Tierra del Fuego National Park: A Complete Guide to Argentina’s Southern Wilderness

Located at the southern tip of Argentina, near the remote city of Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego National Park is a place like no other. This breathtaking park is the southernmost national park in the world, where the Andes meet the sea, and where forests, mountains, rivers, and lakes blend into an untouched Patagonian paradise.
 

’re an avid hiker, birdwatcher, photographer, or simply in search of solitude and serenity, this park is one of South America's top eco-tourism destinations.

🧭 Quick Facts

📍 Location: 11 km west of Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego Province, Argentina

🏞️ Size: 63,000 hectares (only ~2,000 ha are accessible to the public)

🐾 Known for: Mountains, sub-Antarctic forests, beavers, and marine birds

🛤️ Top attractions: End of the World Train, Lapataia Bay, Ensenada Bay

🎟️ Entrance Fee: ~USD $15 (foreigners), free for Argentine citizens on certain days

🕒 Best Time to Visit: October to April (Patagonian spring & summer)

🌍 The History of Tierra del Fuego National Park

🌲 Established in 1960 to protect Patagonia’s subantarctic ecosystem

🧭 Its name means "Land of Fire," given by explorer Ferdinand Magellan after seeing smoke from native Yámana fires

🚂 Once home to a prison colony, the park’s railway (now the End of the World Train) was used by inmates

🔥 Rich in indigenous, colonial, and natural history

🗺️ Top Things to See & Do in Tierra del Fuego National Park

1. 🚂 Ride the End of the World Train (Tren del Fin del Mundo)

One of the park’s most iconic experiences is boarding the End of the World Train, the southernmost railway on Earth.

🛤️ Originally built to transport prisoners to logging camps

🚞 Today, it's a tourist train offering a scenic, narrated ride through lush valleys, rivers, and forests

🎧 Audio guides in multiple languages

📍 Runs from the entrance to Cascada La Macarena (45-minute ride)

🕒 Tip: Board the morning train for fewer crowds and clearer skies.

2. 🥾 Go Hiking — The Best Trails in Tierra del Fuego National Park

The park has a wide variety of well-marked hiking trails ranging from easy strolls to challenging treks. Here are the most popular:

📍 Senda Costera (Coastal Path)

⏱️ 3–4 hours | 🌲 Moderate | 🛣️ 8 km

🏞️ Connects Ensenada Bay to Lapataia Bay along the coast

🐦 Great for birdwatching and panoramic views

📍 Hito XXIV Trail

⏱️ 2.5–3 hours | ⚖️ Moderate | 📏 7 km round-trip

🏁 Reaches the Chilean border, with amazing lake views

🧭 Passports not required, but cannot cross the border

📍 Paseo de la Isla

⏱️ 30 minutes | 🟢 Easy | 🛤️ 1.5 km

🌳 Ideal for families or beginner hikers

🦆 Follows the Lapataia River, offering birdwatching and tranquility

📍 Cerro Guanaco Trail (Advanced)

⏱️ 7–8 hours | 🔺 Difficult | 📏 14 km

⛰️ A challenging ascent with incredible views of Ushuaia, the Andes, and Beagle Channel

🧭 Only recommended in summer with good weather conditions

3. 🌊 Visit Lapataia Bay

📍 The end of National Route 3, part of the Pan-American Highway

📸 One of the park’s most photographed signs: “End of the road”

🛶 Quiet bay with great birdwatching, including geese and cormorants

🌅 Beautiful at sunrise and sunset

4. 🌄 Ensenada Bay (Bahía Ensenada Zaratiegui)

🧭 Another scenic inlet with postcard views

📬 Home to the southernmost post office in the world, where you can send a letter from the End of the World

🛶 Launch site for canoeing tours

5. 🐦 Wildlife Watching

Tierra del Fuego is home to a rich ecosystem, including:

🐦 Birds: Magellanic woodpeckers, austral parakeets, cormorants

🦦 Beavers: An invasive species, introduced from Canada

🐺 Foxes, guanacos, rabbits

🐟 Marine life (near the coast): Seals, otters, and dolphins

🎒 Bring binoculars for the best chance to spot rare birds.

❄️ When to Visit

🗺️ Getting to Tierra del Fuego National Park

🛫 Fly into Ushuaia — The southernmost airport in the world

🚐 From Ushuaia to the park entrance:

20-minute drive

Taxis or shuttles available from city center (~USD $15–$25 round trip)

Guided tours often include transportation

🚗 Rental cars available for more flexibility

💡 Guided Tours vs. Self-Guided

🎧 Some tours include bilingual naturalist guides.

🛎️ Where to Stay Near the Park

Since overnight stays inside the park aren’t allowed, base yourself in Ushuaia. Top options include:

🏨 Arakur Ushuaia Resort & Spa – Luxury with mountain views

🏡 Tierra de Leyendas – Boutique lodge with local charm

🛏️ Hostel Antarctica – Budget-friendly for backpackers

🛶 Many accommodations offer packaged excursions to the park

🧳 What to Bring

🥾 Waterproof hiking boots

🧥 Layered clothing (weather changes quickly)

🧢 Hat, gloves, sunscreen, sunglasses

🎒 Daypack with water, snacks, rain gear

📸 Camera or phone with plenty of memory

🗺️ Map or offline GPS

🐦 Binoculars for birdwatching

🥘 Where to Eat

There are no restaurants inside the park, so plan ahead:

🥪 Bring snacks or a packed lunch

🍽️ Eat in Ushuaia before or after your visit

🐟 Try local specialties like king crab (centolla) or Fuegian lamb

🌿 Conservation & Park Rules

🦺 Stick to marked trails

🚫 No camping inside the park

🗑️ Carry out all trash

🐾 Do not feed or approach wildlife

🔥 Fires are strictly prohibited

🐶 Pets are not allowed

🧭 Respect signage and opening hours (generally 8 AM–6 PM)

🗓️ Sample 1-Day Itinerary

🕘 Morning

9:00 AM: Depart Ushuaia for the park

9:30 AM: Ride the End of the World Train

10:30 AM: Hike Paseo de la Isla or Senda Costera

🕛 Lunch

Enjoy a packed lunch at Lapataia Bay

🕒 Afternoon

1:00 PM: Explore Hito XXIV trail

3:00 PM: Visit Ensenada Bay and the post office

4:30 PM: Return to Ushuaia

✅ Final Thoughts: Why Tierra del Fuego National Park Is Unmissable

Tierra del Fuego National Park is where nature, history, and geography intersect in dramatic, unforgettable ways. It's the last frontier before Antarctica, offering pristine wilderness and profound solitude.

Whether you’re trekking through ancient forests, marveling at alpine lakes, or mailing a postcard from the end of the world, the park promises a once-in-a-lifetime experience for adventurers, nature lovers, and dreamers alike.