Copo National Park

In the province of Santiago del Estero, explore a green and ocher landscape, a world of extensive grasslands where there are no water streams. Get your feet moving in this natural reserve that protects more than one hundred and fourteen thousand hectares of the Chaco Seco eco-region, a shelter for endangered and threatened species, and habitat of trees and animals that you will probably not find elsewhere. Do you dare tour an almost unexplored land?

This area is home to one-of-a-kind wildlife. Discover it. Follow the trail of cougars and large anteaters, crowned eagles and Argentine boas. Find the giant armadillo. Get close to the Chacoan peccary, which feeds on a native cactus: the quimil. Embrace the most treasured type of tree: the red quebracho. Do you love nature? Choose the way you want to explore Copo National Park.

Geographic location: Northeast of the province of Santiago del Estero.

How to get there: From Santiago del Estero city, take Ruta Nacional 34 up to Taboada, then take Ruta Nacional 89 up to Quimilí and Ruta Provincial 6 up to Pampa de los Guanacos, the park office is at kilometer 398. To the east and the west of this town, on Ruta Nacional 16, the main accesses become visible. 

It is also possible to arrive from Resistencia and Salta via Ruta Nacional 16. The southern area of the park is accessible via a dirt road in good condition, which starts from Ruta Nacional 16, where “Islas Malvinas” School is (15 km up to the entrance and 35 km up to the ranger’s house). The eastern area is reached by the dirt road along the border of the province of Chaco (28 km up to the ranger’s house).

Area: 114,250 hectares.

Climate: sub-tropical and warm with dry season (April through November) and wide temperature range. The average temperature is 15°C in winter (with a low percentage of frost) and 28°C in summer (with highs over 50°C).

Recommended length of stay: 3 to 5 days.

Recommended clothing and gear: in winter (June-September), pack warm clothing. In summer, (December through March), a light jacket to wear at night will be enough. Also, pack comfortable, preferably light-colored clothes, insect repellent, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat or cap, and suitable footwear for the activity to be done.

What to do: In order to tour this protected area, it is advisable to contact a specialized tour guide and inform the local park ranger.

Tips: The best time to visit Copo National Park is between April and November. In summer (December through March), temperatures are usually very high, and rains might make the access difficult.