Lanín National Park in the context of Lanin

Lanín is an ice-clad, cone-shaped stratovolcano on the border of Argentina and Chile. It forms part of two national parks: Lanín in Argentina and Villarrica in Chile. As a part of the flag and anthem of the Argentine province of Neuquén, it serves as a symbol for the region. Although the date of its last eruption is not known, it is estimated to have occurred within the last 10,000 years. Following the 1906 Valparaíso earthquake a local newspaper reported the volcano to have erupted, but a work published in 1917 by Karl Sapper disputed this.

The ascent is regulated by the management of Argentine National Parks and the Argentine National Gendarmerie and is technically relatively simple but has a much higher level of exposure than the neighbouring volcanoes. The nearest towns, usually employed as a base for climbers, are Pucón in Chile and Junín de los Andes in Argentina.

Junín de los Andes is a first category municipality and administrative center of the Huiliches Department in the province of Neuquén, Argentina. It is located in the south of the province, by the Chimehuin River, on National Route 40, about 35 km (22 mi) north of San Martín de los Andes and 17 km (11 mi) from the Chapelco Airport, which services the area.

Founded in 1883 as a fortress during the Conquest of the Desert, it is the oldest town in the province. It developed as a cattle border town. A mixture of the native Mapuche people's and the Argentine pioneers' influence can be seen in the local culture. Over the years, it became a tourism center near the Lanín National Park and the surrounding Andean lakes. In spring and summer, it is a common place for birdwatching, fishing and other outdoor activities, being considered Argentina's national trout fishing capital.