El Yunque National Forest

El Yunque National Forest spreads across the Sierra de Luquillo in northeastern Puerto Rico — the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System, and one of the most biodiverse. Warm, wet, and often wrapped in cloud, it feeds rivers, natural pools, and a dense canopy of ferns, sierra palms, and tabonuco trees, home to the tiny coquí frog and the endangered Puerto Rican parrot.

Most visitors enter along PR-191 on the north side, where trailheads, waterfalls, and lookout towers sit within a short drive. Popular stops include the roadside La Coca Falls, the Yokahú observation tower, La Mina Falls, and the steep climb to Mount Britton's cloud-forest tower. Trails run from paved and family-friendly to muddy and strenuous, and rain can close them with little warning — check the U.S. Forest Service site before you go, and start early to beat the crowds and afternoon showers.

No reservation is needed to enter the PR-191 recreational corridor — the timed-entry system was suspended in August 2023, and admission is first-come, first-served, though the Forest Service still limits vehicles when parking fills. El Portal, the main visitor center, charges an entry fee and needs no reservation either. Trail access shifts with storm recovery and construction, so check which trails are open before you go.