Los Cardones National Park, also known as Parque Nacional Los Cardones in Spanish, is a national park in Argentina. It is found in the central-west part of the Salta province, within the San Carlos and Cachi Departments, which are located in the Argentine Northwest region.
Location
The park covers an area of the High Monte ecoregion. It spans 650 square kilometers and includes hills and valleys at elevations between 2,700 meters and 5,000 meters. The park is named for the many bushes of cardon grande cactus that grow there. It contains bones and remains of animals that no longer exist, as well as footprints left by dinosaurs.
The protected area was established in 1996 when the National Parks Administration purchased the land from private owners.
Climate
The park has an arid climate with big differences between day and night temperatures. It receives an average rainfall of 150 mm (5.9 in), with most of this rain happening from November to March. Snow is very rare in low areas. Average temperatures go from 11 °C (51.8 °F) in winter to 18 °C (64.4 °F) in summer.
Gallery
- Cardones
- Cardones
- Road to Cachi
- Large cardón cactus
- View of Los Cardones National Park