Los Glaciares National Park
Los Glaciares National Park is located in the southwest of the province of Santa Cruz, has an area of 726,927 hectares and was created to preserve an extensive area of continental and glacial ice, the southern Andean-Patagonian forest and samples of the Patagonian steppe. It is the most extensive of the National System of Argentine Protected Areas.
In 1937, through Decree No. 105,433, the status of Reserves was established for different territories in the Andean Patagonia for the subsequent creation of National Parks. One of these territories was that of the Glacier Reserve. In September of the year 1942, the Presidency of the Nation, by Decree Nº 129.433, extended the coastal margin of the Reserve on the Channel of the Icebergs and the North coast of Lake Rico.
Years later, in April 1945, Decree Law No. 9504, ratified by Law No. 13,895, declared National Park to several reserves and among them the Los Glaciares Reserve, which, from that moment, assumed the category of Park National.
From El Calafate on RP 11 to the Perito Moreno Glacier (80 km of pavement).
RP 11 and RP 8 to Puerto Bandera (47 km).
Roca Lake (50 km) can be accessed by RP 11 in the direction of the Moreno Glacier, turning left on RP 60 (gravel) until connecting with RP No. 15 or, always passing RP 15, all of gravel
RP 11, RN 40 and RP 23 to El Chaltén (220 km of pavement).
Other means of transport:
El Calafate has an international airport and receives buses from Río Gallegos, capital of the province of Santa Cruz.
There you can rent a car, hire excursions and board the daily bus services to Perito Moreno Glacier, Roca Lake and El Chaltén, portal of the northern area of the park.
Places to visit and activities
Trekking on ice, sailing, hiking, climbing, fishing, are some of the options offered by the Park and allow to know places like:
- Perito Moreno, Upsala and Spegazzini glaciers.
- Roca lake.
- Chaltén or Fitz Roy area.
- Viedma Glacier
- Chorrillo del Salto
- Patagonian Ice Field
Desert Lake - 37 km from El Chaltén, on RP 23-, with centuries-old forests, glaciers and streams. You can camp and practice sport fishing.
- As in all protected areas of our country, entry with pets is not allowed.
- Check the status of routes and trails. In winter, due to the presence of snow, the use of covers with nails or chains is mandatory.
- Drive slowly, for your safety and that of the rest of the visitors. Respect the traffic signs.
- Advise on the sectors of the Park where you can camp.
- To avoid falls, use footwear suitable for trekking, both for nature trails and to travel the Perito Moreno Glacier walkway circuit since the floor is composed of a system of metal grilles.
- Fishing is regulated, fish with the corresponding permit.
- You can only make fire in the enabled stoves and you must bring the firewood you are going to use.
- Follow the park ranger's instructions. It is the authority of the area.
- Garbage outside the park. Return with your waste.
- Do not leave traces of your visit. The Park belongs to ALL, among ALL we take care of the National Park.
Particularly in the North of the National Park:
- Climbers must register at the Park Report Center.
- Walk the enabled trails.
- It is not allowed to make fire with firewood. The use of heaters is allowed only in camping areas.
In winter season (from May to September) it is necessary to register at the Park Report Center to walk the trails and also to camp in enabled camps and remote areas.
General Rate ……………………………………………………… .. $ 3000
National Residents ……………………………………………… .. $ 10000
Provincial Residents …………………………………………… ... $ 4000
Local Residents ………………………………………………… ... $ 0
Argentine retirees and pensioners ……………………………… .. $ 0
People with Disabilities …………………………………………. $ 0
Under 5 years ………………………………………………… .... $ 0
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To access each category, the corresponding condition must be accredited
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A 50% discount in value of the right of access on the second consecutive day of the same visitor is implemented.
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Exempted from the application of the access card for students up to 16 years of age, from public and private schools to the Argentine Republic, as long as they are part of an excursion organized by the school establishment to which they belong, for educational purposes properly accredited in the National Park Administration.
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Both in the Río Miter-Glaciar Moreno corridor and in the Port of Punta Bandera, the access ticket can be purchased with a credit card (Visa / Mastercard), debit card (Electron) or cash (ARGENTINE PESOS).
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You can also get ONLINE tickets by entering HERE!
The entrance times to Los Glaciares National Park are: Summer from September 1 to April 30 from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. - Winter from May 1 to August 31 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- The tourist services are concentrated in El Calafate and El Chaltén, with a wide range of hotels and restaurants and service stations.
- The Park has an organized camp (Camping Lago Roca) and a free one (El Huala) in Lago Roca and a picnic area (Río Miter) on the way to the Perito Moreno Glacier.
- Also free camping areas located on the trails in the northern area, El Chaltén (De Agostini, Laguna Capri, Poincenot, Río Blanco, Toro).
