The Araucárias National Park is located in the Santa Catarina municipalities of Passos Maia and Ponte Serrada.

[2] The protected area is surrounded by a 500 metres (1,600 ft) buffer zone holding small farms and agrarian reform settlements as well as soy plantations and cattle ranches.

In addition to the characteristic Araucaria angustifolia of the mixed rainforest there are other endangered species such as Dicksonia sellowiana and Ocotea porosa.

The forest helps maintain water quality in the Chapecó, Chapecozinho, Mato and Caratuva rivers.

[1] Protected species include maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus), helmeted woodpecker (Dryocopus galeatus), ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) and cougar (Puma concolor).