Located just a 30 minute drive from Panama City, Soberanía National Park is world renowned for its lush rainforest and incredible biodiversity. It is one of four national parks located in the Canal Basin and covers more than 55,000 acres along the eastern bank of the Canal.

Interesting Facts

Soberanía plays a vital role in the operation of the Panama Canal. Rainfall in Soberanía and other forests of the canal's watershed fills the rivers that feed into Lakes Gatún and Alajuela and in turn feed the canal’s locks. Soberanía’s trees prevent erosion so that soil does not block the canal.

Some of the tallest trees in the world are found in Soberanía, such as the ceiba which can grow to heights of 200 feet.

See and Do

Bird-watching: 525 species of birds have been spotted in the park, including crested eagles, red-lored amazon, and trogons.

Wildlife Viewing: 105 mammal species make their home in the park, including jaguars, deer, agoutis, and howler, capuchin, and tamarin monkeys. Reptiles include caimans, crocodiles, and snakes.

Fishing: 36 species of freshwater fish live in the Chagres River, Lake Gatún, and numerous tributaries.

Hiking and Nature Walks: Four nature trails criss-cross the park. The Oleoducto Trail (Pipeline Road) and Plantaciones Trail are two of the best areas in the world for b!?ird-watching. El Charco Trail leads from Gamboa and visitors can stop for a swim in a refreshing natural pool. The Cruces Trail still features part of the old cobbled road that the Spanish conquistadors used to transport gold, silver, and jewels from Peru to Spain.

Cultural Heritage: A portion of the historic Camino de Cruces colonial Spanish road crosses through the park, and the ruins of colonial village Venta de Cruces lie on the banks of the Chagres River.

Enjoy the View: Canopy Tower, a former U.S. military radar station used to defend the Canal, is a prime spot for wildlife viewing, ecotourism, and breathtaking Canal and rainforest views from the Tower’s hilltop height of over 900 feet.

Tour the Gardens: Summit Botanical Garden is located next to the Park and features several nature trails and the Harpy Eagle Interactive Center, an enclosure for harpy eagles, the national bird of Panama.

Practical Information

Madden Road leads from Panama City to the town of Gamboa which serves as the gateway to the park. The park headquarters and visitor center are located in Gamboa, phone 507-229-7885. Several lodges in the park offer basic visitor accommodations. fish live in the Chagres River, Lake Gatún, and numerous tributaries.