Argentina Travel Planet

El Palmar National Park

Located in the province of Entre Ríos, in the Littoral region of Argentina, lies El Palmar National Park. Covering a total of 8,500 hectares, it was established in 1965 in order to protect a representative sample of the largest yatay palm tree concentration in all of Argentina.

Yatay palm trees are known for their sweet orange fruit and their vibrant yellow flowers which bloom in dense bunches. The yatay palm tree used to densely populate three different provinces, including Entre Ríos, but has declined over time due to excessive shepherding and the creation of various farms.

The current site of the national park has a very rich history: it was once home to many indigenous settlements. In later years, between 1650 and 1767, the official Entre Ríos fields protector, Barquín, developed a successful lime factory. Today, the ruins of the factory remain a very important historical site. See this Argentina Travel guide for more interesting sites in Argentina.

As Entre Ríos is part of the Mesopotamia zone of Argentina, it boasts the plain landscape that the region is known for, as well as variable lands and changeable weather. For example, it can be very warm and wet in the north, while remaining mild and dry in the southeast.

The Uruguay River borders the eastern edge of the park, with various brooks and streams running throughout the park, providing nourishment to the diverse flora and fauna. The park features several different environments, including palm forests, pasture lands, and groves, interspersed with grasslands and areas of bank jungle along the river. The bank jungle is dense and rich; mataojos, trees from the myrtle family, and the guayabo colorado are among the vegetation found.

Between the bank jungles and the pastures is an irregular line of forests, inhabited by the cacholote castaño bird, which is known for its large and complex nests. The wide variety of birds throughout the park also includes the capenter bird, the ñandu, and the South American partridge.

During the warmest times of the day, one can find overos lizards, which can sometimes (though rarely) grow up to 1.5 meters in length, sunning themselves in the park. At night, it’s very common to see vizcachas, a type of rodent closely related to the chinchilla, known for its distinct mustache-like markings and vocal calls.

The park is also home to a few exotic species that present a problem to the native flora and fauna, such as the European wild boar—which destroys birds’ nest, and the paradise—an asian tree that can have eventual effects on the environment it lives in.

There is a 12 km path from the main road on the west edge of the park that ends at the administrative center on the east side of the park, near the Uruguay river and the main camping zones. The camping zones are also home to a candy and general store, grills, tables, warm water, shops, public telephones, and bicycle services.

The Visitor’s Center provides guests with an exhibition about the national park’s history, nature and values, which are all an important part of appreciating the beauty of the park. There is also an Information Center.

Throughout the park, there are four main pedestrian paths that cross through various environments, ranging from 300 meters to 1000 meters long. In addition, there are four internal vehicle paths, which can also be used to visit the protected area’s different, unique environments. The main vehicular path goes to both the Barquín ruins and the Uruguay River beaches.

The highlight of the park may be its three panoramic viewpoints throughout the park, from which you can truly realize the scope of the area. Park officials recommend that you visit the viewpoints at sunset, but any time of day is sure to provide you with breathtaking vistas in every direction.