Parque Nacional Tierra del Fuego is a national park in southern Argentina on the province and island of Tierra del Fuego, from where the park lends its name. Established in 1960 as Argentina's first coastal national park, Parque Nacional Tierra del Fuego overlooks the Beagle Channel and, beyond that, Isla Navarino and its towering jagged peaks to the south.
Ruta 3 connects the park with Ushuaia and snakes its way through Patagonian forest (primarily lenga beech and coihue flora), before reaching its southern terminus at Bahía Lapataia, where travelers can snap a photo with the iconic "Fin de la Ruta Nac. No. 3" sign. The bay offers protection from the harsh prevailing westerly winds and, because of this, the area was historically inhabited by one of Tierra del Fuego's indigenous cultures, the Yaghan. Etymologically, the word Lapataia means 'bay of the forest' or 'bay of wood' in the Yaghan language.
The park is easily accessible by vehicle, bicycle and foot from Ushuaia, which is only ~10 km east of the park's entrance. Southern-crested caracara and magellanic woodpecker are especially prominent within the park. Be wary of the water: Most of the rivers on Isla Grande Tierra del Fuego are infected due to the beaver population and are not safe for drinking.
Trekking & Camping
Trekking in Parque Nacional Tierra del Fuego is certainly not exceptional. Unfortunately, only a small section of the park is open to the public; the vast majority of the park is inaccessible.
There are a couple of free campsites within the park (which is a nice offset to the entry fee). Camping Laguna Verde, a free camp on Río Lapataia, has sites about one hundred meters down a trail that prohibits vehicle access, creating more space for travelers on foot or bicycle.
Sendero de la Baliza
Wander through the park, past the "Fin de la Ruta Nac. No. 3" sign and onto boardwalks "the end of the world." Take a photo at the end of Argentina's Ruta 3 and look out across Bahía Lapataia to the Beagle Channel and Los Dientes de Navarino beyond. The boardwalk can get quite crowded, especially in the summer.
Cycling Parque Nacional Tierra del Fuego
Cycling through Parque Nacional Tierra del Fuego is easy. From Ushuaia, it's ~10 km west on Ruta 3 to the park entrance, then another 12.5 km to Bahía Lapataia, where the road dead-ends. At the road's end, take a photo with the iconic fin del Ruta 3 sign or hike-your-bike up to the nearby mirador for even more brilliant views of the bay.
There are a handful of designated free campsites (camping libre) in the park (see camping section for more info) — good options for those looking to save some cash after an (inevitably) expensive stay in the overpriced city of Ushuaia.
