Beavers and their dams in Ushuaia represent one of the most fascinating stories of species introduction in South America. More than 70 years ago, in 1946, just 20 pairs of these rodents were brought from Canada to Tierra del Fuego for commercial purposes in the fur industry. Today, the population has exploded to approximately 300,000 individuals inhabiting both the Argentine and Chilean sides of the island.
During our exploration of beavers in Tierra del Fuego, we discovered that these animals are considered true “ecosystem engineers” due to their ability to completely transform the Fuegian landscape. However, this transformation comes at a high cost: at least 30,000 hectares of native forest have been destroyed, especially affecting endemic species such as lenga, which can take up to 100 years to grow. Despite their negative impact, beaver watching in Ushuaia has become a popular tourist activity, with guided tours allowing visitors to observe their impressive dams and lodges in places like Tierra del Fuego National Park or along the route of the famous End of the World Train.
Recommended Places to See Beavers in 2025
In 2025, Ushuaia offers several locations to observe beavers in their natural habitat. Although considered invasive, these creatures have become a unique attraction for visitors interested in their impact on the Fuegian ecosystem.
Tierra del Fuego National Park
Contrary to popular belief, the National Park is not the top spot for guaranteed beaver sightings, though it does contain several beaver dams. Park authorities maintain active population control to protect the native ecosystem. However, the trail still allows clear views of their activity: abandoned dams, gnawed trees, and altered wetlands. To enhance the experience, it’s recommended to walk the trails with specialized guides who will explain the impact of these rodents on the subantarctic forest.
Within the park is theCastorera trail, an easy 300-meter path where visitors can see the impressive engineering structures created by these animals.
Hiking to Laguna Esmeralda and Ojo del Albino
The trail to Laguna Esmeralda, one of the most popular in Ushuaia, also provides opportunities to see beaver constructions, mainly old structures. This moderately difficult 9-kilometer round-trip hike takes about four hours to complete.
For more experienced adventurers, the challenging trek to Ojo del Albino Glacier (rated as high difficulty) passes through areas with many beaver dams. This 20-kilometer hike crosses the high valley of Laguna Esmeralda, where beaver dams can be seen throughout much of the route up to the vegetation limit (600 meters above sea level).
End of the World Train and Scenic Lookouts
The historic End of the World Train offers another way to view beaver habitats while traversing part of the National Park. During this unique ride, passengers enjoy panoramic views of the Fuegian forest and access normally unreachable areas.
The ride includes audio guides that narrate not only the history of the railway but also provide information about the park’s flora and fauna, including the beavers’ impact on this fragile ecosystem.
Beaver Watching Tour in Ushuaia
To fully immerse in the world of Fuegian beavers, a specialized tour combining nature, learning, and local cuisine is ideal. These outings have become one of the most sought-after activities for visitors who want to observe these clever builders up close.
What is the hike through the active beaver dams like?
The adventure begins with an easy hike through a unique landscape of peat bogs and native forests. This route is specially designed to find active beaver dams, where chances of seeing these animals in the wild are very high. Along the way, you walk through terrain entirely reshaped by the beavers’ impressive constructions.
Ideal Times for Sightings
The best time to see beavers is at sunset and in the early hours of the night. Tours usually start around 5:30–6:30 p.m. and last until 10:30–11:00 p.m., which coincides with the time these rodents emerge from their lodges to forage. As if following a biological clock, around 7:00 p.m., beavers begin inspecting their ponds and feeding.
Includes Snack and Patagonian Dinner
Midway through the tour, there is a break to enjoy a snack. This strategic pause allows visitors to quietly observe the beavers as they go about their routines.
Expert Guides and Transportation Included
The beaver watching tour includes specialized guides who share valuable insights about the beavers’ habitat, behavior, and history in Tierra del Fuego. The package includes round-trip transportation from accommodations, essential gear like rubber boots, a specialized guide, and a full dinner.
History of Beavers in Tierra del Fuego
“Introduced in 1946 on the Argentine side of Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego, beavers became a plague in less than half a century, invading all the watersheds of the archipelago and affecting riparian forests, aquifers, and peatlands—key wetlands in carbon retention.” — Mongabay Latam, environmental conservation and biodiversity media
The history of beavers in Tierra del Fuego began in 1946, when these North American rodents were introduced into a region that had never known their presence, unleashing one of the greatest ecological problems in the southernmost tip of South America.
How and Why Beavers Came to Ushuaia
In 1946, the Argentine government imported 20 pairs of beavers from Canada. Their destination was Lake Fagnano in Tierra del Fuego. The purpose was clear: to develop a promising fur industry in the southern region. At the time, the “development model” of the Northern Hemisphere was highly valued, and introducing species from that region was seen as an economic growth opportunity. The event was so significant it was featured in “Sucesos Argentinos,” a newsreel that presented it as a way to “enrich Fuegian wildlife.”
From Fur Trade to Invasive Species
Initially, economic expectations were high, but the fur project quickly failed. As a result, beavers were released into the wild, where they found a paradise free of natural restrictions. The animals began reproducing and spreading across the Fuegian territory. In 2014, Argentina officially declared the species exotic and invasive, though Tierra del Fuego had already labeled it “harmful and detrimental” in 2006. Chile acted earlier, designating beavers as “harmful” in 1992.
Uncontrolled Growth and Lack of Predators
The absence of natural predators has been the key factor in the demographic explosion of beavers and their dams in Ushuaia. In Canada, bears, wolves, and coyotes control beaver populations, but in Tierra del Fuego, these predators don’t exist. This evolutionary advantage has led to a current population estimated between 100,000 and 150,000 beavers, with some estimates reaching 200,000. Additionally, beavers have already crossed the Strait of Magellan into continental Chile, threatening Patagonian ecosystems in both countries.
Environmental Impact of Beavers in Ushuaia
“The main issue is that beavers must modify ecosystems to live in them, creating artificial dams that block rivers and flood large areas, cutting down trees whose bark they feed on. Patagonia’s ecosystems, including peat bogs and subantarctic forests, are not adapted to such disturbances.” — País Circular, media outlet focused on circular economy and sustainability
The environmental transformation caused by beavers in Tierra del Fuego represents the most significant ecological change since the last glacial retreat. These ecosystem engineers have radically altered the Fuegian landscape with impacts that span generations.
Transformation of Native Forests
Scientists have documented over 200.000 beaver dams throughout the Fuegian archipelago, in both Argentina and Chile. The damage is devastating: about 31,500 hectares have been affected on the Argentine side of the island, representing 1.6% of its total area. Other estimates suggest up to 40,000 hectares of damaged forest. Shockingly, the forested area affected exceeds that used for logging since the arrival of Europeans.
Native forests have been the most invaded ecosystem, accounting for nearly 80% of all constructed dams. Tree species of the Nothofagus genus (lenga, ñire, coihue) are particularly vulnerable because, unlike North American trees, they cannot survive in wetlands and take decades to grow.
Alteration of Waterways and Wetlands
Beaver dams completely alter hydrological dynamics. Their barriers can reach 1,5 meters in height and 100 meters in length, changing the annual discharge patterns of rivers, slowing currents, and expanding flooded areas.
Beavers and their dams in Ushuaia also significantly affect peat bogs—wetlands of enormous ecological value for their carbon retention capacity. By altering them, the natural nutrient cycle is disrupted, potentially contributing to climate change.
Long-Term Ecological Consequences
The impact persists even after the beavers abandon their dams. Flooded areas become “beaver meadows” where native species cannot survive. These zones can take more than 20 years to recover, and when they do, the vegetation that thrives is often different from the original forest.
The economic damage is also substantial: estimated at USD 66.5 million annually in Argentina and USD 73 million in Chile. However, the most concerning impact may be related to climate change. When trees die and rot submerged, they release large amounts of methane into the atmosphere—a gas potentially more harmful than carbon dioxide.
In short, although beavers attract tourists to Ushuaia, their presence continues to alter an ecosystem that did not evolve to withstand their transformative abilities.
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