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Camping in Puerto Natales

Puerto Natales is the essential basecamp for Torres del Paine, offering campers a mix of organized campgrounds and wild Patagonian landscapes. Drive your rental car through vast estancias and along the Última Esperanza Sound to discover camping spots framed by granite peaks and glacial fjords.

5 min readUpdated for 2025–2026 Season
5 campsites
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Puerto Natales, a charming town on the shores of Última Esperanza Sound in southern Chile, is the primary launching point for adventures in Torres del Paine National Park and the surrounding Patagonian wilderness. For car campers, this region is a paradise of possibilities. The town itself offers well-serviced campgrounds, while the roads leading to Torres del Paine and beyond reveal increasingly remote and spectacular camping opportunities. With a rental vehicle, you can explore at your own pace, stopping to camp beside turquoise rivers, beneath dramatic mountain formations, or along the windswept shores of glacial lakes. The combination of world-class scenery, accessible gravel roads, and a range of camping options from luxury glamping to free wild sites makes Puerto Natales an unbeatable car camping destination in Patagonia.

Campsites

Camping Josmar

Paid

A popular campground in Puerto Natales town, just blocks from the waterfront. Excellent facilities and a social atmosphere make it ideal for preparing before or recovering after Torres del Paine trips.

Facilities: hot showers, toilets, kitchen, WiFi, laundry, electricity
Cost: CLP 8000-12000/night
No reservation needed
Access:

Camping Serrano

Paid

Located near the Serrano River bridge on the road to Torres del Paine, surrounded by lenga forest. A peaceful spot with river access and views of distant glaciers.

Facilities: toilets, cold showers, fire pits, picnic tables, drinking water
Cost: CLP 7000-10000/night
Reservation required
Access:

Camping Río Don Guillermo

Free

A basic free camping area along the road to Torres del Paine, about 60 km from Puerto Natales. Exposed to wind but offering wide-open views of the Patagonian steppe and distant peaks.

Facilities: basic pit toilet
Cost: Free
No reservation needed
Access:

Camping Lago Toro

Paid

Situated on the shores of Lago Toro near the southern entrance to Torres del Paine. Well-protected by forest and offering kayak rental for exploring the lake.

Facilities: toilets, hot showers, wind shelters, drinking water, small cafeteria
Cost: CLP 10000-15000/night
Reservation required
Access:

Camping Cueva del Milodón

Paid

Adjacent to the famous Cueva del Milodón Natural Monument, 24 km from Puerto Natales. Camp beside the prehistoric cave where a giant ground sloth was discovered.

Facilities: toilets, drinking water, picnic tables, interpretive trail
Cost: CLP 6000-9000/night
No reservation needed
Access:

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Before you hit the trail: Puerto Natales

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to book Torres del Paine campsites in advance?

Yes, absolutely. Campsites inside Torres del Paine must be reserved months in advance, especially for January-February. Book through the CONAF website or the private operators (Vertice and Fantastico Sur).

Can I drive my rental car into Torres del Paine?

Yes, the park has paved and gravel roads accessible to 2WD vehicles. However, some rental companies restrict certain vehicles from unpaved park roads — check your rental agreement.

What about camping near the Milodón Cave?

Camping Cueva del Milodón is a great option just 24 km from Puerto Natales. It combines a natural history visit with a convenient camping spot on the way to Torres del Paine.

Is wild camping allowed on the road to Torres del Paine?

There are a few informal free camping areas along the road, but much of the land is private estancia property. Always ask permission and never camp on private land without consent.

How cold does it get at night during camping season?

Even in January, nighttime temperatures can drop to 0-5°C. Frost is possible any month. A sleeping bag rated to at least -10°C is recommended for comfort.

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