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Patagonia National Park

Argentina🇦🇷 | national parksPatagonia National ParkCueva de las Manos, steppe canyons, guanacos, Ruta 40 gravel | things to do and best time to go

Explore Nahuel Huapi National ParkExplore La Payunia Provincial Reserve

Backpacking in Patagonia
🌟 Highlightnational park ranked #10
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 19, 2026

Parque Patagonia in Argentina is not the Chilean park of the same name, and it sits in northwestern Santa Cruz province, near the Chilean border, with its main gate at Cañadón Pinturas off Ruta 40. Hiking is easy to moderate, scenery is canyons and steppe, guanacos and rheas are common, and crowds are thin. Buses stop in Perito Moreno town, so skip trying to hitch the last stretch and rent a car with others. The road in was gravel, and a flat tire there left me waving down a rancher who towed us to the gate. Unlike Los Glaciares, this park has no ice and no queues, just space.

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #10 national park in ArgentinaWhy visitors keep coming back

Patagonia National Park suits people who like to pace their own days. The 16 km trail network down to the Cueva de las Manos lets you walk to a rock-art site on your own schedule instead of joining a van group, and you can camp at El Mollar or La Señalada without booking a tour. The park also has a second portal, La Ascensión on Lago Buenos Aires, near Los Antiguos, so you can approach from a different side and see lake country instead of canyon country. Distances are long and services are sparse, which rewards those who carry food and water and plan transport ahead. If you need guides, crowds or cafes, look elsewhere.

💡 HighlightsKey sights and experiences for travelers

  1. Cueva de las Manos: The reason most people come. Thousands of stenciled hand prints, many made around 9,000 years ago, cover the canyon wall alongside guanaco hunting scenes. Entry is a short guided visit.
  2. Cañadón Pinturas: The canyon portal, where the trail network begins. Layered rock walls drop to a creek, and the walk down is the park's best viewpoint-to-floor experience.
  3. The 16 km trail down to the Cueva de las Manos: A long walk across steppe and canyon rim, quiet and open, with guanacos often in sight.
  4. El Mollar campsite: A paid camping area that works as a calm base for walking and stargazing.
  5. La Señalada campsite: Another paid site, useful if you want a different starting point for steppe walks.
  6. Hostería La Posta de los Toldos: A historic stop on the road, handy for a meal or a bed after
… read more 👉
  1. Cueva de las Manos: The reason most people come. Thousands of stenciled hand prints, many made around 9,000 years ago, cover the canyon wall alongside guanaco hunting scenes. Entry is a short guided visit.
  2. Cañadón Pinturas: The canyon portal, where the trail network begins. Layered rock walls drop to a creek, and the walk down is the park's best viewpoint-to-floor experience.
  3. The 16 km trail down to the Cueva de las Manos: A long walk across steppe and canyon rim, quiet and open, with guanacos often in sight.
  4. El Mollar campsite: A paid camping area that works as a calm base for walking and stargazing.
  5. La Señalada campsite: Another paid site, useful if you want a different starting point for steppe walks.
  6. Hostería La Posta de los Toldos: A historic stop on the road, handy for a meal or a bed after the gravel.
  7. La Ascensión portal on Lago Buenos Aires: The lakeshore side near Los Antiguos, with wide water views and a very different landscape from the canyon.
Patagonia National Park rewards combining the Cañadón Pinturas canyon with the Cueva de las Manos walk in a single long day.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

🌤️ When to go?Best time to explore Patagonia

The best window for Patagonia National Park is November to March, when the Cañadón Pinturas sector is open and days run long.
  • Summer (December to February): Highs of 20 to 26°C (68 to 79°F), lows near 5 to 8°C (41 to 46°F), and up to 15 hours of daylight. Wind is constant. Lodging and car rental cost the most, and the Cueva de las Manos road is busiest.
  • Shoulder (October to November, March to April): Highs of 10 to 19°C (50 to 66°F), cold nights near freezing, fewer people, and some services still closing or opening. Autumn color in the canyons is a bonus.
  • Winter (May to September): Highs of 2 to 8°C (36 to 46°F), lows to -8°C (18°F), about 8 to 9 hours of light, and snow can close roads. Most campsites and lodging shut.
Mid-November or March gives you summer-ish hiking with lower prices and quieter trails.

source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: excellent for travelingFEBFebruary: excellent for travelingMARMarch: highly recommended for travelingAPRApril: good for travelingMAYMay: fair for travelingJUNJune: below average for travelingJULJuly: below average for travelingAUGAugust: below average for travelingSEPSeptember: fair for travelingOCTOctober: good for travelingNOVNovember: highly recommended for travelingDECDecember: excellent for traveling
Argentina&Chile - Patagonia National Park

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🛏️ Where to stay?Best areas and accommodation options

The easiest base is inside the park at Cañadón Pinturas, where you can camp or book a room without a long drive from the Cueva de las Manos trail.
The park has two paid campsites, El Mollar and La Señalada, with basic facilities and wind shelter among the canyon rocks. Hostería La Posta de los Toldos offers private rooms and meals if you want a bed after a day on the 16 km trail network. Book ahead in January and February, since space is limited.
For more choice, use Perito Moreno, about 56 km north on Ruta 40. It has hostels, simple hotels, supermarkets, a bus terminal and fuel. Pick it if you … read more 👉
The easiest base is inside the park at Cañadón Pinturas, where you can camp or book a room without a long drive from the Cueva de las Manos trail.
The park has two paid campsites, El Mollar and La Señalada, with basic facilities and wind shelter among the canyon rocks. Hostería La Posta de los Toldos offers private rooms and meals if you want a bed after a day on the 16 km trail network. Book ahead in January and February, since space is limited.
For more choice, use Perito Moreno, about 56 km north on Ruta 40. It has hostels, simple hotels, supermarkets, a bus terminal and fuel. Pick it if you rely on buses or need to stock up before heading in.
On the Lago Buenos Aires side, Los Antiguos is the town near the La Ascensión portal. It has hostels, campsites, cherry farms and a short border crossing to Chile Chico. Both towns suit backpackers who want cheap beds and cooking facilities.
Best hostels in Argentina


Best quality hotels in Argentina

👛 Costs (as of 19 October 2026)What things cost and how to budget

Expect to spend about US$75 a day at Patagonia National Park if you camp, cook some meals and use your own transport or shared rides.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Entrance feesUS$0 to 10Entry to the park is generally free or low cost for visitors. Cueva de las Manos has a separate ticket of roughly US$10 to 20 for foreigners.
Accommodation (high season)US$10 to 70Camping at El Mollar or La Señalada costs about US$10 to 15. Rooms at Hostería La Posta de los Toldos or hostels in Perito Moreno run US$40 to 70.
Local transportUS$5 to 25Buses along Ruta 40 are infrequent. Shared transfers or taxis from Perito Moreno cost more, and travelers pay in pesos.
Food and suppliesUS$15 to 30Stock up in Perito Moreno or Los Antiguos, as park options are limited. Meals at the hostería cost US$15 to 25.
Total
… read more 👉
Expect to spend about US$75 a day at Patagonia National Park if you camp, cook some meals and use your own transport or shared rides.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Entrance feesUS$0 to 10Entry to the park is generally free or low cost for visitors. Cueva de las Manos has a separate ticket of roughly US$10 to 20 for foreigners.
Accommodation (high season)US$10 to 70Camping at El Mollar or La Señalada costs about US$10 to 15. Rooms at Hostería La Posta de los Toldos or hostels in Perito Moreno run US$40 to 70.
Local transportUS$5 to 25Buses along Ruta 40 are infrequent. Shared transfers or taxis from Perito Moreno cost more, and travelers pay in pesos.
Food and suppliesUS$15 to 30Stock up in Perito Moreno or Los Antiguos, as park options are limited. Meals at the hostería cost US$15 to 25.
Total Daily BudgetUS$75Based on camping, self-catered food and one entry ticket.


source: argentina.gob.ar
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🥾 TrailsBest hikes in Patagonia national park

Patagonia National Park offers walking on open steppe and canyon edges, with almost no shade and strong wind.
  • Cañadón Pinturas to Cueva de las Manos: about 16 km of trail network, a full day on foot, easy to moderate with some canyon descents and gravel underfoot.
  • Canyon rim walks: short, flat outings from Cañadón Pinturas of an hour or two, good for sunset color on the rock walls.
  • La Ascensión shoreline walks: gentle lakeside strolls on Lago Buenos Aires, easy, with wide views across the water.
  • Wildlife: guanacos, rheas, foxes and condors are regularly seen along the steppe and cliffs.
Reaching Cañadón … read more 👉
Patagonia National Park offers walking on open steppe and canyon edges, with almost no shade and strong wind.
  • Cañadón Pinturas to Cueva de las Manos: about 16 km of trail network, a full day on foot, easy to moderate with some canyon descents and gravel underfoot.
  • Canyon rim walks: short, flat outings from Cañadón Pinturas of an hour or two, good for sunset color on the rock walls.
  • La Ascensión shoreline walks: gentle lakeside strolls on Lago Buenos Aires, easy, with wide views across the water.
  • Wildlife: guanacos, rheas, foxes and condors are regularly seen along the steppe and cliffs.
Reaching Cañadón Pinturas is easiest by car on Ruta 40, about 56 km south of the town of Perito Moreno, where buses arrive. Public transport does not run to the gate, so most people share a rental or arrange a transfer. La Ascensión is reached from Los Antiguos. The park is quiet even in high season. Campsites El Mollar and La Señalada charge fees, and Hostería La Posta de los Toldos offers rooms. Carry water and food, since services are limited.
⚠️ Hiking info can sometimes be outdated or inaccurate. Before you hit the trail, check the latest conditions with locals. If you do spot anything that's off, I'd love to hear from you, so I can update it for fellow travelers.

🛡️ SafetyStaying Safe: What Travelers Should Know

Patagonia National Park is straightforward, but wind, sun and distance are what trip you up. Gusts on the steppe can top 80 km/h, so pitch tents low behind rocks and stake everything. Weather changes fast even in summer, so carry a windproof shell, a warm layer and a hat. Shade is scarce and UV is strong, so bring sunscreen and fill up on water at camp, since sources on the trails are limited. Canyon trails have loose gravel and steep stretches, so wear sturdy shoes and turn back if rain makes clay slick. Guanacos, rheas and foxes are common and harmless if given space. Pumas exist but sightings are rare. Do not feed animals. Ruta 40 is gravel in sections, with little traffic and patchy phone signal, so carry spare water, food and fuel, and tell your host your plans.
Check Country Safety

FAQFrequently asked questions about Patagonia

Plan on 2 to 3 days for Patagonia National Park. That gives you a full day on the Cañadón Pinturas trails, a half day at the Cueva de las Manos, and time to settle in at El Mollar or La Señalada. Add another day if you also visit the Lago Buenos Aires side near Los Antiguos.
It is possible but slow. Buses run to Perito Moreno, about 56 km north of Cañadón Pinturas, and from there you need a taxi, a shared transfer or a hitched ride on Ruta 40. Traffic is light, so allow extra days and carry water. Renting a car in Perito Moreno or Los Antiguos makes Patagonia National Park far easier.
Yes, but amounts are modest. Patagonia National Park itself has little or no entry charge, though camping at El Mollar or La Señalada costs roughly US$10 to 15 per person. The Cueva de las Manos requires a separate ticket of about US$10 to 20 for foreigners, usually with a guided visit. Bring pesos for these payments.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Argentine national parks near Patagonia

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We 💚 feedbackFinal thoughts on exploring Patagonia

Patagonia National Park suits self-sufficient walkers and rock-art fans who enjoy empty roads and big skies more than facilities. If that is you, bring a tent and extra water, and plan a full day for the Cueva de las Manos trail. If you want polish and glaciers, skip it.

✈️ When did I visit Argentina?
I have visited Argentina, together with Chile, in September 2012.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Argentina, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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