Patagonia's Most Dramatic National Park Boasts Soaring Glaciers, Forests, And Incredible Mountain Peaks

If you love wide open wilderness, tall mountains, and stunning glaciers, then there aren't many places in the world that will top Patagonia. Spanning the southern regions of both Chile and Argentina, it is an adventurer's paradise like no other. You can hike, climb, kayak, horseback ride, wildlife watch, and so much more across its plains, forests, and icefields.  Although one of the world's most famous glaciers sit on the Argentinian side, there is a remarkable glacier hidden in one of Chilean Patagonia's most dramatic national parks. 

The Parque Nacional Laguna San Rafael sits in Western Patagonia and the Southern Andes and is home to Monte San Valentin, a mountain that reaches higher than any other in the region. Spilling into the sea is the San Valentin Glacier, which is a sight to behold with 30,000 years of ice cascading through the valleys. With plenty of thrilling activities, fascinating wildlife, and mind-blowing sights like these, the Parque Nacional Laguna San Rafael has to be on your next Patagonia itinerary. 

As with any remote region, getting to Parque Nacional Laguna San Rafael can be tricky. The first step will be getting to Chile. There are seven direct flight routes from cities in the United States to Chile's capital, Santiago, departing from California, Texas, Florida, New York, and Georgia. From there, it's easiest to transfer to Coyhaique or Puerto Chacabuco, the nearest hubs to the park. You can do this transfer via an internal flight (the shortest route), with a private vehicle, or with a series of buses (the longest route). Once you arrive to these hubs, the easiest thing to do is rent a car if you haven't already, or organize a boat trip to the mouth of the glacier. 

There is a relatively new road entering the park from the town of Puerto Rio Tranquilo, but travelers have advised that if you want to see the glacier, some water transport will be required regardless. Nevertheless, with the world's longest drivable road passing through Chile, it has to be one of the best destinations for a road-trip. The X-728 road that takes you into the park and even to Monte San Valentin will bless you with the best views of the landscape and all of its varying terrain. 

Once you've made your way to the national park, Mother Nature is at your service, whether you're after some world-class sightseeing, a new physical challenge, or a relaxing cruise. One of the most adrenaline-pumping adventures has to be climbing or trekking the 13,313 foot Monte San Valentin. Treks can start from the towns of Cochrane or Laguna Toro, with the latter being considered the easier route for those without robust mountaineering experience. The surrounding area is also a great place to spot some of the wildlife who call Parque Nacional Laguna San Rafael home, including the South Andean deer and many aquatic creatures in the bay, like marine otters. 

A number of operators also offer multi-night adventures into the park, including cruises from more northerly ports through the fjords and to the San Valentin Glacier. There are hiking and camping packages available, and you can also camp off on your own just outside the park for an additional fee (the entrance fee, which at the time of writing is $12.30 for foreign adults and $6.10 for children aged 12 to 17; children under 11 and adults over 60 go for free). Even if you're an experienced camper, Patagonia is a wild environment, so make sure you heed the advice of search and rescue workers to stay safe while camping. With proper precautions, an adventure into Chilean Patagonia could be the trip of a lifetime.