India is a land of incredible biodiversity and natural beauty, boasting a vast array of ecosystems, from lush forests and rolling grasslands to majestic mountains and pristine coastlines. Here are top 20 national parks in the country which are home to a rich tapestry of wildlife and landscapes, and one of the best ways to experience this natural wonder is by visiting its national parks. India’s national parks provide a sanctuary for a diverse range of flora and fauna and offer a glimpse into the country’s unique natural heritage. Here, we’ll take you on a virtual tour of some of the top national parks in India that you must explore. So let’s discover the natural wonders of India
Jim Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand, India
Jim Corbett National Park is a wildlife reserve located in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. It is one of the oldest national parks in India and is named after the legendary hunter and conservationist Jim Corbett. The park is known for its biodiversity and is home to a variety of flora and fauna.
The park is situated in the foothills of the Himalayas and covers an area of approximately 520 square kilometers. It is home to several endangered species including the Royal Bengal tiger, Asiatic elephant, and Indian pangolin. Other animals that can be found in the park include leopards, sambar deer, barking deer, wild boars, langurs, and macaques.
In addition to wildlife viewing, the park offers several outdoor activities such as jungle safaris, birdwatching, and nature walks. Visitors can also enjoy camping and trekking in the surrounding areas. The best time to visit the park is between November and June, with peak season being from December to February.
Kanha National Park, Madhya Pradesh, India
Kanha National Park is a popular national park located in the state of Madhya Pradesh in India. It was established in 1955 and is one of the largest national parks in India, covering an area of over 940 square kilometers.
The park is known for its rich biodiversity, including tigers, leopards, wild dogs, Indian bison, and many species of birds. It is also home to the Barasingha, a species of deer that is found only in Kanha National Park.
Visitors can explore the park’s natural beauty and wildlife through jeep safaris, elephant safaris, and walking tours. The park is open to visitors from October to June, with the best time to visit being from November to February.
Kanha National Park is located in the Mandla and Balaghat districts of Madhya Pradesh and is easily accessible by road and rail. The nearest airport is Jabalpur Airport, which is about 165 km away.
Pench National Park, Madhya Pradesh, India
Pench National Park is a popular national park located in the southern part of the state of Madhya Pradesh in India, near the border with Maharashtra. The park is named after the Pench River, which flows through it.
The park is known for its rich biodiversity, including tigers, leopards, Indian bison, deer, wild dogs, and many species of birds. It is also home to a large population of the endangered Indian wolf.
Visitors can explore the park’s natural beauty and wildlife through jeep safaris, elephant safaris, and walking tours. The park is open to visitors from October to June, with the best time to visit being from November to February.
Pench National Park is located in the Seoni and Chhindwara districts of Madhya Pradesh and is easily accessible by road and rail. The nearest airport is Nagpur Airport, which is about 92 km away.
Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan, India
Ranthambore National Park is a popular national park located in the state of Rajasthan in India. It was established in 1955 and covers an area of over 1300 square kilometers.
The park is known for its rich biodiversity, including tigers, leopards, Indian bison, deer, and many species of birds. It is also home to the famous Ranthambore Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that dates back to the 10th century.
Visitors can explore the park’s natural beauty and wildlife through jeep safaris, canter safaris, and walking tours. The park is open to visitors from October to June, with the best time to visit is from November to March.
Ranthambore National Park is located in the Sawai Madhopur district of Rajasthan and is easily accessible by road and rail. The nearest airport is Jaipur Airport, which is about 160 km away.
Kaziranga National Park, Assam, India
Kaziranga National Park is a popular national park located in the state of Assam in India. It was established in 1905 and covers an area of over 430 square kilometers.
The park is known for its rich biodiversity, including the one-horned Indian rhinoceros, tigers, elephants, deer, and many species of birds. It is also home to the largest population of the one-horned Indian rhinoceros in the world.
Visitors can explore the park’s natural beauty and wildlife through jeep safaris and elephant safaris. The park is open to visitors from November to April, with the best time to visit being from December to February.
Kaziranga National Park is located in the Golaghat and Nagaon districts of Assam and is easily accessible by road, rail, and air. The nearest airport is Jorhat Airport, which is about 97 km away.
Sundarbans National Park, India
Sundarban National Park is a popular national park located in the state of West Bengal in India. It was established in 1984 and covers an area of over 1,300 square kilometers.
The park is known for its unique ecosystem, which includes the Sundarbans mangrove forest, the largest mangrove forest in the world. It is home to the Bengal tiger, saltwater crocodile, Indian python, and many species of birds.
Visitors can explore the park’s natural beauty and wildlife through boat safaris, nature walks, and birdwatching tours. The park is open to visitors from September to March, with the best time to visit being from November to February.
Sundarbans National Park is located in the South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal and is easily accessible by road, rail, and air. The nearest airport is Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata, which is about 112 km away.
Bandipur National Park, Karnataka, India
Bandipur National Park is a popular national park located in the southern state of Karnataka in India. It was established in 1974 and covers an area of over 870 square kilometers.
The park is known for its rich biodiversity, including tigers, elephants, leopards, deer, and many species of birds. It is also home to the Bandipur Tiger Reserve, which is one of the most important protected areas for the endangered Bengal tiger in India.
Visitors can explore the park’s natural beauty and wildlife through jeep safaris, elephant safaris, and walking tours. The park is open to visitors from October to June, with the best time to visit being from November to March.
Bandipur National Park is located in the Chamarajanagar district of Karnataka and is easily accessible by road and rail. The nearest airport is Mysore Airport, which is about 80 km away.
Nagahole National Park/Rajiv Gandhi National Park, Karnataka, India
Nagarhole National Park, also known as Rajiv Gandhi National Park, is a popular national park located in the state of Karnataka in India. It was established in 1988 and covers an area of over 640 square kilometers.
The park is known for its rich biodiversity, including tigers, elephants, leopards, deer, and many species of birds. It is also home to the Nagarhole Wildlife Sanctuary, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Visitors can explore the park’s natural beauty and wildlife through jeep safaris, elephant safaris, and walking tours. The park is open to visitors from October to May, with the best time to visit being from November to April.
Nagarhole National Park is located in the Kodagu and Mysore districts of Karnataka and is easily accessible by road and rail. The nearest airport is Mysore Airport, which is about 96 km away.
Valley of Flowers National Park, Uttarakhand, India
Valley of Flowers National Park is a popular national park located in the state of Uttarakhand in India. It was established in 1982 and covers an area of over 87 square kilometers.
The park is known for its breathtaking natural beauty, including a wide variety of alpine flowers that bloom during the summer months. It is also home to many species of birds, butterflies, and mammals such as the Asiatic black bear, snow leopard, and musk deer.
Visitors can explore the park’s natural beauty through trekking and hiking tours. The park is open to visitors from June to October, with the best time to visit being from July to August, when the flowers are in full bloom.
Valley of Flowers National Park is located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand and is easily accessible by road and rail. The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, which is about 295 km away.
Satpura National Park, Madhya Pradesh, India
Satpura National Park is a popular national park located in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. It was established in 1981 and covers an area of over 1,400 square kilometers.
The park is known for its unique landscape, which includes hills, valleys, and deep gorges. It is also home to a wide variety of wildlife, including tigers, leopards, wild dogs, sloth bears, and many species of birds.
Visitors can explore the park’s natural beauty and wildlife through jeep safaris, walking tours, and boat safaris. The park is open to visitors from October to June, with the best time to visit being from November to March.
Satpura National Park is located in the Hoshangabad district of Madhya Pradesh and is easily accessible by road and rail. The nearest airport is Raja Bhoj Airport in Bhopal, which is about 190 km away.
Eravikulam National Park, Kerala, India
Eravikulam National Park is a popular national park located in the southern Indian state of Kerala. It was established in 1978 and covers an area of over 97 square kilometers.
The park is known for its unique ecosystem, which includes a range of high-altitude grasslands and shola forests. It is also home to the endangered Nilgiri tahr, as well as many other species of wildlife, such as leopards, sambar deer, and many species of birds.
Visitors can explore the park’s natural beauty and wildlife through walking tours and trekking. The park is open to visitors from September to May, with the best time to visit being from November to January.
Eravikulam National Park is located in the Idukki district of Kerala and is easily accessible by road and rail. The nearest airport is Cochin International Airport, which is about 110 km away.
Silent Valley National Park, Kerala, India
Silent Valley National Park is a popular national park located in the southwestern Indian state of Kerala. It was established in 1980 and covers an area of over 237 square kilometers.
The park is known for its unique ecosystem, which includes evergreen forests, grasslands, and streams. It is also home to a wide variety of wildlife, including tigers, elephants, leopards, and many species of birds.
Visitors can explore the park’s natural beauty and wildlife through trekking and hiking tours. The park is open to visitors from October to May, with the best time to visit being from December to April.
Silent Valley National Park is located in the Palakkad district of Kerala and is easily accessible by road and rail. The nearest airport is Coimbatore International Airport, which is about 85 km away.
Mudumalai National Park, Tamil Nadu, India
Mudumalai National Park is a popular national park located in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It was established in 1940 and covers an area of over 320 square kilometers.
The park is known for its diverse ecosystem, which includes tropical forests, grasslands, and scrub forests. It is also home to a wide variety of wildlife, including tigers, elephants, leopards, and many species of birds.
Visitors can explore the park’s natural beauty and wildlife through jeep safaris, elephant rides, and trekking tours. The park is open to visitors throughout the year, although the best time to visit is from October to June.
Mudumalai National Park is located in the Nilgiri district of Tamil Nadu and is easily accessible by road and rail. The nearest airport is Coimbatore International Airport, which is about 160 km away.
Japdapara National Park, West Bengal, India
Jaldapara National Park is a popular national park located in the northeastern Indian state of West Bengal. It was established in 1941 and covers an area of over 216 square kilometers.
The park is known for its unique ecosystem, which includes tropical forests, grasslands, and riverine forests. It is also home to the Indian one-horned rhinoceros, elephants, leopards, and many species of birds.
Visitors can explore the park’s natural beauty and wildlife through jeep safaris, elephant rides, and trekking tours. The park is open to visitors from October to June, with the best time to visit being from December to March.
Jaldapara National Park is located in the Alipurduar district of West Bengal and is easily accessible by road and rail. The nearest airport is Bagdogra Airport, which is about 140 km away.
Gorumara National Park, West Bengal, India
Gorumara National Park is a popular national park located in the northeastern Indian state of West Bengal. It was established in 1994 and covers an area of over 79 square kilometers.
The park is known for its diverse ecosystem, which includes tropical forests, grasslands, and riverine forests. It is also home to the Indian one-horned rhinoceros, elephants, leopards, and many species of birds.
Visitors can explore the park’s natural beauty and wildlife through jeep safaris and trekking tours. The park is open to visitors throughout the year, although the best time to visit is from November to February.
Gorumara National Park is located in the Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal and is easily accessible by road and rail. The nearest airport is Bagdogra Airport, which is about 80 km away.
Pin Valley National Park, Himachal Pradesh, India
Pin Valley National Park is a popular national park located in the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. It was established in 1987 and covers an area of over 675 square kilometers.
The park is known for its unique ecosystem, which includes alpine forests, grasslands, and snow-capped peaks. It is also home to many rare and endangered species of animals, including the snow leopard, Siberian ibex, and Tibetan gazelle.
Visitors can explore the park’s natural beauty and wildlife through trekking tours and wildlife safaris. The park is open to visitors from June to October, with the best time to visit being from August to October.
Pin Valley National Park is located in the Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh and is easily accessible by road. The nearest airport is Bhuntar Airport, which is about 250 km away.
Dachigam National Park, Jammu and Kashmir, India
Dachigam National Park is a popular national park located in the northern Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. It was established in 1981 and covers an area of over 141 square kilometers.
The park is known for its stunning landscape, which includes alpine forests, meadows, and snow-capped peaks. It is also home to many rare and endangered species of animals, including the Himalayan black bear, Kashmir stag, and Himalayan grey langur.
Visitors can explore the park’s natural beauty and wildlife through trekking tours and wildlife safaris. The park is open to visitors from May to October, with the best time to visit being from June to September.
Dachigam National Park is located about 22 km from the city of Srinagar and is easily accessible by road. The nearest airport is Srinagar International Airport, which is about 40 km away.
Mount Harriet National Park, Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Mount Harriet National Park is a popular national park located in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, a group of islands in the Bay of Bengal that are part of India’s territory. It was established in 1969 and covers an area of over 47 square kilometers.
The park is known for its stunning landscape, which includes tropical forests, mangroves, and scenic hills. It is also home to many rare and endangered species of animals, including the Andaman wild pig, Andaman imperial pigeon, and Andaman masked owl.
Visitors can explore the park’s natural beauty and wildlife through trekking tours and bird-watching trips. The park is open to visitors throughout the year, although the best time to visit is from November to May.
Mount Harriet National Park is located on the southern part of Andaman Island and is easily accessible by road and ferry. The nearest airport is the Veer Savarkar International Airport in Port Blair, which is about 55 km away.
Papikonda National Park, Andhra Pradesh, India
Papikonda National Park is a national park located in the state of Andhra Pradesh in India. It was established in 2008 and covers an area of over 1,012 square kilometers.
The park is known for its rich biodiversity, which includes a variety of flora and fauna. The park is home to many species of animals, including tigers, leopards, elephants, sloth bears, and various species of primates. It is also home to many species of birds, reptiles, and amphibians.
Visitors to the park can explore its natural beauty and wildlife through trekking tours and jeep safaris. The park is open to visitors throughout the year, although the best time to visit is from November to March.
Papikonda National Park is located in the Eastern Ghats mountain range and is easily accessible by road. The nearest airport is Rajahmundry Airport, which is about 60 km away.
Gir Forest National Park, Gujarat, India
Gir Forest National Park is a popular national park located in the state of Gujarat, India. It was established in 1965 and covers an area of over 1,412 square kilometers.
The park is known for its population of Asiatic lions, which is the only surviving population of lions outside of Africa. The park is also home to many other species of animals, including leopards, hyenas, wild boars, and various species of deer. It is also home to over 300 species of birds.
Visitors to the park can explore its natural beauty and wildlife through jeep safaris and trekking tours. The park is open to visitors throughout the year, although the best time to visit is from December to March.
Gir Forest National Park is located in the southwestern part of Gujarat and is easily accessible by road and rail. The nearest airport is Diu Airport, which is about 110 km away.
Final Thoughts
India’s national parks offer an incredible opportunity to explore the country’s rich biodiversity and natural beauty one should definitely explore. From the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas to the lush jungles, these protected areas are a testament to India’s commitment to conservation and preserving its unique ecosystems. Whether you’re an avid wildlife enthusiast, a nature lover, or simply someone looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life, the top 20 national parks in India provide an array of experiences that cater to every interest.
Happy Adventure ⎈
