New Regulation for Tourist Permits in National Protected Areas – Resolution 62/2025 APN
Environmental Law & Climate Change Department Report | New Regulation for Tourist Permits in National Protected Areas – Resolution 62/2025 APN.
On March 26, 2025, Resolution 62/2025 of the National Parks Administration (“APN”, for its Spanish acronym) was published in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Argentina. This resolution approved the “Regulation on Tourist Permits” (“Regulation”), along with its Annexes I, II and III, and repealed Board Resolution 68/2002 (as consolidated by Resolution 240/2011) and other complementary and amending resolutions.Together with Resolution 61/2025, both are part of a process of updating the regulatory framework of the APN in terms of public use, with a focus on administrative simplification and adaptation to the current reality of tourism activities.
In this regard, Resolution 62/2025 establishes that permits granted prior to its entry into force may not be renewed and must be processed again in accordance with the new Regulation. Therefore, all permits under the new framework are considered precarious, temporary, and revocable.
The Regulation governs the provision of tourism services within the jurisdiction of the APN, covering public lands as well as private properties, community lands, and lands under precarious occupancy permits (PPO) and occupancy and grazing permits (PPOP). It includes definitions, required documentation, authorization conditions, obligations of service providers, civil liability, control procedures, sanctions, and requirements for foreign providers.
The Regulation distinguishes between simplified and standard authorizations, depending on the type of activity, its environmental impact, and the infrastructure involved. It also establishes infrastructure requirements, service conditions, insurance coverage, annual inspections, and a graduated sanctions system. Additionally, it regulates the possibility of exceptional permits due to experimental character or service needs.
Annex I outlines the types of procedures and approval levels. Activities with low impact, no overnight stay, no motorized elements, a maximum of 15 visitors, and no infrastructure or only minor infrastructure may be processed through simplified authorization. Activities that do not meet these conditions, or that are explicitly listed, must follow the standard authorization procedure.
The approval levels table defines the competent authority based on the type of procedure (simplified or standard), type of land, and associated infrastructure. Exceptional permits for experimental or service reasons fall exclusively under the authority of the Board of Directors.
Annex II classifies infrastructure into three levels:
-Minor complexity: up to 30 m², without installations, and removable. Includes kiosks, modules, non-cooking sales stands, dry toilets, among others.
-Medium complexity: up to 30 m² with installations, or between 30 and 60 m² without them. Also includes pre-existing infrastructure without expansion or change of use.
-Major complexity: over 30 m² with installations or over 60 m² without them, including new construction or structural modifications.
Annex II also specifies the documentation required for each infrastructure level, including sworn declarations signed by qualified professionals with a valid license.
Finally, Annex III sets out the criteria to be considered by park superintendencies when preparing the Technical Report, such as carrying capacity, zoning, overlapping activities, and whether the proposed activity takes place on authorized trails or in approved environments. It also outlines restrictions to protect cultural heritage, prevent impacts on wildlife, and regulate activities such as photography, horseback riding, and cycling.
The report must indicate whether systems for water collection or distribution, effluent treatment, energy, or gas are used. Activities must take place during park opening hours and comply with the environmental and operational conditions of the protected area.