Nevado Tres Cruces National Park

The Nevado Tres Cruces National Park - located in the region of Atacama in Chile, 93.2 miles from Copiapo. The National Park includes the Laguna Santa Rosa, Laguna del Negro Francisco, and part of the Salar de Maricunga. The park is divided into two zones, the northern zone includes the southern part of the Salar de Maricunga, the Laguna Santa Rosa and the southern part of the Laguna del Negro Francisco. The park was named after the volcano Nevado Tres Cruces, which makes up the largest part of the landscape of the park.

The Nevado Tres Cruces National Park, managed by the CONAF which offer which two shelters in the area: One in the south of Laguna del Negro Francisco and another in the west of Laguna Santa Rosa.

The site administration does an entry fee of 2,000 CLP or 500 CLP children. The park is open from October to April from eight to 18 clock.

Location

The park is located at the northern end of the South Andean steppe.

The Salar de Maricunga has a wingspan of about 8,300 acres at an altitude of 3,700 meters ( 12,139 ft. ). The highest volcano in the world and the highest peak in Chile, Ojos del Salado ( 6,893 Meter/22.615 ft. ) is located in its vicinity. The Salar de Maricunga is located 180 km northeast of the city of Copiapó in the Andes mountain range.

Laguna Santa Rosa

The Laguna Santa Rosa is located just south of the Salar de Maricunga. The lagoon is known for its Andean flamingos that live year-round on the lagoon. The Laguna Santa Rosa, together with the Laguna del Negro Francisco under the Ramsar Convention, a wetland of international importance.

Laguna del Negro Francisco

The Laguna del Negro Francisco is located 210 km northeast of Copiapó at an altitude of 4,126 meters ( 13,537 ft. ) above sea level. The lagoon is surrounded by the foothills of the Andes. It gives a nice view of the Copiapó Volcano. As a nationally protected area is home to many wildlife such as flamingos and vicuna.