Can I just show up and pay for a spot?

No. Torres del Paine requires pre-booking for every single night. Rangers patrol the trails and will verify your reservation at every campground.

What if my desired dates are sold out?

Check the websites daily. Cancellations happen, especially 30 days before the date, as that is the deadline for non-refundable payments.

You can rent a 'pre-set' tent at most campsites, which includes a sleeping pad and bag. It is much heavier to bring your own gear from home.

Booking Refugios and Campsites in Patagonia's Torres del Paine

You must book all campsites and refugios on the 'W' and 'O' circuits at least 6 months in advance through two specific websites: Las Torres and Vertice. No walk-in spots exist, and rangers will turn you away if you do not have a confirmed reservation.

Identify your route. Decide if you are hiking the 'W' (4-5 days) or the 'O' circuit (7-9 days). The 'O' is a full loop; the 'W' is a shorter segment. You need to map out your nightly stops before you start the booking process.
Use both booking platforms. The park is split between two concessionaires. Book sites in the eastern half through las-torres.com and the western half through vertice.cl. You will have to toggle between both tabs to coordinate your dates.
Create accounts beforehand. Create accounts on both sites 24 hours before reservations open. When booking windows open for the upcoming season, spots sell out in minutes, so you cannot afford to waste time entering address or passport details during checkout.
Print your confirmation. You must print your PDF confirmations or have them saved offline. Digital signals are non-existent in the park, and rangers at each checkpoint will physically verify your booking against their manifest.

Can I just show up and pay for a spot?: No. Torres del Paine requires pre-booking for every single night. Rangers patrol the trails and will verify your reservation at every campground.
What if my desired dates are sold out?: Check the websites daily. Cancellations happen, especially 30 days before the date, as that is the deadline for non-refundable payments.
Do I need a tent?: You can rent a 'pre-set' tent at most campsites, which includes a sleeping pad and bag. It is much heavier to bring your own gear from home.