El Leoncito National Park
El Leoncito National Park, National park in Calingasta Department, Argentina
The park spans 89,706 hectares across the western slopes of Sierra del Tontal, featuring desert landscapes, mountain ranges, and high-altitude oasis environments.
In 1994, the area received protection as a natural reserve before gaining national park status in 2002 through Law 25656 after San Juan Province transferred control.
The remaining telegraph posts within the park mark the last standing section of the line that connected San Juan to Calingasta until the early 1900s.
The park offers free admission and basic camping facilities with grills, tables, restrooms, and hot showers, located 34 kilometers from the town of Barreal.
The park's exceptional atmospheric conditions provide over 300 clear nights annually, supporting two major astronomical observatories used for international research programs.
Location: Calingasta Department
Inception: 1994
Operator: Administración Parques Nacionales
Website: http://parquesnacionales.gov.ar/03_ap/10_leoncito_PN/10_leoncito_PN.htm
GPS coordinates: -31.81467,-69.45003
Latest update: May 15, 2025 20:28
Nuevo Cuyo contains national parks, geological formations, and historical sites. The region includes red sandstone cliffs in Talampaya Park, the astronomical observatory in El Leoncito, and the natural bridge Puente del Inca. This Argentine region features salt flats, volcanoes, caves, and canyons. The areas house various wildlife species and prehistoric sites.
Villavicencio Natural Reserve
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Cerro Mercedario
65.3 km
Casa Natal de Domingo Faustino Sarmiento
92.6 km
Hotel Villavicencio
89.1 km
Auditorio Juan Victoria
91.6 km
Leoncito Astronomical Complex
14.7 km
Barreal Blanco
3.5 km
Autódromo Eduardo Copello
77.2 km
Bodegas Graffigna
91.7 km
Museo Provincial de Bellas Artes Franklin Rawson
94 km
Félix Aguilar Observatory
11.8 km
San Juan train station San Martín
91.8 km
Las Bóvedas De Uspallata
84.7 km
Teatro Sarmiento
92.4 km
Edificio de la Legislatura de San Juan
91.7 km
Franklin Rawson Provincial Museum of Fine Arts
91.6 km
Biblioteca Franklin
93 km
Solar Submillimeter Telescope
14.6 km
Plaza Aberastain
93.6 km
Polarization Emission of Millimeter Activity at the Sun
14.6 km
San Juan train station Belgrano
92.1 km
Capilla Nuestra Señora del Carmen (Calingasta)
53.7 km
Museo de la Historia Urbana
91.6 km
The vaults
87.6 km
Edificio donde funcionaba el Colegio Nacional Monseñor Doctor Pablo Cabrera
93.1 km
Biblioteca Popular Camilo Rojo
93.3 km
Bóvedas de San Martín
84.7 km
Auditorio Ingeniero Juan Victoria
91.6 kmReviews
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