Laguna San Rafael National Park, National park in Aisén Region, Chile
Laguna San Rafael National Park protects a vast expanse of the Northern Patagonian Ice Fields, home to roughly 19 glaciers that feed into rivers and lakes. The landscape is shaped by deep fjords, interconnected waterways, and mountain formations carved by ancient ice flows.
Glacial activity shaped this landscape over millennia, carving deep valleys and creating the fjord system visible today. The ice flows that molded this terrain remain active and continue to influence the region.
The Kawésqar people historically traveled these waterways, and their names still mark the landscape today. You see this heritage reflected in local place names and the way the region's geography shaped human settlement patterns.
Access to the park is primarily by organized boat tours departing from Puerto Chacabuco, with trips ranging from single-day excursions to multi-day expeditions. Weather can change rapidly in this region, so visitors should dress in layers and be prepared for rough water conditions.
The park contains Mount San Valentín, one of the highest peaks in the Southern Andes, which is capped by an extensive ice field. This ice field feeds multiple distinct glacial systems that operate independently within the park.
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