The Valle Grande reservoir sits at the top of the Atuel Canyon, the upper of two artificial lakes that step the river down toward San Rafael. Catamaran tours leave from a small pier on the lakeside — an easy hour-long loop that takes in the canyon walls from the water.
The setting is striking: turquoise water held between sheer rock walls, with the colours shifting through the day. The lake itself is calm enough for kayaks, paddleboards, and waterski hire. Several small restaurants and a couple of basic campsites cluster at the dam end. Rafting and zipline operators run from the same spot.