Toro Negro

I want to leave an updated review since I went with information c. summer 2019 and had no idea what was in store. We went to Toro Negro in late November and for a week I have been trying to call the permit office everyone said you must contact without any luck. So we just went! On Saturday we walked right into the camping area (about .5mi from the parking lot down a steep and slippery road). Although the bathrooms were locked the water taps still worked. It's a beautiful location. One of the nicest camping area in tropical forest I have stayed at. At night you can hear an orchestra of coqui, bats, and birds. We camped the night and it rained all the next day. When the raid broke around 2pm we walked along the very muddy and slippery trail to La Confesora which was rushing and orange colored from the clay. We went for a dip any way (not sure if that was good or not. we are fine 3 days later). In conclusion it seems that the camping area and the park in general is not maintained as much as in the past. No rangers to be seen and we were quick and respectful guests.

December 2019. The roads leading to the ranger station/visitor center are narrow and windy but reasonably well paved. The ranger was neither friendly or unfriendly. He spoke only Spanish. 50 yards from the station is the gated entrance to the camping area and access area to some of the trails. Our walk to Charco La Confesora (trail #8) took about 20 minutes one way. Some parts are fairly steep but the trail is well maintained. The camping area appears to be neat, and has several small pavilions with tables. It's a lovely area. The posted map at the station shows about 10 trails, but without much location detail. Some of the trails are still closed, since Hurricane Maria in 2017.

Easily one of the best camp sites I have ever used, let alone to find last minute. It was well maintained, and the amenities were great without being over the top for camping: each space included a wooden platform with roof and picnic table, a bbq pit, a second standing cooking area with small table and sink station for your comfortable camping kitchen (also covered) There were also bathrooms, WITH showers, and everything was clean! The sink even had a bar of soap (though I would not count on that everytime, but it was lucky for sure). Do bring your own toilet paper though. Would definitely go again. Oh do be wary of pour road conditions though. Drive slow.