El Yunque National Forest
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Picture of El Portal Visitor Center in El Yunque National Forest, Puerto Rico
Here's a bit of trivia to stow away for that guest appearance on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?: Where will you find the only tropical rain forest in the national forest system? Answer: Puerto Rico's Caribbean National Forest. Read More »
El Yunque National Forest Highlights
- El Yunque National Forest is the only tropical rain forest in the U.S. National Forest System. It covers 28,000 acres of mountainous terrain on the east side of Puerto Rico, about 45 minutes by car from San Juan.
- Entrance into the national forest is free, and primitive camping permits are issued without charge.
- Try spotting an endangered Puerto Rican parrot, one of the 42 species of birds that live on the island year-round, in the 10,000-acre El Toro Wilderness within the forest. The designated wilderness area is named for Pico El Toro, the highest mountain in the national forest at 3,533 feet.
- Travel beyond the park boundaries. El Yunque protects only a portion of the Northeast Ecological Corridor that stretches to the eastern and southeastern coasts and includes a bioluminescent lagoon, popular snorkeling and surfing beaches, a nesting ground for leatherback sea turtles, and habitat for 40 at-risk species.
- Pick up maps at El Portal Visitors Center or Palo Colorado Visitors Center on PR 191. Though some maps show that you can drive through the national forest on PR 191, frequent landslides forced permanent closure of the road south of the Palo Colorado Visitors Center. The road is still passable on foot.
- Horses, mountain bikes, and motorcycles are not permitted on any trail within the forest. These activities are permitted elsewhere in the Northeast Ecological Corridor.
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El Yunque National Forest Travel Q&A
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What's your favorite hike? Where's the best campsite? Join the conversation! Ask Your Question
Photo Galleries
What You Can Do in El Yunque National Forest
- Camping
- Caving and Canyoneering
- Climbing
- Fishing
- Hiking and Backpacking
- Nature
- Paddling
- Scenic Drives
- Snorkeling
Articles & Advice on El Yunque National Forest
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- Top Ten Caribbean Classic Adventures
- Puerto Rico: Hike El Yunque
- The Mountain Hikes
- El Yunque, Puerto Rico
- Beyond Beach-Bumming: Adventures in and Around San Juan
- Rainforest Exploration
- Caribbean National Forest
- La Mina Trail #12 - Southern Region
- Caribbean National Forest
- Mt. Britton Trail #16
- Caribbean National Forest
- Caimitillo Trail #18
Where are you going?
What do you want to do?
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Parks Near El Yunque National Forest
- Virgin Islands National Park, VI (68 mi.)
- Buck Island Reef National Monument, VI (84 mi.)
- Vieques National Wildlife Refuge, PR (22 mi.)
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