The transfer of Chile's national parks, reserves and natural monuments from the National Forest Corporation (Conaf) to the new Biodiversity and Protected Areas Service (SBAP) is about 40% complete in Magallanes and is set for March 1, 2027. That is what the Magallanes regional environment secretary, Gonzalo Rosenfeld, told Radio Polar on October 26, 2026: "I can tell you there is 40% progress."
It is the biggest change in decades for Chile's protected areas, which in 2025 received 2,989,788 visits in the 105 units run by Conaf alone, according to its official spreadsheet (see our ranking of the most visited national parks in Chile). The SBAP was created by Law 21,600 and will be in charge of running those parks.
How the transfer of the national parks to the SBAP is going
| Item | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Original transfer date | August 1, 2026 | La Tercera, Jun 16, 2026 |
| New date | March 1, 2027 (seven months later) | Government, via La Tercera; Conaf Ñuble, Oct 26, 2026 |
| Conaf staff moving to the SBAP | About 500, around 380 of them members of the National Park Rangers Union | La Tercera, Jun 16, 2026 |
| Progress in Magallanes | About 40% | Regional environment secretary, Radio Polar, Oct 26, 2026 |
| Progress in Valparaíso | 55% of the regional operational continuity plan | G5noticias, Oct 20, 2026 |
| SBAP 2027 budget | From CLP 18 billion to CLP 22 billion (+20%), according to the regional secretary | Radio Polar, Oct 26, 2026 |
The delay was announced in June: SBAP director Tomás Saratscheff explained that an internal review concluded that "the right conditions are not in place to carry out this process seriously and responsibly," according to La Tercera. The government also ordered an administrative inquiry, CNN Chile reported.
What is happening in each region
- Magallanes: besides the 40% progress, Rosenfeld said the future Cape Froward National Park has started its Indigenous consultation, with a first planning meeting on November 18, 2026, and that Kawésqar National Park already has a management council with 16 communities.
- Ñuble: the regional change management committee reviewed the transfer of the Ñuble and Los Huemules del Niblinto national reserves. The regional agriculture secretary, Juan Luis Enríquez, expects that "between now and March this transfer will be fully completed," Conaf reported on October 26.
- Valparaíso: the 2026-2027 regional operational continuity plan was 55% complete, according to G5noticias.
On Cape Froward and its place on the National Geographic list, see our story; on Kawésqar's first council, this one.
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See advertising optionsPark rangers demand guarantees before the transfer to the SBAP
On October 28, the National Association of SBAP Employees (ANFUSBAP), the National Park Rangers Union and the National Park Rangers Council called on Conaf's executive director, Aída Baldini, and SBAP director Tomás Saratscheff to provide job guarantees and a roadmap with deadlines, Radio Nuevo Mundo reported. "Trust is built with actions, not just statements," said ANFUSBAP president Felipe Castro. The organizations warned they could escalate to nationwide protests if they get no answers.
The most visited parks moving to the new service
The transfer includes the country's most visited nature destinations. These were the five Conaf protected areas with the most visits in 2025:
| Protected area | Region | 2025 visits |
|---|---|---|
| Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park | Los Lagos | 597,307 |
| Torres del Paine National Park | Magallanes | 337,224 |
| Malalcahuello National Reserve | La Araucanía | 318,939 |
| Cueva del Milodón Natural Monument | Magallanes | 137,508 |
| Conguillío National Park | La Araucanía | 135,139 |
Source: Conaf, Protected Areas Visitation 2025, revised on February 28, 2026. These five alone add up to 1,526,117 visits, more than half the total. The list by region is in the most visited national park in each region.
What changes for national park visitors
| Topic | Until February 28, 2027 | From March 1, 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Who runs the parks | Conaf | SBAP |
| Ticket sales | Conaf, through Pases Parques and at park gates | No official announcement of changes |
| Fees | Current fees for each park | No official announcement of changes |
| Park rangers | Conaf staff | Move to the SBAP |
Source: Viajando Chile, based on the stories cited. None of the authorities quoted announced changes to tickets or fees. For this summer season, Conaf's rules still apply: at Torres del Paine, for example, a day ticket costs CLP 9,400 for Chilean adults and CLP 32,400 for foreigners, as we detail in the Torres del Paine entrance fee 2026. Congressman Alejandro Riquelme has already asked Conaf for clarity on 2027 ticket sales in Magallanes, as we reported in the Magallanes tourist season.
Frequently asked questions
When do Chile's national parks move from Conaf to the SBAP?
The date set is March 1, 2027. It was originally August 1, 2026, but the government postponed it in June.
Will park entrance fees go up?
There is no official announcement about it. The fees in force are those published by Conaf for each park.
What is the SBAP?
It is the Biodiversity and Protected Areas Service, created by Law 21,600 under the Ministry of the Environment. It will take over the parks, reserves and natural monuments currently managed by Conaf.
