The Itatiaia National Park is a Federal Conservation Area with the purpose of conserving and preserving its cultural and natural patrimony for scientific, educational, scenic and recreational aims. The park was created officially on June 14, 1937, being the first national park created in Brazil, initially with an area of 13.000 hectares. In 1982 the area was enlarged for almost 30.000 ha.

The Park is located in the massif of Itatiaia, in Mantiqueira mountain. It is located in the Southwest of the state of Rio de Janeiro, in lands of the municipal districts of Resende and Itatiaia, and in the south of the state of Minas Gerais in the municipal districts of Bocaina de Minas, Alagoa and Itamonte. The area under responsibility of the management of the Park extends itself 10 km beyond its limits, with a total area of 120.000 ha approximately.

The land is diverse, with altitudes varying from 600 to 2.787 meters. In the low part of the Park, area of intense visitation, the vegetation is secondary (forest in regeneration,formerly destroyed by the cycle of coffee in the valley of the Paraíba river (Rio Paraíba). In the altitudes above 1.100 meters, the primitive forest prevails. In the area of the plateau of the Itatiaia mountain (Planalto de Itatiaia), we find the altitude fields and the suspended valleys, where several of the rivers which constitute the hydrographic basins of the rivers Paraíba do Sul and Grande are born. There are also several species of animals and vegetables, from which some are endemic, only existing in the park, while others are threatened of extinction.

Itatiaia means, in indigenous language Tupi-Guarani, "Stone full of Peaks".

Telephones of the Park: (24) 3352-1461 / (24) 3352-1652

Click here to see the Decree of Creation of the Park (Portuguese)

• The Itatiaia National Park is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.;
  
  
• Barbecues are only allowed in the barbecue grill of the kiosks of the Blue Lake (Lago Azul), with previous authorization of the Administration;
  
  
• Staying overnight in the shelters inside the Park is allowed only with previous authorization of the Administration;
  
• Put the garbage in the garbage cans or take it out of the park. Don't bury the garbage. Even if it is biodegradable, the garbage can bring damages to nature, contaminating animals and the soil;
  
  
• Use of music eletroniques must be in low volume. Don't scream nor use noisy musical instruments;
  
  
• When requested, allow vehicle to be inspected;
  
  
• It is not allowed the collection of fruits, flowers, plants, animals or stones;
  
  
• River bathing always without soap or shampoo, same if biodegradable;
  
  
• The domestic animals are not welcome to the Park;
  
  
• To make fire or bonfire, to light candles may burn the vegetation and cause forest fires;
  
  
• Don't throw cigarette bits or matches away, even extinguished;
  
  
• To write or to paint stones, trees, posts or constructions are a damage to nature and the public patrimony;
  
  
• Come in peace, without carrying weapons ;
  
  
• Religious manifestations are not allowed;
  
  
• Respect the trails and visitation points, not to get lost or to alter the environment. Be always accompanied by a qualified guide;
  
  
• When vehicle is stopped, turn off the engine,
  
  
• In case of doubt, go to an Agent of Forest Defense or the Administration;
  
  
• The access to the Plateau should be accompanied by a guide;
  
  
• The disregard of those recommendations can result in the request for the expelling of the visitor and/or fines.