Authorities at Iguazu National Park in Misiones Province have closed the Devil’s Throat (Garganta del Diablo) circuit due to rising river levels that pose a risk to the walkways and visitor facilities at the most dramatic viewing point on the Argentine side of the falls. The closure is expected to last up to 40 days, placing its projected reopening in mid- to late September.
The Devil’s Throat is the centrepiece of most visits — the point where 14 separate cataracts converge to create a continuous curtain of water around 80 metres high and over 150 metres wide. When the Iguazu River runs high, the walkway structures that extend over the water become hazardous and the viewing platforms partially submerged.
What Remains Open
The closure affects only the Devil’s Throat circuit. The Upper Circuit and Lower Circuit trails, which offer panoramic views across the broader falls system including San MartÃn Island, remain fully open. The lower trails in particular provide striking close-up perspectives of individual cataracts and are genuinely spectacular in their own right.
The Brazilian side of the falls (Parque Nacional do Iguaçu, reached via the city of Foz do Iguaçu) is not affected by this closure and offers its own panoramic viewpoints, including the walkway that extends to the edge of the gorge. Crossing from Puerto Iguazú to the Brazilian side is a simple process with your passport.
Planning Your Visit
If you have a trip to Iguazu booked in the next six weeks, it is worth calling ahead to confirm circuit status before your arrival date. The national park’s website and social media channels update closures in near real time.
High river levels at Iguazu are most common from late December through March (austral summer) and can recur briefly during the Southern Hemisphere winter if rainfall in the upper Paraná basin is heavier than usual. An August closure is relatively uncommon and reflects an unusually wet recent period in Misiones and Paraná.
Park entry for international visitors remains in effect at the standard rates. The Argentina budget guide has current park fee information.
Should You Still Go?
Yes. Even without the Devil’s Throat circuit, a day at Iguazu is worth making the journey for. Many visitors who have seen the park in multiple conditions report that the Upper and Lower Circuits alone — together accounting for roughly 3–4 hours of walking — justify the trip. The Devil’s Throat closure, when it occurs, also coincides with particularly impressive water volume across the rest of the falls, so the spectacle remains remarkable. For guided tours and boat excursions at Iguazu, browse Iguazu Falls tours.
Keep an eye on the park’s official channels for updates — if water levels recede faster than expected, the circuit can reopen with relatively short notice.