Laguna del Laja National Park, in the Antuco district of Chile's Biobío Region, protects 11,600 hectares of mountains around the Antuco volcano (2,985 m) and the Sierra Velluda (3,585 m), next to Laguna del Laja. Created on June 25, 1958, it is one of the few parks in Chile whose high season is winter, according to Conaf's page. In 2025 it received 109,078 visitors, almost two in three of them between June and August.
*Updated October 30, 2026.* Tickets are sold on Pases Parques, which publishes opening hours and conditions; the price appears once you choose a date and visitor type.
Key facts about Laguna del Laja National Park
| Fact | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Area | 11,600 ha | Conaf |
| Created | June 25, 1958 | Conaf |
| District | Antuco, Biobío province | Conaf |
| Antuco volcano | 2,985 m above sea level | Conaf |
| Sierra Velluda | 3,585 m above sea level | Conaf |
| Laguna del Laja | 125 km² according to Conaf; 115.6 km² according to the DGA | Conaf and DGA |
| Visitors in 2025 | 109,078 | Conaf, 2025 visitor data |
Conaf calls it "the largest natural reservoir in Chile", at 125 km². The lake inventory of Chile's Water Directorate (DGA), in the SIMBIO Lakes layer, gives it 115.6 km² of water surface and 124 km² in another area field, at 1,410 m altitude. The difference depends on the date and method of measurement, since the lake's level varies with its use for irrigation and hydropower. More in Chile's largest lakes.
Trails in Laguna del Laja National Park
| Trail | Length | Total duration | Difficulty (summer / winter) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Pangues | 1 km | 45 minutes | Easy / easy |
| Las Chilcas-Torbellino | 1.6 km | 90 minutes | Easy / easy |
| Los Coigües | 1.7 km | 90 minutes | Easy / easy |
| Sendero de Chile | 7 km | 4.5 hours | Easy / easy |
| Sierra Velluda | 9.6 km | 5 to 7 hours | Moderate / difficult |
Source: Conaf. Las Chilcas-Torbellino includes the Los Tatas section, 500 meters of concrete path with double handrails, suitable for people with reduced mobility, with two lookouts over the waterfalls. Conaf warns that a 200-meter boardwalk on that trail is not in use. All trails carry a risk of lightning from October to March, and Sierra Velluda carries a year-round risk of avalanches and rockfall.
Laguna del Laja National Park opening hours
| Season | Dates | Hours | Last entry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | October 1 to June 16 | Monday to Sunday, 08:30 to 18:00 | 18:00 |
| Winter | June 17 to September 30 | Monday to Sunday, 08:30 to 17:30 | 14:00 |
Source: Pases Parques, checked on October 30, 2026. Hours may change due to weather or safety. There is a wheelchair-accessible lookout, an environmental information center, fishing areas and camping, according to Conaf.
Do you run cabins, a refuge or tours in Antuco or Los Ángeles? Reach travelers planning the Biobío region, in four languages.
See advertising optionsHow to get to Laguna del Laja
From Los Ángeles it is 82 paved kilometers to Abanico and then a gravel road, passable year-round, to the park, according to Conaf. In winter you need snow chains to reach the ski runs, which operate in July and August. There are daily rural buses from Los Ángeles to Abanico, but no public transport for the last 11 kilometers.
| Stretch | Distance | Road type |
|---|---|---|
| Los Ángeles to Abanico | 82 km | Paved |
| Abanico to the park entrance | 11 km | Gravel, no public transport |
When to visit Laguna del Laja: the winter park
Snow explains the visitor pattern: in 2025 July was the busiest month, with 23,868 visitors, followed by June (21,159) and August (17,554), according to Conaf. In spring and summer the park is quieter and you can do the long trails, with flowers, waterfalls and views of the Sierra Velluda.
| Month (2025) | Visitors | Month (2025) | Visitors |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 5,579 | July | 23,868 |
| February | 7,149 | August | 17,554 |
| March | 3,748 | September | 5,710 |
| April | 4,715 | October | 4,094 |
| May | 6,769 | November | 5,153 |
| June | 21,159 | December | 3,580 |
Source: Conaf, 2025 visitor data. The park has Chilean cedar (ciprés de la cordillera), the northernmost natural araucaria population, and 47 bird species, including the condor. The Saltos del Laja are nearby; for other volcanoes, see Chile's highest volcanoes.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Laguna del Laja National Park?
In the Antuco district, Biobío Region, about 93 kilometers from Los Ángeles.
What are the park's opening hours?
From October to mid-June, 08:30 to 18:00; in winter, 08:30 to 17:30, with last entry at 14:00.
Can you climb the Antuco volcano?
Conaf's page does not describe a trail to the summit. For climbs, ask the park administration and go with a guide.
When is there snow at Laguna del Laja?
Between June and September. The ski runs operate in July and August, according to Conaf.
