In the northwest of Santa Cruz, 175 kilometers south of Perito Moreno and near the border with Chile, the town of Lago Posadas —with just 300 inhabitants— emerges as one of the most valuable emerging destinations in Patagonia.
Surrounded by unique landscapes and with millennia-old traces in its surroundings, it is now promoting a process to be declared a provincial natural reserve and historical heritage.
“Lago Posadas is not just nature: it has history, it has memory”, explained the local Tourism director, Luciana Fortuny, in an interview with ADN Sur, confirming the start of procedures before provincial agencies such as the Secretariat of Culture, the Heritage Directorate, and the Agricultural Council.
An amazing and connecting environment
The visual heart of the destination is the Posadas and Pueyrredón lakes, with tones ranging from deep blue to bright turquoise, separated only by a natural isthmus that has become a regional icon.
The area offers activities such as sport fishing, trekking, birdwatching, and 4×4 tours, as well as access to the Lakes Circuit, which includes:
- The Stone Arch
- The Oro River Gorge
- The Puma Cave, with ancient rock art
- The Indian Hill
- And for the most adventurous, the San Lorenzo Hill, the highest point in the province
Landscape with history: from rock art to rural legacy
Beyond its natural appeal, Lago Posadas preserves key cultural elements such as the Hogar Escuela —a reference in rural education of the 20th century— and the La Ascensión ranch, part of the Patagonian colonization process.
But the greatest historical value lies in its sites with rock art, documenting the presence of indigenous peoples from thousands of years ago, and whose conservation drives their recognition as heritage. “These spaces are not only beautiful, they are fundamental to reconstruct our identity as a province”, emphasized Fortuny.
Conscious tourism and active community
The project aims to ensure legal protection of natural and cultural assets without discouraging tourism development. “Lago Posadas is not a place to just look and forget, but to tread with consciousness”, state those in the Tourism department. The local community actively participates with enterprises, guides, and proposals that combine hospitality with conservation.
How to reach this still secret corner
Access is from National Route 40, branching off at Bajo Caracoles and traveling 75 km of gravel road. In summer, it is also possible to reach it from Los Antiguos along the scenic Provincial Route 41 (Monte Zeballos Road), a route that crosses volcanic landscapes and spectacular viewpoints.
A destination with soul and projection
Lago Posadas brings together nature, memory, and future in a unique proposal. Through its legal recognition, it aims to establish itself as a model of sustainable tourism with identity, where the visitor not only marvels: they also learn, respect, and reconnect.
Cover photo: The Natural Route
