Bosque Fray Jorge National Park protects an evergreen, Valdivian-type forest that survives on top of the coastal hills of the Coquimbo Region thanks to fog rolling in from the sea. It covers 9,959 hectares, was created on April 14, 1941, and has been part of a UNESCO biosphere reserve since 1977. It opens Thursday to Sunday, from 9:00 to 17:00, with last entry at 15:00. A key fact before you go: since October 14, 2026, Conaf reports that the climb to the relict forest is not passable for vehicles.
*Updated on November 3, 2026.* The information comes from Conaf's park page and the ticket page on Pases Parques, checked that day. From March 1, 2027, parks move from Conaf to the new Biodiversity and Protected Areas Service, as we explain in this article.
Bosque Fray Jorge National Park key facts
| Fact | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Area | 9,959 hectares | Conaf |
| Created | April 14, 1941 | Conaf |
| Biosphere reserve | Fray Jorge, nominated in 1977; 134,311 ha in total | UNESCO |
| Location | Altos de Talinay, Ovalle municipality, Coquimbo Region | Conaf |
| Peaks | Punta del Viento (667 m), Mozambique (560 m) and Centinela (556 m) | Conaf |
| Forest flora | Olivillo, canelo (at its northern limit), arrayán, petrillo, liana yelmo and copihue | Conaf |
| Visitors 2025 | 33,066 | Conaf |
Coastal fog, known in northern Chile as camanchaca, hits the hills and leaves enough moisture for a forest that could not exist on the area's scant rainfall. Conaf describes it as a relict forest: a remnant of vegetation that covered the region in wetter times. Around it, semi-arid scrub dominates, with cacti and chaguales. UNESCO's biosphere reserve page records 440 native plant species, 266 of them endemic to Chile.
Trails open in November 2026
| Trail | Length | Duration | Difficulty | Status per Conaf (from Oct 14, 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bosque Relicto | 958 m | 40 min | Easy | No access: the climb to the forest is not passable for vehicles |
| Universal | — | — | — | No access, for the same reason |
| Los Sentidos | 121 m | 15 min | Easy | No information |
| Semiárido | 2.2 km | 90 min | Medium | Open; requires authorization from park staff |
| El Mineral | 3.1 km (one way) | 2 h (one way) | Demanding | Closed |
Source: Conaf, checked on November 3, 2026. Note: the same day, the Pases Parques page listed the Bosque Relicto, Universal and Semiárido trails, the picnic area and the Environmental Information Center as open, and only El Mineral as closed. Since the forest is the main reason to visit, confirm with Conaf before you travel (Conaf Limarí: +56 53 2620058; coquimbo.oirs@conaf.cl). Conaf recommends a 4x4 vehicle to drive up to the forest.
Bosque Fray Jorge National Park hours and tickets
| Season | Days | Hours | Last entry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low (March 1 to December 20) | Thursday to Sunday | 9:00 to 17:00 | 15:00 |
Source: Pases Parques, November 3, 2026. The page does not yet show high-season hours, from December 21. The park is closed Monday to Wednesday in low season. Tickets are sold on Pases Parques, in separate processes for Chilean and foreign visitors. Pases Parques did not show prices without choosing a date; the site Chile es Tuyo published these 2026 fees:
| 2026 ticket | Chileans and residents | Foreigners |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | CLP 5,500 | CLP 11,000 |
| Teenager (13 to 17) | CLP 2,800 | CLP 5,500 |
| Person with disability (18 to 59) | CLP 2,800 | — |
Source: Chile es Tuyo, national park fees, September 25, 2026. Confirm the price when buying.
How to get to Bosque Fray Jorge from La Serena and Ovalle
| From | Route | Distance and time |
|---|---|---|
| La Serena | Route 5 south to km 387, then dirt road west on route D-540 | 110 km, 1 h 45 min |
| Ovalle | Ovalle-Socos bypass and Route 5 north to km 387; or via Cerrillos de Tamaya and 7 km of dirt road to km 387 | Conaf does not give the distance |
| Santiago | Route 5 north to km 387; signposted level crossing and 27 km of dirt road on D-540 | About 415 km (km 387 of Route 5 plus 27 km) |
Source: Conaf; the distance from Santiago is our calculation from the kilometers Conaf gives. Access is only via route D-540. Conaf and Pases Parques warn that some navigation apps show route D-560, which is not an authorized road. There is no public transport to the park: go by car or on a tour from La Serena. For accommodation, see what to do in La Serena and Coquimbo; at night, combine the trip with the Elqui Valley observatories.
Visitors by month in 2025
| Month of 2025 | Visitors |
|---|---|
| January | 5,266 |
| February | 9,315 |
| March | 1,303 |
| April | 2,387 |
| May | 2,763 |
| June | 2,112 |
| July | 2,838 |
| August | 760 |
| September | 1,477 |
| October | 1,945 |
| November | 1,697 |
| December | 1,203 |
| Total 2025 | 33,066 |
Source: Conaf, protected area visits 2025 (corrected on February 28, 2026). February accounts for almost a third of the year's visits. Outside summer the park is quiet, and between Thursday and Sunday it can be explored in half a day. For comparison, see the most visited national park in each region.
Rules and tips
- No fires, grills, camping stoves or smoking (Law 20,653, article 22).
- No pets, and no drones without Conaf authorization.
- Stay on the trails and do not climb rocks or trees; Conaf warns you may meet guanacos, pumas and skunks.
- Bring warm clothes even if it is hot below: the fog up top is cold and wet.
- Wear hiking shoes and sunscreen and carry water; the official page lists no food sales.
Frequently asked questions
Which days is Bosque Fray Jorge National Park open?
In low season, March 1 to December 20, Thursday to Sunday from 9:00 to 17:00, with last entry at 15:00, according to Pases Parques.
Can I see the relict forest in November 2026?
Conaf reports that since October 14, 2026, the Bosque Relicto and Universal trails cannot be reached because the climb is not passable for vehicles, although Pases Parques showed them as open. Confirm with Conaf Limarí before going.
How much is the entry fee?
In 2026, CLP 5,500 for Chilean adults and CLP 11,000 for foreign adults, according to Chile es Tuyo. Tickets are sold on Pases Parques.
Why is there a forest in a semi-arid region?
Because coastal fog condenses on the Talinay hills and sustains an evergreen forest with species from southern Chile, according to Conaf.
