If you’re planning a trip to Patagonia, you’ll want to learn about one of the region’s most inspiring conservation success stories: Patagonia National Park, a binational protected area shared by Argentina and Chile. This vast territory is the result of decades of work by NGOs, philanthropists, and local communities who joined forces to restore wildlife, recover degraded landscapes, and build a new model of sustainable development in Southern Patagonia.
The park extends across both sides of the Andes, framed by two legendary scenic routes—Chile’s Carretera Austral (Route 7) and Argentina’s Route 40. Its northern boundary is marked by the immense Lake Buenos Aires / General Carrera, while to the south lies the deep-blue Lake Pueyrredón / Cochrane, both shared between the two countries.
How to Get There – Nearest Airports
Reaching Patagonia National Park requires some planning, but the journey is part of the adventure. Due to limited public transportation, the best option is to rent a car or motorhome to explore the region at your own pace.
These are the most convenient gateways when flying from Buenos Aires or Santiago. While not all offer daily flights, they provide access to different sections of the park:
- Balmaceda (Chile): The closest airport to the Chilean side, with car and motorhome rentals available. Located 40 km from Coyhaique.
- Comodoro Rivadavia (Argentina): The Argentinian airport with the highest flight frequency and services.
- Esquel (Argentina): A northern option in Chubut Province, 544 km from Perito Moreno.
- El Calafate (Argentina): Located 727 km south of Perito Moreno, ideal for combining the park with Los Glaciares National Park.
The Birth of Patagonia National Park
On the Argentine side, the park originated thanks to pioneering efforts by local NGOs such as Fundación Flora y Fauna Argentina, Aves Argentinas, and Ambiente Sur, who acquired and donated key lands—including Estancia El Sauco—to protect the endangered Hooded Grebe (Macá Tobiano), a diving bird discovered in the 1970s and endemic to the high Andean plateaus.
Across the border in Chile, Patagonia National Park was officially created in 2018 with 304,527 hectares. It includes land from the former Lago Jeinimeni National Reserve, Lago Cochrane (Tamango), and the iconic Chacabuco Valley, which was donated by Tompkins Conservation as part of the Patagonia Parks Network.
Together, both countries form one of South America’s most ambitious binational conservation corridors.
Access Portals: Chile Side
Jeinimeni Portal
Located south of Chile Chico, this entrance leads through steppe, rock formations, and ancient cave paintings before reaching the turquoise Lake Jeinimeni—a landscape shaped by glaciers. A multi-day trekking route connects this portal with Casa de Piedra in the Chacabuco Valley.
Chacabuco Valley Portal
The heart of the Chilean park, home to the Visitor Center, restaurant, lodge, and serviced campground. Trails wind through Andean Patagonian forests, with views of the confluence of the Chacabuco and Baker Rivers, one of Patagonia’s most striking landscapes.
Casa de Piedra Portal
A historic ranch outpost nestled among ñire forests. This portal provides access to circuits along the Avilés River and hanging footbridges linking to the Jeinimeni Portal.
Tamango Portal
Near the town of Cochrane, this entrance borders Lake Cochrane and offers one of the best chances to spot the endangered Huemul deer, which maintains a significant population here.
Access Portals: Argentina Side
La Ascensión Portal
A historic estancia on the shores of Lake Buenos Aires, with trails crossing meadows, steppe, and natural viewpoints overlooking the Andes. The area is ideal for wildlife and bird watching and holds important cultural heritage features.
Paso Roballos Portal
A remote international pass surrounded by striking rock formations such as Cerro Colmillo and Cerro Lápiz, plus volcanic landscapes and panoramic viewpoints that reveal the scale of Patagonia’s immensity.
Río Pinturas Portal
One of the region’s archaeological treasures. This portal grants access to the Cueva de las Manos, a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring over 9,000 years of rock art. The canyons, wildlife, and dramatic coloring of the Pinturas River Valley make it one of Patagonia’s most captivating areas.
Petroglifos Portal
Gateway to the volcanic plateau where the Hooded Grebe nests in high-altitude lagoons. This is a high-value archaeological area with ancient petroglyphs and home to the Estancia 9 de Julio Biological Station, a base for researchers working on species conservation.
The Legacy of Tompkins Conservation
The creation and expansion of Patagonia National Park are deeply tied to Douglas Tompkins and Kristine McDivitt Tompkins, who devoted over two decades to rewilding southern Chile and Argentina. Through Tompkins Conservation, they created new parks, restored wildlife, promoted ecological agriculture, and supported communities transitioning to sustainable tourism.
After Douglas Tompkins’ unexpected passing in 2015, the work did not stop. In 2019, Tompkins Conservation made the largest private land donation in history, gifting 407,625 hectares to the Chilean government. This enabled the creation of five new national parks, the expansion of three others, and the formation of the Route of Parks, a 1,700-mile trail network connecting 17 national parks across Chilean Patagonia.
The Role of Hansjörg Wyss
Swiss philanthropist Hansjörg Wyss, inspired during a visit with Tompkins to the Chacabuco Valley in 2011, played a key role in making the park binational. He purchased and donated lands in Argentina—including the 34,000-hectare Estancia El Sauco and several surrounding properties—allowing the Argentine Patagonia National Park to be created and eventually connected to its Chilean counterpart.
Wyss also contributed to other protected areas across Argentina, such as El Impenetrable, Los Glaciares expansion areas, and future parks in Córdoba and Santa Cruz.
Why Protecting Patagonia Matters?
Patagonia’s ecosystems provide essential services: capturing carbon and mitigating climate change, purifying water and air, and hosting unique biodiversity found nowhere else on the planet. These vast steppes, ancient forests, wetlands, and glacial valleys are not only breathtaking landscapes—they are living systems that sustain life at every scale.
When these environments become degraded, their ability to support life diminishes. The rapid spread of global diseases—including COVID-19—has reminded us how deeply human health is tied to ecological health. As natural habitats shrink or are disrupted, species are displaced, biodiversity declines, and the delicate balance that keeps ecosystems resilient begins to unravel.
Protecting and restoring nature is not only a scientific or governmental task—it requires the involvement of all of us. Every traveler, local resident, and tourism provider plays a role. By visiting protected areas respectfully, supporting local communities that champion conservation, choosing responsible tourism practices, and learning about the challenges these regions face, travelers contribute to a collective movement that strengthens both nature and the people who depend on it.
Patagonia National Park is more than a destination—it is a living example of what can be achieved when communities, conservationists, and travelers come together with a shared purpose. It stands as a reminder that protecting wild places is not just about preserving beauty; it is about safeguarding the future of our planet.