Mascardi Lake

Mascardi Lake is a glacial lake in the province of Rio Negro south of Bariloche, Argentina. It was named for a Jesuit priest named Nicolas Mascardi who did missionary work in the area during the 17th century. The lake is within Nahuel Huapi National Park, which is the oldest national park in Argentina and covers an area of almost 2 million acres. Mascardi Lake is divided into two sections by a peninsula. From the lake, you can admire several peaks of the Andes Mountain range. There are several good beaches along the shores of the lake, and swimming is a popular activity here. Other activities include boating, kayaking, fishing and hiking around the lake. 
Many animals can be found near Mascardi Lake and in Nahuel Huapi National Park. These include river otters, deer, foxes, cougars, and guanacos. There are also several species of birds, such as ducks, geese, swans, Austral Parakeets, cormorants, and Andean condors. Some sections of the park are covered by temperate rain forests, and most of the trees you will see in the area are the lengas, coihue and the ñires. 

Practical Info

Mascardi Lake is about an hour south of Bariloche along route 40. To get there, take a bus from Bariloche or join one of the many tours of the lake.