Chapada dos Guimarães National Park
National Park National park with sandstone cliffs in Mato Grosso
Plateau park in Mato Grosso known for sandstone cliffs, waterfalls and cerrado vegetation. Visitors hike to viewpoints, swim at cascades and explore trails around dramatic rock formations.
Chapada dos Guimarães National Park is a federal protected area in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil, established in 1989 to conserve sandstone plateaus, canyons and cerrado ecosystems. The park protects a mosaic of cliffs, mesas and gallery forests that feed local rivers.
The park is known for its high sandstone escarpments and scenic viewpoints that overlook deep valleys; short trails and lookout platforms provide access to cliffs and waterfalls. Notable natural features include large exposed rock formations and several waterfalls reached by marked routes.
The national park was created by the federal government in 1989 to protect the unique geomorphology and the headwaters of regional rivers. Since its creation it has been managed as a conservation unit with regulated visitor access and maintained trails.
The park sits in central Mato Grosso, roughly north of the state capital Cuiabá, within the municipality of Chapada dos Guimarães. The surrounding landscape is a mix of cerrado plains and steep sandstone escarpments.
- Establishment: Established in 1989 as a federal national park to protect sandstone plateaus, canyons and cerrado habitat.
- Best time to visit: Best visited in the dry season for clearer trails and easier access to viewpoints and waterfalls.
What to See #
- City of Stone (Cidade de Pedra): A tall sandstone cliff-and-canyon landscape that contains the park's best-known rock formations and overlooks valleys of cerrado vegetation; popular short trails and viewpoints give access to the escarpment edge.
- Véu de Noiva waterfall: A scenic waterfall within the park that is one of the most-visited single sites for day trips and photographs, reached by a short trail from the park road.
How to Get to Chapada dos Guimarães National Park #
The park is about 65 km north of Cuiabá. Drive via BR-364 to Chapada dos Guimarães town; the main park entrances and lookouts are reached by paved and unpaved roads from the town. Cuiabá has the nearest major airport and bus connections.
Arrange transport from Cuiabá; local tour operators run day trips and multi-day treks that cover the park’s highlights.
Tips for Visiting Chapada dos Guimarães National Park #
- Visit early in the morning to catch the best light on the sandstone cliffs and to avoid midday heat.
- Hike to Mirante do Centro Geodésico and Cidade de Pedra for dramatic viewpoints; bring a local guide for longer multi-day trails.
- Combine the park visit with Cuiabá as a base - the town has the closest major services and transport links.
Best Time to Visit Chapada dos Guimarães National Park #
Best during the dry season for safer trails and clearer views; wet season offers dramatic waterfalls but requires caution.
Weather & Climate near Chapada dos Guimarães National Park #
Chapada dos Guimarães National Park's climate is classified as Tropical Savanna - Tropical Savanna climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 14°C to 32°C. Abundant rainfall (1413 mm/year), wettest in January with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 20°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (208 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is the warmest month with highs of 31°C and lows of 20°C. Heavy rain (204 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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March
March is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 20°C. Significant rainfall (197 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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April
April is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 19°C. Significant rainfall (124 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is mild with highs of 29°C and lows of 17°C. Moderate rainfall (60 mm).
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June
June is mild with highs of 29°C and lows of 15°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.
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July
July is mild with highs of 29°C and lows of 14°C. The driest month with just 17 mm and clear sunny skies.
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August
August is mild with highs of 31°C and lows of 15°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.
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September
September is warm with highs of 31°C and lows of 17°C. Moderate rainfall (57 mm).
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October
October is warm with highs of 32°C and lows of 18°C. Significant rainfall (125 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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November
November is warm with highs of 31°C and lows of 19°C. Significant rainfall (173 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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December
December is warm with highs of 31°C and lows of 20°C. Significant rainfall (199 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
