Pagsanjan Gorge National Park

Pagsanjan Gorge Overview

Pagsanjan Gorge National Park, known in Filipino as Pambansang Liwasan ng Bangin ng Pagsanjan, is a stunning riverine and canyon landscape located in the province of Laguna on Luzon Island, Philippines.

Covering approximately 0.8 square miles (2.1 square kilometers), the park lies within the municipalities of Cavinti and Pagsanjan and was established in 1939. Despite its small size, the park is one of the country’s most iconic natural destinations, renowned for its deep gorge, verdant cliffs, and the famous Pagsanjan Falls—also known as Magdapio Falls—which is the centerpiece of the protected area.

The terrain of the park is defined by steep, forest-covered walls that rise on both sides of the Pagsanjan River, forming a dramatic gorge that cuts through the foothills of the Sierra Madre range. The river is flanked by towering rock formations, overhanging vegetation, and hidden caves, all contributing to a tropical, almost prehistoric atmosphere.

The gorge narrows dramatically in some places, with sections only accessible by boat. At its heart lies the 120-foot-high Pagsanjan Falls, where water plunges into a deep basin surrounded by sheer stone walls and mist-covered jungle.

Wildlife within Pagsanjan Gorge National Park includes a variety of birds, insects, and small forest animals. Kingfishers, swiftlets, and herons are often seen near the river, while bulbuls and tailorbirds can be heard in the forested canopy.

The thick vegetation around the gorge supports reptiles like skinks and geckos, and butterflies are commonly seen fluttering through shafts of light between the cliffs. Although large mammals are not typical in the area due to the park’s limited size, the ecosystem remains vibrant, particularly in and around the watercourse.

The most popular feature of the park is the thrilling boat ride known as the “shooting the rapids” experience. Visitors board wooden canoes, paddled by skilled boatmen, and are guided upstream through the winding gorge, navigating around boulders and over small rapids.

The journey ends at Pagsanjan Falls, where travelers can enjoy swimming in the cool waters or explore the cave behind the cascade via a bamboo raft. The combination of adventure and natural beauty makes this experience one of the most memorable eco-tourism offerings in the Philippines.

Visitors engage with the park primarily through guided boat tours, river trekking, and waterfall exploration. The most common starting point is the town of Pagsanjan, though access is also available from Cavinti, where a more rugged hike to the falls can be taken.

The surrounding area includes riverside cottages, eco-lodges, and facilities supporting tourism, making the park both an accessible and popular destination for day trips and nature-based getaways.

Conservation efforts at Pagsanjan Gorge National Park aim to preserve its delicate riverine ecosystem while managing high tourist traffic. Challenges include erosion, pollution, and the impact of motorized boats, which are now restricted to preserve water quality and reduce noise.

Community-based tourism, park regulations, and environmental education campaigns have helped improve awareness and management. Local government and private sector partnerships continue to support the park’s protection, ensuring that the gorge and its legendary falls remain a source of pride, livelihood, and ecological richness.

Park Map

Pagsanjan Gorge National Park Highlights

Wildlife

Birds

Pagsanjan Gorge National Park also hosts a lively bird community, with forest birds, cliff-nesting species, and riparian specialists filling the air with song. The mix of river, forest, and vertical cliffs creates niches for a wide array of native and endemic birds.

Philippine Bulbul
One of the most vocal birds in the park, the bulbul feeds on fruit, nectar, and insects. It is commonly seen flitting through forest edges and mid-canopy near the river.

White-eared Brown Dove
A shy, ground-dwelling dove that feeds on fallen fruits and seeds along shaded paths and forest clearings. Its soft, mournful coo is often heard in the early morning.

Philippine Coucal
This secretive bird stalks through dense undergrowth, preying on lizards and insects. Its deep, resonant call is frequently heard near forest edges and streamside vegetation.

Tarictic Hornbill (Luzon subspecies)
If present in the park’s mature forest patches, this frugivorous hornbill would nest in tree cavities and help disperse seeds across the forest.

Guaiabero
A small, green parrot endemic to Luzon, often seen in pairs feeding on fruit and blossoms in the canopy. Its high-pitched calls can be heard from treetops above the gorge.

Philippine Pygmy Woodpecker
This small and energetic woodpecker taps along tree trunks for insects. It is usually found in forested areas and often forages in mixed bird flocks.

Lowland White-eye
These tiny, green birds forage in active flocks through the trees, feeding on nectar, insects, and small fruit. Their presence adds color and energy to the park’s foliage.

Barn Swallow
Seen swooping over the river, these agile insectivores catch flying insects mid-air and sometimes nest on rock faces or park structures near the water.

Swiftlets (Cave-nesting species)
Nesting inside cliffside crevices and caves, these swift flyers use echolocation in the dark and feed on insects above the river’s surface.

Philippine Serpent Eagle
Occasionally seen soaring above the gorge, this raptor preys on reptiles and small mammals. Its distinctive whistled cry can echo across the canyon walls on clear days.

Pagsanjan Gorge National Park is a dramatic river-carved sanctuary—where waterfalls thunder, cliffs rise, and native wildlife clings to the rocks and forested riverbanks, making it one of Southern Luzon’s most spectacular and ecologically rich natural treasures.

Pagsanjan Gorge National Park, located in Laguna Province in Southern Luzon, is famed for its towering cliffs, lush vegetation, and the dramatic Pagsanjan Falls (locally known as Magdapio Falls). The park’s riverine gorges, rainforest patches, and karst rock walls form a rich and humid ecosystem that supports a range of native wildlife, especially species adapted to riparian zones, caves, and steep forested slopes.

Philippine Long-tailed Macaque
This clever and social primate is commonly seen near riverbanks and forest trails. It forages for fruit, insects, and crabs and is frequently observed in troops near the falls or resting on cliffs.

Philippine Warty Pig (Luzon subspecies)
This elusive wild pig roots through forest floor and streamside vegetation in search of tubers, fruit, and insects. It plays a vital role in forest regeneration through seed dispersal and soil disturbance.

Common Palm Civet (Musang)
Nocturnal and solitary, this mammal moves through forest trees and understory in search of fruits, insects, and small animals. It contributes to seed dispersal and uses caves or tree hollows for shelter.

Philippine Forest Rat
A native rodent that forages in the park’s forest floor and cliff crevices for seeds, fruit, and insects. It is prey for raptors and snakes, playing a key role in the ecosystem.

Asian House Shrew
This small, insectivorous mammal is occasionally found near rocky creeks and under logs. It feeds on worms, beetles, and other invertebrates, contributing to pest control.

Tokay Gecko
A brightly colored, nocturnal gecko often found clinging to limestone walls or tree trunks. Its loud, croaking call is commonly heard at night as it hunts insects and small vertebrates.

Common House Gecko
This small lizard is found near rock walls, caves, and park structures. It is active at night and helps reduce mosquito and insect populations near the river.

Water Monitor Lizard
Seen near riverbanks and streams, this large, semi-aquatic reptile feeds on fish, frogs, eggs, and carrion. It is a strong swimmer and is sometimes spotted basking on rocks.

Skinks (Various native species)
These sleek, fast-moving lizards scurry across sunlit rocks and along forest trails. They feed on insects and small invertebrates and are well-adapted to humid, rocky environments.

Reticulated Python (possible presence)
This large, non-venomous constrictor may inhabit deeper forest pockets and rocky crevices. It preys on small mammals and birds and remains hidden during daylight hours.