×

Brazil🇧🇷 | national parksCampos Gerais National ParkSandstone sinkholes, Paraná grasslands, quiet waterfalls, arranged access | things to do and best time to go

Explore Tumucumaque Mountains National ParkExplore Guaricana National Park

Backpacking in Campos Gerais
👌 Worth visitingnational park ranked #22
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 19, 2026

Campos Gerais National Park has no staffed visitor center at its gates, and much of the land around it is still private farmland, so access depends on arranging entry ahead. It sits in the state of Paraná in southern Brazil, east of Ponta Grossa. I once showed up on foot expecting an open gate and lost half a day, so I now call ahead and hire a local guide. Canyons, waterfalls and sandstone formations are the draw, and wildlife is modest. Skip the roadside stops. Unlike crowded Vila Velha nearby, this park is quiet.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 Brazil Travel Guide.


example page 0 from our offline Travel Guide for Brazil
example page 1 from our offline Travel Guide for Brazil
example page 2 from our offline Travel Guide for Brazil
example page 3 from our offline Travel Guide for Brazil
example page 4 from our offline Travel Guide for Brazil
example page 5 from our offline Travel Guide for Brazil
example page 6 from our offline Travel Guide for Brazil
example page 7 from our offline Travel Guide for Brazil
Loading the map 🌍
CLICK TO FILTER
cities
towns
villages
landmarks
national parks
hikes
beaches
attractions
festivals
regions
SHOW COUNTRY’S BESTSHOW ALL

✨ Why go?
Ranked #22 national park in BrazilWhat makes this national park worth exploring

Campos Gerais National Park suits backpackers who like finding their own line through open country. The grassland plateau around the Rio São Jorge canyon and the Cachoeira da Mariquinha area gives you big views without the queues of Iguaçu. Trails are short enough to link on foot, and a bit of local help gets you past locked farm gates. Self-guided travel works best on the main routes, while guides earn their fee on the Buraco do Padre sandstone sinkhole sections.

💡 HighlightsKey sights and experiences for travelers

  1. Buraco do Padre: a huge sandstone sinkhole where a stream drops into a rounded amphitheater, with a waterfall and a cool, mossy bottom.
  2. Rio São Jorge canyon: rock walls cut through the plateau, with ledges that give long views over the grassland.
  3. Cachoeira da Mariquinha: a waterfall on the Rio Quebra-Perna, with swimming pools below it in the dry months.
  4. Furnas gêmeas: two deep collapsed sinkholes in the sandstone, easy to compare from their rims.
  5. Campos Gerais grasslands: rolling open fields with araucaria pines on the horizon, good for birdwatching.
  6. Sandstone rock formations: carved towers and arches that are best photographed in low light.
Most of these can be seen in two full days, if you plan the farm access and a ride between sites in advance.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do near Campos Gerais National Park

Bar-hopping and Food Tour in Curitiba

Bar-hopping and Food Tour in Curitiba

5.0(305)
From €34
per personViator
Sunset Train Ride

Sunset Train Ride

4.9(277)
From €93
per personViator
Scenic Train ride to historical cities of Morretes and Antonina

Scenic Train ride to historical cities of Morretes and Antonina

4.0(197) 9h
From €118
per personViator
Full-day tour in Curitiba

Full-day tour in Curitiba

4.9(56)
From €77
per personViator
Complete Tour to Ilha do Mel

Complete Tour to Ilha do Mel

4.9(16)
From €154
per personViator
Experience the Best of Curitiba: City Tour Highlights

Experience the Best of Curitiba: City Tour Highlights

4.1(24) 4h
From €61
per personViator
Full Day Tour to Vila Velha and Buraco do Padre

Full Day Tour to Vila Velha and Buraco do Padre

4.9(13)
From €161
per personViator
8h full city tour in Curitiba

8h full city tour in Curitiba

5.0(10) 8h
From €88
per personViator
4 Hour City Tour in Curitiba

4 Hour City Tour in Curitiba

4.6(11) 4h
From €61
per personViator
Discover Vila Velha State Park Tour and Witmarsum Colony

Discover Vila Velha State Park Tour and Witmarsum Colony

4.0(15) 6h
From €181
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?Choosing the right time of year

  • Autumn and Winter (May to August): Dry, crisp air and the clearest views over the canyons and escarpment. Days run 8 to 22°C (46 to 72°F), nights can drop near freezing with frost, and daylight lasts about 10.5 to 11 hours.
  • Spring (September to November): Wildflowers bloom on the grasslands, with mild 12 to 26°C (54 to 79°F) days and fewer people.
  • Summer (December to March): Hot, humid, with frequent afternoon storms. Waterfalls run full, and holiday weekends push up lodging prices in nearby Ponta Grossa and Tibagi.
Aim for a weekday in September or May to dodge both the crowds and the downpours.

source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: fair for travelingFEBFebruary: fair for travelingMARMarch: fair for travelingAPRApril: good for travelingMAYMay: highly recommended for travelingJUNJune: excellent for travelingJULJuly: excellent for travelingAUGAugust: excellent for travelingSEPSeptember: highly recommended for travelingOCTOctober: good for travelingNOVNovember: fair for travelingDECDecember: fair for traveling
when-to-go

✈️ The backpacker research shortcutBrazil Travel Guide

An offline-friendly backpacking guide with optimized travel routes, ranked highlights, transport advice, and the best areas to stay.
example page 0 from our offline Travel Guide for Brazil
example page 1 from our offline Travel Guide for Brazil
example page 2 from our offline Travel Guide for Brazil
example page 3 from our offline Travel Guide for Brazil
example page 4 from our offline Travel Guide for Brazil
example page 5 from our offline Travel Guide for Brazil
example page 6 from our offline Travel Guide for Brazil
example page 7 from our offline Travel Guide for Brazil
The digital guide (410 pages) contains:
✅ 146 highlights, ranked by travel appeal
✅ Optimized 14, 21 & 30-day travel routes
✅ Cities, national parks, landmarks, beaches
✅ How to get around
✅ Offline-friendly for travel without Wi-Fi
👉 Click to see all 30+ guide features

📅 Plan smarter in minutes, not weeks
✅ Month by month travel advice
✅ Festivals & national holidays
✅ Budget expectations

🗺️ Go to the right places, skip the overrated ones
✅ Honest pros & cons of destinations
✅ Top hikes, parks & viewpoints
✅ Lesser-known places most travelers miss
✅ Clear “worth it vs skip it” guidance

🛏️ Travel smoothly without rookie mistakes
✅ Best areas to stay
✅ Transport systems explained simply
✅ Common scams & safety advice
✅ SIM cards, money & practical tips

🌍 Understand the country, not just visit it
✅ Culture & traditions
✅ 52 Essential phrases & customs
✅ Festivals worth planning around
✅ Traveler-friendly historical context
✅ Insights that make places more meaningful

📱 Built for real travel conditions
✅ Fully downloadable PDF
✅ Works completely offline
✅ Optimized for phone use
✅ Useful in remote areas & buses
✅ Everything in one place
Stop searching, start planning
Get instant access to your full guide. 30‑day money-back guarantee.
+ Add another guide for just

By proceeding you agree to our terms.
Sent to your inbox immediately after payment • 100% Secure Checkout
Best Backpacking Travel Advisor 2025 tourism awardBest Backpacking
Travel Advisor
2025
What others say about Take Your Backpack Guides:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fantastic, amazing amount of information!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
My goodness this is amazing, it's what I've been looking for hats off too you!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I think this is absolutely BRILLIANT
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Very complete and informative. It's still missing places, but I gotta to commend you
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is truly amazing, thank you, can't wait to explore it with my kids!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Awesome resource, thank you!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is amazing! Can't wait to explore the ones I haven't seen
⭐⭐⭐⭐
I love this! Well done, great idea.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thanks for taking the time to make this gem!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This might be the best website I've ever seen.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Congratulations, and thank you so much for your work; it's incredibly valuable.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
In all seriousness I think you did a great job pointing out the important spots
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
10/10 very good
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
As someone who's only just starting to visit regularly this is awesome, thank you.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you very much! I'm going to visit my dad, it's going to be very useful!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is really cool! We'll be travelling for the first time and this definitely come in handy.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
You are now our minister of culture, congratulations 👨‍💼
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Just wanted to tell you that this is a pearl! Going to follow your recommendations.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is so cool. I'll definitely be using the resource for my travels soon.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is very impressive! Good work.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is an amazing and informative site. Very well done!

🛏️ Where to stay?How to pick the right area

Ponta Grossa is the most practical base, with the widest range of hostels, budget hotels and apartments, and it sits a short drive from the park's western edge. Tibagi, farther north, is smaller and closer to the Guartelá Canyon area, with simple pousadas and campgrounds that suit hikers wanting an early start. Carambeí is a quieter alternative near the park's southern side. Inside Campos Gerais National Park there are no lodgings or developed campsites, so plan to sleep in town and arrive by morning. Book ahead for holiday weekends, when the few budget beds fill quickly.
Best hostels in Brazil


Best quality hotels in Brazil

👛 Costs (as of 19 October 2026)Money, prices, and spending tips

A backpacker can cover a day around Campos Gerais National Park for about US$40 to 65, with the high-season total at US$65. Most of the cost is lodging and getting between towns, since the park itself has no developed facilities.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Entrance feesUS$0 to 5Access to the park is mostly free, though some private attractions on its edges charge small fees.
Accommodation (high season)US$15 to 30Hostel dorm or simple pousada in Ponta Grossa or Tibagi.
Local transportUS$5 to 15Buses between towns, plus taxis or ride-hailing for trailheads.
Food and suppliesUS$10 to 15Self-service lunch buffets by weight and bakery snacks.
Total Daily BudgetUS$65Based on high-season lodging and mid-range spending above.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🥾 TrailsWhere to hike in Campos Gerais: trails for every level

Campos Gerais National Park offers short, rugged walks across open plateau and into canyons rather than long marked circuits.
  • Buraco do Padre walk: a short walk of about 1 to 2 hours across grassland to the sinkhole rim, easy with a steep, slippery descent.
  • Rio São Jorge canyon edge: a half-day route along the rim over rocky ground, moderate, with open views and little shade.
  • Cachoeira da Mariquinha approach: a walk of about 2 hours return through fields and short wooded stretches, moderate.
Terrain is sandstone, wet rock and tall grass, so wear shoes with grip. Birds such as seriemas are common, … read more 👉
Campos Gerais National Park offers short, rugged walks across open plateau and into canyons rather than long marked circuits.
  • Buraco do Padre walk: a short walk of about 1 to 2 hours across grassland to the sinkhole rim, easy with a steep, slippery descent.
  • Rio São Jorge canyon edge: a half-day route along the rim over rocky ground, moderate, with open views and little shade.
  • Cachoeira da Mariquinha approach: a walk of about 2 hours return through fields and short wooded stretches, moderate.
Terrain is sandstone, wet rock and tall grass, so wear shoes with grip. Birds such as seriemas are common, and maned wolves and deer are rare sightings. Public transport reaches Ponta Grossa, and from there you need a car, taxi or local operator for the final stretch on dirt roads. Crowds are small outside holiday weekends. Some sections cross private land, so check access before you set out.
⚠️ Hiking info can sometimes be outdated or inaccurate. Before you hit the trail, check the latest conditions with locals. If you do spot anything that's off, I'd love to hear from you, so I can update it for fellow travelers.

🛡️ SafetyTraveler Safety Guide

Campos Gerais is straightforward, but the open grassland has no shade, so bring sun protection and plenty of water. Winter mornings are cold and misty, and sudden summer storms make rock and canyon edges slick, so wear shoes with real grip. Trails are lightly marked, so download offline maps before you go. Maned wolves and pumas live here but rarely meet hikers. Keep your distance, never feed wildlife, and take your trash out.
Check Country Safety

FAQFrequently asked questions about Campos Gerais

Two days works well for Campos Gerais National Park. One day covers the main canyon and waterfall viewpoints near Ponta Grossa, and a second lets you add Tibagi's Guartelá Canyon area or a longer hike across the grasslands. Add a third day if you want slow walks and photography.
Public transport is limited around Campos Gerais National Park, so it is possible but slow. Buses reach Ponta Grossa from Curitiba in about 1.5 to 2 hours, and local buses or taxis can reach nearby sites. Booking a day tour or ride-hailing to the trailheads, at roughly US$10 to 30 per ride, saves time.
Campos Gerais National Park has no general entrance fee, and a permit is usually not needed for independent visits to the public areas. Some private attractions and canyon access points on the edges charge small fees of about US$2 to 6. Check current rules locally, since access arrangements vary by site.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Brazilian national parks near Campos Gerais

Explore more nearby:


💡 Not sure where to go next?
Create a personalized itinerary for Brazil including Campos Gerais and the places that fit your trip.

Generate my itinerary

👉 Discover all national parks

Or checkout all Brazil has to offer (think cities, towns, villages, national parks, hikes, beaches, festivals)
Explore Brazil
Country photo of Brazil
© Google Images

We 💚 feedbackKey takeaways before you go

Give Campos Gerais National Park two days, with one night nearby so you can start early at a different site each morning. One day feels rushed because of the dirt roads. A third day only pays off if you love slow grassland walks.

✈️ When did I visit Brazil?
Call it good timing or luck, but I was able to celebrate Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro in February 2022, after a round trip in the north and east coast.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Brazil, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



🙋‍♂️ Give feedback

👋 Meet the founderWho’s Behind Take Your Backpack?

Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

This site is built on a combination of firsthand travel experience and carefully curated insights from other backpackers. Many guides are based on places I’ve personally visited, while others bring together tips, observations, and practical advice shared by trusted travelers I’ve met along the way.

The goal is to provide realistic, experience-driven guidance — not generic itineraries — so you can explore destinations with better context, clearer expectations, and more confidence.

Read the full story