La Mina Trail in El Yunque National Forest has long been one of Puerto Rico’s best-known rainforest hikes, leading through lush tropical forest toward the beautiful La Mina Falls. But if you’re planning a visit today, there’s an important update to know before you go.
La Mina Trail remains closed, and La Mina Falls is not currently accessible via La Mina Trail or Big Tree Trail.
The good news is that El Yunque remains open, including much of the recreation area along PR-191. There are still trails, waterfalls, observation points, and plenty of rainforest scenery to experience during your visit.
Updated: September 2026.
Is La Mina Trail Open?
No. As of September 2026, La Mina Trail remains closed.
The U.S. Forest Service currently lists La Mina Trail, Big Tree Trail, and Baño de Oro Trail among the closed trails within El Yunque National Forest.
This is an important distinction because visitors may see information online stating that the La Mina Recreation Area is open and assume that La Mina Trail has reopened.
It has not.
Current la Mina Trail Status
| Area | Current Status |
|---|---|
| La Mina Trail | Closed |
| Big Tree Trail | Closed |
| Baño de Oro Trail | Closed |
| La Mina Recreation Area / PR-191 corridor | Open |
| Recreation Area Hours | 8am - 5pm |
Because conditions in El Yunque can change, check the Forest Service’s current alerts shortly before your visit.
Check current El Yunque trail closures and alerts
Can You Visit La Mina Falls?
At present, visitors cannot reach La Mina Falls using the traditional La Mina Trail or Big Tree Trail routes, because both trails remain closed.
Historically, visitors could approach the waterfall from two directions. Big Tree Trail descended from its trailhead toward the falls, while La Mina Trail connected the waterfall area with Palo Colorado.
La Mina Trail was approximately 0.7 miles (1.1 km) each way, making it a relatively short hike by distance. However, elevation changes, wet surfaces, rainforest humidity, and the uphill return made it more challenging than the mileage alone suggested.
Until the affected trails reopen, don’t plan a visit to El Yunque specifically around hiking to La Mina Falls.
Why Is La Mina Trail Closed?
La Mina Trail and other parts of El Yunque suffered extensive damage following Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017.
The U.S. Forest Service has undertaken significant restoration and reconstruction work throughout El Yunque, including work associated with La Mina Trail, Big Tree Trail, and the La Mina bridge.
As of September 2026, the Forest Service continues to list La Mina Trail as closed and does not provide a reopening date on its current closure notice.
For that reason, be cautious of websites or social media posts giving a specific reopening date unless that information is confirmed by the Forest Service.
What Was the La Mina Trail Like?
Before its closure, La Mina Trail was one of El Yunque’s signature hiking experiences.
The trail descended through dense tropical vegetation alongside the Río de la Mina, with the sound of rushing water accompanying portions of the hike. Stone pathways and steps wound through the rainforest before eventually reaching La Mina Falls.
At roughly 0.7 miles each way, the hike wasn’t especially long, but this was never simply a leisurely walk.
Rain could make the stone surfaces slippery, humidity added to the effort, and hikers who descended toward the waterfall faced an uphill climb on their return.
The reward was La Mina Falls, a roughly 35-foot waterfall surrounded by the lush vegetation that makes El Yunque such a distinctive part of Puerto Rico.
What Can You Do Instead?
Don’t skip El Yunque just because La Mina Trail is closed.
There is much more to the national forest than this one trail, and visitors can still experience rainforest scenery, hiking, waterfalls, rivers, observation points, and scenic stops depending on current conditions.
One of the best places to begin is El Portal de El Yunque Visitor Center. The visitor center offers exhibits and information about the rainforest and is a useful place to learn about current conditions before exploring.
Other trails and attractions may be accessible, but closures can change because of weather, maintenance, landslides, or construction. Rather than relying on an old itinerary, check what’s open shortly before heading into the forest.
Visiting El Yunque
The main recreation corridor along PR-191 provides access to many of El Yunque’s best-known attractions.
Current information for the La Mina Recreation Area lists operating hours of 8 am to 5pm, with visitors required to leave recreation areas, trails, and parking areas by 5 p.m.
The previous reservation system for vehicle access to the PR-191 recreation corridor is currently suspended, with entry operating on a first-come, first-served basis. El Portal Visitor Center is separate and has its own admission arrangements.
If you’re heading into El Yunque, bring:
- Water and sun/rain protection
- Shoes with good traction
- Insect repellent
- A light rain jacket or poncho
- A change of clothes or shoes if you’re planning to get wet
Rain is part of the El Yunque experience, and conditions can change quickly.
DPR Insider Tip
Check trail conditions the morning of your El Yunque visit.
Old maps, travel articles, social media posts, and even recent visitor photos can give the impression that a particular trail is accessible when it isn’t.
The Forest Service’s current alerts should be your final check before setting out.
Check El Yunque National Forest alerts
La Mina Trail FAQ
Is La Mina Trail open?
No. La Mina Trail remains closed as of September 2026, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
Is La Mina Falls open?
The traditional hiking routes to La Mina Falls via La Mina Trail and Big Tree Trail are currently closed, so visitors should not plan on hiking to the waterfall.
Is Big Tree Trail open?
No. Big Tree Trail is also currently listed as closed by the Forest Service.
Is El Yunque closed?
No. El Yunque National Forest is open. Individual trails, roads, and recreation sites can be closed even while the forest itself remains open.
Do you need a reservation to visit El Yunque?
The reservation system previously used for access to the PR-191 recreation corridor is currently suspended, and access is first-come, first-served. El Portal Visitor Center has separate admission arrangements.
When will La Mina Trail reopen?
The Forest Service’s current closure information does not provide an official reopening date. Until an official date is announced, I wouldn’t rely on reopening estimates found elsewhere online.
Before You Go
La Mina Falls remains one of El Yunque’s most recognizable natural attractions, and the closure of its traditional access trails is understandably disappointing for travelers who remember hiking there—or have seen photographs of the waterfall while planning their trip.
But La Mina Trail being closed does not mean El Yunque is closed.
There’s still plenty of rainforest to explore. Plan your visit around the areas and trails that are currently accessible, check conditions before leaving, and save La Mina Falls for a future trip when the Forest Service officially reopens the trail.
