Chagres National Park is northeast of the Panama Canal and shares the Chagres River with Soberanía National Park. The rugged landscape features steep hills, moist rainforests, and the extensive Chagres river basin. The Chagres River is dammed and forms two lakes, Gatun and Alajuela.

Interesting Facts

The 300,000 acre Chagres National Park was created to protect the rainforests and waters of the Chagres River basin which are vitally important to the operations of the Panama Canal and supply all the drinking water for the cities of Panama and Colón.
The Chagres River is the only river in the world that flows into two oceans, the Atlantic and the Pacific.

Each ship passing through the Panama Canal locks needs about 52 million gallons of freshwater.

See and Do

Wildlife Viewing: More than 59 species of freshwater fish, mammals such as howler monkeys, capybara, jaguars, and anteaters, and over 500 species of birds make the Chagres National Park their home.

Water Sports: The Chagres River is great for white water rafting and kayaking. The Lake Alajuela offers fishing and water sports including water skiing, jet skiing, sailing and swimming.

Cultural Heritage: Walk or hike the Camino Real, which, like the Cruces Trail in Soberanía National Park, was used by the Spanish to transport gold and other riches across Panama.

Visit the Emberá Native Village: Deep inside the Panamanian rainforest on the upper shores of Lake Alajuela, the indigenous Emberá live today much as they have for centuries. Visitors will delight in the authentic village life, the music and dance celebrations of the Emberá culture, and the people’s intricate handicrafts.

Practical Information

The park can be reached by road from Panama City or Colón City, particularly to the Cerro Azul and Cerro Jefe sectors. The park is 40 kilometers from Panama City. The national park office can be reached at 507-229-7885. Visitor accommodations are available in Panama City and Colón City. Campsites are available in Altos de Cerro Azul.