Lago Puelo is a glacially fed lake located in the northwest of Chubut Province, within Lago Puelo National Park, at approximately 42°11'S, 71°41'W in the Patagonian Andes. The park covers 276.74 square kilometers and was established as an independent national park in 1971. The lake sits at roughly 230 meters elevation and is characterized by exceptionally clear, transparent water and pebble and white-sand beaches along its shores. Snow-capped peaks frame the lake on multiple sides, and the surrounding Valdivian temperate forest creates a distinctive environment unlike other Patagonian landscapes.

The lake has a notable western arm that extends toward the Argentine-Chilean border, offering approximately 10 kilometers of navigable water in that direction. Along this route, paddlers pass the mouth of the río Azul and the dramatic rock walls known as los Calabozos before reaching the Gendarmería post and, further on, the frontier boundary markers at los Hitos Fronterizos. A passport is required for any official crossing into Chile. The western arm also passes the Arroyo de las Lágrimas, a glacially sourced stream, near the Gendarmería landing point.

The main access point for paddlers is the Puerto Turístico within Lago Puelo National Park, reached by traveling approximately 4 kilometers along a gravel road from the town center. The town of Lago Puelo lies about 5 kilometers north of the lake. Guided touring kayak excursions operate daily out of the Puerto Turístico, with advance reservations required for most routes. The shorter excursion to los Calabozos runs without prior reservation. Boat tours to los Hitos on the Chilean border take roughly 50 minutes of travel time each way.

The park is home to the huemul, a deer declared a Natural Monument in Argentina, as well as the pudú, both considered endangered. The Valdivian forest vegetation along the shoreline is dense and intricate. Fishing is permitted within the park but requires a valid permit and appropriate equipment under established regulations. Paddlers should camp only in authorized areas and follow park leave-no-trace guidelines. The lake's water is noted for its clarity and transparency, consistent with its glacial origins and protected watershed status.