the Beagle Channel in handmade canoes and sustained themselves through fishing and hunting. European explorers named the region Tierra del Fuego—Land of Fire—after seeing the smoke rising from Yamana fires along the coast.
Another significant spot is Lapataia Bay, the southern terminus of National Route 3 and the symbolic endpoint of the Pan-American Highway. Travelers come here to photograph the iconic “End of the World” sign and take in the peaceful views across the bay. Nearby lies Acigami Lake (formerly Lake Roca), whose waters continue into Chile as Lake Errazuriz.
An adventure onboard the Train of the End of the World
One of the most iconic experiences in the park is riding the End of the World Train, a historic steam railway that travels a scenic 7 km route from the End of the World Station. The train follows the original path taken by prisoners in the early 20th century, who harvested timber for the nearby Ushuaia prison. Converted into a heritage railway in 1994, it now holds the title of the southernmost functioning railway in the world.
The journey includes a stop at Macarena Waterfall, where visitors can enjoy a short walk and capture photographs of the cascading waters. Operating year-round, the train offers enchanting views of the landscape, whether draped in summer green or winter snow.
Your Adventure to the End of the World Begins Here!
A journey to Tierra del Fuego National Park is an experience like no other—a place where the Andes plunge into the sea, ancient forests whisper stories of the past, and windswept landscapes reflect the raw spirit of Patagonia. Whether you’re hiking along pristine lakes, riding the End of the World Train, or learning about the ancestral Yamana culture, this park invites you to connect with nature in its most untamed form.
If Tierra del Fuego has captured your imagination, we’d love to help you explore it. Take a look at our itineraries in Tierra del Fuego National Park and start planning your adventure to the end of the world.