national park · Alto Paraíso de Goiás, GO
Parque Nacional da Chapada dos Veadeiros
The protected core of the chapada, with access through the village of São Jorge and trails leading to falls, canyons and natural pools. It's the region's postcard image and takes a full day.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Parque Nacional da Chapada dos Veadeiros
The Parque Nacional da Chapada dos Veadeiros was created on January 11, 1961, by Juscelino Kubitschek, under the name Parque Nacional do Tocantins. It was reduced several times, down to about 65,000 hectares, and in 2017 it was expanded to about 240,000 hectares, across five municipalities in Goiás. Since 2001 it has been part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, among the protected areas of the cerrado.
The entrance is through the Vila de São Jorge, in Alto Paraíso de Goiás. The most popular trail is Saltos, Carrossel and Corredeiras: about 11 km round trip to the Rio Preto falls, 120 and 80 meters high. The Cânions and Cariocas trail, also about 11 km, leads to the Rio Preto cliffs and the Cachoeira das Cariocas. In the dry season, multi-day treks with camping open up.
Daytime trails are self-guided and signposted, and no one is required to hire a guide. The night visit, in small groups, is always with a guide. Visitor services are run by the concessionaire Parquetur, and the park is still managed by ICMBio (Brazil's national parks agency). The internal shuttle to the trailheads has limited seats.
The high-altitude cerrado has its own rules. In the rain, rivers can rise suddenly, in what's called a cabeça d'água (flash flood); in the dry season, wildfires sometimes close trails for a few days. Checking the park website before you head out saves you a wasted trip.
Before you go
Practical information
How much time to set aside
A full day for one of the long trails, which take 4 to 7 hours.
Best time
The dry season, from May to September, with firm trails and less risk of flash floods. In the rainy season the waterfalls are fuller, but you need to watch the weather. Arrive early: there's a cutoff time to start the long trails.
How to get there
Via GO-239, from Alto Paraíso to the Vila de São Jorge, where the only entrance is. From Brasília, via BR-020 and GO-118 to Alto Paraíso.
Tip
Buy your ticket on the park website and arrive early if you're doing the Saltos trail. Every visitor signs a risk acknowledgment form.
Official website
A look at the place
Parque Nacional da Chapada dos Veadeiros in pictures
These pictures are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs. They may differ from the place.
Click the picture to enlarge it.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Parque Nacional da Chapada dos Veadeiros
Do I need a guide in the National Park?
Not on the daytime trails: they're self-guided and signposted. The night visit is always with a guide.
Where do you enter the park?
Through the Vila de São Jorge, in Alto Paraíso de Goiás, where the only entrance is.
Which trail leads to the Rio Preto falls?
The Saltos, Carrossel and Corredeiras trail: about 11 km round trip, to the 120- and 80-meter falls.
Can I camp?
Only on the multi-day treks, at designated campsites and with a reservation. Campfires are prohibited.
What is a cabeça d'água?
It's a flash flood: the sudden rise of a river caused by rain at its headwaters. In the rainy season, don't go into a waterfall or canyon if it's raining upstream.