description Cueva del Milodón Overview
Cueva del Milodón is a large cave and natural monument near Puerto Natales in Chilean Patagonia. In the 1890s, material found there included skin, bones, and dung associated with the extinct ground sloth Mylodon darwinii, along with evidence of other prehistoric animals and human activity. The cave belongs to a wider complex of rock shelters and is visited both as a geological formation and as an important site in the study of Patagonia's late Pleistocene fauna.
help Cueva del Milodón FAQ
Why is Cueva del Milodón named after a giant ground sloth?
Explorers found skin and other remains of Mylodon darwinii in the cave area during explorations beginning in the 1890s, which gave the site its famous name ([CONAF](https://www.conaf.cl/parque_nacionales/monumento-natural-cueva-del-milodon/)). The milodón was an extinct giant ground sloth that lived in Patagonia thousands of years ago.
Who discovered the milodón remains at Cueva del Milodón?
German settler and explorer Hermann Eberhard is credited with the 1895 discovery at the cave near Puerto Natales ([Chilean Council of National Monuments](https://www.monumentos.gob.cl/monumentos/monumentos-publicos/milodon)). The finds drew attention from scientists including Otto Nordenskjöld and Florentino Ameghino.
Where is Cueva del Milodón, and how far is it from Puerto Natales?
The monument is in Chilean Patagonia on Cerro Benítez, about 24 to 25 kilometres north of Puerto Natales ([CONAF](https://www.conaf.cl/parque_nacionales/monumento-natural-cueva-del-milodon/)). It is reached by Route Y-290 from Route 9 and is administered by CONAF.
What else can visitors see besides the main cave?
The protected area includes Cueva del Medio, Cueva Chica, and several archaeological shelters, including Silla del Diablo. CONAF also lists trails and an accessible route toward the main cave, while camping and open fires are not allowed.
explore Explore More
Reviews & Comments
Write a Review
Be the first to review
Share your thoughts with the community and help others make better decisions.
