Serra da Bodoquena National Park

Serra da Bodoquena National Park protects a section of the Serra da Bodoquena massif in western Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, preserving karst plateaus, caves and clear-water river systems. The park conserves a transition zone between Cerrado and Atlantic Forest vegetation.

The karst caves and subterranean springs, numerous waterfalls and clear rivers that run through limestone valleys. Outdoor activities include hiking to waterfalls, short river swims and observing riparian and forest wildlife.

The park was created to protect the distinctive karst landscape and its water resources and to conserve regional biodiversity. It forms part of a broader protected landscape around the Bodoquena plateau that is important for freshwater systems feeding the Pantanal and nearby basins.

Geographically the park lies in western Mato Grosso do Sul, with popular visitor towns such as Bonito and Bodoquena serving as access points. The terrain is a mix of limestone plateaus, valleys and forested slopes.

• Conservation purpose: Serves as a conservation unit protecting karst landscapes and clear-water rivers typical of the Bodoquena plateau region.
• Access points: Commonly visited from nearby towns such as Bonito and Bodoquena, which act as bases for cave and river excursions in the area.

What to See #

• Karst and caves: Limestone and karst systems including caves and sinkholes that feed clear rivers and subterranean springs, forming the area's signature geology.
• Rivers and waterfalls: Waterfalls, clear streams and river pools that are used for swimming and short canyon hikes along marked trails.
• Vegetation and wildlife: A mosaic of Cerrado and seasonal forest vegetation at the interface with Atlantic Forest, supporting diverse bird and mammal life.