BAÑOS DE CAJON GRANDE – ARGENTINA

June 1, 2017 SouthAmerica

JUNE FEATURED HOT SPRING BAÑOS DE CAJON GRANDE

Baños Cajon Grande - Argentina — Baños Cajon Grande – Argentina

The rustic and outdoor character of the Baños de Cajόn Grande hot spring pools set in alpine setting makes for an ideal soak. Located in an alpine valley in the Mendoza province of Argentina, the hot springs are at 2,078 meters elevation near the eastern base of Cerro Campanario (location -35.900536, -70.280102). Las Termas de Cajόn Grande has a natural pool alongside an icy stream surrounded by meadows. The hot spring lies at the end of a dirt road that starts at about -35.85549, -70.195261, about 8-km SW from Las Loicas. The hot springs lie just north of the route for the border crossing Hito de El Pehuenche, which is accessed from a fork along Ruta 40 at the settlement of Bandas Blancas, taking the west running dirt road from just south of the bridge over Rio Grande. The 12-km narrow dirt road ends near two rustic houses. A high clearance vehicle is recommended. The location is accessible mainly during the summer time. The area is good for primitive or car camping. Pack for cold temperatures. Because of the proximity to the international border you should carry your passport and a print out of the reciprocity fee. Note that the Argentina border control station closes at 8 p.m.

There are three pools of different temperatures. The spring owners charge US$7 per person for use of the springs. This area is popular for camping and one may find large groups here during the weekends. The pool temperatures vary between 39° and 43°C depending on controlled flow through pipes from the central vent which is located near the small house. The vent water temperate emerges at 51°C.

After the border crossing into Chile the route is numbered 115 and descends into the city of Talca. If you take this trip westward you will find just across the border the Baños de Campanario hot springs.

As published in our book “Hot Springs of the Andes”