The rugged beauty of Nevado Tres Cruces National Park (Parque Nacional Nevado Tres Cruces) draws visitors to the high desert of Chile’s Atacama region. With soaring peaks— including Chile’s highest, Ojos del Salado—and lagoons, the park is home to an array of wildlife, such as flamingos in summer, vicuñas, guanacos, giant and horned coots, and, occasionally, condors and pumas.
The park is divided into two zones. The larger northern sector is home to the shimmering salt flats of Salar de Maricunga, and the brilliant blues of Laguna Santa Rosa, which is a birder's paradise and home to three types of flamingos. To the south is the Negro Francisco Lagoon, another important wetland where you'll see herds of vicuñas and look out to snowy peaks, including the snow-capped Copiapó Volcano.
Both areas have fine hiking and camping opportunities and, despite their height, both Ojos del Salado (22,595 feet or 6,887 meters) and Copiapó (19,855 feet or 6,052 meters) are fairly non-technical climbs, and you can summit with guides between December and February.
Nevado Tres Cruces National Park is a 3-hour drive east of the city of Copiapó—due to rough conditions, a 4WD with high clearance is recommended, as is a satellite phone. There is no public transportation so, if you don’t have a car, it's best to find a guided tour that will take you there.
You can visit Nevado Tres Cruces National Park all year round. The summer season (December to March) brings higher—though not extreme—temperatures and more rain, but it’s also the best time for viewing wildlife, particularly flamingos, who make their summer home in the park.
Although Copiapó is mainly used by travelers as a jumping-off point for trips into the surrounding region, the city has a few attractions, including the three-tiered Cathedral of Copiapó on the main plaza, the Regional Museum of Atacama, and, just north of the city, the San José Mine, where a small visitor center shows the dramatic story of the 33 miners trapped underground in 2010.