The Nevado Tres Cruces National Park was officially formed on 2 December 1996 and is located in the Atacama Region III to the east of Copiapó. The park covers 51,082 hectares and is divided into two zones, the larger northern zone includes the southern part of the Salar de Maricunga and Laguna Santa Rosa; the southern part the Laguna del Negro Francisco. Most of the park is at an altitude of 3700 - 4500m and includes high altitude volcanic deserts and dry Andean puna. The park is named after the Nevado Tres Cruces volcano which dominates views of the area.