The 3 National Parks in Patagonia Argentina that every tourist should know

Are you planning a trip to the south of Argentina? If you would like to spend time in nature and learn about the native flora and fauna, you can’t miss out on visiting these three National Parks of Patagonia Argentina, protected natural areas that attract thousands of visitors every year.

1. Nahuel Huapi National Park: The first National Park of Argentina

It was the first National Park in Argentina / Photo: Steffen Klemz

This park is located between two provinces, Neuquén, and Río Negro, and has neighboring tourist cities such as Bariloche and Villa La Angostura. It was the first National Park in the country, created in 1903, and is one of the destinations in Patagonia that always offers a variety of activities for visitors.

On the many trails throughout this beautiful area, you can go for a bike ride, explore on horseback, or take walks with various levels of difficulty. Additionally, in both summer and winter, there are athletic activities in the forests, lakes, and mountains, such as canoeing and navigation, rafting, fishing, hiking, and rock climbing.

The tourist attractions that stand out the most are Arrayanes Forest, Limay River, Enchanted Valley, Puerto Blest, Victoria Island, Lake Mascardi, Los Alerces Waterfall, Manso River, Steffen Lake, and Cerro Tronador.

2. Los Glaciares National Park: The first National Park to be declared a World Heritage Site

The Perito Moreno Glacier is the most famous attraction in Patagonia / Photo: Andrey Khrobostov

Get ready to explore one of the main attractions ofArgentina. Los Glaciares National Park is located in the southwestern part of the province of Santa Cruz and due to its spectacular beauty, glaciological and geomorphological interests, and the species of endangered fauna that live there, it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

While on a trip to Calafate you can experience a variety of excursions in this natural protected area. Trekking across the ice, sailing by catamaran, hiking, climbing, and fishing are just a few of the options that this Park offers. Here you can get to know natural wonders such as the Perito Moreno, Upsala, Spegazzini and Viedma Glaciers, Lake Roca, the Cerro Chalten or Fitz Roy areas and Lake Desierto with centennial forests where you can camp or practice sport fishing.

The Perito Moreno Glacier is the most famous attraction in Patagonia and the most world-renowned glacier due to its easy access and the natural spectacle produced by its rupture every four or five years when the ice collides with the rock causing large sections to break off and fall into the lake. The detachment of large blocks of ice from the enormous 200-foot wall that falls into Argentino Lake is incredibly impressive. It is also one of the few glaciers on the planet that continues to grow despite global warming.

The magnificent, natural setting of Los Glaciares National Park is completed by the presence of rivers of thawed ice, gorgeous lakes, and imposing hills. During the many excursions available here you will be able to admire the fascinating landscape of the glaciers with their variety of ice formations such as cracks, sinks, icebergs, and small lagoons of different shades of blue.

3. Tierra del Fuego National Park: Argentina's southernmost national park

Take a ride on the Train to the End of the World / Photo: Daytours4u

This place that seems so far away but at the same time so poignant, is located just 7 miles from the city of Ushuaia along National Route No. 3. Here nearly 70,000 hectares of Patagonian Forest invite you to enjoy a network of 25 miles worth of marked trails open to the public for walks among the lenga trees and ravines while learning about the local ecosystem, geography, and the interesting history of the Yamanas, the ancient indigenous settlers of this area.

Some of the main tourist attractions of this Park are Lapataia Bay, the Black Lagoon, Lake Acigami or Roca, the Pipe River Waterfall, and the Zaratiegui Cove. Here there are a variety of activities you can do: from trekking on paths immersed in nature, exploring the spectacular outdoor landscapes from a canoe,sailing through the Beagle Channelor taking a ride on the Train to the End of the World (Fueguino Southern Railway). This train runs along the last 4.5 miles of the old train route used to transport prisoners from the prison in Ushuaia towards the slopes of Mount Susana to obtain different construction materials.

If you are thinking about traveling to Patagonia Argentina, don’t pass up the opportunity to get to know these three National Parks, that in addition to protecting the flora and fauna of the regions they occupy, promote ecotourism through their available tours, connecting people from all around the world with nature and the environment.

  By: Daytours4u Team Content