San Miguel National Park | National Parks Association

San Miguel Overview

San Miguel National Park, known locally as Parque Nacional San Miguel, is a protected area located in the Rocha Department of Uruguay, near the border with Brazil.

Covering approximately 13 square miles (35 square kilometers), the park is renowned for its rich biodiversity and historical significance.

The park’s terrain is characterized by a mix of lush forests, rolling hills, and sparkling waterways. Visitors can explore a variety of trees, flowers, and native wildlife that thrive in this protected environment.

Wildlife enthusiasts will find San Miguel National Park particularly appealing. The park is home to a diverse array of fauna, including capybaras, armadillos, and the tucu-tucu, a burrowing rodent native to the region. Birdwatchers can delight in observing numerous bird species that inhabit the area, making it a prime location for avian observation.

A prominent feature within the park is the historic San Miguel Fort (Fuerte San Miguel). Constructed in 1734 by the Spanish and later occupied by the Portuguese, the fort has been restored and now serves as a museum. Visitors can explore the fort’s stone walls and learn about its military history through displays of old uniforms, decorations, and weaponry used by colonial soldiers.

To fully experience the park, visitors can engage in various activities such as hiking along well-marked trails that cater to different fitness levels. These trails offer an immersive experience into the serene beauty of the natural surroundings. Picnicking by the riverbanks provides a relaxing way to enjoy the scenery, while guided tours can offer valuable insights into the park’s ecosystems and history.

San Miguel National Park has faced conservation challenges, particularly in preserving its historical structures and natural habitats. Efforts have been made to maintain the integrity of the San Miguel Fort and to protect the diverse ecosystems within the park. These initiatives have been crucial in ensuring that both the cultural and natural heritage of the area are preserved for future generations.

In summary, San Miguel National Park offers a unique blend of natural beauty and historical significance. Its diverse landscapes and rich wildlife make it a must-visit destination for those seeking to connect with nature and explore Uruguay’s colonial past.

Park Map

San Miguel National Park Highlights

Wildlife

Birds

San Miguel National Park is also a sanctuary for a variety of bird species, making it a prime destination for birdwatchers.

Southern Screamer
A large, goose-like bird with a distinctive call, the southern screamer is often found near wetlands within the park. It is characterized by its spiky crest and loud, trumpeting calls.

Limpkin
This wading bird, with its olive-brown plumage and distinctive wailing calls, frequents the park’s marshes and wetlands, feeding primarily on apple snails.

Maguari Stork
A large wading bird with striking white plumage and black flight feathers, the maguari stork is often seen in the park’s wetlands, where it feeds on fish, amphibians, and insects.

Gray-Necked Wood-Rail
With its vibrant plumage and loud calls, this rail species inhabits dense vegetation near water bodies within the park. It is known for its secretive behavior and distinctive vocalizations.

Chestnut-Backed Tanager
This colorful songbird, with its rich chestnut and black plumage, can be spotted in the park’s forests. It often forages in mixed-species flocks, feeding on insects and fruits.

White-Browed Meadowlark
Identified by the striking white stripe above its eye and vibrant red underparts, this meadowlark favors open grasslands within the park, where it sings from prominent perches.

Red-Crested Cardinal
Easily recognizable by its bright red head and crest, contrasting with a gray body, this bird is commonly seen in the park’s wooded areas and open fields.

Green-Barred Woodpecker
This woodpecker species, with its barred green and yellow plumage, is often observed in the park’s forests, where it feeds on insects by pecking at tree bark.

White-Faced Ibis
With its distinctive white facial feathers and iridescent plumage, the white-faced ibis frequents the park’s wetlands, probing the mud with its long, curved bill for invertebrates.

Roseate Spoonbill
This striking bird, with its pink plumage and spoon-shaped bill, is often seen wading through shallow waters in the park, sweeping its bill side to side to catch small fish and crustaceans.

Popular

San Miguel National Park in Uruguay is a haven for diverse wildlife, offering a glimpse into the country’s rich natural heritage.

Capybara
The world’s largest rodent, the capybara can grow over 1.2 meters in length and weigh up to 68 kilograms. Strong swimmers, they often inhabit areas near water bodies within the park.

Pampas Fox
Also known as the Azara’s fox, this small canid is native to the grasslands of Uruguay. It has a grayish coat and is known for its adaptability to various habitats within the park.

Nine-Banded Armadillo
Recognizable by its armored shell, this armadillo is commonly found in the park’s forests and grasslands. It is primarily nocturnal and feeds on insects and small invertebrates.

Coati
With their distinctive long noses and ringed tails, coatis are often seen foraging in the park. They are social animals, typically moving in groups, and are omnivorous, feeding on fruits, insects, and small vertebrates.

Southern Tamandua
Also known as the lesser anteater, this species is characterized by its prehensile tail and specialized diet of ants and termites. It inhabits the park’s wooded areas.

Crab-Eating Fox
Despite its name, this fox has a varied diet that includes fruits, insects, and small animals. It is adaptable to different environments within the park, from forests to open fields.

Geoffroy’s Cat
A small wild cat native to the region, Geoffroy’s cat is elusive and primarily nocturnal. It preys on rodents, birds, and other small animals within the park.

Greater Rhea
Although primarily associated with open grasslands, the greater rhea can also be found in the park’s diverse habitats. As the largest bird in South America, it is flightless and known for its long legs and neck.

Marsh Deer
This large deer species prefers marshy areas and is distinguished by its long legs, which aid in navigating wetlands. Within the park, it can be found near water sources.

Southern Lapwing
Recognizable by its loud calls and striking appearance, the southern lapwing is often seen in open areas of the park. It is known for its aggressive behavior when defending its nesting sites.

Birds

San Miguel National Park is also a sanctuary for a variety of bird species, making it a prime destination for birdwatchers.

Southern Screamer
A large, goose-like bird with a distinctive call, the southern screamer is often found near wetlands within the park. It is characterized by its spiky crest and loud, trumpeting calls.

Limpkin
This wading bird, with its olive-brown plumage and distinctive wailing calls, frequents the park’s marshes and wetlands, feeding primarily on apple snails.

Maguari Stork
A large wading bird with striking white plumage and black flight feathers, the maguari stork is often seen in the park’s wetlands, where it feeds on fish, amphibians, and insects.

Gray-Necked Wood-Rail
With its vibrant plumage and loud calls, this rail species inhabits dense vegetation near water bodies within the park. It is known for its secretive behavior and distinctive vocalizations.

Chestnut-Backed Tanager
This colorful songbird, with its rich chestnut and black plumage, can be spotted in the park’s forests. It often forages in mixed-species flocks, feeding on insects and fruits.

White-Browed Meadowlark
Identified by the striking white stripe above its eye and vibrant red underparts, this meadowlark favors open grasslands within the park, where it sings from prominent perches.

Red-Crested Cardinal
Easily recognizable by its bright red head and crest, contrasting with a gray body, this bird is commonly seen in the park’s wooded areas and open fields.

Green-Barred Woodpecker
This woodpecker species, with its barred green and yellow plumage, is often observed in the park’s forests, where it feeds on insects by pecking at tree bark.

White-Faced Ibis
With its distinctive white facial feathers and iridescent plumage, the white-faced ibis frequents the park’s wetlands, probing the mud with its long, curved bill for invertebrates.

Roseate Spoonbill
This striking bird, with its pink plumage and spoon-shaped bill, is often seen wading through shallow waters in the park, sweeping its bill side to side to catch small fish and crustaceans.

Popular

San Miguel National Park in Uruguay is a haven for diverse wildlife, offering a glimpse into the country’s rich natural heritage.

Capybara
The world’s largest rodent, the capybara can grow over 1.2 meters in length and weigh up to 68 kilograms. Strong swimmers, they often inhabit areas near water bodies within the park.

Pampas Fox
Also known as the Azara’s fox, this small canid is native to the grasslands of Uruguay. It has a grayish coat and is known for its adaptability to various habitats within the park.

Nine-Banded Armadillo
Recognizable by its armored shell, this armadillo is commonly found in the park’s forests and grasslands. It is primarily nocturnal and feeds on insects and small invertebrates.

Coati
With their distinctive long noses and ringed tails, coatis are often seen foraging in the park. They are social animals, typically moving in groups, and are omnivorous, feeding on fruits, insects, and small vertebrates.

Southern Tamandua
Also known as the lesser anteater, this species is characterized by its prehensile tail and specialized diet of ants and termites. It inhabits the park’s wooded areas.

Crab-Eating Fox
Despite its name, this fox has a varied diet that includes fruits, insects, and small animals. It is adaptable to different environments within the park, from forests to open fields.

Geoffroy’s Cat
A small wild cat native to the region, Geoffroy’s cat is elusive and primarily nocturnal. It preys on rodents, birds, and other small animals within the park.

Greater Rhea
Although primarily associated with open grasslands, the greater rhea can also be found in the park’s diverse habitats. As the largest bird in South America, it is flightless and known for its long legs and neck.

Marsh Deer
This large deer species prefers marshy areas and is distinguished by its long legs, which aid in navigating wetlands. Within the park, it can be found near water sources.

Southern Lapwing
Recognizable by its loud calls and striking appearance, the southern lapwing is often seen in open areas of the park. It is known for its aggressive behavior when defending its nesting sites.

Birds

San Miguel National Park is also a sanctuary for a variety of bird species, making it a prime destination for birdwatchers.

Southern Screamer
A large, goose-like bird with a distinctive call, the southern screamer is often found near wetlands within the park. It is characterized by its spiky crest and loud, trumpeting calls.

Limpkin
This wading bird, with its olive-brown plumage and distinctive wailing calls, frequents the park’s marshes and wetlands, feeding primarily on apple snails.

Maguari Stork
A large wading bird with striking white plumage and black flight feathers, the maguari stork is often seen in the park’s wetlands, where it feeds on fish, amphibians, and insects.

Gray-Necked Wood-Rail
With its vibrant plumage and loud calls, this rail species inhabits dense vegetation near water bodies within the park. It is known for its secretive behavior and distinctive vocalizations.

Chestnut-Backed Tanager
This colorful songbird, with its rich chestnut and black plumage, can be spotted in the park’s forests. It often forages in mixed-species flocks, feeding on insects and fruits.

White-Browed Meadowlark
Identified by the striking white stripe above its eye and vibrant red underparts, this meadowlark favors open grasslands within the park, where it sings from prominent perches.

Red-Crested Cardinal
Easily recognizable by its bright red head and crest, contrasting with a gray body, this bird is commonly seen in the park’s wooded areas and open fields.

Green-Barred Woodpecker
This woodpecker species, with its barred green and yellow plumage, is often observed in the park’s forests, where it feeds on insects by pecking at tree bark.

White-Faced Ibis
With its distinctive white facial feathers and iridescent plumage, the white-faced ibis frequents the park’s wetlands, probing the mud with its long, curved bill for invertebrates.

Roseate Spoonbill
This striking bird, with its pink plumage and spoon-shaped bill, is often seen wading through shallow waters in the park, sweeping its bill side to side to catch small fish and crustaceans.

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