"This is the real Patagonia!" a local tells us when we mention Perito Moreno National Park in Argentina. And we have to agree. The park's rugged nature, wild landscapes, and seclusion embody everything we associate with Patagonia. Here, we encounter untouched wilderness that captivates us with its solitude and picturesque views.
In diesem Artikel teilen wir unsere Erfahrungen im Nationalpark Perito Moreno und geben praktische Tipps zur Besuchsplanung – von Wanderungen bis hin zu Übernachtungsmöglichkeiten.
Perito Moreno National Park: Patagonia's Hidden Wilderness
The number of visitors can literally be counted on two hands. The nearest town, Gobernador Gregores, is 220 kilometers away, and the remote location, along with the bumpy access road, means that the park is not on most Argentina visitors' itineraries. Perito Moreno National Park is one of Argentina's oldest, founded in 1937 and expanded in 2013 through a donation from the Tompkins Foundation. Covering 126,830 hectares, the park protects steppes, emerald and turquoise glacial lakes, Patagonian forests, and snow-capped peaks.
The climate ranges from cold-dry to humid, with precipitation varying from 400 to 3,000 mm from east to west. An icy wind often blows, even in summer. Average summer temperatures are around 15 degrees, while in winter, they can drop to -25 degrees. However, even during the summer months, one should not count on mild weather or sunshine.
Perito Moreno National Park is home to 24 mammal species, including the Magellanic Tuco-Tuco and the Southern Viscacha, two endemic species of southern Patagonia. Additionally, the park hosts red and gray foxes, pumas, various cat species, guanacos, and the endangered South Andean deer. Over 150 bird species also inhabit the park, including the torrent duck, which is adapted to fast-flowing mountain rivers. Noteworthy species include the ashy plover and the critically endangered hooded grebe. Rheas roam the steppes, while many cliffs serve as breeding sites for the Andean condor, Andean hawk, white-throated caracara, and great horned owl.
Who was Perito Moreno, actually?
The name Perito Moreno is known to most tourists mainly because of the famous glacier near El Calafate. However, Perito Moreno National Park is about 500 kilometers away and has nothing to do with the glacier. Both only share their namesake – Perito Moreno. Francisco Moreno, known as Perito Moreno, was an Argentine geographer, anthropologist, and explorer. He lived from 1852 to 1919 and explored Patagonia's flora and fauna in numerous expeditions. He was also involved in surveying the border between Argentina and Chile. He earned the title "Perito," meaning "expert" in Spanish, during this work.
Entrance to the park, accommodation options, and reserving the refugios
Perito Moreno National Park can be visited during the summer months, roughly from early October to late April. After the long, bumpy drive, visitors register at the visitor center, which is open daily from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Admission is free. The visitor center provides information about hikes, refugios, campsites, and campervan parking spots.
There are no food services available throughout the park. It is therefore important to bring enough food, as well as gasoline/diesel for the entire route and the planned duration of your stay in the park.
Accommodation in Perito Moreno National Park
In the park, you can stay either in a motorhome, a tent, or in one of the refugios.
Overnight stay in a camper: There are three designated spots for campers: at Lago Burmeister, Lago Belgrano, and the El Rincón ranger station. In general, you can park your camper anywhere where there are toilets. An overview is provided at the visitor center.
Overnight stay in a tent: Campsites are usually located near the refugios. More information about the campsites and their capacities is also available at the visitor center.
Overnight stay in the refugios: The park has several refugios located along the hiking trails. According to the park's website, reservations for the refugios should be made at least one week in advance via email to peritomoreno@apn.gob.ar . You should specify the date, the refugio you wish to stay in, and the number of people. If you haven’t reserved a hut in advance, you can also check for available spots at the visitor center. When we were there, a few spots were still open. However, to be certain, it's best to reserve in advance.
The huts are free of charge and accommodate three to six people. They cannot be booked exclusively, so if you reserve only two spots in a hut, you may share the accommodation with other guests. An overview of the refugios can be found here: Refugios im Nationalpark Perito Moreno.
What do I need for an overnight stay in a hut?
The huts are equipped with simple beds, a stove for cooking, and firewood. A basic toilet is located next to the hut. Sleeping bags, food, and other personal items must be brought by the visitors.
Getting to Perito Moreno National Park
There are two access routes leading to the park: via Ruta 40 and RP 37, and via Ruta 41.
Getting there via Ruta 40 and RP 37
The route via Ruta 40 and RP 37 is the most commonly used. The last 90 kilometers are very bumpy, with potholes, washboard sections, and rocks, but the road is passable for all types of vehicles. It’s advisable to allow plenty of time for this stretch.
From the south, via Gobernador Gregores (Ruta 40 and RP 37)The nearest town to the south is Gobernador Gregores, located 220 km away. From there, you head 130 km north on Ruta 40 before turning west onto RP 37. The last 90 km to the park are on a gravel road. The drive takes about 3-4 hours.
From the north, via Perito Moreno (Ruta 40 and RP 37)The nearest town to the north is Perito Moreno, located 320 km from the park. From there, Ruta 40 heads 230 km south before turning onto RP 37. This road covers the last 90 km on gravel to the park. The drive takes about 4 to 5 hours.
Off-road access via Ruta 41 Sur from Lago Posados
An alternative route leads from Lago Posados to the park. Ruta 41 is renowned for its stunning views and breathtaking scenery. It is divided into a northern and a southern section. The northern part is generally passable, even for non-4x4 vehicles (in good weather conditions). However, the southern section is suitable only for off-road vehicles. It’s advisable to check the weather conditions of the past few days before attempting this drive.
The southern section of Ruta 41 runs from Lago Posados to Perito Moreno National Park and is about 70 km long. The route is extremely rough and bumpy, so you should allow 5-6 hours for the drive.
The most challenging part of the route is within the national park itself. The road ascends steeply, and the surface consists of very fine and loose material, which can turn into a muddy slide when it rains. Unfortunately, it rained for several days before our visit, making the road slippery even on the flat sections, and we couldn't conquer the steep slope. Even with low-range gearing and differential locks, it was impossible. It might have been possible from the other direction, but going downhill would have been extremely demanding as well due to the constant sliding. In good weather, however, Ruta 41 is an absolute dream and highly recommended for anyone with a small 4x4!
Hiking in Perito Moreno National Park
The park offers a variety of hikes, from short walks to longer treks. In addition to day hikes, there are options for multi-day hikes. Thanks to the refugios and campsites, shorter hikes can easily be extended into multi-day adventures.
Circuito Grande Hike
We chose the Circuito Grande, a 16.8 km hike classified as difficult. However, this rating seems to be mainly due to its length, as the trail is mostly flat, easily walkable and well-marked. For those not deterred by 17 kilometers, this is a rewarding and pleasant hike.
The hike starts 9 km from the Onelli Visitor Center, where there is a parking area with overnight facilities for motorhomes and a pit toilet. The Circuito Grande shares its starting point with the Circuito Chico, which is shorter at 10.7 km and cuts through the middle of the peninsula, while the Circuito Grande extends to the western end of the peninsula.
We take the opposite direction from the one indicated on Komoot (I couldn't manage to edit the direction). So, we first hike along Lago Belgrano. The views are consistently spectacular. Ahead, the path winds through the Patagonian steppe. To our left, snow-capped peaks rise, and Lago Belgrano shimmers in its milky turquoise glory. The color comes from particles carried into the lake by rivers originating from the surrounding glaciers. The weather is harsh, and the wind is strong. Even though the sun is shining, we need gloves and a hat at the start of the hike.
There are a total of 4 refugios on the peninsula, 3 of which include campsites. This makes it easy to turn the hike into a multi-day tour. All 4 refugios are located in the first half of the hike (if you follow the route in the same direction as we did). At Refugio Playa Quetro, the trail branches away from the lake into the interior of the peninsula, leading back to the parking area. This part of the hike becomes somewhat more forested in places. Along the way, we encounter several guanacos.
After about 5 hours of leisurely hiking (with many photo stops and a lunch break), we are back at our camper. For those who have no issues with the 17 kilometers, this hike is truly a beautiful, easily walkable day tour in Perito Moreno National Park.
Wanderung Circuito Grande – Tourdaten im Überblick
Length of the hike: 16,8 km
Elevation Difference: 240 m
Difficulty: Medium
Trail Conditions and Trail Signs: Der Weg ist durchgehend gut, klar gekennzeichnet.
Water: The water quality in the park is good. There are opportunities to replenish fresh water along the way at the lakes and small streams.
Other hikes in Perito Moreno National Park
Daytours:
- Circuito Chico: short round tour (9,6 km – medium)
- Circuito Mirador Lago Belgrano (8,5 km – medium)
- Hike Cañadón Rio Volcán and viewpoint (700 m – easy)
- Hike Lago Burmeister and viewpoint (600 m – difficult)
- Hike La Condorera (1,5 km – easy)
Longer and more challenging day hikes:
- Hike Cerro León (3-7 km – difficult, steep)
Multi-day hikes:
- Hikes in Lacteo Valley (11.5 km – medium) and Laguna de los Témpanos (5.2 km – difficult)
- Circuito Azara Rundtour (52 km – hohe Schwierigkeit)
On the park's website, you can find a detailed overview of all the hikes in Perito Moreno National Park.This map also provides a good overview of the hikes, refugios, and campsites..
Conclusion – Our Visit to Perito Moreno National Park
Perito Moreno National Park is a true gem of Patagonia – wild, remote, and untouched. The rugged landscape, turquoise lakes, and snow-capped peaks offer unique experiences away from the tourist crowds. Whether you come for a day hike or a multi-day trek, the park has captivated us with its breathtaking nature and solitude. Those who do not mind the seclusion and are willing to take on the challenging access will be rewarded with an authentic Patagonia experience. For us, Perito Moreno National Park is an absolute highlight of our South America journey!
FAQ Perito Moreno Nationalpark
The best time to visit is during the summer months from October to April, when the weather conditions are more stable and temperatures are milder. The park is closed during the winter months.
Admission to the park is free. Registration at the visitor center is required.
Access via Ruta 40 and RP 37 is possible with a regular vehicle. However, the last 90 kilometers are on a gravel road and are very bumpy. Those wishing to reach the park via Ruta 41 will need a 4x4 vehicle.
No, there are no food services available throughout the park. Visitors must bring sufficient provisions.
The nearest official gas stations are in the towns of Perito Moreno and Gobernador Gregores. In Baja Caracoles, a small settlement between the two towns, there is a small private gas station. However, it doesn't have regular gasoline. Gasoline is also significantly more expensive there than at regular gas stations. Coming from Gobernador Gregores, it would be a detour.
Before the park on RP 37, there is an estancia that sells gasoline and diesel. However, one should not rely on availability there either.
Yes, reservations should be made at least one week in advance via email. However, those arriving spontaneously can also inquire about available spots directly at the park entrance, although there is no guarantee.
Staying in the refugios is free of charge. A reservation is necessary.
Yes, there are designated campsites, which are usually located near the refugios. For motorhomes, there are three designated parking spots. Information about this can be obtained at the visitor center.
Die Wasserqualität im Park ist gut. Das Wasser aus den Bächen kann getrunken werden. Wer sichergehen will bringt einen Wasserfilter mit. Eventuell lassen einen die Ranger am Besucherzentrum Wasserauffüllen, wenn man freundlich fragt.
Yes. Each refugio is equipped with a toilet. These are open and accessible to everyone, even if you are not staying in one of the refugios.
