Altos de Campana National Park, National park in Panamá Oeste and Coclé Provinces, Panama.
Altos de Campana is a protected forest area in Panamá Oeste and Coclé provinces spanning volcanic terrain with multiple forest ecosystems at different elevations. The highest point, Cerro Campana peak, reaches 850 meters and overlooks humid tropical forests that shift into cooler mountain vegetation zones.
The area became Panama's first national park in 1966, protecting geological evidence from an ancient volcanic eruption. The landscape still bears traces of this distant event and shows how nature reshaped itself in the aftermath.
The park serves as a refuge for rare animal species found nowhere else, including the golden frog that locals recognize as a symbol of these forests. Visitors encounter these creatures in their natural surroundings and understand why this place matters for protecting wildlife.
The park sits roughly 50 kilometers west of Panama City along the Interamerican Highway and is relatively easy to reach. The Sendero La Cruz trail takes visitors through different forest layers, making it possible to explore the varying ecosystems in one outing.
The park is home to the violet-bellied hummingbird, a striking species visitors can spot during the right season while exploring the trails. This bird diversity is one reason birdwatchers find the place especially rewarding.
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