The Provincial Route 1 (RP1) runs along the Atlantic coast of Chubut like a thread sewing the sea with the steppe. A few kilometers from Camarones, the gateway to the region, are the campsites of the Isla Leones and Bahía Bustamante portals, two natural enclaves that reopen their doors for the season with a unique proposal: camp for free in the heart of Patagonia Azul.
“We invite people to discover Patagonia Azul, connect with the Argentine sea, love it and dare to protect it,” says Daniela Milano, coordinator of the Isla Leones Portal.
Camarones: starting point for adventure
Everything begins in Camarones, the town that serves as a logistical base. There you can refuel, buy supplies, and check the weather forecast before taking RP1 south.
- 10 km away: access to the Isla Leones Portal.
- 14 km away: Information Center, where mandatory registration is done.
- 80 km away: Bahía Bustamante Portal.
- 84 km away: Arroyo Marea Camping.
Isla Leones Portal: season from October to April
The Cañadón del Sauce camping offers eight areas with tables, dry toilets, and a community fire pit. In Bahía Arredondo, six camping areas are complemented by the Julie Refuge, open until 10 p.m., ideal for sheltering from the wind and heating water.
- Free and no reservation: the campsites are public and occupied on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Season: from October 1 to April 30.
- Glamping Isla Leones Camp: available from November 1, with comfort and gastronomy in a wild setting.
Bahía Bustamante Portal: open all year
Eighty kilometers further south, the Interpretation Center welcomes visitors with a café and gift shop. Four kilometers away, the Arroyo Marea Camping offers camping areas with tables, fire pits, windbreak walls, and a simple shelter facing the estuary.
- Open all year.
- Glamping Marisma Camp: from November 1, with sea houses, gastronomy, and included activities.
Conservation rules: shared responsibility
Patagonia Azul is a unique habitat, with more than 60 islands hosting birds, marine mammals, and native species. To protect it, clear rules are applied:
- Fires only in designated areas.
- No garbage collection: each visitor must take their waste with them.
- No pets allowed.
- Maximum speed: 40 km/h.
- Marked trails: to be followed as designed.
Practical tips for the visit
- Bring drinking water (no supply in the campsites).
- Bring firewood if planning to make a fire.
- Comfortable clothing, warm/windproof clothing, and sunscreen.
- Food: the nearest supply point is Camarones.
- Plan fuel and logistics: distances are long.
A pure nature experience
More than services, Patagonia Azul offers unforgettable scenes: sipping mate at a table that withstands the wind, walking along coastal trails, the starry sky without light pollution, the reflection of the estuary at sunset.
“We are creating free access portals so that anyone can discover one of the most incredible destinations in Argentina,” summarizes Daniela Milano.
Useful information
Isla Leones Portal:
- Cañadón del Sauce and Bahía Arredondo campings (10/1 to 4/30).
- Glamping Isla Leones Camp (from 11/1).
Bahía Bustamante Portal:
- Arroyo Marea Camping (all year).
- Glamping Marisma Camp (from 11/1).
Cost: free, no reservation. Mandatory registration. More info: Instagram @parquepatagoniaazul.
Patagonia Azul invites you to experience the Atlantic coast of Chubut in its purest form, with the possibility of camping for free, enjoying glamping by the sea, and joining a sustainable tourism model that combines conservation, community, and unique experiences.
