National park · Argentina
Baritú National ParkParque Nacional Baritú
Enter Baritú for a day hike to the 1,800 m ridge (≈3 h round‑trip) in the dry season, or plan a multi‑day trek (4–5 days) in May‑Oct; avoid the rainy months Nov‑Apr.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
720 km² (278 sq mi)278 sq mi (720 km²)
approximate
Established
1974
Best months
May–Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the fir…
- South America ↗Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the first day light; sleep lower where you can (Sacred Valley before Cusco) and descend if headache comes with vomiting or confusion.
- South America ↗A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival in French Guiana, and asked for on some routes into Bolivia, Paraguay, Suriname and Guyana, or when arriving from Amazon areas — vaccinate at least 10 days before travel and carry the card.
- South America ↗Overnight buses are the norm in Argentina, Chile and Peru, but pick top-tier companies and keep valuables on your body; on-board thefts from overhead racks are the common loss.
- Argentina ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Argentina's National Migration Directorate (Migraciones) or an Argentine consulate before booking.
- Argentina ↗Since April 2025 the official, MEP and street ('blue') dollar rates sit within a few percent of each other; a foreign card is usually the best-value way to pay, while ATM withdrawals carry high fixed fees. Rules have changed often — check before you fly.
- Argentina ↗Patagonia (El Calafate, El Chaltén, Ushuaia) is a November–March trip; in winter many services close and hiking is limited.
- Argentina ↗Since August 2026 non-resident foreigners must show insurance or pay for non-urgent care at nationally run public hospitals, and Buenos Aires City, Mendoza, Salta, Jujuy and Santa Cruz charge visitors for scheduled care; emergencies are still treated. Travel with medical insurance — check the current rules.
At a glance
- Country
- Argentina
- Area
- 720 km² (278 sq mi)278 sq mi (720 km²)
- Official size is about 720 km²; some sources cite slight variations due to boundary updates (check).
- Established
- 1974
- Best months
- May–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Salta
Baritú National Park protects remote Andean Yungas forest on the eastern slopes of the Andes, featuring steep cliffs, waterfalls and high biodiversity, accessible only by 4WD in the dry season.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1974.
Size and age
720 km² (278 sq mi)278 sq mi (720 km²) · national park since 1974
Official size is about 720 km²; some sources cite slight variations due to boundary updates (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Salta.
Why go
- Remote Andean Yungas forest with waterfalls, cliffs and high biodiversity.
- Spot rare birds like the Andean condor and endemic hummingbirds.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarCaution
- AprCaution
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanRainy, trails muddy.
- FebFrequent storms, limited access.
- MarRain still common.
- AprTransition, occasional floods.
- MayStart of dry season, roads clearer.
- JunDry, cooler at altitude.
- JulDry, good trekking conditions.
- AugDry, stable weather.
- SepDry, warm at lower elevations.
- OctLate dry season, good visibility.
- NovRain returns, river crossing harder.
- DecRainy, possible road closures.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andean condor, red‑faced guan, Tucuman amazonAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Jaguar, puma, margayAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Salta city
4WD vehicle via Ruta Nacional 1 to the Bolivian border, then cross the Rio Lipeo to the park office; road is rough and may be impassable in rain.
6–8 h
Open the page →
From Jujuy city
4WD via Ruta Nacional 9 to the border, then follow local tracks to the park office.
7–9 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Park administration office | Entry gate, information desk, basic facilities. | Open daily; vehicle access required. |
| High‑ridge trailhead | Start of the main ridge hike (≈1,800 m). | Reachable on foot from the office (2 km (1.2 mi)).Reachable on foot from the office (1.2 mi (2 km)). |
| Waterfall sector | Series of waterfalls along tributary streams. | Guided only; reachable by 4WD tracks. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates taken from official government site; approximate for trailheads.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (per person) | Free | person | No fee reported; verify locally (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Guides
- Required for any trek beyond the short ridge hike.
- Camping
- Only in designated backcountry sites; obtain permission from park office.
- Fires
- Open fires prohibited; use portable stoves.
- Pets
- Dogs not allowed in the park.
Where to stay
Near the park
Salta city
Hotels, hostels and guesthouses; 6‑hour drive to park.
In the park
Community homestays near the park office
Basic rooms run by local families; limited availability.
Safety
River crossing high
Wildlife encounters medium
Road conditions high
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Short ridge hike has steep sections; not suitable for limited mobility.
- Park office reachable by vehicle only; no public transport.
Visiting lightly
- Support community homestays to benefit local families.
- Leave no trace; pack out all waste.
- Avoid buying souvenirs made from endangered species.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Baritú National Park?
There is no published entry fee; visitors pay for the 4WD crossing and any guide services. Verify locally (check).
What are the best hikes in Baritú National Park?
The short ridge hike to 1,800 m (≈3 h) is suitable for a day visit. For experienced trekkers, the 4‑day backcountry route across the highlands offers waterfalls and wildlife.
When is the best time to visit Baritú National Park?
Dry season May – October gives reliable road access and dry trails; the rainy months November – April can make roads impassable.
Can I camp anywhere in the park?
Camping is allowed only in designated backcountry sites with permission from the park office.
Do I need a guide for the short ridge hike?
No, the ridge hike is self‑guided; a guide is mandatory only for longer treks.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Baritú National Park
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