Nacunday National Park, Paraguay

Location: Ñacunday, Alto Paraná Department Map

Area: 2000 hectares

 

Description

Ñacunday National Park (Parque Nacional Ñacunday) is a compact protected area in southeastern Paraguay, established to safeguard a portion of the Alto Paraná Atlantic Forest and its iconic Salto Ñacunday waterfall. Covering 20 square kilometers (7.7 square miles), the park is located in the Ñacunday district of the Alto Paraná Department, near the border with Argentina and Brazil. It is one of Paraguay's smaller national parks but holds significant ecological value as a biodiversity hotspot and a remnant of the endangered Atlantic Forest ecoregion, which has been reduced to less than 10% of its original extent due to deforestation. The park's central feature is the Salto Ñacunday, a waterfall measuring 35–40 meters (115–131 feet) in height and 110 meters (361 feet) in width, often described as one of South America's most impressive cascades after the former Salto del Guairá (now submerged). Administered by Paraguay's Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (MADES), the park is part of the country's National System of Protected Wild Areas (SINASIP) and emphasizes the conservation of water resources, biodiversity, and cultural heritage tied to the Mbyá Guaraní indigenous communities. As of August 2025, Ñacunday remains a relatively under-visited gem, promoting low-impact ecotourism while facing pressures from regional development.

 

Geography and Climate

The park is situated at coordinates approximately 26°03′S 54°42′W, along the Ñacunday River, which flows into the Paraná River about 900 meters downstream from the Salto Ñacunday waterfall. Its geography features rolling hills, dense subtropical forests, and riverine environments, with the waterfall as the dominant landmark formed by the river's drop over a basalt ledge. The terrain includes riparian zones with thick vegetation and an island-like formation of accumulated logs at the waterfall's base, creating natural pools for recreation. Elevations are moderate, typical of the Alto Paraná region, supporting a transition from lowland forests to more elevated wooded areas.
The climate is humid subtropical, with abundant and well-distributed precipitation averaging 1,500–1,700 millimeters (59–67 inches) annually, influenced by proximity to the Amazon rainforest. Average temperatures hover around 21.5°C (70.7°F), with warm, humid conditions year-round and predominant northerly winds. The wet season peaks from October to March, bringing heavy rains that swell the Ñacunday River and enhance the waterfall's flow, while drier periods from April to September offer milder conditions for visitation. This climate sustains the park's lush vegetation but also contributes to erosion and occasional flooding risks.

 

History

The region's history is tied to indigenous peoples, including the Mbyá Guaraní, who have used the area for resources like firewood, honey, fruits, medicinal plants, fishing, and hunting for generations. European exploration and settlement in the Alto Paraná area began in the colonial era, but the park's formal protection emerged in the late 20th century amid growing environmental awareness in Paraguay.
Ñacunday was initially designated as the Ñacunday Protector Forest by Decree No. 17.071 on August 20, 1975, covering 10 square kilometers and focusing on the waterfall. It was expanded and reclassified as a national park by Decree No. 16.146 on January 18, 1993, incorporating parts of the Yacuy Protector Forest to reach its current 20 square kilometers. This establishment was part of Paraguay's efforts to protect remnants of the Atlantic Forest, which faced rapid deforestation from agriculture and logging in the 1970s–1990s. In 2012, there were alarms over proposed settlements in the park, highlighting early conflicts between conservation and land use pressures.

 

Biodiversity

Ñacunday National Park is a vital refuge for the Alto Paraná Atlantic Forest, hosting diverse flora and fauna despite its small size. Vegetation includes multi-layered forests: mid-height trees (15–20 meters) from families like Meliaceae (e.g., Cedrela fissilis, Trichilia catigua), Arecaceae (e.g., Euterpe edulis), and Myrtaceae (e.g., Eugenia repanda, Myrciaria rivularis); taller canopies (up to 35 meters) with species from Fabaceae (e.g., Peltophorum dubium, Pterogyne nitens), Boraginaceae (e.g., Cordia dichotoma), and Moraceae (e.g., Chlorophora tinctoria, Cecropia pachystachya); and riparian zones with Euphorbiaceae species. Ferns, orchids, and epiphytes add to the understory diversity.
Fauna encompasses mammals such as jaguars (Panthera onca), ocelots (Leopardus pardalis), tapirs (Tapirus terrestris), capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris), howler monkeys (Alouatta spp.), coatis (Nasua nasua), armadillos (Dasypus spp.), anteaters (Myrmecophaga tridactyla), collared peccaries (Pecari tajacu), crab-eating foxes (Cerdocyon thous), and neotropical river otters (Lontra longicaudis). Reptiles include the black-and-white tegu (Salvator merianae). Birdlife is abundant, with over 250 species identified, including the toco toucan (Ramphastos toco), harpy eagle (Harpia harpyja), red-and-green macaw (Ara chloropterus), helmeted woodpecker (Celeus galeatus), black-fronted piping guan (Pipile jacutinga), spot-backed antshrike (Thamnophilus melanonotus), yellow-fronted woodpecker (Melanerpes flavifrons), white-bearded manakin (Manacus manacus), and chestnut seedeater (Sporophila cinnamomea). The Ñacunday River supports diverse fish populations, especially near its confluence with the Paraná. Many species are endangered, underscoring the park's role in regional conservation.

 

Conservation Efforts and Status

Classified as an IUCN Category II national park, Ñacunday focuses on ecosystem protection and recreation while allowing sustainable use by local Mbyá Guaraní communities. Conservation efforts include enforcing environmental protections, reforestation projects, and promoting ecotourism as a sustainable alternative to extractive activities. The park protects water sources and streams essential for indigenous livelihoods and downstream ecosystems. As part of Paraguay's SINASIP, it contributes to national goals of conserving the Atlantic Forest, a biodiversity hotspot with high endemism. Local involvement includes regulated resource use by Mbyá Guaraní, fostering equity in governance. The park's status is stable, but limited infrastructure and funding challenge enforcement.

 

Threats and Challenges

Major threats include illegal logging, agricultural expansion, and habitat fragmentation, which have severely impacted Paraguay's Atlantic Forest overall. In Paraguay, 336,000 hectares of forest are deforested annually due to mechanized agriculture and livestock farming, posing indirect risks to Ñacunday. Local pressures from indigenous resource use, if unregulated, could strain ecosystems. Climate change may alter rainfall patterns, affecting the waterfall and biodiversity. Historical challenges, such as 2012 settlement proposals that alarmed conservationists, highlight land-use conflicts. Lack of studies and monitoring hampers effective management.

 

Tourism and Activities

Ñacunday attracts growing numbers of visitors, particularly in summer, despite lacking a formal tourist program. Primary activities include hiking trails to the Salto Ñacunday, nature walks, wildlife observation, birdwatching, fishing, and river recreation. The waterfall's misty environment and surrounding pools offer opportunities for photography and relaxation. Access is via Route 2 from Asunción or Route 6 from Ciudad del Este (90 km away), with a mix of paved and dirt roads leading to the site. Local guides and conservation groups provide educational tours on the Atlantic Forest's importance. Infrastructure is basic, but the park is affordable and quiet, ideal for nature lovers seeking uncrowded experiences.

 

Research and Scientific Importance

While specific research on Ñacunday is limited due to a general lack of studies in Paraguay's protected areas, the park's Atlantic Forest ecosystem offers potential for biodiversity inventories, ecological monitoring, and studies on endangered species like the harpy eagle and helmeted woodpecker. Its location as a wildlife corridor in the fragmented Atlantic Forest makes it valuable for research on habitat connectivity and conservation effectiveness. Broader Paraguayan biodiversity research emphasizes the need for more data on ecoregions like this one. The park could contribute to studies on water conservation and climate resilience in subtropical forests.

 

Notable Events and Recent Updates

As of August 2025, Ñacunday has seen no major reported events or developments in 2024–2025, based on available sources. A visitor review from May 2025 praised the waterfall as "beautiful, cheap, and super quiet," noting a 10-kilometer dirt road access and uncrowded atmosphere. Paraguay's broader environmental context includes flooding events in April 2025 affecting the region, potentially impacting river levels in the park. Conservation alarms from 2012 regarding settlement plans have not resurfaced recently, but ongoing deforestation in Paraguay (336,000 hectares/year) underscores the need for vigilance. No specific updates on infrastructure or programs were found for 2024–2025.