What is El Impenetrable National Park and Why It's Worth the Journey

El Impenetrable National Park is one of the most unknown and most valuable nature destinations in Argentina. This guide explains what it is, where it is, what wildlife it shelters and how to visit.

What is the Gran Chaco and why El Impenetrable

The Gran Chaco is the second largest forest in South America after the Amazon. It spans Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia and Brazil, and is one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on the continent. In Argentina, the Chaco covers mainly the provinces of Chaco, Formosa, Santiago del Estero and the northern parts of Santa Fe and Corrientes.

Within the Argentine Chaco, El Impenetrable National Park is the largest protected area. Created in 2014 with a surface area of 128,000 hectares in the northwest of Chaco Province, it protects one of the most intact remnants of Chaco dry forest — a subtropical dry woodland that was historically known as "El Impenetrable" because of the density of its vegetation.

The name is not marketing: for decades, the thickness of the Chaco forest made access and settlement virtually impossible, which allowed the fauna and flora to remain in extraordinary conservation conditions.

Where is El Impenetrable

The park is located in northern Chaco Province, in the General Güemes and Almirante Brown departments. The main access is from Resistencia, the provincial capital, approximately 4 hours to the northwest along provincial roads.

The park's operational base is Camping La Fidelidad, situated on the Bermejo River. There is no paved road to the park's interior — the final sections require 4x4 vehicles on dirt tracks that can become impassable after rain.

The closest town with services is Miraflores, and the most developed tourist reference in the area is El Bermejito, where Glamping El Bermejito operates — the most comfortable accommodation available in the area.

What wildlife lives in El Impenetrable

El Impenetrable is one of the few places in Argentina where the three large mammals that historically dominated the Chaco still coexist: the jaguar, the tapir and the giant anteater.

The park is one of Argentina's most important jaguar conservation projects. Between 10 and 15 individuals are estimated to live within the protected area, documented by camera traps. Direct sighting is extremely rare — the jaguar is elusive and mostly nocturnal — but its presence is felt in tracks, tree scratches and the photographic records of the park ranger team.

The most frequently sighted species include:

• Howler monkey (carayá): lives in groups and their howling is one of the most characteristic sounds of the park.
• Peccaries (collared and white-lipped): in groups that can exceed 20 or 30 individuals.
• Tapir: less frequent, but regularly recorded near water.
• Giant anteater: one of the best destinations in Argentina to observe this species.
• Puma: present in the park, very rarely sighted directly.
• Caimans: in the Bermejo River and internal water bodies.
• Chaco birds: more than 300 species recorded, including the streamer-tailed tyrant, greater rhea, turquoise-fronted amazon, cream-backed woodpecker and toco toucan.

When is the best time to visit El Impenetrable

The Chaco has extremely hot and humid summers, with temperatures that can exceed 45°C. That makes winter and autumn the ideal visiting seasons.

The months of May to August offer the best conditions: daytime temperatures of 20°C to 30°C, cool nights, lower humidity and better road conditions. In August, with the Bermejo River at its lowest, wildlife concentrates near water sources and sightings are more frequent.

September and October are transitional months — the heat begins to rise but roads remain accessible. November to March is the rainy season with extreme heat: many tracks become impassable and conditions are demanding.

What activities can be done in El Impenetrable

The park offers activities ranging from accessible short walks to active expeditions in remote settings.

Designated trails include the Selva Trail (1.4 km, low difficulty), the Pozo del Yacaré Trail and the Palmitar Trail. All depart from Camping La Fidelidad and are suitable for all fitness levels.

River navigation on the Bermejo River by inflatable boat or kayak is one of the most valuable experiences in the park — riverside wildlife is abundant and river access opens sections impossible to reach from land.

For those seeking a more intense experience, the Huella Impenetrable is a 15 km trek following the Bermejito River, with an overnight at Refugio Carayá and a kayak return. It is the deepest way to know the territory.

The area also allows visiting Bañado La Estrella in Formosa as an optional extension: one of the most impressive wetlands in northern Argentina, with flamingos, jabiru storks and a diversity of waterbirds that perfectly complements what the Chaco forest offers.

How to get there and how long the journey takes

Access is from Resistencia. There are direct flights from Buenos Aires with Aerolíneas Argentinas and LATAM (approximately 1 hour 30 minutes). From Resistencia, the drive to the park takes 3 to 4 hours.

A minimum visit of 3 days in the park allows time for at least two trails, a river navigation and a night walk. The Huella Impenetrable requires at least 4 days in the park.

How to visit El Impenetrable with Centinela Explora

Centinela Explora operates group departures to El Impenetrable National Park since 2023, with two options: the All-Public Experience (more relaxed pace, with glamping and low-difficulty trails) and the Huella Impenetrable (trekking, kayaking and refuge overnight for more active travelers).

Trips include transfers from Resistencia, accommodation, meals, specialist guide and park entrance fees. Maximum group size is 7 people, guaranteeing an experience far from mass tourism.