National park · Argentina
Sierra de las Quijadas National ParkParque Nacional Sierra de las Quijadas
Enter Sierra de las Quijadas National Park: pay ARS 300 (check) at the visitor centre, then hike the 45‑min Floral Trail or the 3‑hour Guanacos Trail; best months Oct‑Mar, avoid peak summer heat.
- 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
738 km² (285 sq mi)285 sq mi (738 km²)
approximate
Established
1991
Best months
Apr–May, Oct–Nov
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
- 738 km² (285 sq mi)285 sq mi (738 km²)
- Park covers 73,785 ha (≈738 km²); area figures differ slightly between sources.
- Established
- 1991
- Best months
- Apr–May, Oct–Nov
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- San Luis
Sierra de las Quijadas National Park protects a desert‑mountain environment in San Luis Province, featuring red‑rock formations, fossil sites and a mix of arid flora and fauna. The park’s interpretive trails provide access to geological wonders and wildlife such as guanacos and the endangered Chilean tortoise.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1991.
Size and age
738 km² (285 sq mi)285 sq mi (738 km²) · national park since 1991
Park covers 73,785 ha (≈738 km²); area figures differ slightly between sources.
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: San Luis.
Why go
- Red‑rock desert landscape with cliffs, canyons and fossil sites.
- Marked interpretive trails let you see diverse flora, guanacos and paleontological sites.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunGo
- JulGo
- AugGo
- SepGo
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecCaution
- JanSummer heat, highs ~35 °C (95 °F).Summer heat, highs ~95 °F (35 °C).
- FebVery hot, risk of dehydration.
- MarSpring warming, fewer crowds.
- AprMild temps, dry.
- MayComfortable, low rain.
- JunEarly winter, cooler.
- JulCold nights, daytime mild.
- AugCold, occasional frost.
- SepWarming, dry.
- OctSpring, ideal hiking.
- NovWarm, dry.
- DecHeat returns.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GuanacoAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Andean swiftOct–Mar | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Chilean tortoiseAll 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 San Luis city
Rent a car or take a taxi from the airport; drive 125 km (78 mi) northwest on Ruta Nacional 147, then follow signs to the park entrance.Rent a car or take a taxi from the airport; drive 78 mi (125 km) northwest on Ruta Nacional 147, then follow signs to the park entrance.
2–2.5 h
Open the page →
From Buenos Aires
Fly to San Luis (LUQ) then follow the above road route.
≈4 h total (flight + road)
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Visitor centre & main gate | Ticket office, information desk, map shop. | Open daily; entry fee required. |
| Floral Trail area | Short loop with interpretive signs about plants. | Free with entry ticket. |
| Guanacos Trail zone | Longer trail through grasslands where guanacos roam. | Requires registration. |
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 are the park headquarters; trailheads are approximate.
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 | ARS 300 | person | Ticket at visitor centre (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Guanacos Trail permit or guide
Park rules
- Pets
- Dogs must be on a leash; cats not allowed.
- Camping
- Free camping only in the designated campground; no open‑fire cooking.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited outside the campground.
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish; bins only at visitor centre.
- Guides
- Required for Guanacos and Farrallones trails.
Where to stay
In the park
Park campground
12 cleared sites with shared bathhouse and grills.
Near the park
San Luis city
Hotels, hostels and B&Bs 2 h drive away.
Safety
Heat and dehydration medium
Getting lost on longer trails 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
- Visitor centre reachable by car; short paved paths to the Floral Trail.
- Longer trails have uneven terrain; not suitable for wheelchairs.
Visiting lightly
- Use the designated campground only; avoid off‑road camping.
- Leave no trace; pack out all waste.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Sierra de las Quijadas National Park?
Entry is ARS 300 per person at the visitor centre (check).
What are the best hikes in Sierra de las Quijadas National Park?
The short 45‑minute Floral Trail and the 3‑hour Guanacos Trail are the most popular; longer guided hikes are also available.
When is the best time to visit Sierra de las Quijadas National Park?
Spring and autumn months (Oct‑Mar) offer mild weather and fewer crowds; avoid the hottest summer months.
Can I camp inside the park?
Yes, free camping is allowed in the designated campground with 12 sites and shared facilities.
Do I need a guide for any trails?
A guide is required for the Guanacos and Farrallones trails; the Floral Trail is self‑guided.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Sierra de las Quijadas National Park
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