Parque Nacional Jose del Carmen Ramirez

Wilderness solitude in the Cordillera Central

DifficultyChallenging

Area764 km²

Duration3-5 days (Mata Grande route)

GuideRequired

Type

National Park

Entry fee

RD$100 (approximately US$2)

Difficulty

Challenging

Duration

3-5 days (Mata Grande route)

Guide

Required

Area

764 km²

Best time

December through March for best trekking conditions

Hours

Open 24 hours; ranger station 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Elevation

600-3087m

FacilitiesRanger Station At Mata GrandeBasic Camping AreasMule Services Available

Key speciesHispaniolan solenodonHispaniolan hutiaHispaniolan trogonWhite-winged CrossbillPalmchat

Key featuresSouthern Pico Duarte approachYaque del Sur headwatersRemote wilderness valleysPine forest wildernessValle de Tetero

TrailsMata Grande to Pico Duarte (45 km one way)Sabaneta routeValle de Tetero trail

The park

Parque Nacional Jose del Carmen Ramirez

Protecting the southern slopes of the Cordillera Central, this park shares the Pico Duarte massif and guards critical watersheds feeding the Yaque del Sur river system.

Parque Nacional Jose del Carmen Ramirez protects the southern flanks of the Cordillera Central, complementing its sister park Armando Bermudez to the north. Together, they form the largest contiguous protected area in the Dominican Republic, safeguarding the island's most important mountain ecosystems and watersheds.

Covering 764 square kilometers, the park encompasses the headwaters of the Yaque del Sur river — the country's second-longest river — and protects extensive stands of Hispaniolan pine forest, broadleaf mountain forest, and alpine meadows. The park includes several peaks above 2,500 meters and offers an alternative, longer but more scenic route to Pico Duarte via the Mata Grande approach. Wildlife is similar to Armando Bermudez, with hutias, solenodons (rarely seen), endemic warblers, and the Hispaniolan trogon. The park sees far fewer visitors than its northern counterpart, offering true wilderness solitude.

Before you go