In westernmost Neuquén, stretching from Lago Ñorquinco in the north to a diagonal that runs between Lago Nonthué on the Chilean border and Confluencia on RN 237, Parque Nacional Lanín comprises 412,000 hectares of arid steppe, mid-altitude forests ringing glacial lakes and streams, alpine highlands, and volcanic summits. From Aluminé in the north to Junín de los Andes and San Martín de los Andes in the south, several longitudinal highways intersect graveled westbound access roads.

When the eastward-flowing Pleistocene glaciers receded, they left a series of deep finger lakes draining into the the Río Limay’s upper and lower tributaries. Unlike Parque Nacional Nahuel Huapi, to the south, these lakes and the Valdivian forests surrounding them have suffered less commercial development, but they are recovering from timber exploitation and livestock grazing that, in some areas, still persist.

Practicalities

In addition to the APN Intendencia at San Martín, there are ranger stations at all major lakes and some other points. While the rangers are helpful, they do not, in general, have maps or other printed matter. The US$4 admission fee, valid for one week, must be paid at APN and local tourist offices outside the park rather than at the park entrance.

San Martín de los Andes and Junín de los Andes are the main gateways to the park, but public transportation is limited; consult those sections of for further information.