Cardón cacti
Giant green columns.
Bernard Gagnon — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Bernard Gagnon — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Bernard Gagnon — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Bernard Gagnon — CC BY-SA 4.0
Los Cardones National Park in west-central Salta province was created in 1996 over 650 square kilometres of hills and ravines between 2,700 and 5,000 metres. It is named after the cardón, the giant cactus that covers its slopes like a forest of spiny green columns, some taller than a house. It also holds fossil remains of extinct animals and dinosaur tracks. The road from Salta to Cachi crosses it after climbing the winding Cuesta del Obispo, then runs along a long straight line across the cactus plain called the Recta del Tin Tin, thought to follow an old Inca-era road. There are viewpoints and short paths among the cacti along the way. The climate is dry, with a big gap between hot days and cold nights, and the altitude passes three thousand metres, so bring water and warm layers. Entry is currently free.
Giant green columns.
A long straight road.
A winding climb.
Provincial Route 33 between Salta and Cachi
No. The park is currently free under the national parks table of June 2026, and is crossed on the road from Salta to Cachi.