Loading…
← All parks
Centre · Entre Ríos
National ParkEl Palmar
Yatay palm savannas on the Uruguay river.
31.86° S · 58.25° O
- Established
- 1965
- Area
- 8,200 ha
- Ecoregion
- Espinal and Pampas
- Gateway
- Ubajay
Savannas of century-old yatay palms, streams and beaches on the Uruguay river. A Ramsar Site with camping, trails and famous sunsets among the palms.
Highlights
- Sunset at the El Palmar stream viewpoint among yatay palms.
- Over 270 bird species from the grassland and woodland hides.
- The historic ruins and the beach on the Uruguay river.
- Canoeing the Uruguay river and stargazing at the campsite.
Getting there
By plane
Aeroparque Jorge Newbery, Buenos Aires (AEP)
There are no regular flights nearby: the park is 365 km from Buenos Aires by road.
By car
RN 12 · RN 14 — 365 km from Buenos Aires
Entrance at RN 14 km 198. From the gate to the services area is 12 km of shadeless gravel. Refuel in Ubajay (6 km).
By bus
Terminal de Ubajay
Buses from Buenos Aires, Corrientes and Posadas stop at Ubajay, Colón and San José; continue from Ubajay by taxi.
Trails
Difficulty
Duration
Difficulty: EasyModerateHardExpert
Sendero El Pastizal
From the El Palmar stream viewpoint across the great palm grassland to the stream bank. Ideal for birds.
- Distance
- 4.2 km
- Duration
- 1.5 h
- Elevation gain
- —
- Difficulty
- Easy
Out and back
Sendero de la Selva
From the beach, riverside forest with viewpoints over the Uruguay river. Registration required at the visitor centre.
Registration required
- Distance
- 3.5 km
- Duration
- 1.5 h
- Elevation gain
- —
- Difficulty
- Moderate
Out and back
La Glorieta
Drops from the viewpoint through riverside forest to a small waterfall and loops back through palms.
- Distance
- 0.9 km
- Duration
- 0.5 h
- Elevation gain
- —
- Difficulty
- Easy
Loop
Sendero Histórico
From the lime-kiln ruins to the old headquarters: chapel, cemetery and kilns in gallery forest.
- Distance
- 1 km
- Duration
- 0.75 h
- Elevation gain
- —
- Difficulty
- Moderate
Out and back
La Portada
Palms and grassland to a viewpoint over a seasonal wetland.
- Distance
- 0.6 km
- Duration
- 0.3 h
- Elevation gain
- —
- Difficulty
- Easy
Out and back
Distances, elevation gain and times are approximate and change with the season. Check each trail’s status with the park before setting out.
Where to stay
Campsite$
Camping El Palmar (dentro del parque)
An organised campsite with a shop, grills and river views. Waking up among the palms is the experience.
Cabins$$
Ubajay
Cabins and inns 6 km from the gate, the most practical option for an early start.
Hotel$$$
Colón
Hotels and hot springs on the Uruguay river 51 km away; pair with the San José Palace and Pueblo Liebig.
Before you go
- Trails and roads open 8 am–6 pm; the campsite runs 24 hours.
- There is no transport from the gate to the services area (12 km): without a car, take a taxi from Ubajay.
- Cycle on vehicle roads only, not on footpaths or historic areas.
- The beach is only open for swimming in summer, with lifeguards and buoys.
Plan your journey to El Palmar
We design private trips at each traveller’s pace: hikes, local guides and carefully chosen stays. Tell us what you have in mind and we’ll reply within 48 hours.