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Camping in Esquel

Esquel, gateway to Los Alerces National Park and home of the historic La Trochita railway, offers car campers access to ancient alerce forests, pristine Andean lakes, and Welsh-Patagonian heritage. Camp amid thousand-year-old trees and crystal waters.

3 min readUpdated for 2025–2026 Season
4 campsites
Full guide to Esquel →

Esquel, nestled in the Chubut province's Andean foothills, is a charming Patagonian town that serves as the primary access point to Los Alerces National Park — home to some of the oldest living trees on the planet. For car campers, Esquel combines the appeal of a well-serviced base town with proximity to extraordinary wilderness. The region's camping options range from comfortable lakeside campgrounds within the national park to informal sites in the surrounding mountains. A rental car is essential for exploring the park's winding roads along its chain of interconnected lakes, visiting the Welsh settlement of Trevelin, and accessing trailheads for hikes through ancient alerce (Patagonian cypress) forests that predate the Roman Empire.

Campsites

Camping Lago Rivadavia

Paid

Inside Los Alerces National Park on the shores of crystal-clear Lago Rivadavia. One of the most scenic campgrounds in Patagonia, surrounded by ancient forest.

Facilities: toilets, cold showers, fire pits, drinking water, picnic tables, kayak rental
Cost: ARS 3000-5000/night
Reservation required
Access:

Camping Bahía Rosales

Paid

On Lago Futalaufquen within Los Alerces National Park. Large, well-organized campground with lake swimming and the park's visitor center nearby.

Facilities: toilets, hot showers, fire pits, drinking water, beach access, small shop
Cost: ARS 3500-5500/night
Reservation required
Access:

Camping La Hoya

Free

A basic free camping area near the La Hoya ski center, 15 km from Esquel. Mountain setting with good hiking access. Snow-free December through March only.

Facilities: pit toilets, stream water
Cost: Free
No reservation needed
Access:

Camping Municipal Esquel

Paid

Conveniently located at the edge of town, this municipal campground offers full services and easy access to Esquel's restaurants, shops, and the La Trochita train station.

Facilities: toilets, hot showers, electricity, BBQ areas, drinking water, playground
Cost: ARS 2000-3500/night
No reservation needed
Access:

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Before you hit the trail: Esquel

🥾Hiking Trails🌤️Weather Guide📍Destination Guide📅Best Time to Visit✈️How to Get There

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Frequently Asked Questions

How old are the alerce trees in Los Alerces?

The famous El Abuelo (The Grandfather) alerce is estimated at 2,600 years old. These are among the oldest living organisms on Earth. The boat trip across Lago Menéndez to see them is unmissable.

Should I book Los Alerces campsites in advance?

Yes, especially for January and February. Lago Rivadavia and Bahía Rosales fill up quickly. Book through the national park system or phone the campground operators directly.

Can I ride La Trochita and camp in Esquel?

Absolutely! The Old Patagonian Express runs short tourist trips from Esquel. Combine a morning train ride with an afternoon drive into Los Alerces for camping.

Is the road into Los Alerces paved?

The main access road (RP71) is paved for the first section and then becomes good gravel. All campgrounds are accessible with a 2WD vehicle in normal conditions.

What about Trevelin — is it worth a stop?

Yes! This Welsh settlement offers excellent tea houses, the Nant y Fall waterfall, and the flour mill museum. It's on the way to the park's southern entrance and makes a great pre-camping stop.

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