Wilderness Landscape & Natural Heritage
Chagres National Park, established in 1985, spans a vast area in central Panama, playing a crucial role in water supply for the Panama Canal and Panama City. It boasts a rugged terrain of cloud forests, rivers, and highlands, with its highest peak reaching 1,007 meters. The park is home to diverse ecosystems supporting species like jaguars, agoutis, howler monkeys, and a variety of birds, becoming a haven for ecologists and nature enthusiasts. Historically, the park's waterways, including the vital Chagres River, were used for transportation during the California Gold Rush. Today, Chagres National Park attracts outdoor enthusiasts keen on hiking along its scenic trails, paddling through its waterways, or absorbing the cultural heritage of the Emberá indigenous community. Visitors are drawn to the rustic beauty and ecological significance, with the park's watersheds serving as the lifeline for the region.
