There are 33 national parks in Argentina, scattered from north to south. These parks showcase the best of the Patagonian landscape, including subtropical rainforests, wetlands, waterfalls, deserts, mountains, lakes, and unique wildlife.
I have been to Argentina many times and visited many of its national parks, including my favorite ones. Each has something special to offer.
Whether you want to go hiking, admire wildlife, be mesmerized by the roar of waterfalls, or just escape from the crowds and the city, this country has something for you. But after visiting Argentina and traveling all over the country, my absolute favorite thing is all the beautiful national parks.
For those of you curious to know where to find the best nature in the country, I selected the best national parks in Argentina, with plenty of information that should help you plan your visit.
Peninsula Valdes isn’t mentioned in this post. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and probably the country’s best destination in terms of wildlife, this peninsula, located in the province of Chubut and easily accessible from Puerto Madryn, actually isn’t a national park! Regardless of that, make sure to visit during your trip to Argentina.
The Best National Parks In Argentina
Tierra del Fuego National Park
Tierra del Fuego National Park is one of the most beautiful national parks in Argentina, right at the southern tip of the country and where Ruta 3 (the Pan-American) ends, in Lapataia Bay.
It is easy to reach from Ushuaia. It is more than 630 square km large and extends from the Beagle Channel to Fagnano Lake (also called Cami Lake). Although it is incredibly vast, only 200 hectares of the southern parts of the park are actually open to the public.
What makes this national park a must-see is the incredible variety of vegetation—unique to this part of the world—and wildlife, which includes various species of birds, guanacos, grey and red foxes, seagulls, cormorants, albatrosses, and kelp geese.
You will also be able to see the European Rabbit and the North American beaver, which are not native species of the area and indeed cause much damage to the delicate environment.
The park is rich in hiking trails with various levels of difficulty and viewpoints. Among the main landmarks of the park are the Mirador Lapataia, the Acigami Lake, and the Southernmost Post Office.
You can get to the park by bus from Ushuaia – buses leave regularly from the bus station at the corner between Maipú and Juana Faidul, in front of the gas station. Alternatively, you can get there on the Fin del Mundo train, but the station is 8 km (about 5 miles) outside of the city and you have to get a taxi there.
For a guided tour of Tierra del Fuego National Park, I recommend this Ushuaia: Tierra del Fuego National Park Tour with Lunch. The activity includes transportation from Ushuaia, a delicious lunch, and English-speaking guides. It’s a full day of adventure where you’ll explore the best of Tierra del Fuego National Park.
Make sure to read my posts Everything You Need To Know About Ushuaia Patagonia and A Complete Guide To Hiking Laguna Esmeralda.
Los Glaciares National Park
With its 7,270 square meters, it is one of the largest national parks in Argentina and home to a whopping 47 glaciers, including Perito Moreno Glacier (the most famous glacier in Patagonia).
It is located in the Santa Cruz Province, in Austral Patagonia, and comprises some of the country’s most popular tourist destinations, such as the already mentioned Perito Moreno Glacier and El Chalten, the hiking capital of Argentina, where you’ll find Cerro Fitzroy and Laguna Torre.
To fully explore the park, make sure to spend a couple of days in El Calafate, from where you can easily reach Perito Moreno Glacier, and then move to El Chalten, where you can enjoy all the hikes.
To get to Perito Moreno from El Calafate, you can take the bus from the station located at Jean Marmoz 104. Alternatively, you can go on a guided tour. From El Chalten, you literally just have to walk out the door of your hotel.
You won’t find any guided tours of the national park per se, but you can enjoy a guided visit to Perito Moreno Glacier or guided hikes to Laguna de los Tres (Fitzroy) and Laguna Torre (two of my favorite hikes in all of Argentina).
For a Perito Moreno Glacier trek and boat cruise, I recommend El Calafate: Perito Moreno Glacier Trekking Tour and Cruise. The tour includes an hour of trekking on the actual glacier, which is one of the most unique experiences in Argentina.
You can easily hike to Laguna Torre independently. However, if you want transportation taken care of for you, I recommend this Hike Cerro Torre: Full-Day Trek from El Calafate. It’s a self-guided tour, but you’re given a map with a clear route from start to finish.
Los Alerces National Park
This is one of the most beautiful national parks in the country, so unique that it was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites in 2017. You can access it from the town of Travelin, in the Chubut Province, which is part of Patagonia, and from Esquel, which is about 52 km (32.3 miles) away.
The park, which measures 631,000 acres, is known for its Patagonian temperate forest and stunning, pristine lakes and rivers. It was established in 1937 with the aim of protecting the larch trees (alerce, in Spanish) that are commonly found there.
Hiking in Argentina Patagonia is probably the best way to enjoy it. Among the most popular trails, you will find the Cinco Saltos, the Mount Alto El Dedal, which is a rather challenging hike, the trail to Kruger Lake, which is long but easy, and that to Laguna Escondida.
Inside the park, you can also visit the cave paintings, which testify to the presence of two communities of hunter-gatherers living in the area. They can be seen along the banks of the Desaguadero River and along the trail known as Sendero de Interpretacion.
You can also ride the steam train that departs from Esquel.
Getting to this national park by bus can be complicated. The best way is to rent a car and follow the road connecting Treveling to Esquel. You will have to find the intersection of Route 259, which leads to the park. The park has camping sites, bungalows, restaurants, and kiosks.
Lago Puelo National Park
Lago Puelo is one of the less visited national parks in Patagonia. Located a few hour’s drive south of Bariloche, in the province of Chubut, this is an excellent place for hiking, horseback riding, and enjoying the beautiful lakes, which are perfect for swimming and relaxing.
Lago Puelo is also a great destination to admire wildlife. You may even be able to spot deer, including the pudú (a really small deer) and the huemuel (much bigger).
The reserve was part of Los Alerces National Park until 1971 when it finally became a national park proper. It is located just 200 meters (656 feet) above sea level, which means that its climate is different from the rest of the area.
Among the main landmarks of the park are La Playita and Los Hitos.
The easiest access point is the town of Lago Puelo, which is just 4 km (2.5 miles) from the park and from where you can catch a minibus, bus, or taxi. Alternatively, you can travel from El Bolsón, from where several daily buses go to the park.
Alternatively, you can visit on guided day trips departing from Bariloche. I recommend this Excursion to El Bolson and Lago Puelo. The tour includes roundtrip transportation and is an overall great way to see the best parts of the national park.
Los Arrayanes National Park
This is one of the smallest national parks, covering a surface of only 1,796 hectares. Located in the province of Neuquen, on the Quetrihué Peninsula near Villa la Angostura and close to Bariloche, on the banks of the Nahuel Huapi lake, it is characterized by a beautiful forest of myrtle trees (arrayán in Spanish), which you will recognize from their bright orange-colored trunks.
The national park was created in 1971 with the aim of protecting the delicate forest environment, with some trees that are as sold as 600 years!
Inside the park, you will find wooden trails that make exploring really easy. There are also several hiking trails—but make sure to set out nice and early if you want to go on a hike.
You can easily access the national park from Bariloche—just take the morning bus to Villa la Angostura. From there, either walk or bike the 3 km (1.8 miles) to the park’s entrance or take the bus. Another great option is to join a boat tour departing from either Bariloche or Villa la Angostura.
A guided tour to Los Arrayanes National Park usually includes a walk through the forest and a boat tour on the lake. I recommend this Bariloche: Boat Trip to Victoria Island and Arrayanes Forest. You’ll have three hours to explore Victoria Island and two hours for Arrayanes Forest.
Nahuel Huapi National Park
Located in Patagonia, Nahuel Huapi National Park was established in 1903, making it one of the first national parks in Argentina. It’s close to Bariloche and Villa la Angostura, so you can easily use both as a base to explore it.
The park spans across the provinces of Neuquen and Rio Negro, and it’s located in what is known as Argentina’s Lake District – indeed, you will be able to visit many beautiful lakes with clear waters.
Other than hiking (Monte Tronador is a great hike, but remember you must register yourself for that at the park office before), the park is perfect for swimming in the lakes in the summer months, whereas in the winter, the local sport is skiing.
Inside the park, you will find plenty of accommodation options for all budgets and tastes.
You can easily get to the park by bus from Bariloche, San Martin de los Andes, Neuquen, or Villa la Angostura. Alternatively, you can opt for this Bariloche: Circuito Chico with optional Cerro Catedral—it really is nothing more than transportation to the national park, but it is very convenient.
Lanin National Park
This park, located north of Nahuel Huapi National Park and close to San Martin de los Andes, is one of the most beautiful national parks in Argentina.
It is 412,000 hectares, and it was created between 1937 and 1945 with a view to protecting the local Patagonian forest – in fact, it is one of the best destinations in Patagonia and a great place to visit in the winter when resorts such as Chapelco prove to be great ski destinations, as well as in the summer when you can enjoy a wide range of activities.
Things to do in Lanin National Park include hiking—one of the nicest trails is to Chachin waterfall, whereas the Lanin Volcano hike is a more challenging one; water activities in the gorgeous lakes such as Lago Lacar, where you will find some great beaches and where you can go kayaking and even swimming.
You can also go fishing, as long as this doesn’t impact the delicate environment of the lakes.
There are several accommodation options inside the park.
There are three main entrances to the park – San Martín de los Andes is closer to the southern entrance, Junín de los Andes is the central entrance, and Aluminé is close to the northern entrance. Getting there by public transportation isn’t the easiest thing, so you may want to rent a car for the day. This would also be the best way to enjoy the stunning drive of Ruta de los 7 Lagos.
If you’d rather join a guided tour, there are some good ones departing from Bariloche. I recommend this San Martin de los Andes por 7 Lagos tour. You’ll trek all around the famous Seven Lakes Route and stop at the most iconic viewpoints with incredible scenery.
Sierra de las Quijadas National Park
This national park is located in central Argentina, in the province of San Luis, but closer to the border with Chile. It has a surface of 73,785 hectares. It’s one of the youngest Argentina national parks, having been created in 1991 with a view of protecting the Chaco steppe typical of the area.
Hiking is obviously one of the best things to do in the park. There are several trails of various levels of difficulty, and some will require a guide, such as Las Huellas del Pasado, a 2-hour hike (there and back), and the longer Farallones trail. The Guanacos trail can be done independently, but you will have to register yourself at the information desk.
The easiest access point is the city of San Luis. I recommend renting a car for the day.
El Leoncito National Park
Located in the San Juan province, at the foot of the Andes, El Leoncito was founded in 2001 and has a surface of 89,900 hectares.
What makes this national park special is its arid climate, which means you are pretty much guaranteed a clear day when visiting. Like Atacama in Chile, the park is home to two observatories: Observatorio El Leoncito (C.AS.LEO) and Observatorio Cesco. You can visit them at night to admire one of the starriest skies you can hope for.
Other than admiring the sky, you should make sure to visit the El Rincón waterfall, which you can reach by car or on an easy hike, and hike the Paisajdes de Agua, an easy 2 km (1.2 miles) trail. The hike to Cerro El Leoncito is a medium-difficulty one that lasts about four hours.
Access to the park is free. The closest town is Barreal, 35 km (21.7 miles) away, which is where you should base yourself if you want quick and easy access to the park. There is no public transportation to get to the park, so you either have to rent a car or join a guided tour—it’s best to enquire in town about it.
Talampaya National Park
Talampaya is one of the less visited national parks in Argentina, and it is best visited in the winter months, between June and August.
You will find it in the province of La Rioja. What makes this park—created in 1997—an excellent place to visit are the archeological and paleontological remains: you can see dinosaur fossils there. It is such a special place that it has been enlisted among UNESCO World Heritage sites.
One of the best attractions is Talampaya gorge, famous for its stunning rock formations. The Ciudad Perdida (Lost City) and Los Cajones are other must-sees.
Only a limited number of visitors is allowed in Talampaya National Park, so if you want to visit, make sure to book in advance. You should also book one of the guided tours, as most activities will require a guide. You can do so on the national park’s website.
The easiest access point is Villa Unión, from where you can join one of the regularly departing guided tours to the park.
Los Cardones National Park
This is one of my favorite national parks in Argentina. Located in the region of Salta, in the department of Cachi, the park—which was created in 1996—is characterized by massive cacti (cardones) and a beautiful desert landscape. It is a perfect place for a road trip, but you will also find a few easy hiking trails that take you to nice viewpoints.
Chorro de Lesser, Ojo de Condor, and Rio San Lorenzo are three of the most popular trails. I recommend sticking to the well-marked trails and always avoiding hiking alone anywhere in Argentina.
Admission to Los Cardones National Park is free. You can easily access the park from Cachi and even Salta. The best way to visit is independently by car, but buses depart regularly from Salta.
Calilegua National Park
Located in the beautiful province of Jujuy, famous for its desert landscapes and the Quebrada de Humahuaca, Calilegua National Park is definitely off the beaten path and home to a very lush landscape.
The national park was established in 1979 and is home to various species of animals, including the jaguar and other wild cats—but don’t hold high hopes to see them. It’s also a great place for birdwatching.
Needless to say, the park is a great destination for hiking and adventure in general. The main attractions include Aguas Negras, where you will find several trails; Mesada de las Colmenas, which again has trails and viewpoints, and Monolito, one of the highest places in the park.
Access to this national park is free. San Salvador de Jujuy is the main city closer to the park. From there, you can rent a car to get to the park or travel by bus to Libertador General San Martín, from where you can take a collective taxi all the way to the entrance of the park. Make sure to ask to be dropped off at Aguas Negras.
Iguazu National Park
Iguazú National Park is rightly enlisted as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This definitely is one of the most incredible national parks in Argentina, not to mention one of the 7 Wonders of Nature. The main attraction, the waterfalls, stretches for almost 3 km (1.8 miles) between the Argentine province of Misiones and the Brazilian state of Paraná —thus being the largest waterfall system in the world.
There is no shortage of activities at this national park. You will be able to go on walks – the Upper Circuit will take you around one hour, whereas the Lower Circuit can take you up to 3 hours: both of them will offer incredible views. Another trail is the Macuco trail, which goes all the way to Arrechea Waterfall.
Inside the park, you can ride the Jungle Train (Tren de la Selva), which will take you all the way to the Garganta del Diablo (Devil’s Throat). From there, you can follow a 1.2 km (about 0.8 miles) trail to the most impressive viewpoint of the waterfalls. Along the way, you’ll be able to spot lots of turtles and, at times, even crocodiles in the water.
You can also opt for a boat tour that takes you right below the waterfalls – but be prepared to get wet!
You can easily get to the national park from Puerto Iguazu by bus. Alternatively, you can opt for a guided tour. I recommend this Iguazu Falls: Gran Aventura Boat and Argentinian Falls Tour. The tour includes a boat ride right up to the falls, a 4×4 ride around the jungle, and some other exciting activities.
El Palmar National Park
This small national park in the province of Entre Rios, about 4.5 hours’ drive from Buenos Aires, is 8,213 hectares. Founded as a national park in 1966, its main feature is the yatay palm tree, which, as you may have guessed, gives it its name.
The main activities at El Palmar are walking and wildlife spotting—especially birdwatching; you may also spot capybara. Throughout the park, you will find several trails leading to the best viewpoints, such as the one to the Rio Uruguay. One of the best ways to explore the park is by bike.
The easiest access point is Ubajay, which is about 6 km (3.7 miles) away and from where you can take a taxi all the way to the park. Alternatively, you can stay at either Colon (a 1-hour drive) or Concordia (a 1.5-hour drive) and rent a car to visit independently.
Iberá National Park
Iberá is one of the best national parks for spotting wildlife. Only declared to be a national park in 2018 and truly off-the-beaten-path, it is located in the northeastern province of Corrientes. It’s weird not many people know about it since this is home to the second largest wetland in the world after Brazilian Pantanal – it’s a whopping 183,500 hectares!
The best thing to do at Iberá is obviously wildlife spotting. Among the animals you can see are the marsh deer, anaconda, caiman, and capybara. Keep in mind that it takes a trained eye to spot animals, so you may want to join a guided tour to make the most of the park.
Next to the park is the provincial reserve, which is also a great place to admire wildlife.
Access to the national park is free. There are several entrances to the park: Portal Cambyretá, which you can access from a small town called Ituzaingó, a good base for the departure of guided tours; Portal San Nicolás, which is closer to San Migues; and Portal Laguna Iberá, accessible from Colonia Carlos Pellegrini, a truly tiny village where you will find a couple of lodges or guest houses. If you want to visit the park independently, you will need a four-wheel-drive vehicle.
Important Considerations About Argentina National Parks
The rules of behavior in national parks are no different from those you should observe anywhere in the world.
Leave national parks as clean as you find them. You will often not find garbage bins around the park, which means you should take care to bring an extra bag with you to dispose of any waste. By all means, do not abandon any trash in the park!
Respect local wildlife by not feeding any animals you may need. Also, remember that pets aren’t allowed in national parks in Argentina – not even dogs on a leash.
If you are on a hike, stay on the trail as some parts of the park may be in recuperation.
Further Readings
If you are planning a trip to Argentina, make sure to read these posts:
- A Guide To The Greatest Things To Do In Argentina
- A Great Argentina Itinerary
- 25 Unmissable Things To Do In Buenos Aires
- A Complete Guide To Where To Stay In Buenos Aires
- A Complete Guide To Puerto Madryn, Argentina
- 30 Things You Should Consider Before Traveling To Patagonia
- Hiking Gear And More: The Perfect Patagonia Packing List
- 10 Fantastic Day Trips From Buenos Aires
- The Best Argentine Movies
Pin It For Later!
