Tierra del Fuego National Park is the farthest
south protected region of Argentina and the only national park
that possesses maritime coasts, embracing a strip of land 6 km
(3.75 mi) wide over the Beagle Channel. It was founded in 1960 and
has a surface area of 63,000 hectares (151,200 acres).
As a member of the circuit of protected areas of the Andean
Patagonia, the idea was to continue protecting the land that
belonged to the sub Antarctic forest. The park offers protection
to representatives of 6 species of arboreal animals that have
established themselves on the island and now pertain to these
forests. It also shelters native fauna of the region and preserves
ruins from a town of ancient yámana aborigines. You can find
yourself in the Lapataia Bay among the remains of mussel shells
and animal bones, which is evidence that the mussels constituted
the animals' diet. You may even find some utensils or tools, all
of which add to the interest of the area.
Four small mountain chains, that run from northwest to
southeast, enclose deep, practically isolated valleys. On the
maritime coast of the Beagle Channel -an irregular stretch of 6 km
(3.75 mi) of woods-, you can distinguish the deep bay of Lapataia
and countless other small bays and coves, whose beaches and banks
serve as the ideal environment for the existence of maritime
Parts of the two main lakes, the Fagnano and the Roca, and
other minor ones, sprinkle into the park area, which also embraces
a stretch of the Olivia, Pipa, and Roca rivers. These rivers flow
into the waters of Lake Roca in the Lapataia Bay.
The Park possesses six excursion trails: Pampa Alta Trail,
Costera Trail, and Las Lengas Trail, paths that allow you to reach
the bay areas of the park and the hills, from which you can see
the beautiful view of the Beagle Channel and the mountain chain of
Tierra del Fuego.
Tierra del Fuego Province, 9 km (5.6 mi) from Ushuaia
When to go
All year round.
How to get there
To get to Tierra del Fuego National Park take National Route
#3. It is located about 9 km (5.6 mi) from the city of
Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world. You can also
arrive to Ushuaia by plane or by boat. Flights from Buenos
Aires last between 4 and 6 hours.
Trekking, observing flora and fauna.
Food and camping.
Surroundings and Nearby Areas
Ushuaia, Aerocilla and Piscicultura.