Camping Municipal de Río Gallegos — Patagonian Steppe Gateway Campground

Río Gallegos is the capital of Santa Cruz Province and the eastern anchor of this brutal stretch of Ruta 40. The municipal campground sits near the Río Gallegos riverbank and serves overlanders as the last place to resupply, top off water, and sleep somewhere with actual infrastructure before heading west into the steppe. Expect flat sites, basic bathrooms, and wind that doesn’t quit — this is Patagonia, and even in town it’ll rattle your roof tent. Nothing fancy, but it’s real and it works.

Access is straightforward from the city center — paved all the way in. Site is open year-round but austral summer (November through March) is when you’ll have company. Off-season you may have the place to yourself, which sounds nice until the 80 km/h gusts arrive. Fuel, grocery, and basic parts sourcing all available in Río Gallegos before heading out onto the wind corridor.

Last real basecamp before the steppe.