What to see
Villa El Chocón
The area is known as the Valley of the Dinosaurs for its Cretaceous remains and petrified forests.
The remains of the Gigantosaurus carolini, the largest carnivorous species in the world, were found in El Chocón. Its bones are exhibited at Ernesto Bachmann Municipal Museum in Villa El Chocón, where there are also remains of the herbivore Amargasaurus and Neuquensaurus eggs with embryos.
On the banks of Exequiel Ramos Mexía reservoir, you can see dinosaur footprints, and in Cañadón Escondido (with a depth of 80 metres), you will be able to observe plant fossils and dinosaur footprints in different layers.
Plaza Huincul
In Plaza Huincul (85 km away via National Route 237 and National Route 22), Carmen Funes Municipal Museum houses the remains of the Argentinosaurus huinculensis, considered the largest dinosaur in the world.
Los Barreales Reservoir
Proyecto Dino Geo-Paleontological Park, located on the banks of the reservoir, in an area known as Loma de La Lata, is the site where more than 100 fossil pieces belonging to the Cretaceous period were extracted. Guided visits to the laboratory, the exhibition room and the excavation site are offered.
San Patricio del Chañar (56 km away via Provincial Route 51) is the gateway to Familia Schroeder Winery, where the fossil remains of a dinosaur were found. There are guided visits that require prior booking.
Auca Mahuida Protected Nature Area
In the northeast of the province, in an area of volcanic cones where the Auca Mahuida stands out, this nature reserve guards a treasure: caverns with cave paintings, fossil remains and traces of dinosaur nests and eggs. You can do trekking, mountaineering and to watch the flora and fauna.
It can be reached via provincial routes 5 and 6, both paved. For the internal route, a four-wheel drive vehicle is recommended (check the road condition according to the time of year). Remember that there are no services in the area and the closest is Rincón del Sauce, 43 km away.
You can also visit the Urquiza Municipal Museum of Argentine Paleontology and the Rincón Saurus Dinosaur Park, in Rincón de los Sauces.
Zapala
If you want to learn more about the Mesozoic and Cenozoic eras, the Provincial Museum of Natural Sciences Professor Dr. Juan A. Olsacher offers a great variety of remains of marine paleo invertebrates, continental paleo vertebrates (crocodiles and mammals) and fossil plants.
Other museums
Neuquén boasts other sites where prehistoric findings are exhibited: U.N.Co Geological and Paleontological Museum (Neuquén), Sala Dioramas (Cutral Có, 118 km away from Neuquén), the Museum of Natural Sciences (Senillosa, 42 km) and the Paleontological Museum (Las Lajas, 247 km).
All the above-mentioned cities offer accommodation and restaurant options, especially Neuquén, Villa El Chocón, Zapala and Rincón de los Sauces.
