Cajón del Maipo — Attraction in San José de Maipo

Cajón del Maipo: A Must-Visit Adventure from Santiago

A trip to Cajón del Maipo and its stunning El Yeso Dam is an experience you simply can’t miss when visiting Santiago. Located about three hours from the city, the journey itself is part of the adventure — winding mountain roads, dramatic landscapes, and breathtaking views at every turn.

Before setting off, make sure to check the vehicle restrictions for the season, as they can change throughout the year. A 4x4 vehicle is highly recommended, especially for those less familiar with narrow mountain routes. This drive is not for the faint-hearted — it’s as challenging as people say — but the reward at the end makes every twist and turn worthwhile.

On your way to the dam, don’t skip a stop at the beautiful Salto del Yeso waterfall. It’s the perfect spot to take a break, stretch your legs, and capture some unforgettable photos before continuing toward the breathtaking turquoise waters of the dam.

Cajón del Maipo offers a mix of thrill, natural beauty, and tranquility that makes it one of Chile’s most unforgettable...

Absolutely fantastic! But scary to drive it, not needed 4wd to reach the end of the dam, but you need guts to drive through very narrow sections of almost one lane with stones or rocks falling from the mountains. But many people do it and also on big vans that was my motivation. Nonetheless I think this is part of the adventure.

I went the first of April and it had a good portion of snow. Keep in mind that if you ever had a thought of what the Andes range looks like on tv this place may be a very good example showing its most beautiful scenery along the way. Highly recommended, also go early on a Sunday so the shops are probably open in the town San Jose del maipo. And if you reach the camp historic town shop early in the morning you may be able to see...

Beautiful place! Crazy ride up and around in the mountains. We did not drive all the way around. There is one area where a waterfall comes down, crosses over the road, and you have to drive thru it. The guardrail is gone at that point. It felt a little scary. When you feel you are in the middle of nowhere you will see a sign for banos, a little place that also has a pond and goats and chickens. This is the "last chance bathroom" and worth the 500 pesos to use it. He needs to...