Los Arrayanes National Park
Park Protected park preserving unique arrayán forests and lagoons
Protected area on the Quetrihué Peninsula (Neuquén) conserving stands of rare Arrayán trees; visitors hike boardwalks, take boat trips across Nahuel Huapi Lake and photograph the cinnamon‑barked trees.
Los Arrayanes National Park is a small national park in Neuquén Province, Argentina, established to protect an unusual forest of arrayán trees on a peninsula of Nahuel Huapi Lake. The grove is botanically distinct and visually striking.
Most visitors come to see the dense stands of cinnamon-barked arrayán trees and to walk trails on the peninsula, where boardwalks and paths provide close views of the trees and shoreline. The site is popular for short hikes, nature photography and boat access from nearby towns.
The area was set aside to conserve the remnant arrayán forest and its associated ecosystem on the lakeshore; it has been managed to limit impacts from tourism while allowing controlled public access.
The park occupies the Quetrihué Peninsula on the shore of Nahuel Huapi Lake, close to the town of Villa La Angostura in Neuquén Province, in the Andean-Patagonian lake district.
- Protected tree grove: The park protects a unique stand of arrayán trees noted for their cinnamon-coloured bark and compact forest structure on the peninsula in Nahuel Huapi Lake.
What to See #
- Quetrihué Peninsula: A narrow peninsula on the shore of Nahuel Huapi Lake that contains the park's core protected stand of arrayán trees.
- Arrayán forest: A distinctive stand of cinnamon-coloured bark arrayán trees (locally called arrayán), forming an unusual forest with trees of notable age and appearance.
How to Get to Los Arrayanes National Park #
Los Arrayanes National Park (Bosque de Arrayanes) is reached from the town of Villa La Angostura on the northern shore of Nahuel Huapi Lake. From San Carlos de Bariloche the drive to Villa La Angostura follows RN‑231 and is about 70-90 km by road (drive times vary). From Villa La Angostura visitors take regular tourist boats across Nahuel Huapi Lake to the Quetrihué Peninsula or start the marked walking/biking trail into the park; the main forest trail through the arrayán woods is a multi‑kilometre route (commonly done as a 10-12 km round trip).
Tips for Visiting Los Arrayanes National Park #
- Take the first morning boat from Villa La Angostura (or start your walk early) to the Quetrihué Peninsula to enjoy the famous arrayán (myrtle) grove with far fewer day-tour crowds and softer light for photos.
- Land at the main pier to see the iconic orange-barked arrayanes, then continue walking to the tip of the peninsula - the narrow trail beyond the main grove is quieter and offers broader views of Nahuel Huapi Lake that many visitors skip.
- If you want to avoid the busiest return-boat windows, plan a one-way walk and catch a later boat back or time your return outside the mid-day tourist surge (check boat schedules in advance).
Best Time to Visit Los Arrayanes National Park #
Visit in the Southern Hemisphere summer (December-March) for the warmest weather and best access to trails and lakeside scenery.
Weather & Climate near Los Arrayanes National Park #
Los Arrayanes National Park's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with cool summers (peaking in January) and cold winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from 0°C to 21°C. Abundant rainfall (1375 mm/year), wettest in July.
January
January is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (43 mm).
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February
February is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (58 mm).
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March
March is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 6°C. Regular rainfall (98 mm).
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April
April is cold with highs of 15°C and lows of 4°C. Significant rainfall (118 mm).
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May
May is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (59 mm).
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June
June is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (58 mm).
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July
July is the coolest month with highs of 7°C and lows of 0°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (267 mm).
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August
August is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 0°C. Heavy rain (248 mm).
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September
September is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 1°C. Significant rainfall (160 mm).
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October
October is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 3°C. Significant rainfall (105 mm).
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November
November is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 5°C. Regular rainfall (91 mm).
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December
December is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (70 mm).
