Laguna Socompa is located at an elevation of in the Los Andes Department of the Salta Province in Argentina, close to the border with Chile. A railway to the border with Chile passes east of Laguna Socompa; the Socompa railway station lies c. north-northwest of the lake and the Quebrada del Agua station northeast of the lake is even closer. The area is far away from any city or town but sodium sulfate was produced in the area of Laguna Socompa. The lake was defined a protected area in 2011 but is also in the area of the Socompa geothermal power prospect.