National Park and Reserve
Nahuel Huapi
South Zone    Lacustrine Zone    North Zone

The Nahuel Huapi National Park is situated in the north west of the Patagonian region, between 40  8' and 41  35' latitude south and 71  2' and 71  57' longitude west.   In its 710.000 hectares it protects and conserves a representative sample of the natural environments of the andean region of northern Patagonia:  High andean region, sub-antartic wood, Patagonian steppe.  The high andean zone extends from above the uppermost limit of the wood and includes the mountain peaks, the stony ground and the meadows of the high mountain area.  The sub- antartic wood is the southernmost wood in the world. The characteristics are, the temperate- cold wood, alternating with immense lakes, tumultuous rivers and imposing mountains.

The Patagonian steppe extends south east of the Andes, covering the lowlying land south of Mendoza, a large part of Neuquen, Rio Negro and Chubut and almost all of Santa Cruz.  Far away from the humid regions, this is a landscape of valleys dotted with flat or gently undulating plateaux and terraces.   An area of transition between the wood and the steppe, where the pasture land is interrupted by  blobs of andean cypress woods (Austrocedrus Chilensis).
The Nahuel Huapi National Park offers a varied range of possibilities to see extraordinary places and to make excursions and tours.   There are recreative activities for every season and the park has numerous paths and trails suitable for walks, excursions by bicycle and/or on horseback;.as well as the particularly attractive places with mountain cabins and camping facilities, suitable as a base for mountaineering.  One can also indulge in nautical sports such as: Kayaking, canoeing, sailing, windsurfing, and rafting.

National Parks Management
Link to the National Parks Management web site

What does the National Park System consist of?
It is a group of protected areas devoted to the conservation of the Argentine natural and cultural heritage.  Today this system is made up of more than 30 conservation units grouped under different administrative categories:.
  National Park.
  National Reserve.
  Natural Monument.
  Strict Natural Reserve.
  Wild Natural  Reserve.
  Educative Natural Reserve.

Why are these areas protected?
To ensure the conservation of the country's different natural environments together with their flora and their fauna.   To protect rivers, lakes and other hydrous systems.
To conserve landscapes in their natural state, so that they may have a recreative and educational use.
To make scientific investigation studies possible.

WELCOME TO THE NAHUEL HUAPI NATIONAL PARK
Your experience next to nature can be unforgettable if it is realized
with the commitment to protect it and preserve it.

How to colaborate:
Please...Consult the Forest Ranger (In the Intendancy's information office) regarding possible activities, and how to carry them out in the protected area.
Respect the signs and norms in force.
Register your entrance and apply to the Forest Ranger for  permission to camp and to transit.
Respect the flora and fauna.
Keep to the paths indicated.
Make camp fires only where this is permitted.
Opt for the use of the camp stove.
Put out the camp fire with abundant water.
Smokers, make sure cigarettes are put out.
Take care of the quality of the water, by useing only receptacles for washing clothes and cooking utensils.  and
throw away contents of the same far away from watercourses.
Take your garbage with you and deposit it in the places reserved for that purpose.
Remember that archaeological and paleontological resources and cave paintings are protected by national law. Remember that a fishing permit is required.
Avoid disturbing other visitors and/or the wild life when listening to music.
Avoid taking pets.

South Zone    Lacustrine Zone    North Zone