Protected Areas

In Neuquén province there are 4 National Parks and 11 provincial protected areas, created with the objective of preserving species that are representative of the Andean Patagonian forest and semiarid environments of the Extra-Andean Patagonia; water mirrors, scenic beauties, aquatic and terrestrial fauna are preserved so that they can be enjoyed both by present and future generations.

National Parks

In the province of Neuquén there are different National Parks that preserve and protect important natural tourist attractions, located near the cities of Zapala, Junín de los Andes, San Martín de los Andes and Villa La Angostura.

Lanín National Park was created in 1937 to protect the flora of the Andean Patagonian region.

Los Arrayanes National Park was created in 1971, and it preserves an arrayanes forest with unique characteristics, given the shape of its trees and its almost pure state. This arrayanes forest is one of the two that exist in the world, and it is the only accessible one.

Laguna Blanca National Park owes its name to the water mirror that is held in it. It protects one of the largest communities of black necked swans, among other bird species.

Nahuel Huapi National Park was created in 1934. It holds a surface of 705,000 hectares, and protects a large representative area of the northern Patagonia Andean region, part of its territory being on Neuquén’s lands.

Provincial Protected Areas

Protected areas are created to preserve ecosystems, scenic beauties, flora, fauna and the cultural heritage of an area, as well as to carry out recreational or scientific activities in contact with nature.

Copahue-Caviahue protects and preserves the Araucaria forests and the thermal resources.

Batea Mahuida preserves an area of an Araucaria forest.

Tromen preserves both the aquatic and the terrestrial fauna, particularly the birds.

Epu-Lauquen lagoons preserve an area of the northernmost Andean Patagonian forest.

Chañy preserves an area of Pehuenes (Araucaria-araucana).

Domuyo preserves the ecologic systems, natural resources, thermal springs and algae.

Cañada Molina was created with the aim of preserving a cypress forest.

Auca Mahuida protects a representative area of arid and semiarid environments, and of the guanaco’s habitat.

El Mangrullo preserves flora and fauna species that are representative of the Patagonian steppes.

Cuchillo Cura preserves the Cuchillo Cura cavernous system, near Las Lajas.

Chimehuín River mouth preserves a renowned fishing area.