Pros & cons
PROS
- Covered quincho and indoor kitchen-dining to escape weather
- Next to Los Perros Glacier and the staging point for John Gardner Pass
- Small onsite shop, optional hot dinner, and gear rentals with advance booking
CONS
- Cold-water-only showers and very basic toilets
- No Wi‑Fi and limited supplies—plan to be self‑sufficient
Overview
If you’re hiking the O Circuit, Campamento Los Perros is your last, no‑frills bivy before the notoriously steep John Gardner Pass. Tucked in a wooded pocket, it feels remote—in a good way. Supplies often arrive by horseback, which should tell you everything about how wild this corner is.
Why stay here
Two reasons: positioning and scenery. It sits a short walk from the toe of the Los Perros Glacier, and it’s the logical (and often mandatory) overnight before tackling the pass. Think of it as your launchpad: rest, refuel, and be ready for an early start.
Facilities & what to expect
Expect basics. There’s a single building with reception, a tiny grocery for essentials, and an indoor kitchen‑dining room plus a covered quincho for shelter. Bathrooms are simple with cold showers. There’s no Wi‑Fi. Device charging may be available during daytime hours, but don’t bank on it.
You can pitch your own tent in designated areas or reserve pre‑set tents (with mats and sleeping bags) when booked through certain operators. Rentals—tents, sleeping bags, and mats—should be arranged in advance.
Food & water
Some seasons you can pre‑book a hot dinner (often a single hearty dish), but breakfast and lunch typically aren’t served. The shop stocks only basics. Bring your meals and stove plan; gas cookers can be rented on site. Hot water is available in the kitchen.
Nature notes
You’re here for glacier ambience and forest shelter, not wildlife viewing. Depending on weather, mosquitoes can be more active than you’d expect—pack repellent. As always, carry out your trash.
Planning essentials
Reservations are required well in advance for O Circuit hikers, and camping here is often mandatory as part of that itinerary. This is one of the park’s most isolated sectors, so assume limited amenities and come prepared for all kinds of Patagonian weather.
Best time to visit
Arrive mid‑afternoon so you can sort gear, eat, and sleep before a pre‑dawn or early‑morning push over John Gardner Pass. Crowds aren’t the issue here—logistics are. You’ll share the camp with other O‑circuit hikers staging for the same early start.
Where it is
-50.9315, -73.1346Tips for Campamento Los Perros
- 01Reserve early—O Circuit spots here are required and sell out fast.
- 02Bring your own meals; dinner may be bookable but options are limited.
- 03Pack mosquito repellent and expect cold showers only.
- 04There’s no Wi‑Fi and charging is iffy—carry a power bank and offline maps.
- 05Use this as your staging camp and start John Gardner Pass early.
Amenities
Near Campamento Los Perros
All places →All trails →
0 mi awayRefugio Los Perros Dining RoomBasic indoor cooking shelter before John Gardner PassRestroom · Store
1.5 mi awayPerros Glacier ViewpointShort, quiet spur to a milky-blue glacier lagoon on the OScenic Viewpoint
3.4 mi awayCampamento PasoCONAF ranger post with water and toilets after John Gardner PassRestroom · Ranger Station
4.4 mi awayRefugio Dickson Dining RoomCozy glacier view dining hall with hearty set meals and barFood · Restaurant
5.6 mi awayGrey Glacier Suspension Bridges (Pasarelas del Glaciar Grey)Airy bridges to the best close up views of Grey GlacierModerate · 3.8 mi · 3 hr
9.9 mi awayGrey Glacier Trail (Paine Grande to Refugio Grey)Boat-in ridge walk to towering Grey Glacier and iceberg-choked lakeChallenging · 14.2 mi · 7.5 hr
12 mi awayBase de las Torres TrailLong, steep day to a turquoise lagoon beneath three granite towersChallenging · 13.5 mi · 8 hr
12 mi awayW TrekPatagonia’s classic 4–5 day traverse of glaciers and granite towersModerate · 50 mi · 108 hr
