Tierra del Fuego National Park in Winter: Snow, Hours, the Train and Tours

The short answer

Tierra del Fuego National Park stays open all winter, the End of the World Train runs every day of the year including in snow, and a half-day tour with hotel pickup is the most practical way to see the park between June and September. Our pick is the Tierra del Fuego National Park Tour, Train Optional (our breakdown →), from $52 per person and rated 4.8 from 448 reviews, with travelers reviewing it in May and August 2026. The park fee is extra, and availability is shown date by date in the booking calendar.

Winter changes three things: the days are short, the roads can be snowy, and the long hiking trails close. The short walks at the lake and the bays, the train and the views remain.

What winter weather is like

Ushuaia’s winter is cold and snowy but not extreme. These are the city’s long-term averages from Argentina’s national weather service (1991–2020):

From June to August the average high is 4.5 to 5.7 °C and the average low hovers just above freezing. Snow falls on about 9 to 11 days a month in that period, so a snowy landscape is likely but not guaranteed on any given day. Precipitation is spread fairly evenly through the year, so winter is not especially wetter than summer.

Daylight is the bigger constraint. Around the June solstice Ushuaia gets only about 7 hours 12 minutes of daylight, against more than 17 hours in December. June is also the month with the least sunshine. A half-day tour fits comfortably inside that window; a long day of walking does not.

Roads and getting there in snow

The park entrance is about 11 km west of Ushuaia on Route 3. In winter, snow tires or chains are reported to be required on the park roads, and the speed limit inside is 40 km/h at any time of year. If you are renting a car, ask the rental company what winter equipment comes with it.

This is the main reason a guided tour makes most sense in winter. Someone else does the driving, you are collected at your door, and you are not steering a rental car on packed snow on the way to Lapataia Bay. The how to get there page compares the minibus, taxi and car in more detail.

Park hours and what stays open

From April to September the park is open 9:00 to 18:00, shorter than the summer hours. Here is what that means for the usual stops:

• Lake Acigami (formerly Lake Roca) and Lapataia Bay, at the end of Route 3, stay on the winter tour route.
• The four long trails, Senda Costera, Pampa Alta, Hito XXIV and Cerro Guanaco, open only from November to April.
• The short Castorera trail to an old beaver dam (0.2 km, about 20 minutes) is open all year. The Laguna Negra boardwalk is also an all-year trail but is currently under repair.
• Access to Ensenada Zaratiegui in winter is unclear. Our pick’s operator says the cove is closed in winter, another operator says the road may be closed for safety, and a third says it is reachable only from about mid-October to mid-May. Expect it to be dropped from the route.
• The End of the World Post Office at Ensenada is often closed in any season, so don’t count on it.
• The park’s campsites operate from November to April only.

The End of the World Train in winter

The train runs 365 days a year, including in snow, and cancels only when extreme weather makes the trip unsafe. The carriages are heated, which matters most in these months. The ride takes about 1 hour 45 minutes round trip, with a 20-minute stop at La Macarena, and every rider also needs a park ticket.

The winter timetable, from 1 May to 31 August, has departures at 9:45, 12:15 and 15:00, with check-in 45 minutes before. The railway’s own FAQ gives the midday train as 12:30, so confirm that time before you go. From 1 September the timetable returns to 9:30, 12:00 and 15:00.

Fares are seasonal. A Turista adult ticket costs ARS 70,000 until 30 September 2026, rising to ARS 80,000 from 1 October. On our pick, the “With train included” option cost $124 for one adult on 8 October 2026, against $58 for the standard option.

Tours with a winter version

Two tours on this site have recent winter reviews: our pick, and the National Park & End of the World Train Tour (our breakdown →), where an August traveler described the snowy park as “a winter wonderland”. The Tierra del Fuego National Park Tour with Lunch (our breakdown →) says it runs in all weather conditions. For the other tours, check the calendar for your date.

On Viator, the Small-Group National Park Tour, Optional Train says it operates from June to October and promises snowy landscapes, from $54 per person. If you want something more active, the Winter Trekking and Canoeing in Lapataia Bay is a 7-hour day with a forest walk, lunch in a geodesic dome and a paddle in inflatable canoes, from $158 per person. It is rated 5.0, but from only 7 reviews on Viator so far. The Full-Day Trekking and Canoeing also has a winter option in the snow. The hiking tours page compares all of them.

What to wear

The winter tour listings are specific about clothing, and one operator may turn away anyone not dressed for the cold. Their lists add up to:

• A thermal base layer and a fleece
• A waterproof jacket and waterproof trousers
• Gloves, a warm hat and a neck warmer
• Waterproof boots or shoes with good grip, and spare socks
• Sunglasses, since snow glare is real even on grey days

Sandals and open-toed shoes are not allowed on several tours in any season.

Photography in winter

Snow on the lenga forest and the peaks behind Lake Acigami makes the park look very different from its summer photos. The sun stays low all day, which gives long shadows and soft light even around midday, and with only about seven hours of daylight in June there is no need for an early start. Cold drains camera and phone batteries quickly, so carry a spare in an inside pocket. The train’s heated carriages and large windows make it a comfortable place to photograph the Río Pipo valley.

Should you go in winter?

If you are already in Ushuaia between June and September, yes. The park’s main viewpoints, the train and a half-day tour all work in winter, and the snow gives the scenery a different character. Winter suits you less if you want to hike the long trails, which open only from November to April, or see penguins: the penguin option on the one tour we cover that offers it runs from about mid-October to the end of March.

For how winter compares with the rest of the year, see the best time to visit. The park tickets page covers the fee and hours, and families should read the park with kids. When you have your dates, check availability.