National park · Argentina
El Rey National ParkParque Nacional El Rey
Enter El Rey National Park for a half‑day hike to Laguna Los Patitos (≈5 km (3.1 mi), easy) for under ARS 200, or a longer 12 km (7.5 mi) forest trek to Pozo Verde (moderate) in the dry season; avoid the park in peak summer heat (Dec–Feb).Enter El Rey National Park for a half‑day hike to Laguna Los Patitos (≈3.1 mi (5 km), easy) for under ARS 200, or a longer 7.5 mi (12 km) forest trek to Pozo Verde (moderate) in the dry season; avoid the park in peak summer heat (Dec–Feb).
- 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
440 km² (170 sq mi)170 sq mi (440 km²)
approximate
Established
1948
Best months
Apr–May, Sep–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
- 440 km² (170 sq mi)170 sq mi (440 km²)
- ≈44,000 ha (440 km²) as reported by the official park page.
- Established
- 1948
- Best months
- Apr–May, Sep–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Salta
El Rey National Park safeguards a transition zone between Yungas cloud forest and Chaco dry forest in Salta Province, offering easy access to bird‑rich lagoons, waterfalls and moderate forest trails.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1948.
Size and age
440 km² (170 sq mi)170 sq mi (440 km²) · national park since 1948
≈44,000 ha (440 km²) as reported by the official park page.
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Salta.
Why go
- Explore Yungas cloud forest and Chaco dry forest transition.
- Spot diverse birdlife and possible puma tracks.
- Visit waterfalls and natural pools like Cascada Los Lobitos.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunGo
- JulGo
- AugGo
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecCaution
- JanSummer heat, muggy.
- FebHot, possible storms.
- MarWarm, less rain.
- AprPleasant, dry.
- MayMild, low humidity.
- JunCooler, occasional frost.
- JulCool, dry.
- AugCool, dry.
- SepWarm, sunny.
- OctWarm, low rain.
- NovMild, some rain.
- DecHeat returns.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birds (e.g., toucans, tanagers)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Puma (rare sightings)Apr–Sep | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
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
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Visitor centre & campsite | Entry gate, information desk, free campsite, water and sanitary facilities. | Open to all visitors with entry ticket. |
| Laguna Los Patitos area | Bird‑rich lagoon, short trail. | Footpath from centre, easy walk. |
| Pozo Verde forest trail | 12 km (7.5 mi) forest trail with nature interpretation.7.5 mi (12 km) forest trail with nature interpretation. | Footpath, moderate difficulty. |
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 from official park page; trailhead points approximated.
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 (visitor centre) | ARS 150–250 | person | Free for children under 5 (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
- Pets
- Not allowed inside the park.
- Fires
- Only in designated fire pits at the campsite.
- Camping
- Free camping only at the visitor‑centre site; backcountry camping requires permit (check).
Where to stay
In the park
Visitor centre campsite
Free site with water, toilets, fire pits.
Near the park
Las Lajitas town
Small hotels and guesthouses ≈90 km (56 mi) east.Small hotels and guesthouses ≈56 mi (90 km) east.
Safety
Heat and dehydration medium
Wildlife (puma) low
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 easy trails suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Use the free campsite responsibly; pack out all waste.
- Stay on marked paths to protect fragile cloud‑forest vegetation.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter El Rey National Park?
Entry is ARS 150–250 per adult; children under 5 enter free (check).
What are the best hikes in El Rey National Park?
Laguna Los Patitos loop (≈5 km, easy) and Pozo Verde forest trek (≈12 km, moderate) are the main marked trails.
When is the best time to visit El Rey National Park?
April to October offers mild weather and lower humidity; summer months (Dec–Feb) can be very hot.
Is there accommodation inside the park?
A free campsite with basic facilities is at the visitor centre; other lodging is in Las Lajitas, about 90 km away.
Can I reach the park by public transport?
No regular public transport serves the park; it is most easily reached by car from Salta.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about El Rey National Park
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