El Yunque National Forest facts for kids
Quick facts for kids El Yunque National Forest |
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El Yunque in the far background, as seen from the east
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 El Yunque National Forest
Location in Puerto Rico
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| Location | Puerto Rico |
| Nearest city | Río Grande, PR |
| Area | 28,434 acres (115.07 km2) |
| Established | January 17, 1903 |
| Governing body | U.S. Forest Service |
| Website | http://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/elyunque |
El Yunque National Forest is a special forest in northeastern Puerto Rico. It's also known as Bosque Nacional El Yunque in Spanish. This amazing place is the only tropical rainforest in the entire United States National Forest System.
El Yunque sits on the slopes of the Sierra de Luquillo mountains. It covers over 28,000 acres, which is a huge area! This makes it the biggest piece of public land in Puerto Rico.
The forest gets its name from Pico El Yunque. This is the second-highest mountain in the Sierra de Luquillo range. Other tall peaks here include Pico del Este and El Toro. El Toro is the highest point in the forest, reaching 3,494 feet (1,065 m) above sea level.
Lots of rain falls here, sometimes over 20 feet a year! This creates a lush, jungle-like environment. You'll see thick plants, rocky cliffs, beautiful waterfalls, and flowing rivers. Many trails let you explore this unique place and see its amazing plants and animals. El Yunque is also famous for ancient Taíno petroglyphs. People say the Taíno believed El Yunque was the home of their main god, Yúcahu. It was like their version of Mount Olympus!
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What's in a Name?
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The name El Yunque refers to the mountain peak, the forest, and sometimes the whole mountain range. The word yunque in Spanish means "anvil." This name might come from how the mountains look. They are high and flat, like an anvil, when seen from certain directions.
Some people also think the name comes from native words. Yukén or Yuke might have meant "white land." Another name, Yukiyu, was for the god Yokahu. It's a mystery whether the mountain named the range or the other way around!
A Look Back in Time
El Yunque has been important for a very long time. Even before Christopher Columbus arrived, the Taíno people used this area. Archaeologists have found ancient petroglyphs here. These carvings show that the Taíno considered the forest a sacred place. They likely didn't live there permanently.
When the Spanish came in 1493, they soon found gold in the rivers. Gold mining happened in El Yunque's rivers until about 1530. After that, the area was mostly left alone until the 1600s.
In the 1800s, people started cutting down trees for wood and farming. This caught the attention of the Spanish government. In 1876, King Alfonso XII of Spain officially protected the forest. This was to save its soil and water. This makes El Yunque one of the oldest protected areas in the Western Hemisphere. It's only a few years younger than Yellowstone National Park!
After the Spanish–American War in 1898, Puerto Rico became part of the United States. President Theodore Roosevelt then set aside the El Yunque area. It became the Luquillo Forest Reserve in 1903. In 1906, it became a National Forest. It was later renamed the Caribbean National Forest in 1935.
During the World Wars, the forest was still used for wood. The US Navy also installed radar towers on the highest peaks. These helped watch for enemy planes and submarines.
In 1946, the forest became an Insular Wildlife Refuge. People started working to replant trees that had been cut down. The Luquillo Experimental Forest was created in 1956. This was for scientific research and to help save the Puerto Rican parrot.
The forest has faced challenges from strong storms. Hurricane Hugo in 1989 and Hurricane Georges in 1998 caused a lot of damage. Sadly, the parrot population dropped very low. But conservationists have worked hard to help them recover.
In 2007, President George W. Bush changed the name to El Yunque National Forest. This name better reflects the local culture. More recently, Hurricane Maria in 2017 caused huge damage. Trees lost their leaves, and landslides occurred.
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However, the forest and its animals are recovering. The El Portal Rainforest Visitor Center reopened in 2022 after being rebuilt. Today, El Yunque National Forest is a vital natural treasure.
Weather in El Yunque
Puerto Rico has a tropical climate, which means it's warm all year. El Yunque is a tropical rainforest climate, so it rains often. There isn't a clear wet or dry season; it just rains throughout the year.
Temperatures stay pretty steady. In summer, it's about 80°F (26°C) high and 68°F (20°C) low. In winter, it's around 72°F (22°C) high and 58°F (15°C) low. It never gets freezing cold. This constant warmth and rain mean plants can grow all year long!
Protecting Nature
El Yunque is in northeastern Puerto Rico. Winds from the Atlantic Ocean hit the mountains here. This causes a lot of rain, sometimes up to 240 inches (6 meters) each year! This process is called orographic lift. It creates the constant clouds and rain that make the forest so unique.
The forest is home to over 200 types of trees and plants. Sixteen of these are found nowhere else in the world! The critically endangered Puerto Rican amazon parrot lives here. There are only a small number of these beautiful birds left in the wild.
El Yunque also has a special area called El Toro Wilderness. This is the only tropical rainforest wilderness in the U.S. National Wilderness Preservation System. It's a place where nature is left completely wild.
Baño de Oro Natural Area
| Baño de Oro Natural Area | |
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IUCN Category III (Natural Monument)
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| Location | Río Grande, Puerto Rico |
| Established | 1949 |
| Designated: | 1980 |
The Baño de Oro Natural Area is a protected part of El Yunque. It covers 1,840 acres. This area was set aside in 1949 for scientific study. It has different forest types and is free from human disturbance. Baño de Oro has been a National Natural Landmark since 1980.
Amazing Plants of El Yunque
El Yunque has four main types of forest, each with different plants. The types change depending on how high up you are in the mountains.
Sierra Palm Tree Forest
You'll find this forest around 1,970 feet (600 m) above sea level. It's mostly filled with Sierra palm trees. These palms grow everywhere in the forest. But at this height, they are the most common tree because the soil is shallow.
Palo Colorado Forest
This forest grows above 2,500 feet (600–900 m). It's dominated by the palo colorado tree (Cyrilla racemiflora). This tree has reddish, twisted bark, which gives it its Spanish name. Some of these trees are very old, possibly up to 1,000 years! Their hollow trunks are often used by endangered Puerto Rican parrots for nesting.
Tabonuco Forest
The tabonuco tree (Dacryodes excelsa) gives this forest its name. It grows from 660 to 2800 feet (200 to 900 meters) high. This forest is very diverse, with over 170 different tree species. You can also find the laurel magnolia here, an endangered tree found only in eastern Puerto Rico.
Dwarf Forest (Cloud Forest)
The dwarf forest is the smallest part of El Yunque. It's located around 3,000 feet (900 m) high. The plants here look stunted, with wide trunks and fewer leaves. This is because of the high acidity and poor water drainage in the soil.
Many plants have adapted to these tough conditions. You'll often see Ocotea spathulata and Tabebuia rigida trees. This forest is also full of epiphytes. These are plants that grow on other plants, like mosses and ferns. The wide tree trunks are perfect hosts for them.
Amazing Animals of El Yunque
El Yunque is home to many animals, some found only in Puerto Rico. Besides the critically endangered Puerto Rican parrot, you might see other rare birds. These include the Puerto Rican broad-winged hawk and the Elfin woods warbler. The Puerto Rican boa, a type of snake, also lives here.
Other animals include the Puerto Rican oriole and the peregrine falcon. You might spot a red fruit bat or different types of anoles (lizards). In the rivers, you can find the endangered American eel and various shrimp.
Puerto Rican Amazon: Life Cycle and Conservation
The Puerto Rican parrot is a small, beautiful parrot. It's about 11-12 inches (28-30 cm) long. This bird is mostly green with a bright red forehead and white rings around its eyes. It's the only native parrot left in Puerto Rico.
In 2012, there were only about 58–80 of these parrots in the wild. But over 300 were in special breeding programs. Conservation efforts are working hard to protect this special bird.
Coqui: Reproduction and Unique Features
The Coquí is a tiny frog famous in Puerto Rico. There are about 16 different types of coquí, and 13 of them live in El Yunque! This little frog gets its name from the sound it makes: "co-qui!" You can hear them calling as the sun sets.
Coquís are very special to Puerto Ricans. They have become a symbol of the island. Even though they are amphibians, coquís have some unusual features. They don't have webbed toes because they live in trees. Also, their eggs are laid on land, not in water. Instead of tadpoles, tiny froglets hatch directly from the eggs!
Other coquí species in the forest include the grass coqui and the cricket coqui. Each one has its own unique call and habitat.
Arthropods and Climate Change
A study in 2018 found something worrying. The number of insects and other small creatures (arthropods) in El Yunque has dropped a lot. In some areas, it's fallen 10 to 60 times compared to 30 years ago.
This decline also affects animals that eat arthropods, like lizards, frogs, and birds. Scientists believe that rising temperatures are causing this problem. Over 30 years, the forest's temperature has gone up by 2.0°C. This shows how climate change can impact an entire ecosystem.
Fun Things to Do in El Yunque
El Yunque National Forest is a popular spot for visitors. It offers many fun activities for families and friends. You can have picnics, watch birds, or bike in special areas. Camping is allowed in certain spots, and you can even rent cabins. The forest also has amazing views from its observation towers, like Yokahu Tower and Mount Britton Tower.
Hiking Trails
Hiking is one of the most popular activities in El Yunque. The forest has many trails, from easy walks to challenging climbs. The 35.9-mile (57.8 km) Puerto Rican Northeast Trail also passes through El Yunque.
Pico El Yunque Trail
This is the most popular hiking trail in the forest. It's about 5.4 miles long and leads to the top of El Yunque Peak. This peak is the second-highest point in the Sierra de Luquillo. The trail is considered moderately difficult. It climbs about 1,748 feet. You can find the start of the trail near the Palo Colorado Information Center. This trail crosses all four forest types. Dogs are allowed but must be on a leash.
Mount Britton Tower Trail
This shorter trail is 1.6 miles long. It starts from the El Yunque Trail. You'll walk through a Sierra palm forest to reach the top of Mount Britton. At the summit, there's a lookout tower built in 1937. On clear days, you can see both the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea! This trail is rated moderate to difficult.
Los Picachos Trail
This trail is very short, just over 0.2 miles. It's steep but leads to a stone platform. From there, you get a 360-degree view of the mountains and the eastern coast of Puerto Rico. The plants along this trail are part of the rare dwarf forest. You might see tiny trees and small animals like the dwarf anole. This trail is considered moderate to difficult.
Caimitillo Trail
This is an easy, short 0.4-mile trail. It starts near the Sierra Palm Visitor Center. You'll walk through a rainy forest with tree ferns and Sierra palm trees. The trail leads to the Caimitillo picnic area. Dogs are welcome here, but they must be on a leash.
Angelito Trail
The Angelito Trail is an easy, short 0.7-mile path. It goes through the tabonuco forest. This trail leads to the Las Damas Pool, also called Charco Angelito. These are natural pools along the Mameyes River. Be careful of the weather, as this area can have flash floods. The trail was damaged by Hurricane Maria but has reopened. Dogs are allowed on a leash. This is the only trail in the forest located in Luquillo.
La Coca Trail
This trail is 1.8 miles long (one way) and very challenging. It's not just steep, but the forest is very dense. You'll cross many small streams and waterfalls. The trail leads to the beautiful Mameyes Wild & Scenic River area. This is one of the rainiest parts of the forest, so it's often muddy. Always stay on the trail here, as it's easy to get lost in the dense forest.
La Mina Trail
Please note: La Mina Trail is currently closed due to damage from Hurricane Maria in 2017. This used to be a popular 0.7-mile trail. It led to La Mina Falls, a very scenic waterfall. The trail followed the La Mina River. Visitors could swim in the pool at the base of the falls.
Big Tree Trail
Please note: Big Tree Trail is currently closed due to damage from Hurricane Maria in 2017. This was a paved, mile-long trail. It allowed hikers to see some of the largest trees in the forest, like the tabonuco tree. Even though it was paved, some sections were steep. It ended at La Mina Falls.
Río Sabana Trail
This trail is in the southern part of the forest, in Naguabo. It's considered difficult because it goes through dense, steep areas. The trail is 2.2 miles long. It connects to the El Toro and Tradewinds Trails in El Toro National Wilderness.
El Toro and Tradewinds Trails
The El Toro Wilderness Trail is one of the most remote and challenging trails. It's almost 5 miles long, including its unpaved section (Tradewinds Trail). This trail leads to El Toro, the highest point in the forest at 3,526 feet (1,075 m).
You'll cross all four forest types on this trail. This part of the forest is very well-preserved. It's home to many unique and endangered animals. These include the Puerto Rican parrot, the Puerto Rican boa, and the elfin woods warbler. Both El Toro and Tradewinds trails are National Recreation Trails.
Swimming Spots
El Yunque has many natural pools where you can swim. These are often found at the bottom of waterfalls, like La Mina Falls (when open) and the Juan Diego area. Other swimming spots include Quebrada Grande Recreation Area and Angelito Recreation Area.
Always be careful when swimming. Many of these areas can have flash floods, so they are sometimes closed for safety.
Baño Grande and Baño de Oro were popular swimming pools in the past. They were built in the 1930s. They are now preserved as historic sites. Baño de Oro is now a watershed garden, and Baño Grande is a scenic spot.
El Portal Rainforest Center
The El Portal Rainforest Center opened in 1996. It's designed to introduce visitors to the rainforest. The center helps people learn about the plants and animals of El Yunque. It also teaches about the importance of rainforests around the world.
The center has a walkway 60 feet (18 m) above the ground. This lets you see the tops of the trees! Another walkway winds along the tree bases. Inside, there are exhibits, a theater, and classrooms. The center was rebuilt and reopened in January 2022 after Hurricane Maria caused major damage. It's a great place to start your adventure in El Yunque!
Interesting Facts
El Yunque National Forest is often called the only rainforest in the United States. But it's actually the only *tropical* rainforest! There are other temperate rainforests in places like Alaska and the Pacific Northwest.
In 2002, some rivers in El Yunque were named part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. These include the Río Mameyes, Río de la Mina, and Río Icacos. This protects their natural beauty and wildness.
Many people think El Yunque Peak is the highest mountain in Puerto Rico. But it's not! The highest mountain in the forest is El Toro. The highest mountain in all of Puerto Rico is Cerro de Punta, located in the central part of the island.
El Yunque is a big part of Puerto Rican culture. Along with the coqui frog and the Puerto Rican parrot, it's a symbol of Puerto Rico. It was even featured on a special U.S. quarter as part of the America the Beautiful Quarters program!
More Fun Facts About El Yunque
El Yunque National Forest is often called the only rainforest in the United States National Forest Service. But it's actually the only tropical rainforest! There are other rainforests in the U.S., like in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest, but those are temperate rainforests.
You can find two observation towers in the forest: Yokahu Tower and Mount Britton Tower. From these towers, you can get amazing views of the forest.
El Yunque National Forest was chosen to represent Puerto Rico in the America the Beautiful Quarters program. This means it appeared on a special quarter coin!
In 2002, the U.S. Congress named parts of the Río Mameyes, Río de la Mina, and Río Icacos as part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. This helps protect these beautiful rivers.
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See also
In Spanish: Bosque nacional El Yunque para niños
- El Toro Wilderness
- Luquillo Experimental Forest
- Puerto Rican moist forests – ecoregion
- List of national forests of the United States
