Los Alerces is the quiet jewel of Patagonian fly fishing — a UNESCO World Heritage park of gin-clear rivers and impossibly blue lakes, wrapped in one of the last great forests of ancient alerce trees, some of them older than the pyramids. Fewer anglers make it here than to the famous northern rivers, and that is precisely its charm: sight-fishing to wild trout in transparent water, beneath 3,000-year-old giants. This is the complete guide to the park — its ancient forest, its waters and fishing, the rules, the entry fees and what else to see.
The ancient alerce forest — a UNESCO treasure
The park is named for, and exists to protect, the alerce (Fitzroya cupressoides, the Patagonian cypress) — a towering, slow-growing conifer that can live for thousands of years. Its greatest specimen, the Gran Abuelo (“Great Grandfather”) on the shore of Lago Menéndez, is estimated at around 3,646 years old — the second-oldest known living tree on earth. It was for these irreplaceable forests, among the largest and best-preserved on the planet, that Los Alerces was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2017. Reaching the millenary alerces (the Alerzal Milenario) is itself a highlight: a boat trip across Lago Menéndez followed by a short walk through the old-growth forest.
Lakes and rivers
Los Alerces is a chain of glacial lakes linked by short, clear rivers, set in the wet, green Valdivian forest of the southern Andes. The main lakes — Futalaufquen, Verde, Rivadavia, Menéndez and Krüger — feed one another through the Rivadavia, Arrayanes and Frey rivers before the water gathers behind the Futaleufú dam in the vast Amutui Quimei reservoir. It is a landscape defined by clarity and colour: transparent green water, blue lakes and dark forest, far less developed than the parks to the north.
Fishing in Los Alerces
This is clear-water, sight-fishing country — technical, visual and beautiful, holding wild brown, rainbow and brook trout.
The Rivadavia
The jewel of the park: the Río Rivadavia runs entirely within Los Alerces, just five miles of gin-clear water between Lago Rivadavia and Lago Verde. Its transparency and its wary trout — averaging over 18 inches — make it a favourite of experienced anglers, fished with dries, nymphs and streamers.
The Arrayanes and beyond
The short, powerful Río Arrayanes links Lago Verde to Lago Futalaufquen and offers excellent early-season fishing, while the lakes themselves and their bocas hold big browns and rainbows. Below the park, the Futaleufú gives bigger water for those wanting a change of pace.
How the park’s fishing rules work
Los Alerces is administered by the Administración de Parques Nacionales (APN), and its clear waters are carefully protected:
- Season: rivers generally run 1 November to 30 April, with the lakes opening earlier, in late October; exact dates are set each year.
- Catch-and-release is the rule on much of the park’s water, with brown trout released everywhere and single barbless hooks required in C&R zones.
- The boca rule: in rivers and streams and within 200 m of any river mouth or source, all fish must be released and you may not fish from a boat within that radius.
- No felt-soled wading boots (didymo), and gear must be disinfected between waters.
Confirm the current season’s zone rules before you fish. A single unified Patagonian licence (or the APN licence) covers the park — see our guide to fishing licences in Argentina.
Entry fees and access
An access fee (derecho de acceso) is charged at the park entrance near Villa Futalaufquen. Fees in force from June 2026 (a reference — they rise with inflation, so confirm current values and the exchange rate):
| Visitor | Fee (ARS) | ≈ USD |
|---|---|---|
| Non-resident (foreign) | $35,000 | ~$23 |
| Argentine resident (age 6+) | $15,000 | ~$10 |
| Student | $12,000 | ~$8 |
| Provincial resident | $8,000 | ~$5 |
Young children, retirees and people with disabilities are exempt, and there’s a 50% discount on a second day within 72 hours. The park fee is separate from your fishing licence.
When to fish Los Alerces
The lakes open in late October and the rivers from November; late summer and autumn (February–April) bring the lowest, clearest water and the most rewarding sight-fishing. See our guide to the best time to fly fish Argentina.
Getting there and where to base
The park lies about 50 km from Esquel, whose airport (EQS) connects through Buenos Aires; the Welsh-founded village of Trevelin and the park’s own Villa Futalaufquen are alternative bases, with lodges and campgrounds in and around the park. See our Esquel fishing guide for the wider area.
Beyond the fishing
Los Alerces rewards every kind of visitor. The signature experience is the Alerzal Milenario boat-and-walk to the ancient alerces on Lago Menéndez; beyond it lie forest trails (senderos) to Lago Verde and the Arrayanes footbridge, the climb to Cerro Alto El Dedal, the multi-day trek to Lago Krüger, waterfalls, and quiet lakeside campgrounds and beaches. It is one of the most peaceful and beautiful of all the Patagonian parks.
Frequently asked questions about Los Alerces National Park
Where is Los Alerces National Park?
In Chubut province, in the southern-Andean Patagonia of Argentina, about 50 km from the town of Esquel. It borders Chile to the west.
What is the alerce, and how old is the Gran Abuelo?
The alerce (Fitzroya cupressoides, Patagonian cypress) is a giant, extremely long-lived conifer. The park’s Gran Abuelo is estimated at around 3,646 years old — the second-oldest known living tree on earth — and can be visited via a boat trip and walk on Lago Menéndez.
Why is Los Alerces a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
It was inscribed in 2017 to protect its ancient alerce forests — among the largest and best-preserved on the planet — and the pristine Andean-Patagonian ecosystem around them.
Is Los Alerces good for fly fishing?
Yes — it’s a clear-water, sight-fishing gem holding wild brown, rainbow and brook trout, with far fewer anglers than the northern parks. The Río Rivadavia and Río Arrayanes are the standout rivers.
What are the best rivers to fish in Los Alerces?
The Río Rivadavia (five miles of gin-clear water with trout averaging over 18 inches) and the Río Arrayanes, plus excellent lake and boca fishing on Futalaufquen, Verde and Rivadavia.
Is there an entrance fee to Los Alerces?
Yes — an access fee is charged at the park entrance near Villa Futalaufquen. On the 2026 reference tariff a foreign visitor paid about AR$35,000 (~US$23); children, retirees and people with disabilities are exempt. It’s separate from your fishing licence and changes with inflation.
When is the best time to fish Los Alerces?
The rivers run November to April, with late summer and autumn (February–April) offering the lowest, clearest water and the best sight-fishing; the lakes open earlier, in late October.
Plan your Los Alerces fishing trip
For clear water, wild trout and the ancient forests of a UNESCO World Heritage park, Los Alerces is one of Patagonia’s most rewarding and least crowded destinations. Tell us your dates, budget and experience, and we’ll match you with the right lodge or guide.