Top 50 Beautiful Lakes in Argentina

(updated on )

Bordered by the Andes in the west and the South Atlantic Ocean to the east, Argentina is huge, and the contrasts of landscapes are extreme. The spectacular Andean mountain range, with jagged peaks and deep valleys, as well as breathtaking fjords and snow-capped volcanoes serve as background for many lakes and lagoons. Colored in deep green or turquoise hues, they are among dramatic landscapes, such as the high altitude deserts of Catamarca in the north and the alpine glaciers of Patagonia in the south. Argentina’s lakes are some of the most scenic of all found in the world, and certainly a photographers’ paradise. Enjoy these 50 beautiful lakes in Argentina.

1 – Laguna de los Tres (De los Tres Lagoon) – Los Glaciares National Park

Laguna de los Tres is a crystal blue lagoon that offers close and outstanding views of the Cerro Fitz Roy. “Los Tres” refers to the three peaks that you can see from the lagoon’s shore. From El Chaltén, the 8-hour round trip is really worth the effort due to its incredible views.

2 – Laguna Sucia (Sucia Lagoon) – Los Glaciares National Park

Laguna Sucia

Photo by: luisf

From Laguna de los Tres, in Los Glaciares National Park, an additional 500-meter trail leads to a spectacular cliff side overview of the turquoise Laguna Sucia. It is located 25 km from El Chaltén.

3 – Laguna Capri (Capri Lagoon) – Los Glaciares National Park

Laguna Capri

Photo by: tripsandtours

Do you want to take amazing photographs of Mount Fitz Roy without too much effort? After a 2-hour easy walking from El Chaltén, you arrive at Laguna Capri, which has majestic views to the Fitz Roy range.

4 – Lago Mascardi (Mascardi Lake) – Nahuel Huapi National Park

Located 30 km from San Carlos de Bariloche, Lago Mascardi is also known as ‘Seven Colors Lake’ because its color changes according to the season and the time of the day. In the middle of the lake lies a heart-shaped island called Isla Corazón.

5 – Lago Fagnano (Fagnano Lake) – Tierra del Fuego National Park

Lago Fagnano is a gorgeous lake of glacial origins located on the main island of the Tierra del Fuego, 65 km from Ushuaia. Spanning across approximately 100 kilometers, its vibrant blue shades contrast beautifully with the high Patagonian Mountains.

6 – Lago Huechulafquen (Huechulafquen Lake) – Lanín National Park

Lago Huechulafquen

Lago Huechulafquen is a glacial lake located in the Andean mountains, 25 km from Junín de los Andes. Lanín Volcano composes a scenic background to the lake.

7 – Laguna de Llancanelo (Llancanelo Lagoon) – Malargüe

Laguna de Llancanelo

Photo by: Máximo Arias

Located 75 km from the city of Malargüe, Laguna de Llancanelo is an oasis amid a semi-desert landscape. It is a shelter to a variety of bird species, including flamingos.

8 – Lago Epuyén (Epuyén Lake) – Chubut

Amidst beautiful scenery of forests, Lago Epuyén is a crystal clear blue lake located 25 km from El Bolsón.

9 – Lago Cardiel (Cardiel Lake) – Santa Cruz

Lago Cardiel has turquoise waters that contrast with Mount El Puntudo and the gray Patagonian landscape. Located 75 km from Gobernador Gregores, the lake hides an enormous concentration of fish, which makes this a paradise for fishing enthusiasts.

10 – Lago Belgrano (Belgrano Lake) – Perito Moreno National Park

Located 330 km from the town of Perito Moreno, the bright blue water of Lago Belgrano is absolutely stunning. There are rock paint sights in the vicinity of the lake.

11 – Laguna del Peinado (Del Peinado Lagoon) – Catamarca

Laguna del Peinado is a wonderful lagoon home to many flamingoes. Located 160 km from Antofagasta de la Sierra, south of Salar de Antofalla, there is a nearby natural pool with thermal waters at 3300 meters high.

12 – Laguna Fea (Ugly Lagoon) – Neuquén

Laguna Fea

Its name does not fit with the beauty of this lagoon. Laguna Fea’s waters are transparent and in sunny days, celestial blue. The lagoon is 250 km from Chos Malal.

13 – Laguna del Diamante (Diamond’s Lagoon) – Mendoza

Laguna del Diamante is at the base of the Maipo volcano, and its reflection in the lake forms a diamond-shape image, which gives the lagoon its name. Located 130 km from San Carlos, it is an important guanaco reserve.

14 – Lago Argentino (Argentine Lake) – Los Glaciares National Park

Lago Argentino

Lago Argentino is the biggest freshwater lake in Argentina. Fed by the glacial melt water, the lake lies within the Los Glaciares National Park, El Calafate, in a landscape with numerous glaciers.

15 – Laguna Calvú or Laguna Azul (Blue Lagoon) – Nahuel Huapi National Park

Laguna Azul - Bariloche

The Laguna Calvú, also called Laguna Azul, is located in the vicinity of Lake Mascardi, 70 km from San Carlos de Bariloche. It takes between 4 to 5 hours to reach the lagoon, and the trekking has a medium difficulty level.

16 – Lago Paimún (Paimún Lake) – Lanín National Park

Distant only 60 km from Junín de los Andes, Lago Paimún is a lake surrounded by snowcapped mountains and a lush forest home to a variety of animals. From almost any point of the lake, you can see the stunning Lanín volcano, which gives its name to the park where the lake is located.

17 – Laguna del Caminante (Del Caminante Lagoon) – Tierra del Fuego National Park

Laguna del Caminante

Photo by: Blogavitch

Located 20 km from Ushuaia, the beautiful Laguna del Caminante is little known by tourists. This secluded spot is reached by a 5-hour hiking up the Andorra Valley.

18 – Laguna Del Valle Hermoso (Valle Hermoso Lagoon) – Malargüe

Laguna del Valle Hermoso is amidst a valley of indescribable beauty. Located 80 km from Malargüe, the road to the lagoon sight gets even more stunning with the view of the imposing stone called “The Sentinel”.

19 – Laguna Escondida (Hidden Lagoon) – Malargüe

Laguna Escondida is a small lake surrounded by a truly dreamy sight valley, the Valle Hermoso, located in the Andean Mountain Range, 80 km from the city of Malargüe.

20 – Lago Futalaufquen (Futalaufquen Lake) – Los Alerces National Park

Lago Futalaufquen is located within the Los Alerces National Park, 57 km from Esquel. Originated from a glacier, the lake is in a deep valley and immersed in Patagonia’s majestic wilderness.

21 – Lago Cholila (Cholila Lake) – Chubut

Lago Cholila is located 95 from El Bolsón, and is not part of any national park. Mount Tres Picos and Mount Dos Picos surround the lake, increasing the scenic beauty of the place.

22 – Lago Buenos Aires (Buenos Aires Lake) – Santa Cruz

Split with Chile (where it’s called Lago General Carrera), this lake is a green-blue sea surrounded by the Andes mountain range. Located on its shores, the nearest town of the lake is Los Antigos.

23 – Lago Burmeister (Burmeister Lake) – Perito Moreno National Park

Lago Burmeister is located 220 km from Gobernador Gregores. The blue color of the lake changes during the day. On windless days it can become a perfect mirror for the mountains that surround it.

24 – Laguna Grande (Grande Lagoon) – Catamarca

Located 95 km from Antofagasta de la Sierra, at an altitude of 4.240 meters, Laguna Grande is in the middle of one of the most uninhabited and arid places on the planet. The lagoon is a reserve of the beautiful Pink Flamingos.

25 – Laguna Horcones (Horcones Lagoon) – Aconcágua National Park

Laguna Horcones is a stunning lagoon in Aconcágua National Park. Fed by the glaciers, the lagoon matches with the colorful Andean mountains, creating a spectacular landscape.

26 – Lago Roca (Roca Lake) – Los Glaciares National Park

Lago Roca is a glacial lake 50 kilometers from El Calafate. It is an ideal place to enjoy the typical Patagonian landscape.

27 – Lago Traful (Traful Lake) – Nahuel Huapi National Park

Lago Traful is 90 km from San Carlos de Bariloche. This lake is famous for its viewpoint that offers a complete view of the lake and the entire valley. Its shores are irregular, and have cliffs and beaches with turquoise waters.

28 – Lago Quillén (Quillén Lake) – Lanín National Park

Lago Quillén is a glacial lake located 47 km from Aluminé. The lake occupies a valley surrounded by a scenic forest. At the bottom of the lake the silhouette of the Lanín volcano gives an idyllic perspective.

29 – Lago Menéndez (Menéndez Lake) – Los Alerces National Park

Lago Menéndez is an enormous lake located in the heart of Los Alerces National Park, 70 km from Esquel. Surrounded by high Andean mountains and beautiful forests, the lake has a stunning view of several glaciers, like the Torrecillas Glacier.

30 – Lago Pueyrredón (Pueyrredón Lake) – Santa Cruz

Lago Pueyrredón or Cochrane is lake separated by a narrow strip of land from the Lake Posadas. The color contrast between them provides impressive scenic views. It is located 250 km from the town of Perito Moreno.

31 – Lago Posadas (Posadas Lake) – Santa Cruz

The turquoise Lago Posadas contrast dramatically with the lapis-blue Lago Pueyrredón. In the middle of the lake there is a natural rock bridge, known locally as “El Arco”. Located 235 km from the town of Perito Moreno, the lake is seldom visited by tourists.

32 – Laguna del Salar del Hombre Muerto (Dead Man’s Salt Flat) – Catamarca

Laguna del Salar del Hombre Muerto is a blue turquoise lagoon surrounded by the white shores of salt from the salar. Located 100 km from Antofagasta de la Sierra, at an altitude of 4000 meters, the blue water of the lagoon would evoke the Caribbean Sea, if there were no snow-capped peaks around.

33 – Laguna del Vólcan Tromen (Tromen Volcano Lagoon) – Neuquén

Laguna del Vólcan Tromen

Laguna del Vólcan Tromen is at the foot of the Tromen Volcano. Located 45 km from Chos Malal, the lagoon is the habitat of a large number of bird species including the Austral Flamingo.

34 – Lago Puelo (Puelo lake) – Lago Puelo National Park

Lago Puelo is a lake of glacial origin located 50 km from San Carlos de Bariloche. The magnificent greenish and bluish body of water is surrounded by temperate rain forests.

35 – Lago Moreno (Moreno Lake) – Nahuel Huapi National Park

Lago Moreno is a postcard of San Carlos de Bariloche, usually seen from the Cerro Campanario viewpoint. In the southern of the lake, Cerro López dominates the landscape with its rugged silhouette.

36 – Lago Nahuel Huapi (Nahuel Huapi Lake) – Nahuel Huapi National Park

Lago Nahuel Huapi lies in the most popular resort area in Argentina’s Lake District. It is one of San Carlos de Bariloche postcards. Its deep-blue waters are dotted with islands, most notably Isla Victoria with 31 km².

37 – Lago Meliquina (Meliquina Lake) – Lanín National Park

Lago Meliquina

Lago Meliquina is a lake of glacial origin surrounded by an andean-patagonian forest. Located 35 km from San Martín de los Andes, its southern shores are protected by the Lanín National Park.

38 – Laguna Verde (Green Lagoon) – Catamarca

The Laguna Verde is 160 km from Fiambalá, at the foot of the volcano Pissis. The lagoon is surrounded by seven of the highest volcanoes in the world. The contrast of its turquoise waters with the aridity of the Andes is just spectacular.

39 – Laguna Azul or Celeste (Blue Lagoon) – Catamarca

Laguna Azul - Catamarca - Argentina

Surrounded by some of the highest volcanoes in the world, the blue waters of Laguna Azul are just mesmerizing. Located 130 km from Fiambalá, to reach the lagoon you must take a detour of the route of Seismiles, near Pastos Largos, in the same road that leads to the Laguna Verde.

40 – Laguna Santa Maria (Santa Maria Lagoon) – Salta

Laguna Santa Maria, with the typical yellow grass fields of Puna, has a little community of flamingos. The lagoon is located in one of the most arid areas of the world, 60 km from the village of Tolar Grande.

41 – Lago Viedma (Viedma Lake) – Los Glaciares National Park

Lago Viedma

Photo by: murrayfoote

The color of its transparent waters merges with the green of the forest around, creating a fantasy landscape. It is located 180 km from El Chaltén, as well as El Calafate. The lake is home to the 2-km wide Viedma Glacier.

42 – Laguna Jakob (Jakob Lagoon) – Nahuel Huapi National Park

Laguna Jakob

Photo by: Viajeros.com

Laguna Jakob is a pretty alpine lake located near San Carlos de Bariloche. The 6-hour track to the lagoon is one of the most classic in Argentina.

43 – Laguna Toncek (Toncek Lagoon) – Nahuel Huapi National Park

Laguna Toncek

Laguna Toncek is a beautiful lagoon surrounded by jagged granite spires of the Cerro Cathedral. Located near San Carlos de Bariloche, it takes 3 hours of trekking in the middle of Andean-Patagonian forests to arrive at the lagoon.

44 – Laguna Negra (Negra Lagoon) – Nahuel Huapi National Park

Although having crystal clear waters, Laguna Negra is called the Black Lagoon because the dark rock makes the water look black. The lagoon is near San Carlos de Bariloche, and the 7-9-hour hiking may scare, but the view of the lagoon worth the effort.

45 – Lago Epulafquen (Epulafquen lake) – Lanín National Park

Located 57 km from Junín de los Andes, one of the most prominent features of Lago Epulafquen is a large delta-formed lava flow from Huanquihue volcano on its southern shore.

46 – Laguna Brava (Brava Lagoon) – La Rioja

Laguna Brava is a hidden paradise surrounded by a salty plain and framed by snow-capped mountains. Reserve of vicuñas and flamingoes, this blue lagoon is on the top of the Andes, at an altitude of over 4000 meters, 170 km away from Villa Unión.

47 – Lago Guillermo (Guillermo Lake) – Los Glaciares National Park

Lago Guillermo has a privileged lookout point to appreciate the splendor of one of the biggest glaciers in Los Glaciares National Park. The lake has one of the fronts of the Upsala Glacier, which feeds the lake with its melt water.

48 – Lago Tromen (Tromen Lake) – Lanín National Park

Located 67km away from Junín de los Andes. Lago Tromen is beautifully framed by ancient araucárias and the imposing Lanín Volcano.

49 – Lago del Desierto (Desert’s Lake) – Los Glaciares National Park

Lago del Desierto is located 25 km from El Chaltén. This beautiful lake also offers magnificent views of Mt. Fitz Roy.

50 – Laguna Torre (Torre Lagoon) – Los Glaciares National Park

Laguna Torre offers outstanding views of the Cerro Torre peak, the solitary and most jagged shard of the range. Located near El Chaltén, to reach the lagoon you must track an 8-hour easy round trip.