Argentino Lake

Argentino Lake (Lago Argentino) is a large glacial lake in Santa Cruz Province in Argentine Patagonia and is the country’s largest freshwater lake by surface area. It is a central feature of the Los Glaciares National Park and a focus for glacier tourism.

The lake receives meltwater from several major glaciers, including the well-known Perito Moreno glacier, which calves directly into the lake and is a frequent subject of boat tours and viewing platforms. Visitors commonly take boat excursions to view glacier fronts and icebergs that have calved into the lake.

The lake has been a key freshwater basin carved by the Patagonian ice fields; its shoreline and arms have changed as glaciers have advanced and retreated. It has long been used as a transport and viewing corridor for regional tourism centered on the glaciers.

Lago Argentino lies in southwestern Santa Cruz Province; the town of El Calafate is located on the lake’s northern shore and functions as the main gateway for visitors to the lake and surrounding glaciers.

• Size and access: Argentina's largest freshwater lake by surface area and a major gateway for glacier viewing in Los Glaciares National Park.
• Drainage and access point: The lake drains via the Santa Cruz River toward the Atlantic, and boat tours operate from the town of El Calafate on its northern shore.

What to See #

• Glaciers: A number of large tidewater glaciers, including Perito Moreno, Spegazzini and Upsala, terminate at or feed into the lake and create glacier-front viewing opportunities and boat excursions.