Bosque Fray Jorge National Park

Bosque Fray Jorge is a national park in Limarí Province with a dense forest covering about 100 square kilometers. The trees and plants grow here despite the dry surroundings near Ovalle because coastal fog provides essential moisture.

The location was first discovered in 1627 by a Franciscan priest searching for timber to use in construction. The area became an officially protected national park in 1941.

The forest serves as a working research station where scientists study the rare plants and animals found nowhere else nearby. Local guides and researchers are often present, sharing knowledge about how life adapts in this dry region.

The park has multiple hiking trails with varying difficulty levels for visitors to explore. The administration office provides maps and guidance to help you navigate and observe the natural surroundings.

The forest contains plant species normally found hundreds of kilometers to the south, surviving here through the camanchaca coastal fog. This moist fog is what allows this woodland to exist in an otherwise dry region.

Location: Limarí Province

Inception: April 14, 1941

Elevation above the sea: 355 m

Operator: Corporación Nacional Forestal

GPS coordinates: -30.66250,-71.68278

Latest update: December 7, 2025 19:27