Why Argentina's largest national park hosts a massive ice cap outside the polar regions

Countries & Cities · Published 29 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Los Glaciares National Park is a sprawling, ice-covered sanctuary in Argentina that holds the largest ice cap outside of Antarctica, Greenland, and Iceland. Established in 1937, this UNESCO World Heritage Site serves as a vital refuge for unique biodiversity, ranging from subpolar forests to the arid, windswept Patagonian steppe.

Spanning over 726,927 hectares in the Santa Cruz Province, Los Glaciares is Argentina's largest national park. Its defining feature is a colossal ice cap that feeds 47 major glaciers. Unlike glaciers elsewhere that typically form at elevations above 2,500 meters, the sheer scale of this ice field allows glaciers to begin at just 1,500 meters and descend as low as 200 meters above sea level. This unique environment creates a dramatic transition between the frozen peaks and the eastern Patagonian steppe, where the mountains effectively trap Pacific moisture.

The park is divided into two distinct sectors by the Zona Centro. The northern region is a magnet for climbers and trekkers, featuring iconic peaks like Mount Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre, alongside the Viedma Glacier. The southern region is dominated by massive ice bodies that flow into Lake Argentino, including the famous Perito Moreno, Upsala, and Spegazzini glaciers. These landscapes are not merely static monuments; they are dynamic ecosystems that support diverse wildlife, including the huemul deer, condors, and the guanaco, which has seen its population decline due to regional livestock grazing.

Despite its protected status, the park faces significant environmental challenges. Invasive species, such as European hares and cattle, have disrupted local habitats, while forest fires have caused degradation in sensitive areas. Furthermore, the park's glaciers are not immune to change; recent reports indicate that even historically stable glaciers have thinned considerably in recent years. As a major destination for international tourism, the park must balance the economic demands of visitors arriving through hubs like El Calafate and El Chaltén with the urgent need to preserve its fragile, high-latitude wilderness for future generations.

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