Nahuelbuta National Park facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Nahuelbuta National Park
IUCN Category II (National Park)
From the top down and in the left-right direction: View from the Piedra del Águila lookout towards the east, View of an Araucaria araucana at the Piedra del Águila viewpoint, View towards the Piedra del Águila viewpoint, Araucarias at the Piedra del Aguila viewpoint, Trunk of an Araucaria araucana, Ñirre (Nothofagus antarctica) in the park.
Location	La Araucanía Region, Chile Chile
Nearest city	Angol
Area	68 km²
Established	1939
Governing body	Corporación Nacional Forestal

Nahuelbuta National Park (Spanish pronunciation: [nawelˈβuta]) is a special place in Chile, located in the La Araucanía Region. It's one of the few parks found in Chile's Coastal Mountain Range. This park sits on the highest parts of the Cordillera de Nahuelbuta, also known as the Nahuelbuta Mountains.

The park was created in 1939. It covers a large area of 6,832 hectares (about 16,882 acres!). You can find it about 162 kilometers northeast of Temuco. The name "Nahuelbuta" means "big tiger" in the Mapuche language. This park is a safe home for amazing monkey puzzle trees, some of which are incredibly old, dating back 2,000 years!

Plants and Trees in Nahuelbuta

Nahuelbuta National Park is home to many different kinds of plants. The most famous are the ancient monkey puzzle trees. These trees are very unique and can live for thousands of years.

Besides the monkey puzzle trees, you can also find other native trees. These include coigüe, ñirre, oak, and lenga trees. The park also has beautiful orchids and even some carnivorous plants! These special plants catch insects for food.

Animals of Nahuelbuta

The park provides a safe home for many interesting animals. You might spot a mountain lion, which is a large wild cat. There's also the pudú, which is a very small type of deer found in Chile.

Another special animal here is Darwin's fox. This is a rare and small fox species. For bird watchers, the park is a great place to see the large Magellanic woodpecker. You might also hear or see the Andean tapaculo and the chucao tapaculo. These are small, shy birds known for their loud calls.

Exploring the Park

Nahuelbuta National Park offers many ways to explore its natural beauty. There are about 30 roads and 15 trails you can use. You can explore these paths by car or by walking.

The main information center for the National Forest Corporation (Chile) is in Pehuenco. This is also where you'll find a camping area. The most popular walking route starts here. It's a beautiful path that stretches over four kilometers.

Piedra del Águila Viewpoint

The popular route ends at a peak called Cerro Piedra del Águila. This means "Eagle Stone Hill" in Spanish. It stands tall at 1,379 meters (about 4,524 feet). From the top, you get an amazing view of the park's lush forests.

You can also see the huge Pacific Ocean to the west. To the east, you'll see an impressive line of Andean volcanoes. Other peaks in the park include Cerro Anay and Alto Nahuelbuta.

Sunset Views

When the sun starts to set, Nahuelbuta offers a truly beautiful sight. The sky fills with red and pink colors. This colorful sky frames hundreds of the ancient monkey puzzle trees. It's a perfect moment to enjoy the park's peaceful atmosphere.

Camping and Facilities

The park's main office is also located in Pehuenco. This area is about 42 kilometers from Angol. There are 10 camping spots available for visitors. Each spot has picnic tables, areas for fires, and simple toilets. Fresh water is also available. The park is open for visitors all year round.

See also

In Spanish: Parque nacional Nahuelbuta para niños