Nahuel Huapi National Park

Nahuel Huapi National Park is located in Argentina along the border of Chile. The national park encompasses an area of 2,720 square miles (7,050 sq km) creating the second largest national park within the country.

It also has the distinction of being the first national park in Argentina.  It is also a collective protected area with neighboring Lanin National Park and with Los Arrayanes National Park.

The elevation ranges from 2,362 to 11,453 feet (720 to 3,491 m) and represents three ecological zones including Altoandino, Andino-Patagonico, Patagonian steppe, and the Valdivian rainforest.  Collectively, the region delivers the characteristics of northern Patagonian Andean Zone.

The high mountain chain of the Andes accounts for the majority of the park’s landscapes.  Visitors can expect to experience waterfalls, glaciers, rivers, lakes, mountains, expansive forests, and snow-covered summits.

The park is named after lake Nahuel Huapi, however, there are several other lakes.  Some of the lakes include Fonck, Gutierrez, Guillelmo, Mascardi, Perito Moreno, and Mascardi.  The lakes with the mountainous backdrops create astounding picturesque landscapes.

The highest summit in the park is Cerro Tronador situated near the border of Chile.  The peak reaches a height of 11,453 feet (3,491 m).  Although the park is situated in the mountains, the Valdivian temperate forest accounts for about half of the parks landscape.

The wildlife is diverse with cougars, foxes, pudus, guanacos, huillin, huemulus, and the river otter being some of the favorite wildlife sightings.  There are diverse bird species as well with some of the more popular including Andean condors, austral parakeets, blue-eyed cormorants, and green backed firecrowns.