The Cochamó Valley receives more than 16,000 visitors. By 2015, the La Junta area was exceeding its carrying capacity on a daily and nightly basis. There were no entry requirements nor fees for the valley and very few restrictions on accessing the “free campground.”
Respecting the valley's rules and following leave-no-trace practices in wild and remote areas will ensure that access remains open to everyone.
Some of the problems associated with camping in areas not designated for that purpose, combined with the poor practices of irresponsible campers, include exposed human feces that become a source of contamination and infection, abandoned trash, hundreds of abandoned campfires with remnants of burned trash—posing a fire hazard during dry seasons—and a social atmosphere marked by excessive alcohol consumption, drugs, loud music, and shouting throughout the night.
Today, with the tremendous help lead by the Organización Valle Cochamó and the sum of the work in the same line of campsites, neighbors, other organizations, community and responsible visitors, a Visitor Center was implemented to help ensure maintaining a max capacity in the valley. Since 2016 it's necessary to have a confirmed reservation in one of the campsites to enter the valley during the months of December through March. Each visitor must register at the Visitor Center and show the confirmed reservation in order to enter the trail at the established times. The result of these measures from 2016 until now has been very positive, with a significant decrease in the number of accidents, a decrease in garbage and abandoned campfires, and an increase in a family atmosphere and environmentally responsible nature lovers.
In this effort to consolidate a collaborative protected area, landowners and tour operators have done much work in their daily practices and facilities to conserve Cochamó's unique environment and natural resources.
Look at this article written by "Patagon Journal" in 2016 and speaks directly about the problems the valley was facing.
The Cochamó Valley is a collection of private properties where camping permits are required. Respect for the rules of the valley and good practices in wild and remote areas will allow access to remain open to all.
