Lagunas de Epulafquen, Mountain lakes in Neuquén Province, Argentina.
Lagunas de Epulafquen are two small mountain lakes in Neuquén Province, Argentina, located in the Andes close to the Chilean border. The two lakes sit in a narrow valley enclosed by steep slopes and dense Andean-Patagonian forest.
In 1832, Chilean forces fought and defeated a band of outlaws led by the Pincheira brothers at this site. The battle is considered one of the last stands of royalist resistance on the American continent.
The name Epulafquen comes from the Mapuche language and simply means two lakes, directly describing the two water bodies sitting side by side in the valley. Visitors can still hear Mapuche place names throughout this part of Neuquén, a reminder of the deep roots the indigenous people have in this landscape.
The site is reached by a gravel road that can become slippery and difficult after rain. A vehicle with good ground clearance is recommended, and it is worth checking road conditions before setting out.
The lakes sit at the northernmost point where Andean-Patagonian forest grows in Argentina, with rare species such as lenga beeches, pellin oaks, and coligüe bamboo all present here. This makes the spot a natural boundary that does not repeat anywhere else in the country.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
