National park · Argentina
Jaramillo Petrified Forest National ParkParque Nacional Bosques Petroficados de Jaramillo
Enter Jaramillo Petrified Forest National Park: pay an entry fee (check), walk the stone‑forest trail (check) in the morning, and stay in Puerto Deseado or Caleta Olivia; avoid summer heat above 35 °C (95 °F).Enter Jaramillo Petrified Forest National Park: pay an entry fee (check), walk the stone‑forest trail (check) in the morning, and stay in Puerto Deseado or Caleta Olivia; avoid summer heat above 95 °F (35 °C).
- 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
785 km² (303 sq mi)303 sq mi (785 km²)
approximate
Established
2012
Best months
Mar–Apr, Oct–Nov
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 9Above 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.
- Patagonia (Argentina) ↗Wind is the main planning constraint: spring (Sep–Nov) is the windiest, and exposed trails, boats and flights can be delayed.
- Patagonia (Argentina) ↗Book long-distance buses several days ahead in summer; seats sell out around Christmas, New Year and mid-January.
At a glance
- Country
- Argentina
- Area
- 785 km² (303 sq mi)303 sq mi (785 km²)
- Park covers about 78,500 hectares (≈785 km²) according to park description.
- Established
- 2012
- Best months
- Mar–Apr, Oct–Nov
- Permits
- For some areas
Jaramillo Petrified Forest National Park protects a dry Patagonian savanna with fossilized trees dating to the early Cretaceous, offering a stone‑forest trail, a small museum and wildlife such as lesser rhea and guanaco.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national sitePart of Argentina's national park system.
Size and age
785 km² (303 sq mi)303 sq mi (785 km²) · national park since 2012
Park covers about 78,500 hectares (≈785 km²) according to park description.
Why go
- See rare petrified trees in a dry Patagonian landscape.
- Walk the easy stone‑forest trail with large fossil trunks up to 2 m diameter.
- Spot lesser rhea, guanaco and other Patagonian wildlife.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayGo
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecGo
- JanWarm, but can reach 40 °C (104 °F); start early.Warm, but can reach 104 °F (40 °C); start early.
- FebWarm, dry.
- MarMild, less heat.
- AprMild, low rain.
- MayCool, dry.
- JunCold, possible snow.
- JulCold, snow possible.
- AugCold, snow possible.
- SepCool, dry.
- OctMild, pleasant.
- NovMild, dry.
- DecWarm, but can be hot.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lesser rheaAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| GuanacoAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Culpeo foxAll 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 Fitz Roy
Drive 110 km (68 mi) south on RP49, then 50 km (31 mi) inland from Ruta 3 (check).Drive 68 mi (110 km) south on RP49, then 31 mi (50 km) inland from Ruta 3 (check).
2–2.5 h (check)
From El Calafate (airport)
Bus to Río Gallegos, then drive north on Ruta 3 and RP49.
5–6 h (check)
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Site museum | Small museum with paleontological exhibits; ticket office (check). | Open daily (check); entry ticket required (check). |
| Stone forest area | Fossil trunks and interpretive signs. | Open with entry ticket (check). |
| Surrounding savanna | Wildlife viewing area. | Open, no facilities. |
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 approximate; park spans a large area.
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 | Free | person | Fee not published; check locally. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Camping
- Not allowed inside the park; stay in nearby towns.
- Fires
- Open fires prohibited; use designated BBQs outside the park.
- Pets
- Pets not allowed on trails.
Where to stay
Near the park
Puerto Deseado
Hotels and hostels.
Near the park
Caleta Olivia
Small town with basic lodging.
Safety
Extreme heat medium
Cold snaps and snow medium
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 with a short walk to trailhead.
- Trail is flat and suitable for wheelchairs with assistance.
Visiting lightly
- Stay in nearby towns to support local economies.
- Do not collect fossils or rocks.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Jaramillo Petrified Forest National Park?
The official entry fee is not published online; visitors should expect to pay a modest ARS fee at the gate (check locally).
What are the best hikes in Jaramillo Petrified Forest National Park?
The stone‑forest loop (≈2 km, easy) is the main trail; a short museum walk and optional birdwatching walks are also available.
When is the best time to visit Jaramillo Petrified Forest National Park?
Late spring to early autumn (Oct–Mar) offers mild temperatures and dry conditions; summer can be very hot, winter very cold.
Can I camp inside the park?
No, camping is prohibited; stay in nearby towns such as Puerto Deseado.
Is there any public transport to the park?
No regular public transport; visitors usually drive or join a tour from Fitz Roy or El Calafate.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Jaramillo Petrified Forest National Park
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