Budget Campsites & Refuges
Whether you’re planning a day hike or preparing for a multi-day traverse, it’s important to know that Los Glaciares National Park offers several designated camping areas available to hikers when needed.
Contents of the articule
Campsites & Refuges INSIDE Los Glaciares National Park
There are currently 4 campsites and 1 refuge within the boundaries of Los Glaciares National Park. Three of them — Capri, Poincenot, and D’Agostini — are part of the main trail network and have been subject to an access fee since November 2024. The other two are located further out and are used by those undertaking approaches toward the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, which requires prior registration.
All of these are backcountry campsites with no services of any kind, and advance reservation is required (more info: Asociación Amigos PN Los Glaciares). This means careful planning is essential — both in terms of what gear you carry (see: How to pack for multi-day treks and traverses) and what food you bring along.
It’s also worth noting that there are no rubbish bins at any campsite. All waste must be packed out and returned to the village. What you will find at each site are toilet facilities (latrines), available for both day visitors and overnight campers
Satellite View of the Campsites
The image shows the location of each campsite within the northern zone of Los Glaciares National Park. Here’s a breakdown of each:
- Campamento Capri: Located 4 km from El Chaltén, accessed via the Laguna de los Tres trail.
- Campamento Poincenot: Base camp for climbers and the last stop before the summit approach to Laguna de los Tres. Also accessed via the Laguna de los Tres trail, approximately 8 km from town.
- Campamento De Agostini: Situated on the banks of the Río Fitz Roy, about 8 km from the village. Accessible via the Laguna Torre trail or the Madre e Hija connecting trail (see: Laguna de los Tres – Laguna Torre Traverse).
- Campamento Toro: The most remote of the main campsites, approximately 16 km from El Chaltén. This is the starting point for the Cerro Huemul Circuit.
- Refugio “Paso del Viento”: A small corrugated-iron refuge used by the National Patagonian Ice Institute for field research. It has very limited space and no services — it serves as a basic shelter for cooking or escaping the cold. Overnight stays are in tents within the designated camping area next to the refuge.
Important: The last two sites are located within the Remote Zone and require mandatory prior registration: Mountain Use Registration – Remote Areas, Los Glaciares National Park.
You can explore an interactive satellite view of all campsites via Google Earth — best viewed from a desktop or laptop: Google Earth | Camps in El Chaltén.
A .gpx file compatible with most navigation apps and GPS devices is also available for download: click here to download.
Campsites & Refuges OUTSIDE Los Glaciares National Park
The following campsites and refuges are located outside the national park boundaries — on private land or within provincial reserves — but are excellent bases for exploring the surrounding areas:
- Piedra del Fraile: An ideal base for exploring the Río Eléctrico area, Laguna Pollone, and the Paso del Cuadrado route. Also a key departure point for those venturing toward the Southern Patagonian Ice Field.
- Puesto Cagliero: Overlooking Laguna Diablo and the Cagliero Glacier, this refuge sits within the Estancia Los Huemules nature reserve. Activities in the area include an ice trek to the Neumeyer Glacier, a summit hike to Loma del Diablo, and various trail walks.
- Camping Lago del Desierto: Located at the southern tip of Lago del Desierto. Perfect for those who want to make the most of the lake’s surroundings — boat trips, the Huemul Glacier hike, or simply exploring more of the Lago del Desierto Provincial Reserve.
- Camping Gendarmería Argentina: Located at the northern tip of Lago del Desierto. Primarily used as an overnight stop by hikers on the Huella de Glaciares traverse.
- Refugio Río Diablo: A little-known refuge within the Lago del Desierto Provincial Reserve, managed by Argentine Border Police (Gendarmería Argentina). Hard to reach — but the views make it worth every step.
Fitz Camp - Glamping
An excellent alternative for those who want to spend a night inside Los Glaciares National Park without the effort of carrying a heavy pack loaded with tents, sleeping bags, and food. Perfect for catching the sunrise at Laguna de los Tres!
Services included::
- High-altitude mountain tents — double or single base
- Sleeping bags suited to Patagonian conditions
- Insulated sleeping mats and pillows for added comfort
- Full dinner: hot starter, main course with two options (meat and chicken), vegetarian and gluten-free option, dessert with coffee/tea service, and drinks (water, juice, and one glass of wine per person)
- Breakfast: a selection of breads, scrambled eggs, and preserves
