Futaleufú, known locally as “Futa,” is a frontier town with a growing tourism industry based on adventure tourism—most specifically whitewater rafting—but also fishing, mountain biking, trekking, and canyoning.

Other tourists access the town through the Northern Patagonia Airport in Chaiten, or vía a system of ferries that leave from the closest major Chilean city, Puerto Montt.

[7] According to the 2002 census of the National Statistics Institute, Futaleufú spans an area of 1,280 km2 (494 sq mi) and has 1,826 inhabitants (954 men and 872 women).

Tourism is also changing the demographic composition of Futaleufú as young families from Santiago, Argentina, Brazil, Western Europe and North America have immigrated in recent years.

[citation needed] As a commune, Futaleufú is a third-level administrative division of Chile administered by a municipal council and led by an alcalde who is directly elected every four years.

[11] Within the electoral divisions of Chile, Futaleufú is represented in the Chamber of Deputies by Gabriel Ascencio (PDC) and Alejandro Santana (RN) as part of the 58th electoral district together with Castro, Ancud, Quemchi, Dalcahue, Curaco de Vélez, Quinchao, Puqueldón, Chonchi, Queilén, Quellón, Chaitén, Hualaihué and Palena.

The commune is represented in the Senate by Rabindranath Quinteros (PS) and Iván Moreira (UDI), as part of the 17th senatorial constituency (Los Lagos Region).

Pumalin, now renamed Douglas Tompkins Pumalín National Park, is a diverse and massive reserve with an extensive infrastructure of trails, campgrounds, and visitor centres.

[citation needed] Canyoning and rappelling is also possible in the Futaleufú valley, with its numerous ravines and waterfalls, as well as horse riding and mountain biking.