Established on 18 September 2002,[1] it houses a representative sample of the Central Andean Puna and the Southern Andean steppe biodiversity in good state of conservation, as well as historical and paleontological sites (including a portion of the Inca road system).

The lack of atmospheric pollution in this isolated place and the dry weather guarantee at least 300 days of unmatched sky transparency per year, making it particularly suitable for astronomy research: within the park there are two astronomical observatories: the Leoncito Astronomical Complex (CASLEO) and the Félix Aguilar Observatory (2,552 m (8,373 ft) above sea level) The area of the current national park lay within the jurisdiction of the aforementioned Leoncito Astronomical Complex, under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation.

Safeguarding the atmospheric quality was a central concern for the astronomical center, which in turn required careful administration of the ecological environment.

Thus in 1994 it was decided to place the area under management of the National Parks Administration as a strict natural reserve.

Besides visiting the astronomical observatories, there are trails to local water streams and waterfalls, most of them of low difficulty and short length.