Parque Estadual dos Três Picos Salinas Climbing Area
A climber's paradise and hiker's dream, this park offers stunning peaks, well-marked trails, and breathtaking panoramic views.
Highlights
Must-see attractions

Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Magical 360° views
Parque Estadual dos Três Picos Salinas Climbing Area
Best Time
Magical 360° views
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A climber's paradise and hiker's dream, this park offers stunning peaks, well-marked trails, and breathtaking panoramic views.
"The park is extremely clean and organized, with competent and attentive park rangers."
⛺ Book Camping in Advance
Camping is by reservation only. Email the park to secure your spot and enjoy the stunning views from the base camp.
🚗 Be Prepared for Dirt Roads
The access road is unpaved. While cars can manage, heavy rain can make it challenging. Drive slowly and carefully.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Cabeça do Dragão Summit
Salinas Base Camp
Hike to this summit for breathtaking 360° panoramic views, especially magical at sunrise.
Salinas Base Camp
Park Entrance
A well-maintained camping area offering incredible views and serving as the starting point for many challenging hikes.
Pedra do Sofá Trail
Park Trails
An accessible hike offering beautiful landscapes, lush greenery, and fresh air, perfect for a positive day out.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Camping & Trailhead Access
Trail Preparedness
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
⛺ Book Camping in Advance
Camping is by reservation only. Email the park to secure your spot and enjoy the stunning views from the base camp.
🚗 Be Prepared for Dirt Roads
The access road is unpaved. While cars can manage, heavy rain can make it challenging. Drive slowly and carefully.
🎒 Pack Essentials
No on-site facilities. Bring your own food, water, and pack out all trash to keep the park pristine.
🥾 Choose Trails Wisely
From easy walks to challenging climbs, there are trails for all fitness levels. Research your route beforehand.
Tips
from all over the internet
⛺ Book Camping in Advance
Camping is by reservation only. Email the park to secure your spot and enjoy the stunning views from the base camp.
🚗 Be Prepared for Dirt Roads
The access road is unpaved. While cars can manage, heavy rain can make it challenging. Drive slowly and carefully.
🎒 Pack Essentials
No on-site facilities. Bring your own food, water, and pack out all trash to keep the park pristine.
🥾 Choose Trails Wisely
From easy walks to challenging climbs, there are trails for all fitness levels. Research your route beforehand.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors rave about the park's stunning natural beauty, well-maintained trails, and the incredible panoramic views, especially from summits like Cabeça do Dragão. The Salinas base camp is praised for its organization and scenic location. However, the challenging dirt road access and lack of on-site facilities require careful preparation.
"Surreal"
Max Ennes #
"A sede salinas encontra-se aberta e é possível agendar camping por e-mail (camping somente mediante agendamento). O lugar é lindo e de lá se inicia a trilha para alguns cumes (pico menor e médio, cabeca do dragão, caixa de fósforo e travessia vale dos frades vale dos deuses). Parque extremamente limpo e organizarmos. Acesso por estrada de terra. Carro de passeio chega, mas em dias de chuva deve ser bastante complicado"
Rodrigo Coutinho
"O parque está muito bem cuidado. Os guardas-parque são competentes e atenciosos. O camping está em ótimas condições e as trilhas limpas e sinalizadas. Já do camping se tem uma vista incrível e é possível desfrutar. Melhor ainda é subir a cabeça do dragão e pegar o visual lá de cima."
Gustavo Pinheiro
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The park is located in Nova Friburgo, in the Serrana Region of Rio de Janeiro. Access is via a dirt road from the Salinas base. While passenger cars can reach it, be cautious during rainy periods as the road can become difficult.
The access road is unpaved and can be challenging, especially after rain. Travelers advise driving slowly and carefully.
Driving is the most common method. Ensure your vehicle is suitable for unpaved roads, or consider a 4x4 if visiting during the wet season.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
While specific ticket information isn't widely detailed, camping requires advance booking via email. It's always best to check the official park website or contact them directly for the most current entry requirements.
Information on general park entrance fees is scarce. However, camping at the Salinas base requires prior reservation.
The Salinas base is open, and camping is available by appointment. It's recommended to confirm specific hours and reservation procedures directly with the park.
Yes, camping is available at the Salinas base, but it requires advance booking via email.
🎫 🥾 Onsite Experience
Popular hikes include the trail to Cabeça do Dragão for stunning 360° views, Caixa de Fósforos, and the Pedra do Sofá trail for beautiful scenery without technical gear.
Yes, the park is known for its large rock walls, making it a paradise for climbers.
The Salinas base offers camping facilities, but beyond that, there's no on-site infrastructure. Visitors are advised to bring their own supplies.
Reviews consistently praise the park for being extremely clean, well-organized, and well-cared for, with competent and attentive park rangers. Trails are clean and well-marked.
Expect incredible panoramic views, especially from summits like Cabeça do Dragão. The park offers beautiful landscapes, lush greenery, and fresh air.
🍽️ 🍎 Food & Dining
No, there are no on-site food services. Visitors must bring their own snacks and water, especially if planning a longer stay.
It's essential to pack plenty of water and snacks, as there are no facilities within the park.
📸 📸 Photography
The summit of Cabeça do Dragão offers unparalleled 360° views, perfect for capturing the vast landscape, especially at sunrise. The general scenery with lush greenery and rock formations is also very photogenic.
Absolutely! The natural beauty and dramatic landscapes lend themselves well to black and white photography, capturing textures and light.
Sunrise from Cabeça do Dragão is highly recommended for its magical light. Golden hour in the late afternoon can also provide beautiful lighting for the landscapes.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
It's crucial to be prepared: pack plenty of snacks, water, and ensure you have a way to transport all your trash back out of the park, as there are no facilities. For younger children, consider the accessibility of the trails and the need for supervision. The Salinas base camp itself can be a pleasant spot to relax and enjoy the views.
🧗♀️ Adventure Seekers & Climbers
Beyond climbing, the park offers challenging hiking trails to various summits like Cabeça do Dragão and Caixa de Fósforos. These offer strenuous treks with rewarding panoramic views, appealing to those who seek physical challenges and high-altitude experiences. Proper planning and gear are essential for these more demanding activities.
🌿 Nature Lovers & Hikers
Enjoy the lush greenery, fresh air, and stunning landscapes. Trails like Pedra do Sofá offer a more relaxed experience, while hikes to peaks like Cabeça do Dragão provide breathtaking panoramic vistas. Remember to pack essentials and practice Leave No Trace principles.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Climbing Paradise
Beyond technical climbing, the park offers trails that lead to impressive peaks, accessible even without specialized gear. This means that even if you're not a climber, you can still experience the grandeur of the park's rock formations and enjoy breathtaking vistas. The Cabeça do Dragão and Caixa de Fósforos are examples of such accessible summits that offer rewarding views.
Hiking and Trekking
For those seeking more challenging adventures, the trails originating from the Salinas base camp lead to significant peaks. The hike to Cabeça do Dragão is particularly lauded for its rewarding 360° panoramic views, especially spectacular during sunrise. This trail, along with others like the one to Caixa de Fósforos, allows visitors to reach high points and witness the park's full splendor without necessarily needing climbing equipment.
Camping and Base Camp Experience
Reviewers consistently highlight the excellent condition of the camping facilities and the stunning views available directly from the campsite. It's described as a well-maintained and organized area, providing a comfortable base for exploring the surrounding trails and peaks. The proximity to trailheads makes it an ideal starting point for early morning hikes or climbs.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit