Defensores del Chaco National Park

Defensores del Chaco National Park is the largest protected area in Paraguay, spanning an impressive 720,000 hectares across the Alto Paraguay and Boquerón departments. It protects a significant portion of the dry Chaco ecosystem, a semi-arid landscape characterized by thorny forests and extreme climatic conditions. A standout geographical feature is Cerro León, an isolated mountain massif about 40 kilometers in diameter that rises above the otherwise flat plains. The park was established in 1975 to preserve unique flora and fauna, including endangered species such as the jaguar, puma, and Chacoan peccary. Historically, the park is named after the defenders of the Chaco War and holds great significance for national heritage. The region is also home to the Ayoreo people, some groups of whom still live in voluntary isolation. The vast, uninhabited landscape makes the park one of the last true wilderness areas in South America, and its preservation is vital for the ecological balance of the continent.

Nearby cities

Fuerte Olimpo

This remote city in Alto Paraguay is idyllically situated on the Paraguay River and once protected the northern border.

More places

Cerro León

A mountain massif in the deep Chaco, a true giant in the flat savanna.

Cerro León

A prominent hill in the Chaco, of great importance to the indigenous population.

Paraguayan Pantanal

This vast wetland is a haven for wildlife, including caimans and capybaras.