Chapada dos Guimarães National ParkAbout Chapada dos Guimarães National Park
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.
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.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Good | 20° - 31° | 25° | 208 mm | overcast | 81% | 1.5 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 12.8h |
| February | Good | 21° - 31° | 26° | 204 mm | overcast | 81% | 1.4 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 12.5h |
| March | Good | 20° - 30° | 25° | 197 mm | overcast | 82% | 1.2 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 12.1h |
| April | Very Good | 19° - 31° | 25° | 124 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 1.0 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 11.6h |
| May | Excellent | 17° - 29° | 23° | 60 mm | some cloud | 76% | 1.1 m/s | 1.7 very high | 11.3h |
| June | Ideal | 15° - 29° | 22° | 27 mm | mostly sunny | 67% | 1.2 m/s | 1.5 high | 11.1h |
| July | Ideal | 14° - 29° | 22° | 17 mm | clear | 56% | 1.4 m/s | 1.6 very high | 11.2h |
| August | Ideal | 15° - 31° | 23° | 22 mm | mostly sunny | 44% | 1.5 m/s | 1.8 very high | 11.5h |
| September | Excellent | 17° - 31° | 24° | 57 mm | some cloud | 47% | 1.5 m/s | 1.7 very high | 11.9h |
| October | Good | 18° - 32° | 25° | 125 mm | overcast | 63% | 1.4 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 12.3h |
| November | Good | 19° - 31° | 25° | 173 mm | overcast | 74% | 1.5 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 12.7h |
| December | Good | 20° - 31° | 25° | 199 mm | overcast | 79% | 1.6 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 12.9h |
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.