Cajón del Maipo: the practical guide
Updated July 2026 · Written from Puerto Varas by Patagonia SimRacing
An Andean canyon carved by the Maipo River just over an hour from Santiago: a turquoise reservoir, natural hot springs, a hanging glacier and rafting on one of central Chile's wildest rivers. Here's what to know before heading up the canyon.
Book tours in Cajón del Maipo
Excursions to El Yeso Reservoir, horseback rides, rafting and adventure tours from Santiago:
The must-sees
1. What Cajón del Maipo is
Cajón del Maipo is the valley formed by the Maipo River as it descends from the Andes, within the municipality of San José de Maipo, in the Cordillera Province of the Metropolitan Region, about 50 km southeast of Santiago. It's the most accessible mountain escape from the capital: in just over an hour you trade city traffic for rock walls, meltwater lagoons and villages with mining roots. It works as a day trip or a weekend getaway, and packs hot springs, trekking, rafting and one of Chile's most photographed reservoirs into a single valley.
2. El Yeso Reservoir, the turquoise pool
Built to dam the Yeso River and supply part of Santiago's drinking water (now operated by Aguas Andinas), El Yeso Reservoir owes its intense turquoise color to suspended glacial sediment, the so-called "rock flour". You get there via the Camino al Volcán through San José de Maipo and San Gabriel — where a Carabineros police checkpoint records your vehicle details and destination — and then along a gravel road to the dam area. A 4x4 isn't essential, but a vehicle with good clearance and careful driving are. Access runs on controlled entry and exit hours, swimming is prohibited because it's a drinking-water source, and between April and August vehicle access may be restricted to authorized vehicles only, for weather and safety reasons: this is above all a spring-summer plan.
3. Baños Morales and El Morado Natural Monument
Baños Morales is a hamlet about 92 km from Santiago (roughly 2 hours by car), at 1,800 m above sea level, with a rustic thermal center of two pools rich in iodine, chlorine, sodium and potassium. It is also the gateway to El Morado Natural Monument, a CONAF-protected area where a well-marked trail climbs to Laguna Morales and a lookout over the San Francisco Glacier, hanging below Cerro El Morado. It's a demanding hike of several hours round trip, with tickets bought in advance through the official Pases Parques system and limited daily spots, especially in January and February.
4. Cascada de las Ánimas and San Alfonso
Near the village of San Alfonso, about 50 km from Santiago, a private reserve of thousands of hectares grew up around a waterfall on a Maipo tributary and is now the canyon's adventure hub: zip-lining across the river canyon, horseback rides of one or several days, and rafting and kayaking on one of the Maipo's longest runnable stretches, with rapids reaching class IV. The short trail to the waterfall itself is doable even for those who just want a light walk. There is lodging on the property, from camping to cabins.
5. San José de Maipo and the rest of the canyon
San José de Maipo is the municipality's main town, born of mining (silver and copper extracted in the cordillera since the 19th century), today a quiet plaza ringed by restaurants and general stores, and the logical base for organizing any outing in the canyon. Further up the valley come smaller villages: San Gabriel (home of the Carabineros checkpoint), San Alfonso, and Lo Valdés, near Baños Morales and a base for mountaineers. If you've already done El Yeso, El Morado and Cascada de las Ánimas, the Termas de Colina hot springs — deeper into the valley, with a longer approach — are the less crowded alternative.
Approximate prices (2026)
| Item | Approximate |
|---|---|
| El Morado Natural Monument entrance (Pases Parques) | CLP 4,000–8,000 (≈USD 4–8) depending on nationality |
| Baños Morales thermal pools | CLP 4,000–8,000 (≈USD 4–8) |
| Zip-line or kayak day at Cascada de las Ánimas | CLP 45,000–60,000 (≈USD 47–63) |
| Shared taxi Metro Las Mercedes–San José de Maipo (one way) | CLP 1,500–2,500 (≈USD 2–3) |
| Cabin/hostel in the canyon (per night) | CLP 30,000–70,000 (≈USD 32–74) |
Hot spring and adventure activity prices are set by each private operator and can vary by season; El Morado tickets are bought online and spots are limited.
Book tours in Cajón del Maipo
Excursions to El Yeso Reservoir, horseback rides, rafting and adventure tours from Santiago:
How to get there and when to go
- By car: take the Camino al Volcán (route G-25) from Puente Alto to San José de Maipo, about 1 hour (some 45-50 km) on paved road; beyond that the road turns to gravel toward Baños Morales/El Morado or toward El Yeso Reservoir.
- By public transport: from Las Mercedes metro station (Line 4), west Vicuña Mackenna exit, the "Cajón del Maipo" shared taxi or the MB-72 bus runs to the plaza in San José de Maipo; to continue on to Baños Morales, El Yeso or Cascada de las Ánimas, your own car or a tour is the way to go.
- Checkpoints: past San José de Maipo there's a Carabineros police checkpoint at San Gabriel that records vehicle details and destination, especially for those heading up to El Yeso.
- Bookings: El Morado tickets via Pases Parques in advance; Cascada de las Ánimas activities (zip-line, rafting, horseback rides) are best reserved with the operator before you go, especially on weekends.
- Season: November-April (spring-summer) for the best access to El Yeso, El Morado and the hot springs; in winter there is snow on the road and vehicle access to El Yeso may be restricted between April and August.
FAQ
Can I do it in a day from Santiago?
Yes: San José de Maipo is just over an hour away, and highlights like Cascada de las Ánimas or Baños Morales work as a day trip. Adding El Yeso and El Morado to the same outing is ambitious; better to pick one or two highlights per day.
Do I need to book for El Morado or El Yeso?
El Morado requires tickets bought in advance via Pases Parques, with daily quotas. El Yeso needs no reservation, but you must respect the access hours and the seasonal closure between April and August.
Do you need a 4x4 for El Yeso Reservoir?
It's not mandatory: a vehicle with good clearance and tires in good condition is enough, driving carefully. Avoid the route in a very low car or after recent rain or snow.
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