The petrified forest of Jaramillo is one of the jewels of Patagonia. Located in the north of the province of Santa Cruz, we tell you how to get there, what to see and tips for visiting it.
Have you heard of ancient trees whose trunks and roots feel like rock? This happens in very few parts of the world, thanks to a process that has been going on for millions of years and is called petrified forests.
In the national park of the Petrified Forests of Jaramillo this magical fact of nature is palpable by walking among the trails and seeing how the old and tall araucarias have been transformed into relics of the past.
A place that is not so well known both to locals and foreigners in the Argentinean Patagonia, but well worth a visit.
🔎 Check out the must-see places to visit in Patagonia Argentina.
Below you will find all the information you need to plan your visit to the Jaramillo petrified forest.
Table of Contents
Where is the petrified forest of Jaramillo?
Caleta Olivia or Puerto Deseado are the best options to reach the Jaramillo petrified forest.
- From Puerto Deseado there are 250 kilometres in total. You have to take route 281 up to the town of Jaramillo, then Route 3 heading south up to the fork with Provincial route 49. Bear in mind that the 50 kilometres of Provincial Route 49 up to the National Park are gravel roads, so you have to drive with caution.
- If you are coming from Comodoro Rivadavia or Caleta Olivia it is 300 and 215 kilometres respectively to get to the Jaramillo Petrified Forest. In both cases you have to take Route 3 heading south until the fork with Provincial route 49, where you will drive the last 50 kilometres on a gravel road.
- If you are coming from the south, from Puerto San Julian it is 230 kilometres in total, the same road as coming from Comodoro Rivadavia or Caleta Olivia along route 3, except that it is in a northerly direction.
How was the Jaramillo petrified forest formed and how old is it?
It is estimated that the araucaria forest and other species such as ferns and pines developed 150 million years ago in this same place. The landscape at that time had nothing to do with the current one, the climate was humid, which favoured the formation of these forests.
But due to a large explosive volcanic eruption, the landscape was completely changed by ash, lava, wind and sediment, and the petrified forest was formed as it can be seen today.
The incredible thing about the place is that the trunks and roots of the ancient araucarias and other trees that can reach up to 30 metres in height have remained solidified, in the same place where they were alive millions of years ago, and that the current arid landscape of the Patagonian steppe makes it impossible to imagine that this area was green and humid.
What is the visit like and what services are available on site?
Access to the Jaramillo Petrified Forests National Park is free of charge. The visit is made with the park ranger as a guide and on foot along the so-called Paleontological trail, a two kilometre long path surrounded by araucaria fossils.
In addition to the ancient petrified trees, you can see native fauna such as guanacos, grey foxes and rheas, among others. Also, on the side of provincial route 49, you can see the Madre e Hija hill, the extinct volcano and symbol of the national park.
At the entrance there is a small museum with explanations about the flora, fauna and evolution of the petrified forest. This petrified forest is one of the most important in the continent.
National Park opening hours
In high season (from october 1st to march 31st) the opening hours are from 9am to 7pm. In low season (from 1 april to 30 september) the opening hours are from 10am to 5pm.
Tips for visiting the petrified forest
- We recommend making the visit during the morning or early afternoon, especially in the low season, as it is not advisable to travel the road back at night due to the presence of animals and the loneliness of the road.
- The 50-kilometre gravel road along Provincial Route 49 is accessible to all types of vehicles, but caution should be exercised due to the presence of animals and the road conditions.
- The national park does not have a restaurant, there are only public toilets and tables to eat. Due to the inhospitable access road and the lack of services, it is advisable to bring food and drinking water.
- It is recommended to fill up with fuel on the way to the petrified forest. The nearest gas stations are 90 kilometres away if you are coming from the south (Tres Cerros) and 140 kilometres away if you are coming from the north (Fitz Roy).
- Do not take petrified wood as a souvenir, it is a protected natural monument and it is everyone’s responsibility to take care of it.
Where to stay in the vicinity of the petrified forest
Overnight stays are not allowed in the national park. It is best to base in the towns of Puerto Deseado, Caleta Olivia or Fitz Roy, visit the petrified forest and return in the day. These towns are not big, but there are more tourist attractions in the area and restaurants where you can eat.
🏨 See here where to stay in Puerto Deseado and Caleta Olivia and find your ideal accommodation.
The nearest accommodation is the Estancia La Paloma campsite, 20 kilometres from the forest on route 49, but you should bring your own tent. As of January 2024 this campsite is closed.
If you’re passing through on your way to Rio Gallegos or the southern tip of Argentina, you might want to spend the night at the simple but clean Tres Cerros hotel, located on the side of Route 3 next to the service station, 90 kilometres from the national park..
¡Pin it!
