On Thursday 12 November 2026 Conaf launched the high season in Torres del Paine National Park with new pick-ups, quad bikes and a mountain UTV, a wildfire prevention plan and a pilot of the "Mountain Safety Passport", a free app that works offline to log your route and call for help. Ranger staff will reach 195, more than 120 of them hired for the summer, the Magallanes environment secretary told Radio Polar.
The park, Chile's second most visited with 337,224 visits in 2025 according to Conaf, starts the season a year after five hikers died at John Gardner Pass in November 2025. We covered it in the O circuit reopening.
What's new for the Torres del Paine high season
View the data as a table
| Park rangers in total | 195 |
| Hired for the summer | +120 |
| Safety Passport checkpoints | 6 |
| Visits in 2025 | 337,224 |
| What's new | What it is | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Mountain Safety Passport | Free app by Conaf and dTicket that works offline; pilot on the northern part of the Paine Massif circuit: Coirón, Dickson, Los Perros, John Gardner Pass, Grey outpost and Paine Grande | Conaf |
| Vehicles | New pick-ups, quad bikes and a mountain UTV for patrols and rescue | Conaf |
| Rescue stretchers | Three mountain stretchers bought by the Torres del Paine municipality with royalty funds | OvejeroNoticias |
| Rangers | 195 in total, more than 120 temporary for the summer | Radio Polar |
| Pumas | Safe-viewing campaign with advice for visitors | Conaf |
Torres del Paine rules that can get you expelled
Park superintendent Mónica Alvarado was clear: anyone using a camping stove outside authorised areas will be expelled. The rules listing the permitted sites are at parquetorresdelpaine.cl, according to Conaf.
| Banned | Why |
|---|---|
| Using a stove outside authorised sites | Cause of past fires; grounds for expulsion |
| Smoking and lighting fires | 99% of wildfires in Chile are human-caused, according to the Magallanes delegation |
| Feeding wildlife | It changes the behaviour of foxes, guanacos and pumas |
| Bringing dogs or cats | Banned in all national parks |
| Swimming in rivers and lakes | Banned in the park |
| Leaving marked trails | Risk to visitors and the ecosystem |
Why fire is such a concern in Torres del Paine
Three major visitor-caused fires shaped the park's recent history: in 1985 a cigarette butt, in 2005 an overturned stove and in 2011-2012 burnt toilet paper, which destroyed more than 17,600 hectares, according to Wikipedia, citing Conaf. The scars on those lenga forests are still visible around Lake Grey and Pehoé.
- 1959Protected area created
- 1985Fire from a cigarette butt
- 2005Fire from an overturned camping stove
- 2011-2012Fire burning over 17,600 hectaresCause: burnt toilet paper.
- Nov 2025Five hikers die at John Gardner Pass
- 12 Nov 2026High season launchNew vehicles, safety app and fire plan.
Nationwide, the 2026-2027 wildfire plan aims to have 319 brigades, 3,778 firefighters, 77 aircraft and 396 detection resources by December, plus 26 night brigades, according to the Magallanes delegation quoted by OvejeroNoticias. More in the 2026-2027 wildfire season.
Checklist for visiting Torres del Paine this season
- Entry: buy it on Pases Parques before arriving; check the 2026 Torres del Paine entrance fee.
- Download the Safety Passport before you lose signal if you are doing the O circuit or the Grey-Paine Grande stretch.
- Check the weather and the park report every morning: John Gardner Pass can close because of wind or snow.
- Cook only at authorised sites and carry your rubbish out.
- To plan the trip use things to do in Puerto Natales and the W and O treks.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Torres del Paine Mountain Safety Passport?
A free app by Conaf and dTicket that works offline: it logs your route, sends weather alerts and lets you report an emergency. This season it is a pilot on the northern part of the Paine Massif circuit.
Can I use a camping stove in Torres del Paine?
Only at the authorised sites listed in the park rules. Using it anywhere else is grounds for expulsion.
How many people visit Torres del Paine?
337,224 visits in 2025, according to Conaf. It is Chile's second most visited park.
