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- Payún Matrú volcano (caldera and rim) — A massive shield volcano with a wide caldera you can walk to viewpoints around; the scale is rare in Argentina and the rim views over black lava fields and distant Andes are unforgettable. (Personal favorite: sunrise on the caldera — quiet, otherworldly light.)
- Field of volcanic cones — La Payunia hosts one of the densest concentrations of volcanic cones on Earth (hundreds of cinder cones); wandering between them feels like exploring a lunar fairground of little mountains and craters.
- Basaltic lava flows and lava “bombs” — Thick, dark lava blankets huge tracts here and you’ll spot giant, rounded chunks of cooled molten rock (lava bombs) scattered across the plains — great texture for photos and weird to touch.
- Black plains and sculpted landscapes
- Payún Matrú volcano (caldera and rim) — A massive shield volcano with a wide caldera you can walk to viewpoints around; the scale is rare in Argentina and the rim views over black lava fields and distant Andes are unforgettable. (Personal favorite: sunrise on the caldera — quiet, otherworldly light.)
- Field of volcanic cones — La Payunia hosts one of the densest concentrations of volcanic cones on Earth (hundreds of cinder cones); wandering between them feels like exploring a lunar fairground of little mountains and craters.
- Basaltic lava flows and lava “bombs” — Thick, dark lava blankets huge tracts here and you’ll spot giant, rounded chunks of cooled molten rock (lava bombs) scattered across the plains — great texture for photos and weird to touch.
- Black plains and sculpted landscapes — Wind-carved basalt pavements, ridges and isolated cones create stark, minimalist panoramas that change color at sunset — a photographer’s dream and great for low-effort day hikes.
- Wildlife on the steppe — Open, arid grasslands support guanacos, greater rheas (ñandúes), foxes and a surprising array of birds (keep an eye skyward for condors); animals are used to the remoteness, so sightings are common if you move quietly.
- Simple hiking tracks and 4x4 routes — There aren’t many formal trails, but a network of tracks leads to key viewpoints and lava fields; bring water, a map or a local guide, and plan for long, exposed walking in high plains.
- Stargazing and open-sky solitude — Very low light pollution and high, dry air make the park excellent for night-sky viewing — Milky Way, shooting stars, crisp constellations and total quiet.
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Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past decade, I’ve backpacked through 80+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.