Pros & cons
PROS
- Useful mid-route landmark on the Paine Grande–Administración traverse
- Wildlife-rich steppe corridor with chances to see guanacos and condors
CONS
- Closed to camping; no public facilities available
- Trail segment connecting here is sometimes closed, removing this link entirely
Overview
Campamento Las Carretas is a former free CONAF campsite that once broke up the long Paine Grande → Administración hike. Today it’s closed to overnight use and has no services, so think of it as a name on the map rather than a place to stay.
Where It Is
Las Carretas sits along the 17.9 km point‑to‑point between Paine Grande and the Park Administración (Villa Monzino), roughly around km 10–11 from Paine Grande. When this route is open, it’s generally walked southbound only.
Current Status and Rules
Don’t plan to camp here in regular season—overnights are prohibited and facilities are gone. The Paine Grande–Las Carretas–Administración trail is at times listed as closed on the park’s status page, so conditions can remove this link entirely. In winter, authorities have referenced Las Carretas as a controlled area with prior registration and a nightly cap (guided use), but that’s an exception, not normal high‑season camping.
What You’ll See on This Corridor
When the trail is open, expect open steppe, river views, and frequent wildlife sightings. Hikers commonly spot guanaco, ñandú (rhea), and soaring condors across this broad, exposed section.
Planning If You Were Counting on Las Carretas
Without camping or services mid‑route, carry everything you need for 4–6 hours. If your plan hinged on exiting from Paine Grande, take the Lago Pehoé catamaran to Pudeto and connect by bus instead of walking to Administración. For overnights, book staffed sectors that are open: for example, Camping Central (Las Torres) offers individual sites and pre‑pitched tents, with recent prices starting around USD $50 per person.
Best Time to Visit
There’s no “stay” here anymore, so timing is about the traverse: pick a day when the park’s status page lists the route open, and leave Paine Grande in the morning to give yourself a generous buffer for connections at the end. Expect an exposed walk with no mid‑route services; plan your water and breaks accordingly.
Where it is
-51.1522, -73.0418Tips for Campamento Las Carretas
- 01Do not plan to camp here—build your itinerary around staffed, bookable sites.
- 02Carry all the water you need for 4–6 hours; there are no services en route.
- 03Re‑check the park’s status page shortly before hiking this link.
- 04If bailing from Paine Grande, use the Lago Pehoé catamaran and connect by bus.
Near Campamento Las Carretas
All places →All trails →
3.2 mi awaySalto Chico Boardwalk ViewpointBreezy boardwalk to turquoise falls with big-mountain viewsParking · Pullout
3.3 mi awayMuelle Salto Chico (Explora Patagonia)Explora’s private Lake Pehoé dock for guest ferry transfers
3.3 mi awayExplora Patagonia RestaurantGuest‑only dining with Lake Pehoé views and Chilean winesRestaurant · Food
3.3 mi awayExplora PatagoniaAll‑inclusive lodge with Lake Pehoé views and guided adventuresLodging · Restaurant
3.6 mi awayMirador Lago ToroWindy half-day loop to huge Lago Toro views and quiet lagoonsChallenging · 8.9 mi · 4.5 hr
3.6 mi awaySierra del Toro TrailWindy ridge to huge Lago Toro and Paine River panoramasChallenging · 12.4 mi · 9 hr
4.3 mi awayGrey BeachWindy beach walk to iceberg-studded views of distant Grey GlacierEasy · 2.9 mi · 2 hr
4.3 mi awayPingo ValleyQuiet lenga forest to falls and glacier views, guided-only accessModerate · 5.3 mi · 2.8 hr
