Waterfalls
And natural pools.
Giovannaac — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Edersonsguedes — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Giovannaac — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Giovannaac — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Giovannaac — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Under the same moon... — CC BY 2.0 · Thiagomarcelcampi — CC BY-SA 4.0
Rio Preto State Park is a mountain reserve in São Gonçalo do Rio Preto, about seventy kilometres from Diamantina, covering more than twelve thousand hectares of cerrado in the Espinhaço range and protecting endemic, rare and endangered species. Created in 1994, the park has quartz rocks that form beautiful cliffs, and it holds the springs of the Rio Preto, a main tributary of the Araçuaí, which was declared a «permanently protected river» in 1991 at the request of local people. Its abundant water forms waterfalls, natural pools, rapids, canyons and river beaches of white sand. A stretch of the colonial Estrada Real used by gold and diamond prospectors runs through it, and traces remain. Interpretive trails lead to panoramic lookouts, to rivers and waterfalls, and to archaeological sites with rock paintings. There is camping and simple lodging, so it suits two days in nature away from the crowds. Book ahead and check the visiting rules.
And natural pools.
Archaeological sites.
Old traces.
São Gonçalo do Rio Preto municipality, about 70 km from Diamantina, Minas Gerais
Yes, there is camping and simple lodging by booking.